PhD application at school of public policy, UMD

[zhongmogogo]

Anyone heard from the School of Public Policy at UMD？or anyone who also applied the PhD program at SPP of UMD ? I was interviewed nearly a month ago but so far haven't got the official decision letter. In order to wait for this result, I refused several offers of admission. Timeline kills me and this strong sense of uncertainty is killing me! Truly need some news whether it's good or bad....

[keb346]

Congrats on at least getting an interview, I didn't even know they did interviews so I guess I'm out of luck. I've been checking the portal every day. 

What concentration were you?

Edited March 13, 2018 by keb346

[zhongmogogo]

10 hours ago, keb346 said:

Congrats on at least getting an interview, I didn't even know they did interviews so I guess I'm out of luck. I've been checking the portal every day. 

What concentration were you?

Yeah, same as you. There seems to be no surprise on the portal! also found it's so weird for such a long decision process~ BTW, my concentration is community governance and civil engagement. How about yours and how do you think of this doctoral program at UMD，especially compared with other graduate schools at the same level. Also, would you mind if I ask u r international applicant or applicant in the States?

[keb346]

My concentration was either energy or environmental. This doctoral program is supposed to be really good, it was my top choice, but it's also very highly selective. I'm from the US. I never got contacted for an interview and my portal still days under departmental/program review. I feel as if I should just move on and accept I'm not getting in at this point since I haven't been contacted at all. 

[zhongmogogo]

16 hours ago, keb346 said:

My concentration was either energy or environmental. This doctoral program is supposed to be really good, it was my top choice, but it's also very highly selective. I'm from the US. I never got contacted for an interview and my portal still days under departmental/program review. I feel as if I should just move on and accept I'm not getting in at this point since I haven't been contacted at all. 

Have you ever emailed the admission office? I tried twice but no response~~so disappointed at such kind of student service! 

[keb346]

6 hours ago, zhongmogogo said:

Have you ever emailed the admission office? I tried twice but no response~~so disappointed at such kind of student service! 

I have emailed therm twice, a few weeks apart, and even tried calling. I understand they're busy but it's ridiculous to not even attempt to help applicants. My contact had told me a week ago that he didn't think they had made any final decisions for PhD, but he's wasn't 100% sure of that. 

[zhongmogogo]

3 hours ago, keb346 said:

I have emailed therm twice, a few weeks apart, and even tried calling. I understand they're busy but it's ridiculous to not even attempt to help applicants. My contact had told me a week ago that he didn't think they had made any final decisions for PhD, but he's wasn't 100% sure of that. 

so weird! Now I even question their willingness to hire a PhD this year! If they do not have the phd positions, I don't think they should post the admission info on the website! Terrible experience! Do you have any other choice right now? I mean, any other offers of admission. Cuz I think maybe it's safe to consider other graduate schools if there's still no news from UMD for the next few days!

[keb346]

10 hours ago, zhongmogogo said:

so weird! Now I even question their willingness to hire a PhD this year! If they do not have the phd positions, I don't think they should post the admission info on the website! Terrible experience! Do you have any other choice right now? I mean, any other offers of admission. Cuz I think maybe it's safe to consider other graduate schools if there's still no news from UMD for the next few days!

I had an admissions offer but not enough money to go so I guess it'll be a year off for me to work before reapplying. You?

Edited March 16, 2018 by keb346

[zhongmogogo]

1 hour ago, keb346 said:

I had an admissions offer but not enough money to go so I guess it'll be a year off for me to work before reapplying. You?

I had another offer from PITT, but haven't decided yet. How do you think of PITT？Do you think it's worthwhile to use more than 4 years at PITT for a doctoral degree in policy studies? I‘m still not sure and regret not applying for more graduate schools. Although PITT gives me the assistantship which is alleged to cover most of fees, I‘m still worried about the living cost~I think most doctoral programs will provide you some salary with the TA or RA jobs. Which school did your offer come from? I think maybe you can try to ask them if they have some scholarships to apply?

[keb346]

On 3/16/2018 at 12:36 AM, zhongmogogo said:

I had another offer from PITT, but haven't decided yet. How do you think of PITT？Do you think it's worthwhile to use more than 4 years at PITT for a doctoral degree in policy studies? I‘m still not sure and regret not applying for more graduate schools. Although PITT gives me the assistantship which is alleged to cover most of fees, I‘m still worried about the living cost~I think most doctoral programs will provide you some salary with the TA or RA jobs. Which school did your offer come from? I think maybe you can try to ask them if they have some scholarships to apply?

I'm sure pitt has a good program as well. It was an offer from Columbia SIPA from their ESP MPA program but I only got a 10,000 scholarship, and I don't have the money to pay for the rest of it. Pitt should be sort of affordable, I'm sure things will work out for you!