CMU Heinz 2016

[shrimps]

Excited to see the CMU acceptances are starting to trickle out - congratulations to everybody who's heard back already! What makes you excited about the program and are you thinking of going? 

[pubpol101]

CMU MSPPM (DC track) is one of my top choices since the 30 hr/week internship program would help me self-fund my education and eliminate fears of poor job prospects after graduation. I haven't yet been accepted but I called the admissions office and they said that they've been pretty firm on releasing decisions by March 15. They also said that the merit scholarships are decided by the admissions committee; the financial aid committee only reviews requests for loans and work study. This seems a bit confusing as now it makes even less sense for scholarships to be released when decisions haven't been released since it's clear that both issues are the adcom's responsibility.

[shrimps]

5 minutes ago, AAAAAAAA said:

or job prospects after graduation. I haven't yet been accepted but I called the admissions office and they said that they've been pretty firm on releasing decisions by March 15. They also said that the merit scholarships are decided by the admissions committee; the financial aid committee only reviews requests for loans and work study. This seems a bit confusing as now it makes even less sense for scholarships to be released when decisions haven't been released since it's clear that both issues are the adcom's responsibility.

Glad to hear you're excited about the DC track, @AAAAAAAA, hope you hear back great news and soon!

I applied to the 2-year Pittsburgh track, but I've heard great things about the DC program as well. After last week's confusing email from Financial Aid, I did indeed get the official email from Admissions this morning telling me to check the application portal, where I found my acceptance letter and more details about funding. Saw a handful of other acceptances for the MSPPM in the GradCafe Results tab, so thought I'd start a 2016 thread for acceptances as we all start to hear back.

[pubpol101]

I called the DC campus and they said that they do somewhat of a "rolling" admissions process, releasing decisions as the review process is completed for each individual application. They also confirmed however that they'd likely be done reviewing by March 15 and that no application reviewed at later dates would be at a disadvantage for scholarships or admissions as long as the app was submitted on time. So I suppose that's good for those of us who haven't heard back.

[kasbah]

I got a lovely email yesterday welcoming into the program with a very generous funding offer! I am on the 3 semester track.

I have never been to Pittsburgh. Anyone have any opinions on the city? How is the scene?

[ct9816]

I was accepted to the Heinz's MSPPM DC track on Monday with a great scholarship - definitely excited!

This is easily the most unique of all of the programs I'm deciding between. I like the idea of the 'mini' courses; with the D.C track, I would get to take fewer electives, so I feel they would still be a great way to still be able to explore a variety of different topics and skills while at the Pittsburgh campus.

Congrats to everyone who was accepted!

[shrimps]

Congrats, @kasbah and @ct9816! I've still never been to Pittsburgh, but I've actually heard some good things about the vibe there (not just from CMU marketing materials, though they do push the "livability" ratings there quite a bit!). I've heard there's a pretty cool art/culture scene, which I suppose makes sense since CMU has a lot of programs along those lines as well. I spent some time in Cleveland last year for work, and was very pleasantly surprised by the city, so fingers crossed the same holds true for this post-industrial, former rust-belt city? 

Honestly, after so many years living in NYC, the idea of moving somewhere where the cost of living is SO much more manageable is very appealing. That along with the very generous scholarship offer from CMU definitely pushes it up near the top of my list. I'd already resigned myself to probably having to go into a lot of debt for grad school, and the idea that I might be able to graduate with a fairly clean slate is hugely liberating. Plus, I just really like the MSPPM program there - I love that it's quant heavy yet significantly more flexible than some similar programs, so I could really tailor my electives to my specific interests. 

Still waiting to hear back from the last 4 schools, but going there is a strong possibility!

[HS9191]

Hi guys! Got accepted by Heinz for the MSPPM DA track with some scholarship.

Anybody else going for the DA track? And does anybody know what the living expenses in Pittsburgh amount to?

[shrimps]

Congratulations, @HS9191! As far as expenses go, CMU has a pretty detailed breakdown of costs for all their programs available here. Hope that helps!

[HS9191]

1 minute ago, shrimps said:

Congratulations, @HS9191! As far as expenses go, CMU has a pretty detailed breakdown of costs for all their programs available here. Hope that helps!

Thanks! I went through this already but I wanted a student/alumni to give his/her take on the expenses

[kasbah]

21 hours ago, shrimps said:

Congrats, @kasbah and @ct9816! I've still never been to Pittsburgh, but I've actually heard some good things about the vibe there (not just from CMU marketing materials, though they do push the "livability" ratings there quite a bit!). I've heard there's a pretty cool art/culture scene, which I suppose makes sense since CMU has a lot of programs along those lines as well. I spent some time in Cleveland last year for work, and was very pleasantly surprised by the city, so fingers crossed the same holds true for this post-industrial, former rust-belt city? 

Honestly, after so many years living in NYC, the idea of moving somewhere where the cost of living is SO much more manageable is very appealing. That along with the very generous scholarship offer from CMU definitely pushes it up near the top of my list. I'd already resigned myself to probably having to go into a lot of debt for grad school, and the idea that I might be able to graduate with a fairly clean slate is hugely liberating. Plus, I just really like the MSPPM program there - I love that it's quant heavy yet significantly more flexible than some similar programs, so I could really tailor my electives to my specific interests. 

Still waiting to hear back from the last 4 schools, but going there is a strong possibility!

Cool, I've heard good things about Pittsburgh but nothing really much more than "it's cooler than you think." I have good friends in Austin, so after I got my acceptance at LBJ, I started to get my heart set on moving down there. However I feel like I'd be a fool to pass on CMU after I read the funding offer, so I think CMU is now in first place. I'm a little concerned that it's more domestic-oriented than I'd prefer though.

[thedukeofkeywest]

Made an account to post in this thread.

First, congrats to everyone who has been admitted!  Looks as if many of you are still awaiting decisions from other schools, so best of luck throughout the rest of your search.

I got my acceptance letter for the MSPPM - Data Analytics track earlier this week.  As I already live in Pittsburgh and received a significant amount of funding in the offer, I will almost certainly go with this option.  

While I would hardly consider myself an expert, I have lived and worked here in Pittsburgh - in Oakland, specifically - for the past year and nine months with my fiancée.  If anyone has any questions about life here, I'd be happy to answer them.  I will say that I can confirm the crux of what has already been said in this thread and elsewhere: it's affordable (especially compared to the East Coast megalopolises), and there's more happening here than you would think.  As someone who grew up in one of the biggest cities in the Midwest, I might even be inclined to say that I love it here, though it is also entirely possible that I'm just easily impressed by rivers and hills. (I promise, I'm not affiliated with CMU marketing.)

I do have my own set of questions, but they are about the DA track, not Pittsburgh.  From what I have gathered, the track seems to hold a lot of promise - it is CMU, after all - but it is still very much in its infancy, having only been established in 2013.  I hope to have some of those questions answered at the weekend for admitted students.

[MistaBenjamin]

Hey everyone. I created an account to start talking about Grad School acceptance and weighing my options. Congrats to everyone who has gotten in and best of luck to those still waiting.

I have gotten into CMU's MSPPM DC track and it is my number one choice, however I am currently in DC interning so am wondering about moving and if its worth it, or if I should just take a job and stay here and go to school in the area. I am leaning on thinking it is, however I'm still waiting to hear about financial aid from other schools and a decision from UMD. I have also been accepted to GW, American and George Mason for an MPA. No funding offers accept for CMU. 

I think I might be a fool to pass up going to CMU, just thought I'd get some options from the ever credible and trustworthy internet and forum! However, it will likely have little to no impact on my final decision. It really comes down to $$$$$$$. 

Thanks!

[kasbah]

Did you all read through the admitted students' portal? It recommends against using a Mac. Has anyone talked to current students or alumni about this? I would hate to have to go buy a new computer. 

[pubpol101]

Have any rejections been sent out? I've noticed that no one has posted an acceptance for nearly a week and that previous years' MSPPM rejections have come around their March 15 date. Are they sending out acceptances first and then sending out an email blast for rejections on the last possible day? I called the admissions office and they never gave a straight answer.

[CakeTea]

I am also admitted to MSPPM Pittsburgh track with a moderate scholarship. Still need to crunch some numbers.

[sp108]

9 minutes ago, CakeTea said:

I am also admitted to MSPPM Pittsburgh track with a moderate scholarship. Still need to crunch some numbers.

I think I remember in another thread you got into Duke as well? Hows your funding looking? And have you narrowed it down yet?

[CakeTea]

@sp108: Wow, you have a good memory to recall multiple threads. I was admitted to Sanford and awarded a small fellowship, though no automatic assistantship as I am international student. I have a spreadsheet and the current numbers don't add up. I still await news from outside funding. With outside funding, Heinz or Sanford may work. Even with moderate scholarship, it is challenging to come up with the rest to cover remaining tuition and cost of living. I have admission to a programme in Europe that is affordable, but I rather prefer a US MPP programme. The weak exchange rate against strong $ does not help either. It feels so close and yet so far. Sigh.

 

What is your preference?

[sp108]

1 hour ago, CakeTea said:

@sp108: Wow, you have a good memory to recall multiple threads. I was admitted to Sanford and awarded a small fellowship, though no automatic assistantship as I am international student. I have a spreadsheet and the current numbers don't add up. I still await news from outside funding. With outside funding, Heinz or Sanford may work. Even with moderate scholarship, it is challenging to come up with the rest to cover remaining tuition and cost of living. I have admission to a programme in Europe that is affordable, but I rather prefer a US MPP programme. The weak exchange rate against strong $ does not help either. It feels so close and yet so far. Sigh.

 

What is your preference?

I am currently deciding between Heinz (55%), Duke (50%), and SIPA ($12K per year). I prefer all of them like equally so I am really torn.  Each of them have their own unique positives and negatives.  Sanford certainly seems worth it.   SIPA's as well but living in NYC is something I am still debating!

 

[Jknips]

I'm currently trying to decide between the MSPPM - DC Track and MSHCP (Health Care Policy).  I'll be coming straight out of undergrad, so I'm not 100% sure where I want my career to head, but I'm hoping to decide at the admitted students weekend next month.

[CakeTea]

33 minutes ago, sp108 said:

I am currently deciding between Heinz (55%), Duke (50%), and SIPA ($12K per year). I prefer all of them like equally so I am really torn.  Each of them have their own unique positives and negatives.  Sanford certainly seems worth it.   SIPA's as well but living in NYC is something I am still debating!

 

Good for you, these are great schools. Durham and Pittsburgh have more reasonable cost of living and the student prospectus points out to quality/affordability. NYC prices are just insane and I get sticker price shock. I wish I could stack my various scholarships into a big one like Best Buy coupons. I think for most people the ultimate choice is a mix of fit and funding.

[pubpol101]

Does anyone know if the MSPPM program has sent any rejections? Or are they saving those for last? I've seen some Heinz rejections on the GradCafe survey this year, but they're all for PhDs in another field, and I myself haven't received anything from Heinz. And has anyone received an MSPPM/public policy related degree since March 7th? There isn't a single Heinz public policy notification on the GradCafe survey site that has appeared since that date.

[HS9191]

On 3/3/2016 at 3:10 AM, thedukeofkeywest said:

Made an account to post in this thread.

First, congrats to everyone who has been admitted!  Looks as if many of you are still awaiting decisions from other schools, so best of luck throughout the rest of your search.

I got my acceptance letter for the MSPPM - Data Analytics track earlier this week.  As I already live in Pittsburgh and received a significant amount of funding in the offer, I will almost certainly go with this option.  

While I would hardly consider myself an expert, I have lived and worked here in Pittsburgh - in Oakland, specifically - for the past year and nine months with my fiancée.  If anyone has any questions about life here, I'd be happy to answer them.  I will say that I can confirm the crux of what has already been said in this thread and elsewhere: it's affordable (especially compared to the East Coast megalopolises), and there's more happening here than you would think.  As someone who grew up in one of the biggest cities in the Midwest, I might even be inclined to say that I love it here, though it is also entirely possible that I'm just easily impressed by rivers and hills. (I promise, I'm not affiliated with CMU marketing.)

I do have my own set of questions, but they are about the DA track, not Pittsburgh.  From what I have gathered, the track seems to hold a lot of promise - it is CMU, after all - but it is still very much in its infancy, having only been established in 2013.  I hope to have some of those questions answered at the weekend for admitted students.

Hey! I got accepted for MSPPM DA too and I am actually very confused about picking it over Harvard. Do you think you can help answer a few questions? Thanks!

[kasbah]

Has anyone been in touch with their "Admissions Ambassador"? I would love to talk with a student or alum, but I still haven't been contacted by mine.

[thedukeofkeywest]

On 3/27/2016 at 10:27 PM, kasbah said:

Has anyone been in touch with their "Admissions Ambassador"? I would love to talk with a student or alum, but I still haven't been contacted by mine.

Hi Kasbah,

It has been four days since your post, so someone may well have gotten in touch with you by now.  If not, I would send an email to admissions stating that you have still not received a message.  I followed up with admissions slightly more than a week after I had received my initial note re: ambassador(s) and was able to start a (very) fruitful conversation with a current student shortly thereafter.

Hope you are able to forge a connection soon!