alloy

I would say it really depends on your goals, skills and interests. There are people going to each sector after graduation i.e. I will be going to top management consulting.

SIPA is great both for energy and environmental policy

You can change your concentration easily. You just need to take all of the required courses (5).

Yes, but improving GRE would be helpful.

Sure

I think that with your amount of WE you are a better candidate for regular MPA, not EMPA

I applied straight from undergrad and got offers from SAIS, SIPA and GPPI (with $). I did not apply for Tufts but my friend from SIPA got rejection letter from Tufts saying explicitly "you have too little work experience".

BTW Double Degree program works as a direct exchange of students i.e. 3 people from Hertie went to SIPA because 3 people from SIPA went to Hertie

My friend from SIPA did his 1st year at Hertie and he liked it really much. BTW only 3 people from Hertie went for 2nd to SIPA

1. I would say that the most of the professors are working in their field 2. Even split 3. Actually, it is specialization where you can take almost every class you want (also at B-School) So it is really flexible 4. Hard question. The three I would recommend: Energy System Fundamentals (a core course for energy, really demanding but you can learn a lot) & Global Financial Services (a class with retired I-Banker who gives awesome insights what was really happening inside biggest banks). On top of that I took also Consulting at B-School which was awesome.

gradjm - I have already described my background. At SIPA there is no MPP, only MPA. I haven't been to HKS so far so I have no idea. The only thing I can say that SIPA has most probably more international focus (and 58% of our students and international).

1.No, and as I see people do not generally work during first semester 2. Wow that's hard. I would say sipa is about diversity. We have folks who were working in government, united nations, mckinsey and ones who are straight from undergrad. 3. Most probably management consulting 4. Manageable but I had strong background in finance and econ which is really helpful for me

No, I did not have such an essay question.

1. I would say that there is no real difference (one course is different but still pretty similar and the language requirement can be waived). What is more, you can change your major when 1st semester starts 2. SIPA has amazing energy program plus you can take courses at business school, law school, school of engineering and all of them are excellent. 3. I have quite unique profile so I will not be good benchmark 168Q/155V, around two years of work experience (management consulting, diplomacy, banking) while studying. 4. I have no idea about this concentration. 5. That some people on this forum say that it is not great

Hi guys! If you have any question regarding studying at SIPA please feel free to ask

@aspirant: so why are you aiming at public Policy degree and not e.g. MBA if you are planning to go to private sector ?

The question that really matters is whether you need this degree right now? If yes, then there is certainly a reason for applying.

I did some research and found out that there are a few additionals pros of Fulbright: - it has awesome reputation in my country - the two years home requirement do not work for international organizations (they issue different type of visa) which are my dream places to work in the USA - i will have no troubles in obtaining a visa (and I feel it is quite late to apply for regular F-1) The only issue is the 2-year home requirement if I decide to go into provate sector in US. On the other hand, I do not think that it will happen.

Hi guys, I have recently been awarded Fulbright Scholarship for Columbia MPA and I am thinking whether should I accept or reject it. The thing is that I was awarded only $8,000 and I will be facing 2-years home requirement. Therefore, I am wondering whether all the prestige which goes along Fulbright is really worth much. I feel no real need to stay in US after completing my studies (in fact I am willing to come back to my home country in a few years after graduation) but I feel that I will definitely limit my employment opportunities if I will accept Fulbright.

Hi guys, I have recently been awarded Fulbright Scholarship for Columbia MPA and I am thinking whether should I accept or reject it. The thing is that I was awarded only $8,000 and I will be facing 2-years home requirement. Therefore, I am wondering whether all the prestige which goes along Fulbright is really worth much.

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): top Polish business school Previous Degrees and GPAs: Quantitative Economics, 3.6 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): V155, Q168 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): N/A Part-time Work Experience: extensive experience in private (banking, consulting), public (diplomacy) and NGO sectors including entry-level as well as senior positions Math/Econ Background: basically my whole BA degree was about math and econ Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): German, Polish Intended Field of Study in Grad School: Public Policy Long Term Professional Goals: Energy Policy Schools Applied to & Results: Accepted: Georgetown MSPP MPP, SAIS MA, SIPA MPA Rejected: HKS MPP Ultimate Decision & Why: SIPA, because of its excellence in energy policy as well as an opportunity to take courses from other top-notch schools (e.g. CBS) Advice for Future Applicants: Believe in yourself. If you have a strong feeling that it is right time for you then you can apply despite of the fact whether you are straight from undergrad or not. Naturally, it would be great to have an extensive work experience when you enter your graduate program but if your undergrduate institution allows you to do this you can work while studying and if you are smart enough you can advance earlier than your peers.

It is up to you. I was accepted to SIPA, SAIS and Georgetown straight from undergrad

Just received admission offer!

Did anyone who is on the waitlist hear anything from admissions office?

You can defer your admission for a one year without any explaination. You lose all the funding but you are automatically considered for a new one together with next year's applicants.