HGSE 2016

[graciasadios]

When are y'all expecting the financial aid packages to be released? Last year, admissions results came out on Friday, March 6th and financial aid packages came out Wednesday, March 25th. This year, admissions decisions came out on Friday, March 4th. If the pattern holds, then financial aid packages would come out today Wednesday, March 23rd. I wouldn't be surprised if they are released today or a week from today. They've made it clear that we will know our fin. aid packages before the end of March.

On a personal note, I'm almost certainly going to Harvard. I want to do my due diligence (i.e. know my financial aid package and visit for Admitted Students Day) before sending in my official commitment.

Edited March 23, 2016 by graciasadios

[Vulpix]

43 minutes ago, graciasadios said:

When are y'all expecting the financial aid packages to be released? Last year, admissions results came out on Friday, March 6th and financial aid packages came out Wednesday, March 25th. This year, admissions decisions came out on Friday, March 4th. If the pattern holds, then financial aid packages would come out today Wednesday, March 23rd. I wouldn't be surprised if they are released today or a week from today. They've made it clear that we will know our fin. aid packages before the end of March.

On a personal note, I'm almost certainly going to Harvard. I want to do my due diligence (i.e. know my financial aid package and visit for Admitted Students Day) before sending in my official commitment.

I think today would be the earliest. I actually thought It came out on Friday last year. 

 

In my IEP info session last night they said 1-1.5 weeks of course. They also said merit awards would be included then. 

[graciasadios]

It came on Wednesday, March 25th last year sometime in the afternoon. I agree that today would be the earliest expected day. Here's to hoping they lavish us with grants, so that the price is right for all of us.

Edited March 23, 2016 by graciasadios

[marature]

27 minutes ago, Heather1011 said:

I think today would be the earliest. I actually thought It came out on Friday last year. 

 

In my IEP info session last night they said 1-1.5 weeks of course. They also said merit awards would be included then. 

How was the session? I wasn't able to attend due to the time difference (and Internet's been really slow these few days anyway....) Anything about housing and/or assistantships? Did it sway you one way or another?

[Vulpix]

10 minutes ago, marature said:

How was the session? I wasn't able to attend due to the time difference (and Internet's been really slow these few days anyway....) Anything about housing and/or assistantships? Did it sway you one way or another?

They didn't really talk about either of those things, mostly just the types of practice-based classwork they do, the strong sense of community in IEP, and the network/opportunities at HGSE at large.  When I get home from work, I can PM you all my detailed notes if you'd like!

They were hush hush about admissions stats, but they did say that 75% of the admitted HGSE class is female, 20% international, average 4.6 years experience.

[has716]

Just called the financial aid office and he told me that they are hoping to send out packages by March 30th. If they were coming out today, I doubt he would still stick with that party line. Oh well, still hoping for sooner!

[dear_valentine07]

17 minutes ago, has716 said:

Just called the financial aid office and he told me that they are hoping to send out packages by March 30th. If they were coming out today, I doubt he would still stick with that party line. Oh well, still hoping for sooner!

however, when i called the admissions office the day our decisions came out, they were still sticking to the "at the end of march" line, so maybe that's just a standard response?

[Vulpix]

52 minutes ago, dear_valentine07 said:

however, when i called the admissions office the day our decisions came out, they were still sticking to the "at the end of march" line, so maybe that's just a standard response?

I think that is the party line. Of course March 30 would be the latest because admitted student events begin the 31. 

[laurjorg]

Just out of curiosity-off topic from financial aid-is anyone on this thread fresh out of undergrad? I am and wondering where I'm going to be fitting into the community if I accept.

[Vulpix]

1 minute ago, laurjorg said:

Just out of curiosity-off topic from financial aid-is anyone on this thread fresh out of undergrad? I am and wondering where I'm going to be fitting into the community if I accept.

@nrvsandexcited94 is I believe

I also think that the median age would be just a few years older (they said the average amount of work experience is 4.6 years).

[laurjorg]

1 minute ago, Heather1011 said:

@nrvsandexcited94 is I believe

I also think that the median age would be just a few years older (they said the average amount of work experience is 4.6 years).

Thanks, Heather! Guess I'll get more of the vibe on Accepted Students Day

[endlesscoffee]

5 hours ago, laurjorg said:

Just out of curiosity-off topic from financial aid-is anyone on this thread fresh out of undergrad? I am and wondering where I'm going to be fitting into the community if I accept.

I'm right out from undergrad, so it's going from school to more school. But I'm not too worried about fitting in since the entire point is to be surrounded by passionate, diverse people so you'll be able to learn something from everyone (and they from you). 

[sassypenguin]

Hey,

While you all are waiting, I was wondering if someone could help clarify the difference between Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) and Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT)? I'm seeing some overlap and want to make sure I apply to the right program. I know I could call the admissions office, but I'm scared to call them. (I'm worried that they'll think that someone who is unsure of the difference is too stupid to go ? )

I'm trying to figure out which one would be a better fit for my interests. 

[nm16]

12 minutes ago, sassypenguin said:

Hey,

While you all are waiting, I was wondering if someone could help clarify the difference between Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) and Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT)? I'm seeing some overlap and want to make sure I apply to the right program. I know I could call the admissions office, but I'm scared to call them. (I'm worried that they'll think that someone who is unsure of the difference is too stupid to go ? )

I'm trying to figure out which one would be a better fit for my interests. 

I would encourage you to call them -- Admissions office doesn't make decisions on the PhD level (faculty committees do), so they don't have any stakes on what they tell you, or what you tell them. 

The bottom line difference is that HDLT students tend to be more interested in the psych perspectives on education while CIS students tend to have more of a social justice angle. These are mere tendencies and not rules; there are certainly exceptions, and the lines between concentrations are blurrier than when they first started out.

@has716 to clarify, these programs are funded by GSAS, but the bulk of your required classes as well as your main faculty advisors are indeed based in HGSE.

Edited March 24, 2016 by nicolemae
grammar

[Heaslch09]

Well, I'm not going to send in official word until I get the aid packet, but I'm pretty certain I won't be accepting the offer from Harvard.  It breaks my heart to say it, but with just over $40K in loans from my undergraduate degree and not enough in saving to support myself in Boston for a year, I can't be taking out $50K for a masters degree.  It just isn't fiscally sensible. I already feel like the debt I owe is a huge weight on my back.  Good luck to all those attending! 

[Vulpix]

I just got an email that I did not get the special scholarships (Urban Scholars, etc.)  Not surprised... still waiting on the real info!

[writegirl]

Me too. Receive $10k from Stanford, and $13,500 from UPenn, but nothing from Harvard so far...

[marature]

Me three - oh well, I guess it'll make the decision easier! hope the finaid info comes in soon, though

[Vulpix]

I wish we knew more about the "other" grants they give atop the need-based grants.  People have mentioned "Impact" awards and other random things, but there is no info about that on their website.  In fact, HGSE seems to imply that it will only be need-based coming our way, but anecdotally we've heard that they give merit grants too that aren't the special scholarships we applied for.  This makes me nervous.  I'm not sure how much my "need" is.  Can I pay for HGSE on my salary? No.  Am I living under the poverty line? No.  It's all very wishy washy to me.  Also, we're all obviously not working full time during the coming year, so wouldn't *everyone* need a little help? (Unless coming from extraordinary independent wealth)

I mean, I got a "21st Century Scholarship" from NYU, and "merit scholarship" from Penn, and a TC "grant" that may or may not be need-based.  All of these were within the same 9-13K range.  I guess I'll just pray/assume HGSE has a similar algorithm...

Edited March 25, 2016 by Heather1011

[Huskyboy2015]

Same here, no merit scholarship for me, waiting on need based??

[dear_valentine07]

does anyone know if it's coming out today? last friday in march, it would make sense. 

[dear_valentine07]

i'm so confused!! will accepting the terms and conditions mean that i'm accepting the financial aid? how do i see how much i got? sorry for the dumb questions

[Vulpix]

I got an email that my financial aid award is available. I'm on my phone and the website is wonky, but it looks like they only gave me loans :'(. I'm really upset right now. I'm hoping I'm just not seeing something but it looks like no grants at all for me. 

I guess Harvard doesn't want me THAT badly. 

[laurjorg]

Whelp I've never worked full time so have little money and only got $5,000  Goodbye, Harvard?

[Levon3]

12 minutes ago, Heather1011 said:

I got an email that my financial aid award is available. I'm on my phone and the website is wonky, but it looks like they only gave me loans :'(. I'm really upset right now. I'm hoping I'm just not seeing something but it looks like no grants at all for me. 

I guess Harvard doesn't want me THAT badly. 

How much did you get from Penn? (If you don't mind my asking)

Edited March 25, 2016 by Levon3