SIPA Waitlist

[gazelle]

Anyone waiting on the SIPA waitlist? SIPA gave accepted applicants until May 3rd this year instead of April 15th to make their decisions; I imagine a lot of people on the wait list who would've asked for extensions at other schools to see if SIPA panned out probably just passed entirely on waiting for SIPA since the wait listed decisions will still end up coming after most extension deadlines given that SIPA is only now turning towards wait listed applications, though I can't be sure.

Anyone still anxiously waiting for SIPA on the wait list?

Hoping to hear soon.

[cafe au lait]

Anyone waiting on the SIPA waitlist? SIPA gave accepted applicants until May 3rd this year instead of April 15th to make their decisions; I imagine a lot of people on the wait list who would've asked for extensions at other schools to see if SIPA panned out probably just passed entirely on waiting for SIPA since the wait listed decisions will still end up coming after most extension deadlines given that SIPA is only now turning towards wait listed applications, though I can't be sure.

Anyone still anxiously waiting for SIPA on the wait list?

Hoping to hear soon.

I'm on the SIPA waitlist but decided to pay the deposit somewhere else too.... just in case.

[gazelle]

I just got this email:

Greetings from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. As you are aware from previous communications from our office, May 3rd was the day given to admitted applicants to respond to their offer of admission. After reviewing the responses from admitted applicants we will be unable to make an admission offer to you at this time. At present, more people have responded positively to our offers than expected.

However, you are among a select group of candidates the Committee would like to keep on the waitlist. I understand that this is a very difficult position to be in as you might be considering other offers or opportunities and we can provide no information on either a date we would be able to let you know if we have a space for you or even if space will become available.

Past history has shown us that some applicants that have paid deposits notify us at a later time that they will not be able to attend. The Admissions Committee will continue to convene and re-evaluate the wait list every few weeks. This means that if you choose to remain on the wait list you will continue to receive communications as the Committee meets. I anticipate that the Admissions Committee at a minimum will meet once permonth to evaluate the status of the waitlist. The next meeting will likely take place in late May.

I'm a bit confused--does this mean I got passed over for the first round of wait-list considerations or have they not sat down to start that yet (e.g. will the late May meeting be the first or second wait list meeting)?I'd say the former, but the way it's worded just makes it seem like they had way more acceptances than they initially expected and not so much that they sat down, upgraded a bunch of people, and are keeping a bunch more on ice.

Did anyone get upgraded today?

Edited May 6, 2010 by gazelle

[greendiplomat]

I just got this email:

I'm a bit confused--does this mean I got passed over for the first round of wait-list considerations or have they not sat down to start that yet (e.g. will the late May meeting be the first or second wait list meeting)?I'd say the former, but the way it's worded just makes it seem like they had way more acceptances than they initially expected and not so much that they sat down, upgraded a bunch of people, and are keeping a bunch more on ice.

Did anyone get upgraded today?

I think the first paragraph means that you weren't among the however many that were offered admission off the waitlist after the 5/3 deadline, and that the rest means that they still want you if people decide not to come.

I, for one, am very likely to defer, so that's one spot up in the air. They gave me until 5/17 to make the decision (I asked for an extension due to another notification), so somebody will hear back around then. Hopefully it's one of you guys!

[mpp]

I think the first paragraph means that you weren't among the however many that were offered admission off the waitlist after the 5/3 deadline, and that the rest means that they still want you if people decide not to come.

I, for one, am very likely to defer, so that's one spot up in the air. They gave me until 5/17 to make the decision (I asked for an extension due to another notification), so somebody will hear back around then. Hopefully it's one of you guys!

I was also waitlisted and received that same email today. I was wondering what Matt meant by "However, you are among a select group of candidates the Committee would like to keep on the waitlist. "

Are there people SIPA has just completely rejected off the waitlist? Does anyone know how many people are approximately on the waitlist? Theres 3 of us on this thread already....

[rosyspecks]

I got the same email today as well. It sounds like the first round of waitlist decisions have already been made, and I guess the second round of decisions will be made sometime in late May, but there will be far fewer spaces available. I wonder what the chances are for admissions after the first round is over?

Good luck, everyone!

[cafe au lait]

if you check the results page, last week some people were accepted off the waitlist, so that would be the first round. I guess we will only get a chance if some of them turn the offer down!

[gazelle]

Hmm, alright so it seems we all missed the first round.

I did email Matt to ask for just a ballpark number of how many are on the waitlist, and I just got told "The admissions committee does not share information about the wait list" and referred to the Wait list blog post.

[zipperdog]

Hi everyone

I am also on the waitlist at SIPA and received the same email from Matt Clemons last week. I have asked to remain on the waitlist though I have an offer outstanding from another school (SAIS) for which I have to pay a holding deposit by the end of the week. I agree with your analysis of the waitlist above, and think it is therefore impossible to have any feel for the probability of being accepted now. All in all, v frustrating!

Good luck with it.

[gazelle]

I was also waitlisted and received that same email today. I was wondering what Matt meant by "However, you are among a select group of candidates the Committee would like to keep on the waitlist. "

Are there people SIPA has just completely rejected off the waitlist?

I'm really curious to know about whether or not people are getting rejected off the wait list, or if everyone is being told they are "among a select group of candidated the committee would like to keep on the wait list."

I got the same email today as well. It sounds like the first round of waitlist decisions have already been made, and I guess the second round of decisions will be made sometime in late May, but there will be far fewer spaces available. I wonder what the chances are for admissions after the first round is over?

Good luck, everyone!

From what people have said in the past, if you don't get on the second round of upgrades, chances drop off dramatically since at that point it supposedly comes down mainly to last minute withdrawals for extenuating circumstances, but no one can be sure.

Here's to two more weeks of waiting at least!

Good luck!

[houdi]

Just got in today.

Question for all:

IS A MPA FROM SIPA WORTH THE DEBT?

Edited May 13, 2010 by houdi

[cafe au lait]

I guess you need to estimate how much money you'll be making the next 10-15 years and see if it's worth the debt. Anyway, whatever you decide... congratulations!!!!

[gazelle]

Chances are looking grim, folks.

Looks like at this point it's going to come down to people pulling out last minute due to extenuating circumstances.