erry3779

Thank you very much.. that does help.. The day before yesterday I was leaning on SIPA, yesterday I was so set up on SAIS, and today I'm back to SIPA! Maybe i should just forget about this whole decision making things for a day and two and might get an inspiration out of nowhere...

No it doesn't necessarily mean that you've been rejected. I already got in, and they still send the same emails! also around the time you received it today!

So I finally decided to list all the things that confuses me in making the decision between SIPA and SAIS. Please give me insights and more elaborate informations. I don't even know which ones are assumptions and which ones are fact. This is based on my simple browsing research and my own assumptions. I am now with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which means there is pretty big chance I will stay in this career path, but actually my ultimate dream is with the WTO or other international organizations (UN, World Bank, IMF). I am very much interested in international trade and finance (my SIPA MIA is on International Finance and Economic Policy). I'm trying to compare both schools and its programs based on these criteria: Program Curriculum SAIS: No doubt on the Int'l Econ concentration, while the Int'l Law and Organizations concentration is really appealing to me since I would really love to master the int'l trade law (dealing with the WTO). Is it possible to pursue all courses in law only on economics? SIPA: the curriculum for Int'l Finance and Econ Policy is very good and flexible since I can pick up courses from other schools like Law and Business, but I will not have Int'l Law on my degree. [*]Faculty Member SAIS: Of all the faculty member listed on the website I only recognized Anne Krueger (of course this is my fault, not that the other faculty members are not noteworthy) SIPA: SIPA has great names from Stiglitz (finance and SWF), Bhagwati (trade), Clarida (monetary), Sachs (development). But somehow these names are too big, which mean they won't be around that much, but at least they have some seminars set and working hours at SIPA. Alumni Both schools are actually on an equal footing for me (perhaps you can be more elaborate on this). Student Body/Networking Opportunity SAIS: Small and close-knitted, bigger chance to really build the foundation for future networking. SIPA: Pretty big and with the busy life of the whole Columbia Campus (not to mention the city), might be a little bit difficult to build wide networking. But the proportion of international students and US students in SIPA is much more balanced than SAIS. Internship Opportunity SAIS: Internship are not listed on the degree requirement. I really need more insights on this, is it possible for an international student to do an internship? SIPA: It is listed on the degree requirement, and a UN internship is considered putting one foot in the door already for a future UN career. [*]Location [*]SAIS: DC is somehow comfortable, I have lived in Geneva for my internship and I thought if I can have fun in Geneva then I can have fun in any other city in the world. World Bank, IMF, Brookings Institute, Peterson Institute, etc are well within reach from SAIS. [*]SIPA: NYC is NYC. Also the UN is there [*]Name of the School and University [*]SAIS: It is unquestionable that SAIS is somehow perceived as a better school in IR. But the Johns Hopkins itself doesn't do quite well internationally. [*]SIPA: SIPA is also on the top 10 list for IR schools, supported by the big Columbia name which is already well known internationally. and a question: I'm of the opinion that US students favor SAIS over SIPA, is this also applies to international students? And also, does DC location is benefitting only for US/domestic students or is it equally good for international students?

I'll tell you that youre an idiot, if you would tell me that I'm an idiot too.. We're on the same boat! Damn you Columbia and the city of New York

hai wanderingwonderer... I think I know some foundations that are willing to support Indonesians to study aboard. But i forgot the name, and not sure whether Columbia is on the list. I will try to ask my friend tomorrow.

But my iBT is 109, which is less than 110. I will try to call them and ask about this. Anyway, so you will go to SIPA? Oh meen, this will make me leaning toward SIPA after days of SAIS.. a lot of Indonesian are actually go to SIPA over SAIS. But deep down I really love what SAIS has to offer.

I'm having the same problem.. I was so set for SAIS until SIPA admitted me. I dont know wht Columbia and NY make this decision making harder.

Selamat ya Setiadi.. Anyway where did you find about the summer English Course requirement? Is it on the decision letter? because I cannot find anything about it on my letter.. this will be a very good deal maker for SIPA for me, since SAIS requires me not only language course but also econ course.

so you suggested that i should take SIPA instead?? ( I actually want to hear this sentence) hahahahahaha

well in my case I am lucky to receive the Edward E.Masters Fellowship from the USINDO (United States - Indonesia Society) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (MoFA). USINDO will cover the full tuition fee, and MoFa will cover the airline tickets, living expenses and monthly stipend (the amount are varied depends on the city, around 2k for NY).

I got the SAIS First Year Fellowship (from the SAIS General Fund) of 15k.... To think of it, I don't know in what way SAIS will grant this fellowship, the only information I get is that they will distribute the 15k in two, 7500 in the fall and another 7500 in the spring. Problem is, my Edward E. Masters fellowship is covering up my full tuition fee, no matter which school I choose as long as it is an IR school in the States. So if this 15k from SAIS is in the form of like a discount for my tuition fee, then the aid will basically doesn't mean anything to me... But if the 15k will be given to me in cash, I will definitely go to SAIS and not having trouble making decision between SAIS or the other schools. PLease if anyone happen to know the mechanism of this first year Sais fellowship, would you be kind enough to share it here?

Wow we really are in the same boat.. I also have some thoughts that whenever i need NY its just 3 hours away.. Maybe i should call them also.. And told SAIS that i need help in justifying why my heart is somehow leaning for SAIS

I wish i could start thinking about this already. I havent even made up my mind whether I willgo for SAIS or not

kayoko.ly, yeah.,you are right! I am currently a diplomat for the indonesia's MoFA.. My ultimate goal is of course not the private sector, but maybe int'l organizations... Yes WB and IMF are in DC, but UN is in NY. Talking about student body and getting to know our classmates and professors, this forum seems to belie e that SAIS is more personal on that context compared to SIPA. But i really want to live in NY! One more thing about SAIs finaid, yes, 15k is pretty big, but since I am enrolling on a fellowship already, i still dont knwo whether that 15k will be for me or will lighten up the burden for the institution tha awarded me the fellowship. And i am still waiting on International Fellow Program result from SIPA.. Oh men.. I really cant choose at this moment

I want to comcentrate on int'l economic.. No doube about SAIS, but i applied to SIPA's Int'l Finance and Economic Policy which turned out to have interesting courses as well (comparable to SAIS) ... So yeah, from the field of concentrarion point of view, its pretty even for both.

I have the same problem.. Sais gave me 15k for free.. Sipa nothing... But i really want both!!! Please help me justify just one

hai wanderingwonderer salam kenal jugaa.. please help me justify SIPA and for IdnujnanCihtrak i also having trouble picking SAIS or SIPA... I can list hundreds of pros and cons for both and will still be undecided...

will u consider SIPA if you got admitted? I am now torn between SAIS or SIPA...

I'm now having trouble to justify whether I should pick SIPA or SAIS.. SAIS give me financial aid of 15k.. while SIPA nothing! does anyone heard about the International Fellow Program??? IFP will be a deal breaker or maker for me.. I really cannot choose right now..

My $15k is the 1st year financial aid or something like that... i am not eligible for loans anyway... Now I really can't choose... since SIPA gave me 0

I just got an email on financial aid.. They give me aid of 15,000 .. THis makes it harder to choose... OMG ... I really can't choose.

MIA.. On the application I picked International Finance and Economic Policy as my concentration ...

Yeah youre right! I was so down when GWU wait listed me,, i thouth i have no chance for sipa and sais.. I even created a thread titled 'the chance of getting off the wait list'.. This is really feel like a dream Thank you hudwa,, i already updated the result survey.. I hope you'll have ur result soon, and of course I hope for the best! I just randomly checked my applyYourself page! I still havent received an email up til now! Lets just hope this decision letter is not a mistake,, even though it has my name on it

I just check my applyyourself page! My decision jas just came out! I'm in! But no funding,,, and there are nothing said about IFP!

Me too, i applied for IFP and I havent heard a thing from SIPA til this very second