Archive for Application – Page 30

Application Process Visual Aid: The Big Picture

I often find flow charts and diagrams to be incredibly helpful in understanding processes and procedures.  Sometimes text can be a little dizzying and having information displayed in a visual format can lead to a more clear understanding of the “big picture.”  In an attempt to give applicants a view of the entire application process on a single page I put together a diagram for your consideration.

The diagram includes two different parts.  One part is composed of steps that do not necessarily have an order and it is beneficial to consistently spend time reviewing the information provided.  The second part lays out the application process, as well as what happens after decisions are made, in chronological format.

The screen shot below will give you an idea of what the chart looks like.  To view a copy that you can save and print please click here.

I recommend that applicants print this document and place it somewhere easily within view at home.  It will serve as a reminder of the “big picture.”  By reviewing the document on a consistent basis and utilizing the hyperlinks that are provided you can help to ensure that you are doing all that you can to prepare the best application possible along with pursuing possible funding opportunities.

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Top 10 Tips for Communicating With Our Office

This entry is a compilation of our “Top 10″ list for you to consider when communicating with our office, searching for information, and applying.  10 entries were posted and this entry serves as a single place where you can access all of them in one place.

My hope is that this information will allow you to find answers to your questions as quickly as possible, receive timely responses from our office, and avoid delays.

Click on the individual 1-10 listings to be directed to the original posts that have all of the details.

Number 1 – Use the same email address when communicating with our office and when applying.

Number 2 – Avoid Creating a Duplicate Online Application.

Number 3 – Avoid copying several parties on the same email and avoid long emails.

Number 4 – Thoroughly review our FAQ Page.

Number 5 – When leaving a voice mail message speak slowly, clearly, and state your telephone number twice.

Number 6 – If you must mail something to our office, use a private mail courier.

Number 7 – Check out our student, alumni, faculty, staff interview page.

Number 8 – Familiarize Yourself with Expenses and Start searching for fellowhips/grants as soon as possible.

Number 9 – Attend an information session or recruitment event.

Number 10 – Subscribe to this blog!

Office Communication Top Ten List – Entry #10

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 Web site is a great source of information and you should familiarize yourself with it, but for the most part the Web site is static and is 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.

Over in the right menu there is an empty box with “Subscribe” written below it.  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.

Office Communication Top Ten List – Entry #6

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

Number 6 – If you must mail something to our office, use a private mail courier.

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 our site so you may want to consider uploading your information rather than sending anything by mail.

Office Communication Top Ten List – Entry #5

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 voice mail message speak slowly, clearly, 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 voice mail.  Sometimes there is static or background noise when leaving your message 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 voice mail.  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.

It is also helpful to compile a list of questions prior to calling our office and after checking the Web site. 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 voice mail 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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