MEM 2012 applicants

[fraek88]

Ok. I just realized that we are talking about two different MEM programs at Duke! I was referring to the Master of Engineering Management program at the Pratt School of Engineering. LOL

[cambosoup11]

Got into Bren on March 2nd! Yahoo! Not sure why I didn't apply to Duke, Yale, or Michigan, though. Based on other posts, I think I would have had a good shot. Oh well. I'm happy to be a Gaucho!

Edited March 5, 2012 by cambosoup11

[akl_cat]

@jbr00ks9 - Thanks a lot for all that information!

@fraek88 - Haha I see, no wonder your admission letter did not resemble mine even the slightest.

@cambosoup11 - Congratulations!

[LHL]

@cunninlynguist: I absolutely agree with you in terms of your previously listed criteria as to deciding on which school/program to attend. I actually received a more-than-decent financial aid package from Duke and a full-ride from U of Oregon. (I'm not going to SNRE anyway.) We still technically have about 2 weeks left before hearing back from Yale, but at this point, I'm leaning more toward Duke based on everything I've heard from friends who've previously attended as well as speaking with most of the administrators at the Nic School (they were much more informative and straight-forward than those I'd spoken with at Yale FES).

@curlie-sue: I think when it comes to reputation, Duke's Nic School and Yale's FES are pretty much on par. When you're thinking about the job market post-MEM, the Nic School's alumni network seems more extensive than FES's. But, it probably ultimately depends on what you're planning on doing in terms of work. Degrees from Duke or Yale will be recognized and reputable internationally, if that's your main concern. Plus, if you're interested in any certificate programs, Duke and the Nic School have a lot to offer... and New Haven is sooooo dreary for most of the year.

@bsgrok: Like everyone else, I was told not to worry too much about the GREs. Other components of your application matter more than the GREs. Think of it this way: other components of your application are built over time and based on your experiences whereas the GRE is a one-time standardized exam, for which the scores just reflect general knowledge and comprehension of general academic skills - nothing terribly specific. If anything, I was told that the writing score matters more than the quantitative or verbal scores when evaluated by the admissions officers and staff. Oh, I was also told by an admissions officer at Duke that the GRE scores and GPA factor in more so when determining your financial aid package at the Nic School.

I'm glad to hear that I'm probably not missing out on much by not attending admitted students' events.

[MCRM]

@bsgrok: As an International student I´ve been told that they focus more on our Quantitive GRE and less on the Verbal. Since they have our TOEFL or IELTS to evaluate our english skills too. But I agree with all on this, the GRE is not that important, and the weight of other parts of the application depends mostly on the school. For example, I know MIT puts a lot of weigh on the recommendation letters.

@LHL, Are you certain that Duke looks more the GRE and GPA for the financial aid offer? I´m waiting for their offer to start breathing normally again... :s and I´m very scared since I´m international and don´t know how good the financial packages are for us, compare to american students. Are you international?

[LHL]

@MCRM: No, I'm not an international student.

[curlie-sue]

@LHL, thanks for the info. Good to hear your take on alumni networks, & I'm definitely with you on the weather

[cunninlynguist]

Just got the financial award notice from Michigan, and as expected, it's underwhelming: Federal loans and $3K of work-study. Oh well.

[MCRM]

@LHL Thank you!

@Cunninlynguist, Sorry to hear that, did it came on a separate letter or you got it on Wolverine access? I'm hopeless about it, but will be good to know.

[cunninlynguist]

@Cunninlynguist, Sorry to hear that, did it came on a separate letter or you got it on Wolverine access? I'm hopeless about it, but will be good to know.

I got an e-mail directing me to Wolverine Access, and it was a PDF viewable through "View Financial Award Notices." Based on what I'd heard, I wasn't anticipating a substantial package from SNRE (and, in order to elevate SNRE above Nicholas, a strong financial offer would be necessary). Hopefully you'll get clarity on your funding situation soon!

[akl_cat]

Just got into Bren on 2nd of March. No financial info till April though - sigh

Edited March 6, 2012 by akl_cat

[MCRM]

I got an e-mail directing me to Wolverine Access, and it was a PDF viewable through "View Financial Award Notices." Based on what I'd heard, I wasn't anticipating a substantial package from SNRE (and, in order to elevate SNRE above Nicholas, a strong financial offer would be necessary). Hopefully you'll get clarity on your funding situation soon!

Thank you so much! I doubt I'll get any fin aid, they "have very limited sources" for us internationals. But they do have this amazing graduate assistance-ships called GSI that gives you full tuition wave and monthly payments, you can only get them after the 1st term though. Just in case, for those considering SNRE.

[xiongmaomao]

@LHL

Thanks for your insight. Yes I see. GRE is just one factor in our applications. I agree that writing is important for US applicants, but I think the graduate schools might not emphasize much on international students' writing since English is our second language..

@MCRM

Thanks, lucky that my Toefl will not hold me back. Regarding the financial aid from Duke, I guess GPA is very important for international apps. I know a girl with a moderate GRE got 12k from Nicholas. Seems FES is the most generous in the case of financial aids for international students, I didn't apply to SNRE, Bren and Nicholas because I'm short in money. How I wish I were rich .

[Zach Green]

@Tiredwaiting I intend to focus on Water and Wetland Resource Studies in an MPS at ESF. I was notified on the website and then received the commitment letter via email.

[tiredwaiting]

@Tiredwaiting I intend to focus on Water and Wetland Resource Studies in an MPS at ESF. I was notified on the website and then received the commitment letter via email.

How soon after your web notification did you receive your email..??? I received the website thingy over 3 weeks ago and still waiting for the official mail!!!!! Did you get any sort of scholarship ...???

[xlostlove777]

@Zach, how many details did ESF give you? They didn't give a deadline for the commitment letter, or provide any info on financial aid. I e-mailed the department and all I was told was that they were still waiting on graduate assistantship decisions and ignored half of my questions.

[Zach Green]

@xlostlove777 Sorry to hear that admissions was less than helpful. I have no more information than what the letter provided and it sounds like mine was the same as yours. While I have found the admissions office to be quite helpful and responsive throughout the application process one of the reasons ESF is a good value is that the education is of a high quality but they are probably leaner in certain administrative capabilities relative to a Yale or Duke. Similarly I have found the ESF website to be less clear to navigate but these are minor points. In the end 100k vs. 50k (I am in state) is a huge difference for the fully loaded 2 year costs of New Haven vs. Syracuse for example and if an ESF grad hussels and understands that opportunities will be most robust in New York state then it is probably the smart choice in a world where utility from many environmental careers are not exactly about the $ROI.

On an unrelated note...someone else mentioned University of Colorado Boulder ENVS program. I applied to their MBA dual degree and was accepted to the MBA but I have learned that the ENVS program has what is as far as I can tell the lowest acceptance rate in the country at 5-15%. One can understand why when you realize that it is in an amazing setting and at the school that by some measure has received the most federal funding for environmental science research in the country in recent years. While I am pursuing non-thesis options clearly UCB ENVS is a hotbed of environmental activity that only benefits from a local community that is more attuned to environmental issues than most of the US.

In a perfect world I hope to have a very difficult choice between Yale, Boulder, ESF and Duke. I have been rejected from Michigan (for the second time, undergrad as well...thanks Wolverines!) Also how rude was that rejection note from Michigan...ok now I just sound bitter haha.

[xlostlove777]

I went to Stony Brook for my undergrad, mainly because it was inexpensive and 15 minutes away from me. Unfortunately they were a nightmare to deal with whenever I had an issue. It wasn't just a lack of help but basic incompetence throughout different parts of admin that really contributed to a bad undergrad experience. I am hesitant to put up with something similar for another two years.

It was probably me that mentioned Boulder. If things work out well for both of us we should actually be making a similar decision, I applied to ESF, Yale and Boulder. Do you know when to expect the Boulder decisions to come in?

[jbr00ks9]

I'm curious about everyone's plans/hopes for funding. I received my first fellowship rejection last week for the Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowship at UNC, which has made me incredibly nervous. I know this will be different for international applicants, but for Americans, what is your personal limit for graduate school debt?And do you already have any educational debt?

Additionally, do you agree that the "acceptable" amount differs when considering MS-like programs versus professional programs (MEM)? At least with research-oriented degrees, there is more opportunity (seemingly) for research grants/assistantships.

[MCRM]

@bsgrok, thanks for the info! Hopefully Duke likes my GPA and GRE scores! I feel the same way, I wish I could just go to program I want without thinking about money, oh well let's hope FES helps us enough to be able to go! The first year is the hardest, once you are there is so much easier to get financial aid wih fellowships and other sources. Best luck to all!

[MCRM]

@ zach green, I'm with you, even though I was admitted to SNRE I think their rejection note was quite mean for what I read in RS.

[Zach Green]

Boulder ENVS says early to mid March on the website but its looking like mid at this point. I called Penny Bates a lot during the application process so I am inclined to not bug her again and just wait the decision out! Then again the acceptance rate is sooo low...fingers crossed...as someone interested in water issues Colorado would be a very enticing place to study.

[kkdk]

Yale is having FES Admitted Students events as early as March 20th. Looks like the first wave will definitely go out on time next week! Good luck everyone

http://environment.yale.edu/events/detail/41191

[MCRM]

Very helpful, jbr00ks9. I just found the 2011 internship map for Nicholas. So, if anyone is curious about a particular area, you may find that Duke has previously established a connection there.

Has anyone received an e-mail from the coordinator of their concentration at Michigan? I got a very nice one from Dr. Yaffee (Environmental Policy and Planning) and was curious if all of the faculty coordinators send them out in the hopes of luring students there.

I just got an email from the coordinator of Sustainable Systems, Dr. Gregory Keoleian, very nice as well!

[curlie-sue]

also got an email from the coordinator at SNRE & an email about a farmhouse on a golf course in/near Ann Arbor where rent is free if you work on the grounds - haha, awesome.