Archive for application tips – Page 41

Top 10 Application Tips

According to a few conversations I have had while traveling this fall, the series of blog entries on the Top 10 Communication Tips was helpful for some applicants.  I thought I would do something similar over the next few weeks regarding the application process.

Although the steps required to complete an application are listed on our web site and on the application itself, I thought addressing some common questions and providing some commentary might be useful.  Thus over the next few weeks a Top Ten Application Tips series will be published.  I will try to add a bit of insight that might not be revealed in the basic instructions so stay tuned.

As a reminder, the application deadline for fall 2011 admission for the MIA, MPA, and MPA-DP programs is January 5th, 2011 at 11:59:59 PM EST.

Top 10 Tips for Communicating With Us No. 10: Subscribe to this blog

Updated: March 2016

This is the tenth and final entry in our “Top 10″ list for you to consider when communicating with our office and applying.

Number 10 – Subscribe to this blog!

The best way to stay up-to-date regarding matters of admission is to subscribe to this blog.  Yes, the SIPA website is a great source of information, and you should familiarize yourself with it, but for the most part the website is static and rarely updated.  We try to update it as needed, but the blog is much more informative as far as the day-to-day things going on in our office.

At the top of the menu to the right, there is hyperlinked text that says “Click here to subscribe to the Blog.” Simply enter your email and each and every time this blog is updated, you will receive an email message letting you know here is new content.

Why is it a good idea to subscribe?  Well, for one we try to monitor common questions and post answers to the site for mass consumption.  Two, this is your window into the admission cycle.  We will update you on what is going on in our office.  And finally, this is a great way to find out more about what is going on at SIPA and to learn about fellowship opportunities.  You can consider this to be the most interactive web space concerning matters of admission and financial aid.

Top 10 Tips for Communicating With Us No. 9: Attend an information session, tour, or recruitment event

Updated: March 2016

This is the ninth entry in our “Top 10″ list for you to consider when communicating with our office and applying.

Number 9 – Attend an information session, tour, or recruitment event

While I realize not everyone can make it to New York, if you can visit campus the best way to obtain information is to attend an information session.  If you live nearby or are visiting New York attending a session is probably the best way to learn about our programs and how to put together a competitive application.  Due to the large number of visitors and our small staff we are unable to arrange walk in appointments.  You are always welcome to visit and someone will assist you, however we are rarely able to provide extensive individual counseling appointments. The Office of Admissions is open 9am – 5pm, Monday through Friday, and there are usually current students or admissions officers available to chat briefly with anyone who stops in with a question.

If you would like to attend an information session or attend a SIPA tour, you can see our schedule of upcoming sessions within the Information Sessions or Tour tab on the Visit SIPA website. Click on the information session for the programs that interest you and then register for the date you can attend on the calendar that appears.

SIPA admissions officers also attend recruitment events in the U.S. and abroad.  You can view our recruitment schedule on the Visit SIPA website as well. You can find the information within the Off-Campus Events/Recruitment Calendar section. However, you are always welcome to come to the office during business hours and ask a few questions or obtain information.

Top 10 Tips for Communicating With Us No. 6: Use a private mail courier for snail mail

Updated: March 2016

This is the sixth entry in our “Top 10″ list for you to consider when communicating with our office and applying.

Number 6 – Use a private mail courier for snail mail

Columbia is a huge university with one central mail room.  All “standard” mail is funneled to the main mail room and it can take a week or more for mail to be sorted and sent on to us.

By utilizing a mail carrier the parcel will be sent directly to our office, avoiding delays.  Also, we highly recommend getting a tracking number whenever something is mailed to our office.  This way, the moment we sign for the package the courier will log delivery and you will be notified if you have signed up for email notification.

Better yet, 100% of your documents needed for admission consideration may be submitted on through your application portal so you may want to consider uploading your information rather than sending anything by mail.  We want to make the process of applying as simple as possible so we accept self-reported test scores and unofficial transcripts. Official scores and transcripts are needed if you are admitted, but both of those will come directly to our office from the testing service or your institution of study.

It may sound funny to applicants, but I cannot tell you how excited I get when we print an application and everything comes out in order.  When applicants upload all of the necessary documents and recommenders upload their letters as well, everything prints in one batch.  This means we can forward your application to the committee quickly.

If documents are mailed, after we print the application and review it we then have to go on a perilous search for missing documents.  The natural question you might ask is, “What is so perilous about searching for documents in an office?”  Well, I can tell you from a lot of experience that paper and staples possess the unique capacity to slice human skin.  During the application season band-aids and hand lotion are a must and often times my hands look as if I got into fight with a cat.

Top 10 Tips for Communicating With Us No.5: When leaving a voicemail, speak slowly and state your telephone number twice

Updated: March 2016

This is the fifth entry in our “Top 10″ list for you to consider when communicating with our office and applying.

Number 5 – When leaving a voicemail, speak slowly and state your telephone number twice

As much as we would like to answer every call someone makes to our office, sometimes all of our lines are in use, and you will be put through to voicemail. Also, sometimes there is static or background noise, and we may not be able to clearly hear your message.

Speaking slowly and stating your telephone number twice will help ensure that we can get back you. Our recommendation is actually to email our office rather than leave a voicemail. We can check email much more quickly and can provide very detailed information in email messages. And we do not have to worry about time zones (see bonus tip below).

Also, if you are a current or incoming student, please give all identifying information, especially your University ID (UNI) or CUID. It is difficult to follow up on a financial aid query that is specific to you without this information. Going back to tip No. 1, we also recommend using the same email address each time you contact us.

It is also helpful to compile a list of questions prior to calling our office and after checking the website. We can work with you to answer all of your questions but the process is often more streamlined if you know beforehand what information you are looking for.

Bonus Tip: If leaving a voicemail message, also state your city and country (for time zone purposes). We get applications from over 100 countries each year, and people call from all over the world. Stating your location will assist us, however this is another reason we recommend email – we can respond any time and possibly will not wake you when calling at what may be business hours for us, and sleeping hours for you.

"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

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