IRboundgrad

Aloha Zoura! I actually am on vacation despit my presence on this board. :-) The 17th was email day. I'm glad the picture is clearer for you now. Let me know where you end up. But, I haven't heard anything yet. This sort of administrative dysfunction, I'm learning, is classic SIPA. Like you, it makes the results a little less important for me now. A girl at work was telling me her impressions of the SIPA open house that she attended before ultimately deciding to go to Fletcher. This was a few years ago, but it sounds like not much has changed ... or at least not much for the better. I just wrote to check on the status of my dual degree consideration. Obviously, I would hope to hear back before the 20th, which is when I have to make a deposit in order to accept my fellowship at another school. But there is only one weekday between now and then. Can I ask how you got your news? Did you receive an email today, or did you have to check back with them?

Anyone else respond to the GPPN invitation email for a joint degree with one of the network's schools abroad? Decisions are supposed to be available today, the 17th, according to the email. I haven't heard anything yet. Anyone else?

I concede. Now I want it even more. :shock: So this came across my mind today as I began crunching the numbers. I still haven't received anything in the mail from SIPA. Shall I assume that the federal loan information sent to me in the mail by the other schools will be the same as or similar to what Columbia will be offering? Work study included?

I think dual-degree spots are in the single digits. :? Good luck to us both, then. I'm a business undergrad with a minor in French. Spent some time in France working and studying, and here at the embassy in DC. Arabic comes from a year of MSA study at Damascus University, although my Syrian colloquial is much better. Maybe I should have held my spot on the MSFS waitlist. I withdrew. I guess we just wait ... and wait ... and wait. The particularly grueling aspect of all of this for me is that I'm going on vacation to Hawaii on the 10th. I wanted to make my decision before then to ensure a stress-free week on the beach. Now I've got the 17th to worry about. :evil:

zourah, you and I are kind of following each other around on this forum. Have you narrowed down your choices, yet? Without admittance into I-DEV and no money, SAIS it out for me. That basically narrows it down to the remaining two top schools: Fletcher and SIPA Fletcher gave me some money, renewable for the second year. There are non-language "regional courses" taught in French and Arabic at the school and the *potential* for study-abroad at HEC or SciencesPo in France. Program is flexible, and would allow me to pursue development. I still like the idea of collaborative research project, though, versus a traditional paper. I think that will remain in the "con" column for now. I do like the close-knit community aspect, ideally living in the dorms with a meal plan, etc. ... kind of a throwback to undergrad. SIPA gave me no money, even after a second request. The *possibility* of a second-year fellowship has been dangled before me as consolation--and apparently they're quite sizable--but nothing guaranteed. There *may* be some courses, or at least workshops, conducted in French or Arabic that relate to development issues. The *opportunity* for completing a dual degree program with SciencesPo is there, although with only limited space available. I'll find out before April 20 if I can secure a spot now, but even if rejected, I could re-apply next spring. Another uncertain thing to bet on by choosing this school. I do, however, love the mandatory year-long development policy project in the second year in EPD. I think that's great. When I look at the number of *possible* benefits I am taking into account, it seems my future at Columbia is much less certain than at Fletcher. I'm tempted to choose Columbia in the hopes that all of the things that might happen (e.g. huge 2nd-year fellowship, dual-degree, etc.) will in fact happen. If I had some sort of guarantee, I would sign up today. Now, I'm waiting again for another response before I can make my final decision. I'm wondering whether or not to simply write these possibilities off and go with what's certain ... and hope in the future that I didn't give up on what may have been.

One of the things I see many opportunities for at SIPA, and in some cases even as a requirement, is client-oriented research projects. There is something more pragmatic and marketable about that sort of degree capstone when compared to a traditional thesis. Is the thesis requirement really the only culmination of the MALD degree at Fletcher? I didn't see a mention of collaborative projects at all in the curricula I searched on the Fletcher website. Honestly, I think this is one of those things that is tipping the scales in SIPA's favor for me (even without funding). Anyone think I'm crazy?

Savings at SciencesPo are only that big for the MIA program whose application cycle is firmly closed for 09-11. What's available for second year attendance, I believe, is the dual-MPA program, which is EUR 22K (USD 30K).

Since this is one of the few threads talking about SIPA, I was wondering if anyone knew about regional specializations, namely the courses that count toward the specialization requirement. I'm looking to do a regional specialization in either Africa or the Middle East. I will probably be taking classes at either IAS or MEI to satisfy the requirement, and want to see if there are non-language courses offered by either of those institutes in French or Arabic focused either on development or cultural studies--intended for people who already speak the language. Fletcher has "Regional Courses" that do this over the course of a year. I was wondering if Columbia had something similar.

Since this is one of the few threads talking about SIPA, I was wondering if anyone knew about regional specializations, namely the courses that count toward the specialization requirement. I'm looking to do a regional specialization in either Africa or the Middle East. I will probably be taking classes at either IAS or MEI to satisfy the requirement, and want to see if there are non-language courses offered by either of those institutes in French or Arabic focused either on development or cultural studies--intended for people who already speak the language. Fletcher has "Regional Courses" that do this over the course of a year. I was wondering if Columbia had something similar.

When I say package, it was actually much smaller than the others I have received. It's a letter-sized enveloped stuffed with some program and loan information. The letter told me that I had not been accepted into the I-DEV program but that I was welcome to choose from any non-capped program to concentrate in. Given the ability to switch between non-capped programs at will, I guess they figure there's no point in assigning you to one at this point. Now, I find myself in a larger conundrum than before. None of the other non-capped concentrations really appeal to me, and International Policy only somewhat. If I go to SIPA, I can be a development student--not having to cede my spots in those classes to students who are, like at SAIS. I don't know if I'm putting too much weight on the name of the elective concentration. After all, one half of the concentration at SAIS is forcibly International Economics. But, I would hate to spend that much money at any school, regardless of reputation, and not be able to study what it is I want to study. What do you guys think?

Anyone else tried to appeal their rejection from a capped program? They said it couldn't hurt to try, but ... Ouch!

I think this is the first acceptance package to be received in the mail. Does that mean mine is waiting for me at home? Cornell07, did you get into your track?

Got the official mailer today. Had the same funding info from Elliott that was listed in the March 20 email. No mention of the special University Graduate Grant from the university that was alluded to in a March 4 email. Any chance of us getting word on that before we have to make a decision April 20?

Who cares? They're stuck in DC while we're in Bologna.

All students must complete a concentration in international economics consisting of 6 courses, in addition to their regional or functional concentration's core curriculum.

I didn't even notice until just now. I was admitted to the Bologna campus. Hmmm ... and don't know if it's for my first, also capped, choice. Also, don't know if there is any funding for this proposed venture. This email is leaving much more to be desired. Precisely what they wanted, I imagine.

Now you've got one more thing to wait for. I think you're beginning to like this. Other than acknowledging receipt of my payment, I have heard nothing from Georgetown since submitting my application--no online chat invitations, information sessions, open houses ... nothing.

firefly85, I like the optimism re: SAIS in your signature. Today is supposed to be the day. I'm in DC, so maybe I will get it in the mail tomorrow. Deep breath in ...

For what it's worth ... I received an email yesterday indicating I would receive funding. Yet, there is no mention of funding in the award letter I found on the website this morning. Just a rather long text that talks about the program, school and location.

I'm wondering if the award mentioned in the letter from the Elliott School won't be combined with the George Washington University award mentioned in a previous email. I am totally desperate for funding and may be grasping at straws, but they seemed to make a distinction between the two awards I was being considered for in the email I received a couple of weeks ago. To illustrate, today's email reads, "Your application has been reviewed by the Fellowship Selection Committee at the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University. I am pleased to inform you that you will be offered admission and a Merit Fellowship for the 2009-2010 academic year." The previous email read, "Your application is currently being considered by the fellowship selection committee and it appears likely that you will receive an offer of admission and a merit-based partial tuition fellowship offer from the Elliott School. We will notify you immediately when final decisions are made, probably in mid-March. In addition, you have been identified as a candidate for a special University Graduate Grant for 2009-10. We strongly encourage you to apply." It goes on to say that to qualify for the latter award, I have to complete the FAFSA and intend to study full time. I wonder if anything else is necessary to "apply" for this award. Anyone know?

Anyone able to quantify the big/generous fellowships recieved for MIA? Just curious.

I have a good friend at SAIS currently who sat down and drew up a mock schedule for me. I only wish that I had someone to do the same for SIPA, so I could be evaluating the two on a level playing field. I'm in DC, and plan to see an adviser at SAIS if I'm accepted, and will head up to NYC and Boston to check out the schools there, as well. I know a personal, real-time experience at the university will leave an impression, but money is a huge factor, too. I haven't seen any SIPA awards on the results page here, and don't know what I'll be able to squeeze out of them in the second year. The tuition is considerably higher ($42) than any of the other programs (e.g. Tufts $35K, SAIS $33K for 08-09). I guess we will see what SAIS offers, if anything, before I start to write off anybody. I originally made this post because I was hearing negative things about the interaction between student and faculty at SIPA--that the program was too big and impersonal. I was hoping some SIPA grads would throw their hat into the ring to counter that, but they have yet to chime in.

I know. I just got another one. And with each step ..."You're invited (OMG) ... to attend the SAIS (OMFG!) ... Bologna campus (OK, still) ... 's information session (WTF?)"

I was one who posted my acceptance on Saturday. A large envelope came in the mail from the school on Saturday with a folder that had a catalog and letter inside. I had been accepted, but was only being offered a combination of federally subsidized and unsubsidized loans--no scholarships. I live in DC.

I received an admissions offer from SIPA with no funding, and the price is even more than than I expected. They just released tuition figures: $42K for the 09-10 academic year compared to $36K for the previous year. But as the price increases, my impression of the program is dwindling somewhat. I am getting mixed reviews from current SIPA students and alumni with regard to the sincerity of their 2nd-year award statistics (http://themorningsidepost.com/2008/08/5 ... very-time/) and the faculty/student body (viewtopic.php?f=67&t=15518#p70971). I am still waiting for a response from SAIS, but am posing myself the question already. Is the New York City location worth sacrificing some quality in the program that I choose, and is SIPA really even a sacrifice? Is anyone dealing with a similar issue or can anyone chime in with respect to these two programs (SIPA and SAIS)?