Author Archive for Columbia SIPA – Page 56

Admission Decisions – The Wait List

Posted by Columbia SIPA 
· Thursday, March 13th, 2014 
· No Comments

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!

No Comments
Categories : Admissions
Tags : ,

SIPA Fun Facts

Posted by Columbia SIPA 
· Wednesday, March 12th, 2014 
· No Comments

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.
where it all began

Where it all began: SIPA Class of 1948

 

 

No Comments
Categories : Columbia University, SIPA
Tags : , ,

A California versus New York Comparison…

Posted by Columbia SIPA 
· Monday, March 10th, 2014 
· No Comments

Things Southern California SIPA students notice right away…

1. The weather difference!  Anyone who grew up in Southern California will notice when the temperature drops below 55 degrees…In California, we call it the “arctic chill”

Arctic Chill:

This year the east coast experienced the POLAR VORTEX.

Polar Vortex in NYC:

2. the importance of a coat!

3. And Boots…

4. In N Out v. Shake Shack

   

Anyone who grew up in California will notice the food choices aren’t exactly the same…changing In-N-Out for a New York favorite the “Shake Shack”.

 

5. palm trees v. skyscrapers

 

Where’s the sun? Although New York is a great city, you’ll still have Californians asking for the sun…and warmer weather!

6. MTA v. Owning a Car

 

New Yorkers give subway directions like Californians give highway directions: Take the B to the A to the 1.

 

7. Jaywalking? NYC, LA

 

And – you’ll still find some Californians in NYC waiting for the street lights to turn green because jaywalking is not permitted in California.

 

8. Both Los Angeles and New York have elected SIPA Alumni as their Mayors

 

Anyway you decide to spin it – If you find yourself in New York, enjoy your time here!  It is the city of many opportunities and promise.

Good luck with Admission Decisions!

a humorous post submitted by Eder Gaona-Macedo, MPA 2014

No Comments
Categories : Columbia University, SIPA
Tags : , , ,

It’s back… TEDxColumbiaSIPA

Posted by Columbia SIPA 
· Friday, March 7th, 2014 
· No Comments

TEDx was created in the spirit of TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading.” The program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. TEDxColumbiaSIPA is a locally-organized, student-led event designed to spark authentic, impassioned, and open-minded dialogue in our community.  It is organized by students from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).

Last year SIPA put together its first TEDx to stimulate dialogue around the common mission most dear to SIPA:  how to make a difference around the world.  The 2013 theme centered on “A Better World”; this year’s theme is: Think Smaller.

Instead of focusing on the big picture, we want to celebrate the small: individual success stories, micro-enterprises, local neighborhoods that we are a part of and the worlds we cannot see with the naked eye.

TEDxColumbiaSIPA 2014 is taking place on Thursday, May 8 at Miller Theater.  For more information about the upcoming event (which is still in the planning stages) and about ticket sales, click here.

 

No Comments
Categories : Columbia University, Meet Seeples
Tags : , ,

My Application is Complete – Now What?

Posted by Columbia SIPA 
· Wednesday, March 5th, 2014 
· No Comments

So your application is submitted and all materials have been received (i.e. complete), now you have some free time to start preparing for school in the fall. What should I do? Good question! We have compiled a list of things you can do while you wait for an admissions decision from SIPA and other policy schools. Please remember, these are only some suggestions that we think would be helpful while waiting for admission decisions…

Keep updated with current events:

Policy courses at SIPA will introduce both old and new policy events that will be analyzed and dissected. Take for example, the Columbia University expansion in New York City – it’s been discussed in multiple classes, most recently “Policy Implementation” with Professor Kristina Ford. Keeping yourself updated with current events at the local, federal and foreign events will help you understand concepts and contribute to class discussions.

Suggested sites:

Review quantitative courses:

SIPA students are expected to learn how to read and analyze policy papers heavy with quantitative information. In fact, three of the core classes for MIA and MPA are under the economics and statistics department. Having an understanding of the basics in economics and statistics will only help you succeed in the classroom. Lastly, brushing on some math will help during the ever-popular Math Camp.  Students can take courses at their local Community College over the Summer and or take free online classes, also known as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). To get you started, here are some links we found by doing a simple Google search on the topic:

*Side note… if you are thinking about applying to SIPA in the future, courses taken to strengthen your quantitative background/skills on your application should be taken at an accredited (or international equivalent) university for a grade.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Looking for other ways to get prepared?  Nonprofits in your local community deal with everyday issues (homelessness, higher education access, foreign aid, etc), volunteering with them will give you a unique perspective of how nonprofits tackle some of some the most pressing problems. The experience will provide you with an understanding of different management styles that will be essential in the classroom. So, where can I find volunteer opportunities? Below are some sites we found to be useful:

  • idealist
  • Check your local city for volunteer opportunities, for example NYC

External Funding Search:

Although the application deadline has passed, funding season is still open. You should always be looking into funding opportunities beyond SIPA fellowships and loans. Our Financial Aid Department has compiled a list of external funding opportunities for incoming and continuing students. The advance search option allows you to search by category (i.e. human right, Urban policy) and by application deadline.

Buy a Coat!:

Thinking of making the brave move from warmer climates to the (U.S.) northeast? It’s the perfect time to buy a winter coat – many stores are gearing up for Spring and will be having last minute sales on winter coats.

Take these suggestions with a grain of salt – good luck with admission decisions!

No Comments
Categories : Admissions, SIPA
Tags : , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »

"The most global public policy school, where an international community of students and faculty address world challenges."

—Merit E. Janow, Dean, SIPA, Professor of Practice, International and Economic Law and International Affairs

Boiler Image