UKPolicyEnthusiast

Good luck! It’s an incredibly opportunity and I hope you can make it work. I asked another school about deferring and was told all fellowships would be lost and would have to be reconsidered - so ask that specifically before deferring. You don’t want to lose money you have at the moment (who knows how much they will have next time round!)

Sure. Best of luck! Would also ask them for more $$ and cite you can’t afford it atm. I would hope they redistribute funds where offers are not accepted. GRE: 168 (V) / 152 (Q) / 5.5 (W). Graduated top international law school several years ago (had some awards for human rights work/grades). Worked for top firms in Singapore and Hong Kong for several years. In a senior position now. Experience with world bank, Asian development bank, UN, governments etc. Speak French fluently, ok Spanish. Do a lot of charity work, on charity boards etc. Diversity advocate and have been involved in diversity campaigns. I think they have a chunky scholarship because I’m late 30s (with other family commitments) and made it clear I want to do international human rights work (and have evidence to show this going back some years).

I went with Columbia in the ended as (1) they gave me a very generous two year scholarship and (2) my partner can work in New York so logistics are way easier. Other places were mostly Europe based (as I initially preferred a one year format) - but this works out as I’ve always wanted to experience New York!

Yes - I did - for me New York is easier for me and for my partner to work so while it was a tough decision and a dream place with super generous funding, I ended up going with Columbia. If you have been accepted may be worth reaching out to the uni as I assume they will be able to reallocate the merit aid they gave to me. I hope someone else can benefit as grad school is mad expensive!

Sadly no they instead linked to the following (in case helpful): Many SIPA students receive aid from outside sources such as charitable or professional organizations, their employers, philanthropic groups, or agencies in their own countries. We offer a comprehensive list of scholarships and a search engine on our website and recommend that all students familiarize themselves with this resource and apply for all applicable awards. Please see https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sipa.columbia.edu%2Fadmissions%2Ffinancial-aid%2Fexternal-funding-sources&data=04%7C01%7C%7C00161661cc564deabda708d8ed6109f3%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637520348317706231%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=u1XxieiSas8lapEsVjjdZXzHxr%2FVeI9JrBTCjQMn13I%3D&reserved=0 and https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sipa.columbia.edu%2Fadmissions%2Ffinancial-aid%2Ffinancial-aid-international-students&data=04%7C01%7C%7C00161661cc564deabda708d8ed6109f3%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637520348317716227%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=HHZ4ekt4ynGvZlc%2B6w%2Fqafn6vVz6EgZPWeE1AryRsn0%3D&reserved=0 for more information, we hope you find those helpful. In addition, SIPA offers salaried assistantships to second year students. You will be able to apply for those positions starting in January 2022, and you can find more information athttps://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sipa.columbia.edu%2Fadmissions%2Ffinancial-aid%2Fsipa-columbia-university-funding&data=04%7C01%7C%7C00161661cc564deabda708d8ed6109f3%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637520348317716227%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=TE%2FlwsfuW1HbPcCw8ffAw7b%2Bp6Rzm990sA83N1jZ94Y%3D&reserved=0 by clicking on the link labeled "SIPA Fellowships."

No success with negotiation with Columbia. I think less debt / less savings is a good approach. I graduated from law school with a lot of debt and it’s a burden that if you can avoid do so (unless there’s a massive difference between reputation/employability, which I don’t think there is in your case).

Not successful - they sent a speedy response saying all $$ is allocated for first years and sent a bunch of links to external support/loans.

65,000 in aid plus a stipend - I’m very suprised as didn’t think they offered much by way of finance aid and I’ve already accepted another course (on this assumption).

I just emailed them - I had another fees and a stipend offer from another school so sent them the offer letter for that too. Best of luck!

Thank you both - I just paid the Columbia deposit ! Really very grateful for your input - NYC here I come !

Thank you!

Hello - yes - hoping to move into the public sector from the private sector (I’m in financial services). Also very keen to build some new skills and build a stronger public sector network. My ideal job would be at an IFI. Thank you !

They end up being pretty comparable in cost - as Columbia is two years and New York is expensive! I’m also keen to get thoughts on employability and also experience levels for admits (I’m in my 30s).

Do people have thoughts between oxford MPP (no funding) and Columbia MPA ($$$)?

Hello - I saw mention of visa issues with Columbia - what were those out of interest? I’m a bit worried as the US embassy in London are only accepting emergency appointments. Congratulations everyone !