Quick Admissions Offers and Funding Potential?

[PeteZahut]

Hi all,

Don't know if this topic has been posted before but is it considered a good sign (for funding consideration) if schools respond with an admission offer in short amount of time after submission of the application?

In my case, I applied to Syracuse/Maxwell School's MPA program (via their online system) in early January '09 (around the 6th or so) and received an admissions offer by USPS mail around Jan 28. Still no word on funding/fin aid but I've been told I'm being considered (I applied before the funding deadline) and that funding decisions go out mid-March and by April 1 at the latest.

In the case of SUNY Albany/Rockefeller College, I submitted my application by certified mail around mid-Jan and recieved an admissions offer within one week by email. Still no word on funding (and not too hopeful due to state budget cuts). In terms of funding, this is my 'safe school' as it is the cheapest for me to attend (unless the private schools give me aid).

Still waiting on NYU/Wagner and Columbia/SIPA...

Is this a good sign that Maxwell and Rockefeller really want me to attend their program and thus giving me some potential leverage for financial aid/funding?

[Dreams]

Maxwell has a rolling admissions policy, so you would naturally get your decision soon after applying. I received my response from Maxwell around 2 weeks after applying. They say they usually administer decisions within 6 weeks of receipt of application. Albany's Rockefeller College also has rolling admissions, so your decision would come quickly as with Syracuse. Funding is a different matter though and that is usually decided at a later time. I don't know about Albany's program, but Maxwell expects to have funding details sorted out by April 1.

[DefinitelyMaybe]

That's not necessarily true re: rolling admissions at Maxwell.

I sent my materials to Maxwell on November 15th and I still haven't received a decision.

I suppose the "shoo-ins" may get a decision in 6 weeks but I don't think that's necessarily true for everyone.

[Dreams]

That's not necessarily true re: rolling admissions at Maxwell.

I sent my materials to Maxwell on November 15th and I still haven't received a decision.

I suppose the "shoo-ins" may get a decision in 6 weeks but I don't think that's necessarily true for everyone.

Actually it is true with Maxwell. It is on the site and it was told to me by the director of admissions last year. I was told not to apply too early if I was not prepared to get a quick decision. While it does not explain your case, Maxwell does have a rolling admissions policy.

[PeteZahut]

Thanks for the responses. I was hoping that a quick decision would indicate that they really want me to attend their program. Nonetheless, here's hoping that SU's funding decisions work in my favor!

[DefinitelyMaybe]

Actually it is true with Maxwell. It is on the site and it was told to me by the director of admissions last year. I was told not to apply too early if I was not prepared to get a quick decision. While it does not explain your case, Maxwell does have a rolling admissions policy.

I didn't say they didn't have rolling admissions. I just said it's not guaranteed that you'll get a response from them soon after applying. Clearly, I'm going on 4 months without one and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one.

[Dreams]

I didn't say they didn't have rolling admissions. I just said it's not guaranteed that you'll get a response from them soon after applying. Clearly, I'm going on 4 months without one and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one.

You might want to call them to check on your status. I remember you saying something before about secondary review. You may want to inquire whether they have reached the final review yet :wink: