Archive for Election Day

Some Admissions FAQs to keep you company this Election Day

The Office of Admissions & Financial Aid is closed today for a university-wide holiday — Election Day. We’ll reopen during normal business hours on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016.

In the interim, I know you’ve got questions; especially if you’ve applied to the Spring 2017. So see below some of the common questions (with answers) we’ve gotten in the last week.

When will Spring 2017 admissions decisions be released? Keep an eye on your inbox as decisions will go out in the next 2-3 weeks.

If admitted, how long will I have to make my decision? Refer to the details in your admission letter, but typically for spring it’s a tight turnaround and most applicants are given two weeks.

If I’m not admitted, can I reapply? Of course! I just wouldn’t recommend reapplying for Fall 2017 admission. Basically, you’re only giving yourself 3-4 months between applications, and I’m looking to see how you’ve enhanced your candidacy since your last application. In the eyes of the Admissions Committee its tough to make a compelling case in only a couple of months, so take a full year, year-and-a-half, or longer to strengthen your application and gain greater focus on what you exactly want to do. (And reference your admissions decision letter and the Evaluation Criteria page for details on what we look for in a strong candidate.)

How can I stay involved with SIPA before I start the program (if admitted or I’m applying to Fall 2017)? Great question! First, don’t unsubscribe to our emails because when you do you unsubscribe from EVERYTHING emailed by the Admissions Office, join us for the kick-off Diversity Spotlight Series event on Nov. 14, and browse SIPA’s Calendar of Events for more upcoming events. I’m also hosting a series of Facebook Live sessions with our concentration directors, so check the Recruitment Calendar frequently as the list will be updated throughout the winter.

I’m applying to Fall 2017 and I’m new to the Admissions Blog. Help! How to access (and prepare for) the admissions video essay” and “Tips for Spring 2017 applicants” should help get you on your feet. (Yes, even if you’re applying to Fall, read the Spring blog post!)

 

Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. Enjoy your Tuesday, and until next time. 🙂

Reminders: Deadlines and Office Closures

I have two announcements for today:

(1.) This is a just a friendly reminder that the Fall 2016 Early-Action Deadline is today, November 2, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. EST. So get that application in before it’s too late. You’ll not only be eligible for SIPA’s merit-based aid, but you’ll have the added benefit of  knowing your admission decision two months sooner than anybody else! So finish your application while you’ve still got time.

(2.) The Office of Admissions & Financial Aid will be closed for Election Day, on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. We will reopen during normal business hours on Wednesday, November 4, 2015.

[Photo courtesy of April Sikorski | CC BY-SA 2.0]

We’re closed today: Tuesday, November 5

It’s Election Day here in the United States.  Although it’s not a presidential election year, U.S. citizens are exercising their right to vote for their local representatives in government.  As a result many public (and some private) schools are closed in New York City today.

Columbia University is one of the institutions that honors our hard earned privilege to vote and encourages people to vote by closing the school to allow us to do just that.   If you are interested in learning about electoral systems and voting policies, you can study it in our USP concentration.

We will be back in the office tomorrow – November 6 – to answer your questions.

"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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