Georgetown MPP Admitted 2015

[brmoran]

Just received the acceptance letter through the application website on Monday. Really surprised by the extremely quick turnaround. Feeling very excited though!

 

The letter said nothing about funding, however. Does that mean no funding was awarded? Or do you think the school is still making funding decisions?

 

Has anyone else heard anything? 

[nss302]

Wow congrats! When did you submit your application?

[brmoran]

Submitted on 1/15/15

[wmrva]

Same story here. Got the acceptance email on Monday, but haven't heard a thing since.

 

I was really surprised that they were able to make a decision in just two weeks. Hopefully they make their funding decisions quickly too.

 

The fast turnaround gives me hope, but it's hard to be excited without knowing more about the cost. Given how pricy tuition and living expenses are, Georgetown could still be out of reach without funding.

[manutdftw]

What were y'all profiles like? It would be great to see what it takes to get into GTown.

[wmrva]

To the extent that I can sum up my application:

 

GPA: 3.53 Economics/IR double major at a well regarded public school

GRE: 165V/162Q

 

I have over a year of experience with a nonprofit think tank/advocacy group researching state fiscal and economic policy. By fall, I will have spent two years with them. I've had the chance to build a fairly extensive portfolio in a short period of time.

 

I have recommendations from two professors (I was a research assistant for one of them) and the executive director of the organization where I work.

[brmoran]

Reposting my profile from the "Am I competitive" thread--

 

Undergrad Institution: Davidson College, 2009 (currently #11 national liberal arts)

 

Major: Political Science

GPA: 3.15

GRE score: 167 V / 163 Q / 5.0 AW

 

Years since undergrad: 5+

Work experience:  Since graduating I have worked as a paralegal within an immigration law practice (5+ years of experience). Was originally at a "Big Law" firm, have been at a smaller firm for the past year. Also worked as a research assistant to a well regarded comparative politics professor at Princeton during undergrad. Was Editor in Chief of the weekly student newpasper at Davidson.

 

Coursework: Intro Calc, Econ 101, Int'l Econ, Stats for Poli Sci.

 

Language skills: English, Intermediate French

 

Overseas experience (work, study and teaching): Study abroad in France

Statement of Purpose: Decently strong

 

Letters of Recommendation: Strong, I think

 

1) Undergrad Poli Sci professor with whom I took several courses

2) Above-mentioned Princeton prof for whom I did research work

3) Attorney supervisor from previous law firm

[mppapp]

Same situation here.

 

3.6 GPA from top 15 university.

161 V, 162 Q, 5 AW.

4 years work experience in non-profits/research.

[Franopan]

Was just admitted too. Still waiting on other universities, and funding decisions, before I make a decision. I looked at a lot of people's profiles when I was applying so here's mine, if anybody's interested!

 

Undergrad Institution: A top European university

 

Major: Economics and Philosophy

GPA: 3.6 (Estimate)

GRE score: 168 V / 160Q / 4.0 AW

 

Years since undergrad: 2

Work experience:  Have been working as an English teacher in Japan since college. A good bit of student politics and involvement experience. 

 

Coursework: Lots of economics, econometrics and statistics. 

 

Language skills: English, Intermediate French

 

 

Letters of Recommendation: I'm not sure what they wrote but I think 2 of them were at least very strong

 

1: College philosophy professor and dissertation supervisor

2: Economics Professor

3: Supervisor at work

• 
•  
• 
•  
• 0

• Quote
• MultiQuote
•  
•  

[manutdftw]

Thanks everyone! Definitely very helpful to see admitted students' profiles. Good luck with the admissions process!

[economixed_policy]

Hi guys,

 

I am in the same situation.  I received an offer of admission earlier this month but no news of funding yet.  I am told that the funding decisions are made within the next 3 weeks.  I can share information on my profile if that would be helpful.

 

Good luck to all.

[mppapp]

Has anyone heard anything more from the school aside from the generic letter of admission? Been silent on my end.

[brmoran]

Also haven't heard anything further. I was thinking about calling the admissions office to inquire about funding, but figured I would just wait until I got my other decisions.

[pavlik]

Current MPP at Georgetown here. You'll get your funding news next month. I just glanced back at the email folders for my applications/acceptances last year, and here's my timeline:

 

I applied January 4th or 5th.

 

Admitted on Feb. 10th

 

Funding first awarded on Mar. 13th

 

Spoke with McCourt administration, and more funding was awarded Mar. 26th

 

Hope that's helpful. Getting admitted early is probably a very good sign

[mppapp]

Thanks, that is very helpful to know! Also any general thoughts on Georgetown now that you have been a student there for almost an academic year would be great. Thanks again!

[pavlik]

Thanks, that is very helpful to know! Also any general thoughts on Georgetown now that you have been a student there for almost an academic year would be great. Thanks again!

 

General pros: I'm 100% happy with my decision. Generally, I feel that it's a good education. The administration/faculty like to stress the program's emphasis on quantitative skills, which is accurate. Lots of math, stats, econ, which, while tough, is generally applicable and rewarding. I had no trouble finding a paid internship for this semester with a consulting firm, and even ended up turning down one from a well-known development NGO. The program can be demanding and stressful, but no one wants you to fail, and I've felt like there's plenty of support.

The location is great. While DC is expensive as can be, it's possible to cut costs (roommates, don't bring a car unless you need to because you will accumulate hundreds in parking tickets), and the professional opportunities for most areas you are probably interested in are hard to beat. There are events, talks, lectures, Q&As out the wazoo. Hillary Clinton's come twice, Paul Ryan came recently, 2 staff from the Inter-American Development Bank gave a presentation on Tuesday, the emir of Qatar was here today, and Shaquille O'Neal is giving a talk tomorrow. Not to mention all the other things going on in DC, at think tanks, agencies, other universities, conferences, etc.

 

Drawbacks: There are a few. The price is #1. No way I'd be attending here without a huge scholarship. First of all, I wouldn't be going to any MPP/MPA program for the sticker price, except maybe LBJ, but I probably wouldn't have picked McCourt even with a 40-50% scholarship (mine is larger). Also, the program is fairly young, both in terms of the McCourt school being established in 2013 and the students, average age probably 24-25 with a decent number of straight out of undergrad folks. Not that either is inherently bad, but I feel slightly old for my cohort at 26. There are other students my age and older, of course, but the majority definitely graduated in 2012 or later. As for the program, sure, McCourt isn't as well known as HKS or WWS, but Georgetown has its own cache, and I think it definitely compares favorably to GWU, AU, or the other MPA/MPP programs in the DC area. The main campus at Georgetown is also a hot mess right now. The main quad at the gate is beautiful as ever, but about 60% of the rest of campus is under construction. I'm barely exaggerating. But that's about it.

[Rap Game Harry Kane]

@pavlik - This is awesome insight, thanks for sharing!

 

There's one point I hope you can clarify though.  Are you saying you would have passed on McCourt even with a 40-50% scholarship because of your personal financial situation? Or because you feel the program is not worth the price tag, even at half price?

[mppapp]

Thanks, great info!

[vhym06]

@pavlik - Thanks for the info!

 

1. Could you share about the Electives at McCourt - are you specializing/planning to specialize in a particular field? It seems that McCourt does not require students to choose specialisation (which is quite common in other schools).

 

The McCourt website says - "Many McCourt School students choose to align their elective coursework with their interests and career goals. While not required, students may choose to focus their elective coursework in a particular area of study like Environmental Policy, Health Policy, or Development Policy." (https://mccourt.georgetown.edu/academics/mpp/MPP_Degree_Requirements)

 

2. What have been your favourite classes so far?

 

3. Also.. Are there many (?) opportunities to get part time teaching assistant/research assistant jobs in Georgetown University? (will need to cover a significant amount of costs, if I'm unable to get enough scholarship funding!)

 

Thanks in advance!!

[ssr1989]

@Pavlik would you know till when the results come out and if the university sends emails to people not accepted? I met the Jan 15 deadline but haven't heard from the university yet. 

[JohnJ88]

Hi all. I applied to the MA in American Government and I am aware this is the wrong thread.

 

I just received a recommendation for admission from the Dept of Gov't. Waiting for the official email/letter from the GSAS. The email I received mentioned nothing about funding. What I gathered from other forums is that typically you receive your financial aid package about a week after the official acceptance letter.

 

Did you all submit anything for financial aid other than the FAFSA? I was unable to find any additional forms for Graduate applicants. Can any of you guys help me out on this real quick?

Edited February 28, 2015 by JohnJ88

[pavlik]

@pavlik - This is awesome insight, thanks for sharing!

 

There's one point I hope you can clarify though.  Are you saying you would have passed on McCourt even with a 40-50% scholarship because of your personal financial situation? Or because you feel the program is not worth the price tag, even at half price?

Both. I'll admit that I am a very debt-averse person, but I don't think any graduate program in public policy (maybe Harvard) is really worth more than $50,000, which is what a 50% scholarship would translate to here.

 

@pavlik - Thanks for the info!

 

1. Could you share about the Electives at McCourt - are you specializing/planning to specialize in a particular field? It seems that McCourt does not require students to choose specialisation (which is quite common in other schools).

 

The McCourt website says - "Many McCourt School students choose to align their elective coursework with their interests and career goals. While not required, students may choose to focus their elective coursework in a particular area of study like Environmental Policy, Health Policy, or Development Policy." (https://mccourt.georgetown.edu/academics/mpp/MPP_Degree_Requirements)

 

2. What have been your favourite classes so far?

 

3. Also.. Are there many (?) opportunities to get part time teaching assistant/research assistant jobs in Georgetown University? (will need to cover a significant amount of costs, if I'm unable to get enough scholarship funding!)

 

Thanks in advance!!

My work and elective experience are aligning to give me a lot of background in health policy. There's no requirement to specialize, which I prefer, because a) that doesn't seem that valuable from a career standpoint (is Employer A really going to hire you just because your school gave you a certificate or whatever in development policy? Maybe over an equally qualified candidate, but work/internship experience is 1000X more important) and I have a few interests I'd like to pursue aside from health and plan on taking a class in those fields next year.

 

I've enjoyed all my classes, but some certainly more than others. I took Health Policy & Politics last year, which was great--the professor (Judy Feder) has been involved in the field for decades, including in the Clinton White House as one of Hillarycare's architects. That's probably been my favorite so far. I'm also enjoying my economics class this year, Market Failure & Public Economy.

 

There are quite a few opportunities to get TA/RA positions, but I'm not sure how much tuition they actually cover. I think a lot of them pay an hourly wage ($13-18/hr, depending on what exactly you do). I know several students that have worked in these positions since the first semester. In addition, there's plenty of opportunity to get part-time paid work on the side, whether an internship or just a PT job at a restaurant/shop/bar if you need money for living expenses. While the school officially discourages students in their first semester from working, I worked last semester, as did several others, and I'm still here. It was manageable, and while it was more stressful (and I probably could have gotten slightly better grades in at least one class had I put more time into it), I'll take graduating with no student loan debt and more work experience over a 4.0.

 

These are all my personal opinions, of course, and your preferences may vary wildly. I'm happy to answer any further questions, you can message me or post here.

[pavlik]

@Pavlik would you know till when the results come out and if the university sends emails to people not accepted? I met the Jan 15 deadline but haven't heard from the university yet. 

 

I don't know, to be honest, but I wouldn't rule being accepted out until around March 15. As long as you got everything in for your application, every school should let you know one way or another.

[pavlik]

Hi all. I applied to the MA in American Government and I am aware this is the wrong thread.

 

I just received a recommendation for admission from the Dept of Gov't. Waiting for the official email/letter from the GSAS. The email I received mentioned nothing about funding. What I gathered from other forums is that typically you receive your financial aid package about a week after the official acceptance letter.

 

Did you all submit anything for financial aid other than the FAFSA? I was unable to find any additional forms for Graduate applicants. Can any of you guys help me out on this real quick?

Can't speak too much for the MA in Gov't program, but you should know that you won't get any need-based aid that's not a loan from FAFSA. Scholarships, fellowships, and all that are all "merit-based" (whatever that means according to the school/funders). But sometimes they ask for a FAFSA, so fill that out.

[buckHD]

I just logged into ApplyYourself seeing that another person posted on the results page that their admissions decision was uploaded there. So was mine!

 

Anyone still waiting to hear back from McCourt should go log in and see if there's news waiting for them! I have not received any email, FYI. No mention of merit funding either.