George Mason

[tj19]

Sure, I could see that. Money will always be a factor, and GMU is cheaper but still in the DC area. I hate to fall back on US News rankings, but it's still a top 50 program. And in one of my areas of interest, public-policy analysis, it's ranked just behind of American and ahead of GWU.

[yabanci]

Sure, I could see that. Money will always be a factor, and GMU is cheaper but still in the DC area. I hate to fall back on US News rankings, but it's still a top 50 program. And in one of my areas of interest, public-policy analysis, it's ranked just behind of American and ahead of GWU.

I'm in the same boat as you. I've been accepted to American's program for U.S. Foreign Policy, but with no funding. Mason will be much cheaper for me, plus it's within commuting distance to my house, so I could save a lot of money by commuting from home. American is, I suppose, close enough for me to drive to (about 35 minutes), but tuition alone is $25k/year. Meanwhile, I could finish two years at Mason for less than that much in tuition. Mason's political science program is ranked 50th I think, although rankings haven't been updated in a couple years. Mason's political science program is also listed under the Department of Public and International Affairs, but I guess the rankings are separate for the political science program. Ultimately, I think for me it will come down to cost. For the American program, tuition will be about $50k over two years, and at Mason it'll be about $20k total for two years. I really like the program at American, and it has a much better reputation, but I think I'll have a hard time justifying taking out ~$50k in loans, particularly if I want to work in the public sector (although there is the loan forgiveness program that I'll have to take more of a look at). I hope to hear from Mason soon, since I have to let American know in a few weeks. Plus, I'll be able to work out finances a bit better I think. I wish this decision weren't so hard . . .

[Mal83]

decisions are pretty tough...it's tough still waiting to hear from American. I don't live in VA so if I get in to American that's definitely where I'll go, out-of-state tuition will make it just about the same. Plus I really want International Development and George Mason doesn't offer that, Global Affairs seems to be the closest, which will do in lieu of an acceptance from American. This process has definitely been a lot harder than I thought it would be.

[Matthew Gemberling]

Yea I was pretty happy getting into Americana and George Washington, however I didn't get any funding from GWU and I DOUBT that I will get anything from American. I just can't justify financing that amount of money on education and housing in the D.C. area...I don't believe that i can be completely ensured I will make that money back in my future life. I just would like to hear from GMU because I think that I have a good chance at funding from there and it would be competition to Pittsburgh's GSPIA. but right now, being an in-state resident of PA, I am leaning toward GSPIA because of the price...i would just like to have everything in a line and know all my options with all the incentives so that I can finally make a choice!

[yabanci]

Still waiting on Mason's decision. I'm hoping this week, but who knows at this point. I'm not sure if you guys have researched this at all, but Mason is part of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, which includes American, Georgetown, GWU, and UMD, among others. Basically, if Mason doesn't offer a class you want to take, you can sign up for that class at one of the other schools in the DC area. You pay Mason tuition, so it ends up being cheaper. The catch is, I think you can only take maybe 6-9 credits of your master's at other schools, plus you'll have to commute into DC to get to the classes, although there's a metro stop about 5 minutes from Mason's campus. Also, I'm not sure if you're guaranteed a spot in one of the DC school's classes if you try to sign up for it. I think the site says you have to e-mail the professor who teaches it and hope he/she lets you in. If I do end up going to Mason, I will likely try to take advantage of this to take a few extra classes that Mason doesn't offer (although taking classes at American may just make me feel bad for not going there ). Since I believe you guys are doing a separate program from mine (political science), you'll want to check your program's website to see what it offers. If I remember correctly, America's SIS and GWU's Elliott schools are included in the consortium.

On a separate note, if you guys end up going to one of the DC schools and are worried about living costs, you could easily live in Virginia, or Maryland for that matter, and commute into DC via the metro. Places like Arlington or Alexandria in Virginia are going to be cheaper than DC, but still relatively expensive. I'm guessing they'd be a lot cheaper if you got a roommate though. They are expanding the metro westward into the suburbs of Northern Virginia, out where I live, but the earliest lines won't be done until next year I believe.

And for those who got into American, the RSVP deadline for graduate day, in DC at least, is Friday. I'll likely go to it, even if I don't end up attending American.

Edited March 29, 2011 by yabanci

[Mal83]

Still waiting on Mason's decision. I'm hoping this week, but who knows at this point. I'm not sure if you guys have researched this at all, but Mason is part of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, which includes American, Georgetown, GWU, and UMD, among others. Basically, if Mason doesn't offer a class you want to take, you can sign up for that class at one of the other schools in the DC area. You pay Mason tuition, so it ends up being cheaper. The catch is, I think you can only take maybe 6-9 credits of your master's at other schools, plus you'll have to commute into DC to get to the classes, although there's a metro stop about 5 minutes from Mason's campus. Also, I'm not sure if you're guaranteed a spot in one of the DC school's classes if you try to sign up for it. I think the site says you have to e-mail the professor who teaches it and hope he/she lets you in. If I do end up going to Mason, I will likely try to take advantage of this to take a few extra classes that Mason doesn't offer (although taking classes at American may just make me feel bad for not going there ). Since I believe you guys are doing a separate program from mine (political science), you'll want to check your program's website to see what it offers. If I remember correctly, America's SIS and GWU's Elliott schools are included in the consortium.

On a separate note, if you guys end up going to one of the DC schools and are worried about living costs, you could easily live in Virginia, or Maryland for that matter, and commute into DC via the metro. Places like Arlington or Alexandria in Virginia are going to be cheaper than DC, but still relatively expensive. I'm guessing they'd be a lot cheaper if you got a roommate though. They are expanding the metro westward into the suburbs of Northern Virginia, out where I live, but the earliest lines won't be done until next year I believe.

And for those who got into American, the RSVP deadline for graduate day, in DC at least, is Friday. I'll likely go to it, even if I don't end up attending American.

That's interesting about the consortium, but like you said, I don't think it would feel right or like it would just make me wish even harder that I was an actual student there. That's kind of discouraging for me to learn that the RSVP deadline for the graduate day at American is this Friday...I haven't heard anything from them yet other than an email saying I should hear from them "by the first week of April." Does that mean April 1 or the end of the week April 8? Are there several of these things? I mean I'm in Arizona so it's not like I'd go, do they take proximity into consideration when emailing these invitations?

[yabanci]

That's interesting about the consortium, but like you said, I don't think it would feel right or like it would just make me wish even harder that I was an actual student there. That's kind of discouraging for me to learn that the RSVP deadline for the graduate day at American is this Friday...I haven't heard anything from them yet other than an email saying I should hear from them "by the first week of April." Does that mean April 1 or the end of the week April 8? Are there several of these things? I mean I'm in Arizona so it's not like I'd go, do they take proximity into consideration when emailing these invitations?

From what I understand (based on the SIS thread), American is sending out acceptances in waves, with no regards to funding (i.e. I was in the "first wave" I believe, but did not get funding), so there's still time to be accepted. This is the site to RSVP; there are events across the U.S., but the closest to you would've been in San Francisco anyway. Looks like a lot of people will be too far to attend these events regardless.

As far as "first week of April" goes, I'm guessing it means next week. I know SIS gets the most applications out of all the IR schools, so it's likely they're just sorting through all the applications.

Sorry if I've taken this thread off topic a bit, although it seems like we're all applying to American anyway, and sorry if I've caused you any anxiety. Looking at people's results from the past couple years, applicants were hearing back even up until April 10 or so. This may add to your waiting troubles, but it also means they're still sending out acceptances. American's deadline to accept/decline admission is April 20, so there is still plenty of time to hear back/accept, but I understand it's nice to hear back well before the deadline. Good luck on American, and I hope you get in! Now if only Mason would let me know . . .

[afae39]

From what I understand (based on the SIS thread), American is sending out acceptances in waves, with no regards to funding (i.e. I was in the "first wave" I believe, but did not get funding), so there's still time to be accepted. This is the site to RSVP; there are events across the U.S., but the closest to you would've been in San Francisco anyway. Looks like a lot of people will be too far to attend these events regardless.

As far as "first week of April" goes, I'm guessing it means next week. I know SIS gets the most applications out of all the IR schools, so it's likely they're just sorting through all the applications.

Sorry if I've taken this thread off topic a bit, although it seems like we're all applying to American anyway, and sorry if I've caused you any anxiety. Looking at people's results from the past couple years, applicants were hearing back even up until April 10 or so. This may add to your waiting troubles, but it also means they're still sending out acceptances. American's deadline to accept/decline admission is April 20, so there is still plenty of time to hear back/accept, but I understand it's nice to hear back well before the deadline. Good luck on American, and I hope you get in! Now if only Mason would let me know . . .

I heard from Mason about the MPP almost two weeks ago now, with no mention of funding. I'm surprised they still haven't let you know. I did only get a decision in the mail, no electronic notice whatsoever, which might be contributing to your letter's tardiness? I hope you hear soon.

Good luck!

[Mal83]

Nah, you didn't add to my anxiety...I've been anxious to the max anyway. I flipped out last night when I got home and saw a white packet on the counter that was not from any school, but just some organization. Although I still have Mason to fall back on and I have to be grateful for that. I am for sure. I think if I don't get anything today I'll email for a little more information, like what batch I'm in (2nd or 3rd) and where they are in sending those decisions out. Or maybe I'll just do it now, it always makes me feel better to gather information. But it's kind of odd that all of these events are being held before all decisions go out.

[Mal83]

Received my acceptance letter for the Global Affairs program!!! It's dated 3/30. Just a letter though, after you accept then the program will send out more information. I believe we'll be notified of financial aid electronically.

[fsmn36]

Received my acceptance letter for the Global Affairs program!!! It's dated 3/30. Just a letter though, after you accept then the program will send out more information. I believe we'll be notified of financial aid electronically.

Was that for a PhD?

[tj19]

MPA Acceptance packet today, no mention of $

[Mal83]

Was that for a PhD?

It's for an MA.

[VAPHD]

Was that for a PhD?

Just received GMU Public Policy PhD acceptence letter today via mail. Funding not mentioned yet. Good luck. Let me know your results...we can talk.

Edited April 7, 2011 by VAPHD

[flyers29]

Just received GMU Public Policy PhD acceptence letter today via mail. Funding not mentioned yet. Good luck. Let me know your results...we can talk.

Hmm, guess I'll have to keep an eye out for notification then.

[fsmn36]

Just received GMU Public Policy PhD acceptence letter today via mail. Funding not mentioned yet. Good luck. Let me know your results...we can talk.

Good to know, thanks! Hopefully I get something in the mail tomorrow, then. At this point, accepted or rejected, I'm just ready to be done.

[yabanci]

Received my acceptance letter today to the Political Science program. No funding, since the program doesn't offer any to master's students. I'll be receiving a letter from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences soon. I have 3 weeks to reply with my decision, which will give me enough time to check out American's graduate day and decide where I want to go.

[flyers29]

I was rejected from GMU for the Ph.D, though got into a different program that I was probably going to go with anyway. Best of luck to everyone!