yeeeeeeee

I decided on Columbia for a lot of the same reasons @anxiouslimbo mentioned already. Looking at the course offerings related to the environment/climate change in the public health school, law school, and business school got me really excited to register for my courses. As you know, Columbia's law school and business school are ranked in the top 5-10. Also I do think having some of the *ivy* legacy is helpful - they have an environmental ivy league career fair with great organizations and columbia's alumni networks oriented towards the east coast- where I want to live and work post grad. Also, location also played a role for me! I wanted to live in NYC where I already have a community of friends from undergrad and even high school. I've also always wanted to live in NYC and visiting Columbia's campus sealed the deal for me. its sooo pretty (but I guess not as pretty as Bren's lol). Having night classes at Columbia was the biggest draw in my decision, but I just decided that i'll live closer to campus so i wont be arriving home too late.

in a follow up email they said that there were zero declines ! meaning everyone accepted decided to enroll. crazy

LOL what yale I got an email with the preview reading "Congratulations on your acceptance to YSE" and then when I opened it it said that I remain on the waitlist??? and doesn't say I was accepted? I'm so confused did this happen to anyone else on the waitlist.

not sure exactly but I think the graduating class size is ~200

Thanks, you too! Let us know if you get in

Ah thank you! I wonder if they will let the people who will be assigned the potentially declined seats know today. They did say that they will be able to discuss your waitlist status beginning after the 15th which is helpful, as I have to put down my deposit for Columbia in a week ?. My brother who was on the waitlist on a few business schools got some recent rejections from the schools he was waitlisted from- I am curious if Yale will take people off the list (reject) or just keep everyone else in that lovely purgatory.

does anyone know if the yale waitlist results get released today? The phrasing on their FAQ is kind of confusing... I have been anxiously awaiting lol.

I got accepted to Columbia MSSM!! With my admission, I dove deeper in my research into the program. There is such little external information I kind of had to my own research in order to properly compare to duke. I typed up this and thought it may be helpful to share: Been around for not long (only 10 years), Time: Three semesters. Can do in the summer and complete in 1 year. Tuition: 2,346 per point (credit) Full-time students are registered for 12 or more points in a given semester. Per semester = ~28,151. Total = 84,450 Alumni network: 2k. ¾ of graduates in private sector. Courses: are held primarily in the evenings; over 200 courses offered Cross-school: Can take classes across Columbia’s graduate schools, including the School of International and Public Affairs, the Mailman School of Public Health, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Columbia Business School, Columbia Law School, the Graduate School of Arts and Science, and the Fu Foundation Graduate School of Engineering. Cohort: Only ¼ of students with less than 3 years of professional experience (but ~50% is 0-6 years) Only 30% of students do it full time. Cohort size? Cost of Living: high. Apartments = $$$ but no car required Final project: Capstone workshop: Students must draw on both the practical skills and the analytical knowledge they have gained in order to address crucial sustainability management issues as consultants for a real-world client. Basically you work as a consultant for a real client.

From what I've seen in this thread and others is that Bren is an amazing school if you want to live and work in California post grad. If you want sunny Cali vibes and to live on the beach and stay on west coast, Bren is your best bet. I think Columbia would have more recognition and a larger network on the east coast. Def more pricey for cost of living but as you said it does seem very flexible in terms of working - also may end up being less expensive overall if you factor in the program length and tuition of 1.5 yrs at columbia v. 2 at Bren. Cali is expensive too lol. I work in the intersection of env non-profit and finance field, and I know a lot of people have gotten their MS at Columbia. When you were accepted to Columbia did they give a deadline for when you have to decide? Or do you have to decide in a few weeks because of Bren?

I am! Still waiting to hear back (I applied in Feb) Right now probably a tie for me between columbia and duke. Different pros and cons for me for both schools. Would be curious to hear your perspective, but this is what I'm thinking: Duke: Longer program, more interdisciplinary, more opportunity to get to know your cohort, more "college"y vibe, better opportunity to take courses at other grad schools at duke (ex. Fuqua), but likely less connections / less name recognition than Columbia for where I want to be. Cheaper cost of living and NICE ass apartments in durham area. Would need a car - I don't currently have one. Option to Ski and beach!! and only 4 hours south of DC. Columbia: Opportunity to work a part time job, better connections, perhaps more night / odd hour classes? I want to work in the northeast so Columbia would likely have a better network with where I'm thinking. Shorter program, but cheaper? Seems like maybe an older cohort with far more working professionals taking the program part time, so less of a "community" aspect in the program i think. Better location personally (my S.O. lives in boston) but far more $$$ for apartments, food, etc. Would not need to buy a car. I have lots of friends in the city, so thats a + for me. Won't have to make a decision if i don't get in though If anyone else has thoughts on pros or cons for either program please share !

There isn't any group chat for Bren admits right? the duke one is so helpful I wish there was one for UCSB!

btw - if anyone is curious, I heard from someone at YSE that they had over 1k applicants for 120 spots this year. crazy!

anyone who applied to Columbia MS in Sustainability Management - how long after did you hear back? I only *officially* applied 2 weeks ago (was missing materials) but im anxious to hear back. I wonder how much of their class is filled early - it's weird that the admissions deadline is so late (in May???) but that they are doing rolling admissions the entire time up until then. Also, anyone who has heard back - is merit based aid a thing for this program?

just got duke funding! 5k merit based yay

I didn't get any funding info