GWU Trachtenberg

[jean85]

So maybe I'm crazy... I got an email from George Washington that says (among other things) : "We believe you will be an excellent addition to the M.P.A. program, and your application is currently in the pool being considered for funding opportunities. While your official notification of admission from Columbian College of Arts and Sciences will not be sent in the mail until funding opportunities are determined, we wanted to communicate our decision to you as soon as possible." I thought this was more or less a pretty good indication I was in, but I read part of a discussion thread where someone said that they send this email out to everyone who applied. My friend (who went to grad school) read it and thought it meant I had been accepted. Does GW really send this to people right before rejecting them? If so, it's so misleading and downright cruel that I am thinking I will most likely withdraw my application. The email includes links to RSVP for accepted student days, etc. etc. Does this letter really mean nothing at all?

[macmc]

So maybe I'm crazy... I got an email from George Washington that says (among other things) : "We believe you will be an excellent addition to the M.P.A. program, and your application is currently in the pool being considered for funding opportunities. While your official notification of admission from Columbian College of Arts and Sciences will not be sent in the mail until funding opportunities are determined, we wanted to communicate our decision to you as soon as possible." I thought this was more or less a pretty good indication I was in, but I read part of a discussion thread where someone said that they send this email out to everyone who applied. My friend (who went to grad school) read it and thought it meant I had been accepted. Does GW really send this to people right before rejecting them? If so, it's so misleading and downright cruel that I am thinking I will most likely withdraw my application. The email includes links to RSVP for accepted student days, etc. etc. Does this letter really mean nothing at all?

That sounds like an acceptance to me. Just look at the funding references; it would've been different if they'd said, "We think you'll be an excellent addition, and hope you'll consider us should you be accepted." Since they said straight-up that you're in a specific, being-considered-for-funding pool, I think you're good. I got a similar letter from the director of one of my programs, so I think we're both in great shape!

[2011fall]

That sounds like an acceptance to me. Just look at the funding references; it would've been different if they'd said, "We think you'll be an excellent addition, and hope you'll consider us should you be accepted." Since they said straight-up that you're in a specific, being-considered-for-funding pool, I think you're good. I got a similar letter from the director of one of my programs, so I think we're both in great shape!

i think you both are accepted!! Otherwise they are so bad to give this kind of misleading information,

I also applied. But PhD program.

Have heard nothing yet.

Cheers and good Luck!!

Edited January 28, 2011 by 2011fall

[jean85]

So maybe I'm crazy... I got an email from George Washington that says (among other things) : "We believe you will be an excellent addition to the M.P.A. program, and your application is currently in the pool being considered for funding opportunities. While your official notification of admission from Columbian College of Arts and Sciences will not be sent in the mail until funding opportunities are determined, we wanted to communicate our decision to you as soon as possible." I thought this was more or less a pretty good indication I was in, but I read part of a discussion thread where someone said that they send this email out to everyone who applied. My friend (who went to grad school) read it and thought it meant I had been accepted. Does GW really send this to people right before rejecting them? If so, it's so misleading and downright cruel that I am thinking I will most likely withdraw my application. The email includes links to RSVP for accepted student days, etc. etc. Does this letter really mean nothing at all?

Edit: i applied recently, as in earlier this month, which is why the email seemed so especially weird and way, way too early. i guess that was something important to mention and why i was looking up trachtenberg acceptance letters to see if it was for real. i'm really not just that paranoid.

also, thanks for the replies!

also, never having used this forum before, i thought the green plus sign button thing meant add to your post. i think i just accidentally gave myself a thumbs-up. whoops.

Edited January 28, 2011 by jean85

[Application_Overwhelmed]

Hey there,

I received the same email today and took it to mean that I had been accepted. But it was still a little strange. And it said to check your online application and your admission status should be there. My admission status hasn't changed, so I'm really unsure. Hopefully it was good news! I only applied two weeks ago which seems extremely quick...

Good luck and let me know if you find anything out...

[jean85]

Hey there,

I received the same email today and took it to mean that I had been accepted. But it was still a little strange. And it said to check your online application and your admission status should be there. My admission status hasn't changed, so I'm really unsure. Hopefully it was good news! I only applied two weeks ago which seems extremely quick...

Good luck and let me know if you find anything out...

I gave up and called Trachtenberg this morning. The email is, in fact, an unofficial acceptance letter. They like to work fast, the woman at the school said. Statuses will be updated online sometime in the next few days. I checked my application and turns out that I applied on the 14th, and I hadn't believed that it was possible for them to make decisions that quickly. So, we're really in (unofficially), Application_Overwhelmed!

[Application_Overwhelmed]

I gave up and called Trachtenberg this morning. The email is, in fact, an unofficial acceptance letter. They like to work fast, the woman at the school said. Statuses will be updated online sometime in the next few days. I checked my application and turns out that I applied on the 14th, and I hadn't believed that it was possible for them to make decisions that quickly. So, we're really in (unofficially), Application_Overwhelmed!

Congrats! That's exciting news! I wish all schools got back to me so quickly. Thanks for letting me know

[Elsa]

I gave up and called Trachtenberg this morning. The email is, in fact, an unofficial acceptance letter. They like to work fast, the woman at the school said. Statuses will be updated online sometime in the next few days. I checked my application and turns out that I applied on the 14th, and I hadn't believed that it was possible for them to make decisions that quickly. So, we're really in (unofficially), Application_Overwhelmed!

Okay, now I'm freaking out. Did people who applied to the MPP at GWU hear from them yet? My application status is not even "under review" yet.

[agh423]

I applied for last year and remember receiving a very similar e-mail and being just as confused. I was also told last year from the school directly that the e-mail is an, as has been described, and unofficial acceptance. Basically, they can't see yes yet because the dean of the college has to approve it (which they most likely will do).

I don't think any school out there would say they'd recommend you if they would turn around and reject you or think that the dean would say no.

Congrats!

[Elsa]

Seriously people, any MPP candidate? Heard something yet or is it just the MPA?

[fishpoo]

Seriously people, any MPP candidate? Heard something yet or is it just the MPA?

I received my acceptance email for the MPP program Friday afternoon. It looks like they are sending the emails out in batches (perhaps to avoid SPAM filters?) as it is evident from the new students board that emails began being sent out on Thursday, so I wouldn't start freaking out yet! I'm sure they're sending more emails next week, AND it's still really early in the process. Also, the email from GW indicated that the online updates are a little slower than the actual status.

Good luck to you!

Edited January 29, 2011 by fishpoo

[Elsa]

Thanks Fishpoo for responding. I'm panicking.

[Elsa]

Okay, I called them : decisions will be sent out in batches. They haven't reviewed yet 80% of the applications submitted. So no need to panick until early march.

Thanks fishpoo, you were right. (still, you're so lucky to have your decision, I'm jealous ;-))

[Application_Overwhelmed]

I gave up and called Trachtenberg this morning. The email is, in fact, an unofficial acceptance letter. They like to work fast, the woman at the school said. Statuses will be updated online sometime in the next few days. I checked my application and turns out that I applied on the 14th, and I hadn't believed that it was possible for them to make decisions that quickly. So, we're really in (unofficially), Application_Overwhelmed!

Hey Jean85,

Quick question...has your application status changed yet? Mine still says under review although that email said the website should reflect our acceptance soon.

[jean85]

Hey Jean85,

Quick question...has your application status changed yet? Mine still says under review although that email said the website should reflect our acceptance soon.

My status has not changed, although I am frequently checking! I did receive a call from a graduate assistant at the admissions office who asked if i had any questions and offered to explain the email. Apparently there's been a fair amount of confusion. I think they may not update the online status until it's official. I don't know how long that takes. When I asked if people get rejected after being unofficially accepted, the graduate assistant who called me said it's never happened.

Also I accidentally gave myself that little green plus sign thumbs up again.

Edited February 3, 2011 by jean85

[Application_Overwhelmed]

My status has not changed, although I am frequently checking! I did receive a call from a graduate assistant at the admissions office who asked if i had any questions and offered to explain the email. Apparently there's been a fair amount of confusion. I think they may not update the online status until it's official. I don't know how long that takes. When I asked if people get rejected after being unofficially accepted, the graduate assistant who called me said it's never happened.

Also I accidentally gave myself that little green plus sign thumbs up again.

Yeah, I got a call from someone also, which put me at ease. Now just waiting to see if they want to give me any money!

[mssyAK]

jean85/application_overwhelmed - have you heard any rumors about GW's generosity (or lack thereof) re: funding? i'd love to live in DC, and a bit of aid would definitely sweeten the deal.

[Application_Overwhelmed]

jean85/application_overwhelmed - have you heard any rumors about GW's generosity (or lack thereof) re: funding? i'd love to live in DC, and a bit of aid would definitely sweeten the deal.

Hey mssyAK,

You know, I haven't heard anything about their generosity. I'm in the same boat, though. I definitely can't move to DC unless they give me some significant funding.

Anyone out there have any idea when they are going to let us all know about funding?

[skeedy]

Just got my unofficial acceptance!

First reaction: EFF YES!

Second: How the h e double hockey sticks am I going to pay for this??

Elation met with a realization. We'll see what this funding is like I guess?

[mssyAK]

Hey mssyAK,

You know, I haven't heard anything about their generosity. I'm in the same boat, though. I definitely can't move to DC unless they give me some significant funding.

Anyone out there have any idea when they are going to let us all know about funding?

did you receive the official decision today? exciting!! i feel slightly masochistic asking but... does your decision say anything about funding? or maybe it will come in the admission letter? i'm really excited to compulsively check my mailbox this week

[kleisthenes]

did you receive the official decision today? exciting!! i feel slightly masochistic asking but... does your decision say anything about funding? or maybe it will come in the admission letter? i'm really excited to compulsively check my mailbox this week

I got my acceptance email yesterday. The following part is all they say about funding:

The Columbian College oversees our programs and will be mailing you the official notification, including assistantship/fellowship status. By early next week, you should also be able to view your admission status on your applyourself.com account.

So I'm waiting fingers crossed. I'm completely dependent on funding so regardless of where I want to go, I'm led by whatever funding opportunities are available. I'm an international student so I suffer from the lack of funding sources that come with that. I completely understand how you might be 'on edge' about receiving information on funding!

[jean85]

jean85/application_overwhelmed - have you heard any rumors about GW's generosity (or lack thereof) re: funding? i'd love to live in DC, and a bit of aid would definitely sweeten the deal.

I got the impression from the grad assistant who called me that a lot of students work at the school (like her). I was told it would take a few weeks to hear anything about funding decisions. Other than that, I have no idea. At this point I'm much more concerned about acceptances than funding, although I'm sure that will change!

Edited February 8, 2011 by jean85

[kleisthenes]

I got the impression from the grad assistant who called me that a lot of students work at the school (like her). I was told it would take a few weeks to hear anything about funding decisions. Other than that, I have no idea. At this point I'm much more concerned about acceptances than funding, although I'm sure that will change!

Got my acceptance email on Tuesday (8 Feb) telling me I was accepted. Got an email from Columbian School of Arts and Sciences today telling me I'm officially accepted, but that I am not being considered for Fellowships or Assistantships. As an international student, this makes me a little teary eyed. I'm in, but that doesn't make a difference unless I have funding....

Fingers crossed for the remaining schools.

[fishpoo]

Got my snail mail today regarding official acceptance, and informing me that I was not considered for any fellowships or teaching assistantships. Tooo bad GWU.

[hattaba]

Did they mention the funding decision in the same email ?

Got my acceptance email on Tuesday (8 Feb) telling me I was accepted. Got an email from Columbian School of Arts and Sciences today telling me I'm officially accepted, but that I am not being considered for Fellowships or Assistantships. As an international student, this makes me a little teary eyed. I'm in, but that doesn't make a difference unless I have funding....

Fingers crossed for the remaining schools.