SPEA

[kabutar]

Has anyone heard from SPEA *recently*? I know there were a few that heard way back when and/or really soon after submitting their application but are there any others who haven't heard anything? Apparently they're on spring break next week, so we've gotta wait till the week after...

[fadeindreams]

I don't think that Spring Break has any impact on when they'll do their admissions decisions. The admissions office at a major public university will not close for the entirety of Spring Break. No way.

I work in such an office and we are only getting the Friday off of Spring Break.

[digits2006]

Spring break does play a role. I know flagship universities that takes a week off from admissions for spring break.

[kabutar]

I don't think that Spring Break has any impact on when they'll do their admissions decisions. The admissions office at a major public university will not close for the entirety of Spring Break. No way.

I work in such an office and we are only getting the Friday off of Spring Break.

I actually just spoke to one of the lovely ladies in admissions and she said spring break is next week so most likely the week after... unfortunate, but such is life! Hence just wondering if I'm the only one (which would not bode well? lol)

[fadeindreams]

Spring break does play a role. I know flagship universities that takes a week off from admissions for spring break.

I actually just spoke to one of the lovely ladies in admissions and she said spring break is next week so most likely the week after... unfortunate, but such is life! Hence just wondering if I'm the only one (which would not bode well? lol)

Well hell...why don't I work there then?!? Lame.

All the same, Spring Break shouldn't impact the process for a professional program at a world class university.

[tammy-san]

I got my admission e-mail back on Feb 27th, and I got my admission packet yesterday.

However, I'm 99.99% sure that they are on a rolling admission schedule, so I really wouldn't worry about it too much.

[fadeindreams]

Does anyone else have a negative opinion of "rolling admissions"? It is, in my opinion, too forgiving for students who don't have enough focus to get their applications finished in a timely manner.

Sadly, the fact that DU's Korbel School has "rolling admissions" and recently published a blog post soliciting more applications has knocked my overall perception of their school down a notch. I don't think it's deserved, after all I know admissions is often removed quite a bit from the academic side of things, but the perception is there all the same! I still want to go to Korbel, though that might be because they are the only ones that have stated they want me at this point! (Feeling a bit like Ben on last week's "Lost")

This admissions process has been all full of long, deep sighs. I ain't LOLing. I'm SOLing.

[mppgal55]

I heard back just a few days ago. Still no word on funding though! I'm not sure if my being in-state, applying way before deadline, or calling to check on it helped. I know that when I called they seemed very interested in where else I have been accepted and said they would speak to their director and 'make a note on your application.' So if you haven't been in contact, id make a phone call!

Is anyone seriously considering SPEA? I've heard great things and they are ranked well, but I find it hard to get an unbiased opinion, being from Indiana. Thoughts?

[kabutar]

I got my admission e-mail back on Feb 27th, and I got my admission packet yesterday.

However, I'm 99.99% sure that they are on a rolling admission schedule, so I really wouldn't worry about it too much.

Hmm, the thing is I applied Dec 1, since I'm international, and sent updated grades/etc Jan 7th, let's say Jan 31 just to be in the safe side. So it's a VERY long roll lol.

To the last poster - yes I did make a phone call and they just said it's 'still in review'. One of the ladies said it looks fairly strong, but I'm not counting my chickens...

And yes I am seriously considering SPEA if I get in - it's going to be that or Syracuse I think, and that's a hard choice because both are strong in the enviro program, but Syracuse has that great alumni network and post-grad job placement, while I like SPEA's 2-year program but a lot of their grads seem to end up in state or local management jobs, which I'm not quite so hot on lol. Let's see if I get in first... but yes, I would also love some unbiased opinions on SPEA's reputation in DC, NYC, etc as well as outside of the US...

Edited March 12, 2010 by kabutar

[washndry]

Does anyone else have a negative opinion of "rolling admissions"? It is, in my opinion, too forgiving for students who don't have enough focus to get their applications finished in a timely manner.

Sadly, the fact that DU's Korbel School has "rolling admissions" and recently published a blog post soliciting more applications has knocked my overall perception of their school down a notch. I don't think it's deserved, after all I know admissions is often removed quite a bit from the academic side of things, but the perception is there all the same! I still want to go to Korbel, though that might be because they are the only ones that have stated they want me at this point! (Feeling a bit like Ben on last week's "Lost")

This admissions process has been all full of long, deep sighs. I ain't LOLing. I'm SOLing.

I got an acceptance to SPEA via email for the MPA last week, no mailed packet yet though.

Based on what I've been reading here, and the email only a few weeks ago that said "we are now reviewing your app," I think it's rolling admit in some sense. I'm figuring they batch up a set of applications, and then go through a set, admit some, go through the next set, admit some...I wouldn't have any ideas on how they split apps that way, might be just by what month you submitted or could be anything else really, GRE or GPA maybe. And that really doesn't benefit late students...quite the opposite isn't it?...rolling means if they fill up early, they fill up, whereas in a traditional 1 set of applications process, people who submit in November and those that submit in February are both going for the same number of openings.

Edited March 12, 2010 by washndry

[tammy-san]

Does anyone else have a negative opinion of "rolling admissions"? It is, in my opinion, too forgiving for students who don't have enough focus to get their applications finished in a timely manner.

Sadly, the fact that DU's Korbel School has "rolling admissions" and recently published a blog post soliciting more applications has knocked my overall perception of their school down a notch. I don't think it's deserved, after all I know admissions is often removed quite a bit from the academic side of things, but the perception is there all the same! I still want to go to Korbel, though that might be because they are the only ones that have stated they want me at this point! (Feeling a bit like Ben on last week's "Lost")

This admissions process has been all full of long, deep sighs. I ain't LOLing. I'm SOLing.

Well. I don't think you can discredit the quality of a program based on the fact that have "rolling admissions". It might just mean that course scheduling is structured so that you can start at any-time...

Also another thing to consider: more applicants=more $$ for the school

Edited March 12, 2010 by tammy-san

[fadeindreams]

Of course it benefits late/lazy students! You can submit your application until the target class is full. It just feels like a process that doesn't have any place at tier 1/prestigious schools. Again, it's my opinion but I feel that hard deadlines show more strength and prestige.

[fadeindreams]

Also another thing to consider: more applicants=more $ for the school

Exactly. Yet another reason that I think it appears less prestigious and weak. And I did say that I didn't discredit the academic side of the school due to using "rolling admissions". I suppose the best way to say it is that I feel less special having been admitted to a program using "rolling admissions". I think the reason is that I currently work in a major public that using "rolling admissions" and it seems too relaxed and unprofessional.

[washndry]

Yes, it's quite possible that your negative experience makes you think that way, and other schools may be similar, I can't say. On the other side of things though, I'm paranoid, so rolling admits to me = "first come first serve" and I make damn sure to get things in as early as possible!

[sly06]

Kabutar, I applied by the priority deadline and still haven't heard anything either. And there aren't that many "results" posted on this website. I'm thinking they're about a month slower than they were in previous years. Waiting feels more stressful than applying :-/

[kabutar]

ditto here re stress!

also, I disagree that rolling deadlines favour lazy applicants... if they're too lazy they may just lose a spot. I think hard deadlines tend to favour lazy applicants because they can just submit right at the end... while rolling deadlines favour early birds who submit right at the beginning before anyone else...

[mppgal55]

I got an acceptance to SPEA via email for the MPA last week, no mailed packet yet though.

Based on what I've been reading here, and the email only a few weeks ago that said "we are now reviewing your app," I think it's rolling admit in some sense. I'm figuring they batch up a set of applications, and then go through a set, admit some, go through the next set, admit some...I wouldn't have any ideas on how they split apps that way, might be just by what month you submitted or could be anything else really, GRE or GPA maybe. And that really doesn't benefit late students...quite the opposite isn't it?...rolling means if they fill up early, they fill up, whereas in a traditional 1 set of applications process, people who submit in November and those that submit in February are both going for the same number of openings.

SPEA came to my undergrad university in early November for a graduate school fair, and when I spoke with them at that point they said that they are on rolling admissions for financial aid. They will look at your application if it comes individually before thanksgiving. After that, they basically just start sorting by GPA first, GRE second, and go through from there. She said they read through everything and pull out applications with strong SOPs or LORs, resumes, etc. and rerank, admitting after that. It still all soudned confusing, and I definitely expected to hear in February, but maybe that will help you?

One thing I think that makes me feel more comfortable with SPEA is that they take career networking trips to Chicago, DC, and Indy in the Spring. I met a group of alumni when I was living in DC, and everyone had great jobs, both private and public sector. I was definitely pushed towards public finance though - every alumni in DC had concentrated in that, even if that wasn't their sepciality. Apparently IU is known in DC as a "GAO factory" in DC, as a lot of IU students intern/work there. This is all word of mouth type things from the DC-IU grads, though, so take it as its worth.

[kabutar]

Aha... that explains it Juli... I think! My GPA was pretty low but my GRE was high, so that may be why. Keeping fingers crossed then!

Also... what do you mean by 'great jobs' out of curiosity? And, lol, what is GAO?

Edited March 13, 2010 by kabutar

[mppgal55]

Aha... that explains it Juli... I think! My GPA was pretty low but my GRE was high, so that may be why. Keeping fingers crossed then!

Also... what do you mean by 'great jobs' out of curiosity? And, lol, what is GAO?

GAO is the Government Accountability Office.

For jobs...one had a federal career internship position (2 yr job contract w/ potential for promotion at end) at FERC - federal energy regulatory commission, two were working at Booz Allen, one was with the state department as a presidential management fellow (prestigious government 2 year position), one was just starting work as a program manager at the EPA (environmental protection agency) after working with the GAO, and one was in a small consulting firm. I was impressed because even the government employees had very high salaries and had been promoted within 2 years. I don't know if those jobs would be "great" to everyone, but I thought so!

[aren]

I got an acceptance letter about a month ago, but am still waiting for information on funding. Has anyone received news on that front?

[Carol]

<<

Well. I don't think you can discredit the quality of a program based on the fact that have "rolling admissions". It might just mean that course scheduling is structured so that you can start at any-time...

Also another thing to consider: more applicants=more $ for the school>>

Thought I'd weigh in on Korbel. I started there (the MA program/International Studies) last summer to get a head start, as I work 25 hours a week and can only take 2 classes a quarter compared to the usual 3. I already have a master's degree, Phi Beta Kappa, and very high GPAs in both college and my previous grad school program, and yet I've been blown away by the caliber of the Korbel program. The profs are excellent; the student body is diverse, smart, engaged and committed; the classes are definitely challenging (the reading assignments are daunting); the extracurricular speakers and supplementary programs are outstanding considering the fact that we're in Denver (not the Beltway); and the Career Center is phenomenal. I don't know one person who applied for a summer internship (whether DC or overseas or even right here in Colorado) who didn't get something he or she was truly excited about. That says a lot about Korbel's reputation.

As far as some admissions blog that supposedly asked for more admissions -- it definitely wasn't because Korbel wasn't getting enough. Thousands of them came from China alone (the admissions director is a Facebook friend, and he was trying to figure out how they were going to get through all the Chinese apps). I suspect they just wanted more from certain underrepresented sectors (or our Admissions staff are gluttons for punishment -- because they've been working nonstop).

--Carol

[Xandir]

Has anyone heard lately? Their newsletter said they wanted to have all apps reviewed by the 31st, but they're going to send out funding decisions next week. I applied by the Feb 1st funding deadline. I'm a bit confused how they can send out funding letters when they haven't reviewed all applicants. Unless, of course, I've been 'unofficially' rejected!

I think it's very ironic (and frustrating) that they keep sending me emails for Admitted (or still waiting) Student day. I laugh on the inside...and then cry on the outside....

[kabutar]

Has anyone heard lately? Their newsletter said they wanted to have all apps reviewed by the 31st, but they're going to send out funding decisions next week. I applied by the Feb 1st funding deadline. I'm a bit confused how they can send out funding letters when they haven't reviewed all applicants. Unless, of course, I've been 'unofficially' rejected!

I think it's very ironic (and frustrating) that they keep sending me emails for Admitted (or still waiting) Student day. I laugh on the inside...and then cry on the outside....

I think they said they're sending out the first batch of funding info next week, so I wouldn't worry too much

[mppgal55]

I think they said they're sending out the first batch of funding info next week, so I wouldn't worry too much

I was told ServiceCorps funding decisions would be made next week, but that funding decisions for the first round are already out (though Jennifer Medlin did assert that there will be a 2nd round). So, hopefully there is still a chance!

I was confused as well about how they could give funding without admitting you first, but I just figured if I wasn't admitted well before that time frame than I wasn't at the top of their incoming class and probably wouldn't be competitive for the highest aid awards anyway. It still seems unfair and drags the process out, but in one of the online chats they said they had 600 applications at that time for about 160 spots, so they are busy and I can understand needing two processes with two committees. Either way, it leaves me where I am now, with no aid as of yet.

[sly06]

Has anyone heard lately? Their newsletter said they wanted to have all apps reviewed by the 31st, but they're going to send out funding decisions next week. I applied by the Feb 1st funding deadline. I'm a bit confused how they can send out funding letters when they haven't reviewed all applicants. Unless, of course, I've been 'unofficially' rejected!

I think it's very ironic (and frustrating) that they keep sending me emails for Admitted (or still waiting) Student day. I laugh on the inside...and then cry on the outside....

Are people who still haven't heard back RSVPing to prospective student "experience day"?