Policy Analyst

Hello everyone, I am admitted into the International Economics programme (Early Bird). Anyone else confirmed their offer? Best of luck to the others.

Hi Ishi, Both the places have their pros and cons. I am not sure about IO's in Geneva but from my work experience with UN, you will have an advantage with a Dev Studies degree over International History. It really depends on what you want to do afterwards. Oxford brand name will definitely carry weight. IHEID has an excellent reputation in Europe but it's not as well know internationally. If you're looking to work in International Development and money is not a big concern, go with Oxford. My two cents. Do talk to as many current students as you can and get more insight. All the best!

Hi Ishi. What course have you been admitted into in IHEID? Did you get any funding from both the institutes?

Congrats to you too. You can't work part time till 6 months on the Swiss Education visa and working is not advisable for International Economics Students at least in the first year as the course is very intensive. Accommodation is not a concern for me, I already know someone in Geneva so that's a relief. Financing is. The only option for me is to take a bank loan and the interest rates are scaring me. I am from Bombay. Do you mind sharing your profile?

Hi, If you're looking for a quantitative rigorous course with excellent brand name then go for Oxford. Not sure about the GRE requirement but anything in the top 10-15 percentile should suffice. Another factor to keep in mind is funding. Have you received any scholarship?

I can't log into the portal either.

Yeah it might especially if you have an offer from another school but they asked me to pay the enrolment deposit before the appeal decision and I had to decline it. Which course would you be pursuing in Graduate Institute?

Yes the Tuition is quite cheap compared to US schools but the living cost is high. Do you mind sharing your profile? I might turn down the offer and re-apply next year.

Yeah I am not counting on it. I agree it is less flexible than US Schools. I had an offer from Columbia two years back with 50k scholarship. I had to turn it down as it was still quite expensive but they allowed me to appeal for more funding. To be fair their tuition isn't much but it's the living cost in Geneva that is worrying me.

Yes, I did and they responded within 5 mins. I think it was a pre-drafted response but they are very prompt with the replies. I haven't heard from the admission committee though.

Thanks. Sent a request.

Yeah I agree. I tried to request the financial aid department for a re-evaluation but they seem very rigid. They said I could apply for financial aid next year but it's unlikely and mainly granted to people whose financial needs have changed suddenly. Don't know what to do now.

Hi, the link is not working. It says unable to edit group.

Thanks so much. Joining it right away.

Yeah can someone please start a group for all the new admits. Thanks.

Thanks for the reply. Did you receive full scholarship? What course? Their website says most of the funding is need based and since I have been working for 4 years I guess they assumed I wouldn't need it.

Hi, Could you and everyone else who received a scholarship share their profile? I am trying to understand their criteria for Scholarship. I might have to decline their offer as I can't afford it

Hi Guys, I have been following this forum for a long time and must say it has been very useful. I just got admitted into the Masters in International Economics program and I am ecstatic. However, I did not receive any funding so I am not sure if I will be able to afford it. In any case, I am really happy. Hope to see some of you in Geneva (If I attend) and best of luck to everyone.

Hi! I got admitted to the MPA- EPD Program with a 50,000 fellowship over two years. I do realise that SIPA is not very generous with fellowships so I am pleasantly surprised. Although I would still need a loan for the remaining cost of tuition+ living expenses in NYC. Hence I am on two minds. I have been doing a cost-benefit analysis and currently my opportunity cost seems high. Since some of the people here have been asking about the profile of students who get admitted with scholarships, here goes. Graduation: Economics graduate, First Class Post Graduation- Msc. from LSE with Distinction Work Experience: 2 years in Private sector, 2 years with United Nations as an intern and currently as a Consultant GRE scores: Do not remember the exact Verbal Score but Quant was 760/800. I guess only 5% of the the admitted students get funding and it is indeed very competitive but that should not make you write it off. Worse come to worse you won't get any but if you don't apply, you would never know. My two cents Hope this helps.