ironheart

I visited last July and absolutely fell in love with it. Good luck on your application! Yes, let's hit each other up if ever we end up in the same school

I visited Pardee last July and loved it, but it was Columbia that won my heart in the end. Won't be applying to anymore schools as Columbia is my top choice. Congratulations on getting accepted to all your programs!

I already have a decision for my first choice (Columbia SIPA, MPA-ESP program, accepted with some fellowship money), so I want to share with you guys my profile. I hope it helps. School: top university in the Philippines, BA European Studies with 3.49 GPA GRE: 150Q 156V 4.0W Languages: English and Spanish Work Experience: 2 years as a research specialist in a myriad of projects (forestry, sustainability, energy, oceans), 6-month stint in government before transferring to the regional office of a non-profit; 5 years (from undergrad to present) with the Philippine delegation to the UNFCCC negotiating the Paris Agreement Writing Experience: A number of op-eds in major publications, topics mostly on the climate change negotiations I am the perfect example of someone with meh GRE scores who got in her preferred school because of work experience. The MPA-ESP program is also rigorous quantitatively (the summer semester will be purely on science course), which is why I was a bit worried about my scores when I submitted my application, and I didn't have time to re-take the exam because I constantly had to travel for work. I just made sure to highlight my quantitative work experience and all the writing I've done to make up for it. Good luck everyone! I'm just a PM away if you need some advice.

Thank you! It's a huge relief for me, especially since Columbia is my first choice. I won't be continuing the other applications I have open for other schools (which my recommenders are grateful for, haha). Thank you so much! I submitted my application with all requirements and test scores around October 26, and received the decision November 24. MPA-ESP applicants who submit on or before the early action deadline are guaranteed a decision by December 1 so that week of November 24 was really the week I was expecting the decision. Regarding your second question, I was almost in a similar position for you because I wasn't sure my unofficial GRE scores would arrive on time, so I e-mailed the program and they were very happy to inform the admissions committee that I was still waiting on my scores. Then again, the GRE can be waived for my program, which is why I think it wasn't such a big deal. I wouldn't know if this is the case for the other SIPA programs, though.

Thank you! Unlike the MIA program, those who apply on or before the early action deadline are guaranteed a decision by Dec. 1. Big sigh of relief for me and since Columbia is my first choice, I will not be applying to other programs. Good luck for those who are still waiting!

I know it's a little early and some are still finishing up their applications, but I just wanted to start this thread since I received my decision from SIPA yesterday for early action. In for their MPA-ESP program. Good luck to everyone!

Received application decision for SIPA MPA-ESP program. In!

Submitted early action for the MPA-ESP program!