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HDPFDan

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Everything posted by HDPFDan

  1. Thanks! I'm on there, attending the NYC meetup on Tuesday too!
  2. Pretty freaked out about the SIPA debt load, but at the same time, remaining optimistic. It was the only school I applied to and I didn't necessarily expect to get in, and I wanted it really badly, so I'm definitely going. Just going to work my tail off year one in hopes of securing as much funding as possible for year 2. That and pursue some higher-paying career paths upon graduation.
  3. I was admitted off of the waitlist early last evening. I will be accepting and am thrilled to start this fall! I know I missed the group high-five sesion when everyone was admitted in March but hope to meet and see you all in a few months!
  4. I'm waitlisted at SIPA. I called yesterday just to verify I'm still on the waitlist, and was told that decisions should be out "in the next few weeks." That's as much info as they were willing to give.
  5. Resuscitating this thread to see if anyone is still waiting on the waitlist, for the MIA or other. They said they'd start reviewing it in April so technically they are not late, but I was certainly hoping to hear that they have at laest made some waitlist decisions by now (in my decision letter they said that they inform all waitlisted applicants whenver they make decisions, to ask if they'd liek to remain on the list.)
  6. I'd love to know about this as well, hahaha! Still on the waitlist for the MIA program.
  7. LOL! I'm an NYC resident and have lived in 3 boroughs - Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan - and I too found that to be about the most puzzling statement I have encountered on this forum. I was ready to go off but then decided I should try not to reinforce any New Yorker stereotypes. A-Z: there is a TON to do all over NYC. It's a bit of a trek to get to Brooklyn from Morningside Heights, but it's about as interesting a place as you will find in these United States. And "northern" Manhattan, however physically unappealing the landscape may be, is also an interesting area to explore. Harlem has more culture in one block than half of the cities in this country.
  8. Thanks! That's my plan, no reason to be down on the way things look right now. On a separate note, but somewhat related to this thread: has anyone else been following this story (link below)? This guy obviously had some relationship with SIPA, as the director of Sciences Po in Paris. He was in town for a conference at Columbia which I imagine SIPA was putting on. Nothing on SIPA's website about him. Interesting/potentially scandalous story, it seems. http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/04/richard-descoings-dead-autopsy-inconclusive.html
  9. Yeah I've used SIPA's, not much there that I can make use of. I'll take a look at UCSD's though, thanks.
  10. Does anyone have any links to a good directory for scholarships/fellowships, particularly focused on govt/internatioal affairs? I'm not eligible one way or another for just about everything I've found out there. I also know its late to apply to start in Fall 2012, but I may be waiting another year to start school, or looking to fund as much of my 2nd year as possible.
  11. Nope! Only applied to SIPA, I live and work in NYC so I want to stay here. I also applied on a whim, kind of, and figured I would look to gain some additional experience/coursework if I didn't get in this year. So I'm upbeat about being on the waitlist. Either I get in and go, or I don't get in but know that all I need to do is add a few things to my resume/application to apply there and a few other schools next time. It will also give me the chance to save up and try to pursue some other funding opportunities so I don't have to deal with the full debt load.
  12. I'm on the waitlist for the MIA. All they said was that they begin to review in April... while I'm hoping that means sooner rather than later, I have a feeling it may be after admitted student day. My thinking being that as a number of students may wait until that day to make their decision, SIPA will have a more final idea of their enrollment numbers shortly thereafter, and will then determine how many slots they have available for the waitlist. Unfortunately, it can take well into the summer.
  13. ^Hahaha yeah a coworker started an office pool yesterday, and I threw in $5. C'mon, tuition dollazz!
  14. My pleasure! You're obviously going to be in great shape either way since you've got great schools from which to choose (that line must have been used on this site SO much in recent weeks). So don't sweat it too much
  15. Should also mention - the 3 folks who are grads I've talked to all have had success out of SIPA. Admittedly that is a very small sample size, and they've graduated in different years, but it's still worthwhile information. One is a senior associate at my office (very respected think tank/policy research organization, nonprofit but you definitely make a good living for the industry/salary range, certainly based on what my pre-grad degree salary is compared to the nonprofit career statistics published by SIPA) She got her MPA in 2002 I believe. Another, my former coworker, who had the same position I do now, got his MIA in 2011, decided to concentrate in Energy and Environment and used the degree to make an industry switch, and now works for an energy consulting/monitoring firm. Another friend got her MIA in 2010 and then continued school by pursuing a phD at HKS, where she is now.
  16. All that said, erry, go to SAIS so there are more SIPA slots open to waitlisted folks like me! Haha, mostly joking. Assuming I get in I'd be really excited to meet some fellow SIPA Gradcafe-ers.
  17. The caliber of the professors, course offerings, directions you can take the various concentrations in, student body (HUGE one, given the varied backgrounds of such an international group), ability to use the resources/classes of the entire university, the huge number of events/conferences, and yes, the professional opportunities it opens to you. What I've heard is that if you aggressively pursue what you want, the Columbia name and network will help open doors. These are, of course, what the school itself bills as the main selling points, but the people I've talked to are friends and colleagues who themselves are interested in my success, and they've all said the same things. I also think beekline makes a good point - the criticism may all be valid, but it is being made in the context of SIPA still being one of the very top PA/PP/IR schools, so they are just the things to consider when you're deciding between schools.
  18. I'll say that of the several SIPA grads I've talked to in-person about the program - some friends of friends, a former coworker, a superior at my job - all of them have had nothing but the highest praise for SIPA. Ditto the Columbia grad students/alums from other programs who are familiar with it from being a part of the larger Columbia environment. This forum is the only place where I've run into consistently negative commentary on/opinions of SIPA. I do think all of the concerns/critiques are legitimate, particularly regarding the cost, but I have to weigh those against the positives I have heard, and the fact that this has been the school I have known I've wanted for several years now. When it comes to things like Career Services, the impression I get is that it can function as one resource, but that it depends on the individual to make the most out of what they provide and then make the jobs happen for yourself. Sounds like the real world to me!
  19. To sort of echo what IRToni said, I think the reach is in going for the DP, as opposed to just the MPA or MIA. The Development Practice is for people who are pretty clearly dedicated to development work and looking to advance in that field. With your background, I think you'd have better success in applying for one of the two main MA programs, in either the IFEP or EPD concentrations, and use your SOP to address why you want to move into development/whatever from your background in asset management. I think you'd have a good shot at SIPA by taking that approach, rather than applying for the DP which I believe is a far smaller and more selective program for individuals who have development experience.
  20. ^That's great that you were able to get in by showing your enthusiasm; congrats! My waitlist letter specifically said not to call or email about it (other than sending in the form to remain on the list), the list is unranked and you can't submit any additional materials, etc etc. Just have to wait it out.
  21. thanks dcenergy... oh well! they do say they start to review in april. just have to wait and see.
  22. To erry and those of you who have been accepted: first off, congrats! Second, were you given a deadline to accept your offer? If so, would you mind sharing the deadline? It'd be good to know when in April they have a sense of class size/open waitlist spots.
  23. I only applied to one program and am on the waitlist. I'm happy with that, as previous years and the program's cost relative to simliar schools indicate that a number of slots will open up. It's also a relief because I'm OK with taking another year to work/take some courses, improve my application and then re-apply, and apply to more schools.Would prefer to start school this year but its nice to know that I'm good enough for a top program. My one dilemma is the length of the wait... the letter indicated that they start to review and revise the list in April, but that it can go into summer. A long wait would interfere with my getting started on interim plans if I don't get in, and have me feeling left behind everyone on getting started with school plans if I do get in. So that's a little frustrating.
  24. Pardon the quick blahg: I feel pretty good about being on the waitlist. I have to remember that I had been planning on waiting another year to apply, and ended up doing this on a whim. SIPA was the only school I applied to (I'm in NYC and may try to keep working) so if I don't end up making it in off the waitlist, I'll have to wait a year, but I don't really mind. I have a few backup options in mind (including adding good experience through courses/volunteering/internships) that would likely increase my chances of being admitted next time. I'll also apply to many more schools next time around, and another year to save money for school couldn't hurt. That said, I'm optimistic I'll make it in off the waitlist. I have no idea how large it is, but based on the (admittedly small sample) gradcafe survey/forums, it seems a lot of admitted folks end up choosing other schools, the cost being a major factor. Any other waitlisters have thoughts on this?
  25. Just checked and am on the waitlist. Relieved that I may still get in, but still: MORE waiting. Great. Now I need to start pestering SIPA-accepted gradcafe members to enroll elsewhere and free up some slots
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