MPAIndia2010

I agree with fadeindreams...getting a co signer is a difficult task given the large sum...some of my close friends have said no...as it affects their future borrowing capacity. the SBI rate of interest is quite high - 11.25%, when compared to US interest rates. You may want to check out Global Student Loan Corporation (www.globalslc.com) that helps out with loans in US without a co signer. I haven't checked it out in detail yet...so apologise if this doesnt work out. I think the EducationUSA idea is good. @fadeindreams : Could you please repost the links....Thanks!

Oh Ok. Le_Neocon : Have secured funding/loan? Coz the letter that came from SIPA nowhere mentions that it is a two year program. It is important for the loan to be sanctioned by banks. And we will need a semester wise break up of costs to figure out disbursement. No point incurring year long interest for funds required only in 2nd semester. Does anyone have any idea if it is possible to secure a loan in US without a co signer?

I got my acceptance on March 4th. I haven't received anything since the generic financial aid information letter. Is it the same for everyone else? Or has some received a detailed package?

I got waitlisted too. Might sound foolish...but if one does get cleared off the list...any chance of funding?

From what I gather, it is not that big a deal to get a co signer. I am approaching some of family friends for the same. Also, some schools (mostly MBAs) have a tie up with the banks to let go of this requirement. But I contacted the fin aid office...that is not the case for SIPA

Congrats on securing 20K from SIPA! I,too, am an international student and money is a major concern for attending SIPA. I am curious ...Did you contact the school's fin aid office upon receiving acceptance and sought/bargained for fin aid...or they gave money out on their own accord?

Since most of MIA and MPA courses are similar barring a few, how difficult is it to try one's hand at an interesting MPA job. Also, from what I hear, SIPA does help out second year students with fellowships. But yes the median salary of $55K is not quite encouraging.

Going by the employment statistics...looks like a long term loan http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/resources_services/career_services/employment_statistics.html Definitely worrying !

I just got my rejection by email. :-(

Hi, I am an International student. I got through SIPA - MIA. The cost of the program is a big concern for me. Can anyone comment on employment statistics for foreign students. The only way I can possibly pay the loans is if I get a job in US. Is it easier to get loans from US (for foreign students)? Thanks in advance. And congrats to all those who got in!

I got my acceptance to MIA as well. But no funding :-( The course is way too expensive for me... Can any current student comment on the funding possibilities in second year. Thanks.

Hi,Could you share your stats and when did you submit your application?

Thanks sky_blue

Hi, Can any one help in differentiating between the MSFS degree at Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and the MPP degree at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute. I am interested in taking the International Development and Policy Making route in both these degrees. Which will be a better fit? Is one of them better regarded over the other? Thanks in advance

Can someone advice me how good/bad is a score of 3.5 AWA. My Q - 700, V-680. Undergrad GPA :- 7.17/9 , Masters 3.02/4 I am from India. Targeting HKS, WWS, GSPP-Berkeley, SIPA

Hi, This is my first time on this forum. Would be great to get a feedback on how best I fit a policy program in top schools, how can I best position myself as a strong candidate and how to build up on my SOP. Thanks in advance! I am applying for MPA/MPP Fall 2010. Targeting : KSG,Princeton, Berkeley, SIPA, Tufts, Georgetown, SAIS GRE Score :- V : 680, Q : 700 I have done my undergrad from JNU-India (2005). GPA - 3.08. The best place for social sciences and humanities in India.I majored in Korean Language and also took some courses on Political Science, Philosophy and English Literature. Post this, I did my 2 year masters in Communications Management. GPA -3.12 .I took classes on micro and macro economics here and an elementary course in Statistics. I have approx. 1.5 years (to date) of work experience with India's leading newspaper in a marketing management capacity. I am interested in public policy to steer my career into a public sphere and specialize in International Relations. I intend to work in the diplomacy domain post graduation. Please rate my chances and any tips on SOP, reco, policy memo (WWS,KSG) will be really really helpful.