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Spring Break: SIPA Style

Posted by Columbia SIPA

· Tuesday, March 18th, 2014

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When we were in college, spring break meant lying on the beach drink in hand (Cancun or Acapulco was often the destination of choice), reading Vogue (GQ for the guys out there) and delightfully indulgent tabloids, and working on bronzing your Vitamin D deficient skin.

Now that we’re in graduate school at SIPA, things are slightly different. We have traded in those carefree beach days for capstone work trips. That’s right folks, many of us are heading into the field over the next week to work on our semester-long projects in places like Honduras, Tanzania, Jordan, Kosovo and India.

Many of you may think we would be despondent over this change. No more drinks with tiny umbrellas in a beautiful locale? But truthfully, these capstone trips are far better than any spring break of our undergraduate days. The fulfilling work we do overseas furthers our understanding of international affairs and development, and many of the trips have a sightseeing component as well (The Tanzania kids are off to Zanzibar– and we think that’s very cool).

Many SIPA students not traveling for their capstone project over spring break are still taking advantage of the school’s extracurricular options. The Japanese Student Association is hosting a trip to Tokyo, and the Arab Student Association is organizing a Moroccan adventure that includes stops in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Tangier.

And of course, though they are few and far between, there are those among us that are opting for Cancun.

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Categories : SIPA

Tags : student activity, student life

The words you long to hear…

Posted by Columbia SIPA

· Monday, March 17th, 2014

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The first batch of decisions went out today.

You see in your inbox that there is an email from the SIPA Admissions Office. You open it and follow the prompts to learn your status on your application.

You sit back as you read the words, Congratulations!!! You’ve been admitted to SIPA!

A sigh of relief and now the happy yet nervous jitters comes over you. What do you do now? Once you have taken some time to celebrate, consider these suggestions:

Thank those who helped you: While you did the lion’s share of the work, there are others who helped with your application and probably gave you lots of encouragement and support along the way. Show your appreciation to family, friends, recommenders, or anyone who has assisted you in the application process.

Read thoroughly any admitted student information you are sent: In your admissions letter you will be provided with information on how to access the “new student Welcome page”. It is through this page where you will find all the necessary information about how to prepare for life at SIPA as well as how to join the many SIPA community gatherings happening near you. But most importantly, in the Welcome page, there are a few time sensitive actions that need to be taken if you plan to enroll at SIPA. Missing a deadline can make a difference, and can sometimes result in you not being able to register for classes. Throughout the summer, you will also receive newsletters about upcoming events including the mandatory Orientation.

Talk to your new classmates: You will be invited to join the new student forum, created for you. This is a way to establish communication with other admitted and current students. Getting to know some of your future fellow classmates before you enroll is always helpful. You may even find your future roommate and best friend through these interactions.

One of the many benefits of coming to SIPA is that you are exposed to so many people from around the world, here in New York and wherever you decide to go afterwards. But it begins now. Once you are admitted, you will begin to receive invitations to meet up with current students and alumni in cities around the world, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity — This is an excellent way to get the students’ and alumni perspectives of SIPA. It is also a great networking opportunity.

Schedule a campus visit: If you have not visited us before, you may want to make some time for a New York City trip. You’ll find a number of newly admitted students boarding a plane, a bus, or a train and making their way to New York for the Admitted Students’ Day on April 8th. Mark your calendar and come join us for the day.

You can also schedule time to sit and observe a class at SIPA (if you come before May 9) or just walk through our beautiful campus located in a major metropolitan city — It’s hard to believe it once you step foot through the iron gates. Needless to say, if you visit us, you will definitely meet students, faculty, and staff. You may also set up an impromptu meeting with admissions staff if you have any questions, as no appointment is needed. Directions and travel information may be found on the SIPA page.

Prepare to relocate: SIPA can help, but you will need to do a lot on your own. Some campus housing is available, but do not wait until the last minute to inquire and apply. Campus housing is limited and priority is given to international students who are relocating from overseas. We suggest completing the housing form as soon possible. You may do this through the new student Welcome page. The Office of University Housing can also provide guidance on the right neighborhoods for you to reside if you want a little more freedom and opt for the off-campus housing option.

Start working on your financial plan: Even if you are not relocating geographically, there is a lot to consider in this time-consuming process. Make sure to read all financial aid materials that you receive; especially make sure you are clear about your scholarship/ fellowship offer and if the award is for one year or two years of study. If you need loan assistance, complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov and be very careful to educate yourself about all that is involved before you sign any promissory notes (we have staff to assist you [email protected] ). The FAFSA is for US Citizens and US Permanent Residents only so don’t complete it if you are an international student. (See our FAFSA post.)

It may seem elementary, but it is amazing how many incoming students make false assumptions about the length of their non-loan-based financial aid. Be sure you have all the facts about tuition costs and financial aid before you enroll—you do not want any financial surprises.

Keep a list of suggestions: You will be exposed to the good and for some, not so good experiences before enrolling (at whatever school you choose). While things are fresh in your mind, make a list of suggestions and compliments to share with us before you enroll. SIPA Admissions staff members are always looking for ways to improve our services.

Good luck with your decision and may you choose SIPA!

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Categories : Admissions, Application Tips

Tags : advice, application tips, tip

SIPA Decisions: What Happens If You Are Not Admitted

Posted by Columbia SIPA

· Friday, March 14th, 2014

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Each year, the admissions office receives thousands of applications for 400 spots. This means that unfortunately, we are in the difficult position of rejecting some qualified applicants who would surely add to the vitality of our community. Here are some of the reasons we did not accept applicants for this admissions cycle:

Not enough work experience: As we have emphasized, we really do look for applicants who have worked at least 2-3 years, preferably in a policy-related field. We have found that more experienced students are able to contribute their wealth of experience and knowledge with their classmates, which makes for a more well-rounded entering class.
Weak demonstration of quantitative skills: All SIPA students are required to take microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics as part of the school’s core curricula. Depending on one’s chosen concentration, he or she may have to take more rigorous quantitative classes. Because of this, it is critical that applicants demonstrate some proficiency or experience taking such classes.
Grades/GRE scores: We know that undergraduate classes may have been a long time ago, or that you didn’t have time to adequately prepare for the GRE. However, we have to take these records of your past academic achievement seriously, as they are oftentimes the best indicators of future academic success. While a low grade here and there is permissible, a smattering of poor classroom performances will force us to take pause.
Lack of English proficiency: We really value having a diverse student body, with roughly half of our students hailing from overseas. However, it is imperative that all of our students are able to take classes and communicate fluently in English. Oftentimes, we feel that a candidate has great credentials, but his or her English language abilities are not sufficient. This is reflected in a low TOEFL score, or poorly-written personal statement.
Unclear personal statement: This is arguably the most common reason we choose not to admit applicants. We regularly receive applications from great candidates who don’t seem to know quite what they want to do with their lives. This is okay! But…in order to maximize the value of a SIPA degree, we are really looking for students who are both driven and focused. Unlike one’s undergraduate years, where he or she likely had the opportunity to take classes in a host of subjects, time and space for exploration is far more limited in graduate school. We want students with concrete objectives and drive to take them where they want to go. And we want SIPA to be the right place for you.

Again, we are sorry we can’t admit all of our wonderful applicants! We do encourage re-applying when one feels he or she is better equipped to attend, but we want to point out that there is a maximum of three times that one can apply to a specific degree program.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide immediate feedback on specifically why one’s application was not accepted (sadly our staff’s time constraints make this impossible right now). But you are welcome to email us during the summer for specifics on how to improve your application.

Good luck! And stay positive.

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Categories : Admissions

Tags : advice, decision, tips

Admission Decisions – The Wait List

Posted by Columbia SIPA

· Thursday, March 13th, 2014

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Admission decisions for SIPA’s MIA, MPA, and MPA-DP programs will begin rolling out next week. We thank all the patiently waiting candidates sitting by their computers. It was a tough year reviewing application in terms of volume and system changes but we got through it and now we’re almost ready to release decisions — just making sure we’ve dotted our “i’s” and crossed our “t’s”.

But before the big release… we thought we would share some thoughts about decisions coming out.

You’ve Been Wait listed….

For many, being wait listed to SIPA can be difficult to handle. We understand how discouraging it can be to be placed on the wait list, especially if this is your first choice school. However, it’s not all bad.

If you are wait listed, it means that your application shows promise but there were more highly competitive and qualified candidates than we have places for in the class. There are just so many students we can admit into our class each year.

Please keep in mind that the Admissions Committee closely monitors the “wait-list” responses and sends updates to candidates.

Be aware however, that the number of candidates on the wait list can be rather lengthy. The wait list is not ranked and the Admissions Committee will review wait listed candidates based on documents already on file. It is therefore not necessary to send additional documents for the Committee to consider.

While there’s no harm in inquiring about your status or other application issues, there is a fine line between what’s appropriate and overdoing it. The only liability is harassing the admissions office and having them make a note on your file to that effect.

We will move candidates off the wait list — just a matter of time. Everyone on the wait list will receive a final decision by the end of the summer and some will be favorable decisions.

There is no guarantee that you will be admitted off the wait list. If at the end, you are not offered admission into the program, it is helpful to reflect on your admission’s portfolio.

As for trying again, if a degree from SIPA remains in your educational plans, we recommend that you consult with one of our admission representatives to get feedback on how to strengthen your application for a future term. In the majority of cases, we would recommend you wait an entire year before reapplying.

Good luck and stay positive!

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Categories : Admissions

Tags : Admissions, decisions

SIPA Fun Facts

Posted by Columbia SIPA

· Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

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Think you know everything about Columbia’s esteemed School of International and Public Affairs? So did we, until we decided to compile a list of fun facts about our beloved graduate institution. Here are some things we bet you didn’t know about SIPA and its storied history.

SIPA was originally named the School of International Affairs.
For the first SIPA class, the admissions requirements included “a distinctly superior undergraduate record and a better-than-average performance on the Graduate Record Examination.”
In its first year, SIPA tuition was $600 a year.
Max Abramowitz, the designer Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center and oversaw the design of the United Nations, was the architect for the SIPA building still used today.
The [International Affairs] building was dedicated on October 21, 1971. But not everyone was happy about SIPA’s new home; its construction led to the demolition of a row of brownstones inhabited by 300 tenants.
The Masters of Public Administration program was established in 1977.
In 1981, the school decided to officially change its name to the School of International and Public Affairs.
In 1992, the program in Economic Policy Management (PEPM) was created.
Following the 9/11 attacks, SIPA faculty and students organized campus-wide programs to help with the recovery effort, including coordinating volunteer translators and garnering support for affected families.
Today, the school has approximately 1,100 students, 18,000 alumni living in 155 different countries, and almost 70 faculty members.
The current student age ranges from 20 to 55.
More than half of the student body is comprised of international students, hailing from 95 different countries.
Two of the nation’s most high-profile mayors are SIPA alumni. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio graduated in 1987, while his Los Angeles counterpart Eric Garcetti graduated from the program in 1995.
Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins teaches a class on public policy for MIA/MPA students.
Madeleine Albright received a certificate from SIPA in 1968.
Today, job titles of SIPA alumni include the Wall Street Journal’s Moscow Bureau Chief, the Director of International Strategy at Twitter, the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, the Executive Director for the Michigan ACLU, and the Minister for Finance in Mongolia.