Anyone Else Frustrated With MPP Toronto?

[NeeNee]

I am a student of McGill and this is my first year applying (and I know for many people it takes applying a second year to get in) but Masters Public Policy Program at Toronto has really been getting me frustrated. The man on the phone told me 3 weeks ago that first round has gone out and acceptance for second will be next week, next week, next week. I just want to know!

I got in to York Environmental Studies in Planning, which was super awesome and am glad the professors were interested in my thesis! However with U of T I am waiting...I guess it is a popular program so not many will reject the offer from the first round?

Some stats...for my chances?

3.85 GPA in final year

Working with NGOs experience, a lot of on campus experience (especially with campus politics)

And I believe two great references

Anyone else in the same boat?

Edited April 6, 2012 by NeeNee

[lexipedia]

NeeNee, don't talk to the guy - he's useless. Call Anita, and tell her that you are on a deadline for another program. She is very helpful. Also, they've almost doubled the size of the program this year, which is good for anyone waiting. And a lot of those first-rounders will turn the program down because they don't offer much funding. Many people get nothing at all and the tuition is $15K. But, it's an excellent program, and good luck!

Don't lose hope yet.

[NeeNee]

Thanks so much lexipedia. They really doubled the size, that is good to know! I guess Anita won't be in today, but I will call her soon. And haha! Thanks for letting me know the guy is useless. Ahhhhh no funding, $15 for two or one year? I actually have a full scholarship from York and a guaranteed RA/TA ship...this is making me a little thoughtful now because I used to think for sure I would choose U of T. However now I am not so sure.

[NeeNee]

My friend got good funding from MPP, but she had no word from MGA so she didn't know what to choose.

[blueparade]

Hey, just in case this helps, I was given until April 9th to accept my offer from U of T. So I would guess that a 2nd round of acceptances is coming soon. Good luck!

[NeeNee]

Thanks BlueParade, if I do get in I think I will be stuck with my decision...

[mirandaw]

Im just waiting on MPP SFU and there, unfortunately, aren't many active folks on the forum who have applied to this program.

My friend got good funding from MPP, but she had no word from MGA so she didn't know what to choose.

Funding for MPP? Really? For some reason I was under the impression that standard practice was most professional programs don't fund.

[lexipedia]

Thanks so much lexipedia. They really doubled the size, that is good to know! I guess Anita won't be in today, but I will call her soon. And haha! Thanks for letting me know the guy is useless. Ahhhhh no funding, $15 for two or one year? I actually have a full scholarship from York and a guaranteed RA/TA ship...this is making me a little thoughtful now because I used to think for sure I would choose U of T. However now I am not so sure.

The tuition is $15K each year, so $30K total. There is a paid internship in the middle worth approx $7-10K over the summer. I know a few people who were offered $3K for each year and they were in the first round. The reality is, many people don't get any money at all and TAships are rare because you're generally applying for courses in other departments. I was accepted with some money, and turned it down, though it was a hard choice. Like NeeNee's friend I was deciding between MPP and MGA - I chose MGA.

Edited April 7, 2012 by lexipedia

[NeeNee]

Apparently offers won't be out until another 2 weeks...

[misgengen]

anyone also applied to MPS at Waterloo? its the only public admin related program I applied to. Thoughts?

[NeeNee]

Okay, Anita told me Wednesday now, the man who answers the general phone calls is of no help! @ Misgengen: I have no idea? Did you call the school? I didn't apply there.

[lexipedia]

The guy who answers the phones told me that the entire package was due on the January date (deadline for online application and payment) so you couldn't submit your SoP, CV, references, etc. online after that and had to mail them in. I nearly had a heart attack. Good luck! My decide-by date was the 30th, but then was extended until today. I sent in my form declining the offer last week so my spot is open for the next round.

[NeeNee]

Hey Lexipedia! I am really perplexed now, as I was wondering will a masters in public policy make it harder for me to do a phD later on? I got accepted in to Cambridge a couple of days back, with no funding, but am looking for ways to get funded. However, I will most likely reject them because of the lack of funding, but it has been my dream and I would love to reapply and get in again (later in the future.)

[lexipedia]

Hey Lexipedia! I am really perplexed now, as I was wondering will a masters in public policy make it harder for me to do a phD later on? I got accepted in to Cambridge a couple of days back, with no funding, but am looking for ways to get funded. However, I will most likely reject them because of the lack of funding, but it has been my dream and I would love to reapply and get in again (later in the future.)

I had a serious discussion about this with my undergraduate advisor while I was choosing programs. He said that, in some ways it is harder, because MA students generally have significant independent research experience, and possibly publications. But, if you keep the possibility of a PhD in mind throughout your degree it is definitely possible. His suggestion was to make sure you get involved in research, try and publish something, and get experience at conferences. I know that the MPP program is doing one in the US next year actually. It depends on what you want to do your PhD in of course, but there is no reason that a (carefully planned) MPP makes you unqualified for PhD work. Try and develop a "portfolio" of research and writing that would be applicable to a PhD application, think about it as a goal throughout your degree.

[NeeNee]

Thank you very much!! I guess I want to go in to MPP because my interest in academics is somewhat ambivalent. I want this as a back up but do not want to rule out the option altogether. My MES at York, although a professional degree because of urban planning requires a thesis and research. So I still take that in to account, maybe it is the influence of Cambridge, won't leave my head and has revived my love for academia momentarily.

Edited April 9, 2012 by NeeNee

[foucaultmania]

I am a student of McGill and this is my first year applying (and I know for many people it takes applying a second year to get in) but Masters Public Policy Program at Toronto has really been getting me frustrated. The man on the phone told me 3 weeks ago that first round has gone out and acceptance for second will be next week, next week, next week. I just want to know!

I got in to York Environmental Studies in Planning, which was super awesome and am glad the professors were interested in my thesis! However with U of T I am waiting...I guess it is a popular program so not many will reject the offer from the first round?

Some stats...for my chances?

3.85 GPA in final year

Working with NGOs experience, a lot of on campus experience (especially with campus politics)

And I believe two great references

Anyone else in the same boat?

I am a student of McGill and this is my first year applying (and I know for many people it takes applying a second year to get in) but Masters Public Policy Program at Toronto has really been getting me frustrated. The man on the phone told me 3 weeks ago that first round has gone out and acceptance for second will be next week, next week, next week. I just want to know!

I got in to York Environmental Studies in Planning, which was super awesome and am glad the professors were interested in my thesis! However with U of T I am waiting...I guess it is a popular program so not many will reject the offer from the first round?

Some stats...for my chances?

3.85 GPA in final year

Working with NGOs experience, a lot of on campus experience (especially with campus politics)

And I believe two great references

Anyone else in the same boat?

When is the deadline for accepting York's offer?

[NeeNee]

The deadline for York has passed and I accepted but the person there told me you can back out of the program later on.