Columbia (SIPA) MDP

[cplanicka]

Hey all,

I wanted to move this discussion out of the SIPA results thread, as there are still people there anxiously waiting for results (and most appear to be in the MIA or MPA camp, so all the Dev. Practice talk could get annoying for them).

I got in to Columbia, MPA-DP, which is my top choice, but without any funding. While I could see taking on (massive) loans if I was aiming to come out in international banking/finance, I plan to continue working in either public sector or with NGOs. I assume most people considering the MDP track are in the same boat. Is the education/connections/name-value/experience worth it for us? I know this is still a relatively new program, so it can be hard to judge... but I wanted to share thoughts with some other MDP applicants, and use this feedback in making my decision (I also plan to use the admitted students forum on the SIPA website).

Also, I noticed lotus_seed had a question regarding people's experience (in main SIPA thread), as s/he is planning to reapply in the next few years, so I thought we could share that here too.

To those accepted to the MPA-DP program:

Guys, would you mind sharing a little more about your career backgrounds, education, GRE scores, etc. I was rejected this year (I think it's mainly because I don't have any "on the ground" experience) but I'm planning on applying again in the next couple of years, so I want to get a better understanding about what kind of candidates they have accepted. I'd appreciate it! And once again, congratulations!!!

[cplanicka]

Well after writing all that, I forgot to actually respond to lotus_seed 's question! So, here is a bit about my experience (I dropped some of the categories from the MPP thread postings):

Undergraduate institution: T20

Undergraduate GPA: 3.56

Undergraduate Major: History

GRE Quantitative Score: 790

GRE Verbal Score: 610

GRE AW Score: 5

Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): going on 6 (graduated 2005)

Years of Work Experience: 5-6

Describe Relevant Work Experience: Worked for 3 years in Washington, DC, first for a small law firm (paralegal) then at the national office of a non-profit (Community Action Partnership), doing a variety of office work and communications and event planning.... blah! So, spent the next few years in the Peace Corps in Madagascar (2008-current).

I am far from the biggest cheerleader for the Peace Corps; it has its ups and downs, and your experience depends on a variety of issues (country you end up in, your village/community, your program, etc). BUT it really is a great way to get first-hand, international work experience in a developing country. I think this really helped me in applying for the MPA in Development Practice. I now have experience teaching about agroforestry, new agricultural techniques, nutrition... as well as leading major events on AIDS awareness and working extensively with a farmers' co-op on an export project. Granted, I've also spent countless hours wandering around my village(s) aimlessly, and staring at walls, and teaching kids to play american games (tic tac toe went over well, but baseball and american football... a bit too complex...) So, it is not a definite fit for everyone, and there is a lot of commentary out there on the Peace Corps' shortfalls (Google "Robert Strauss" for a sampling). Overall though, I've enjoyed it, and it has helped me advance my career as well. Hope that helps somewhat...!

[mcostach]

I am in the same boat cplanicka, I really like this program, but im very uncertain because I got no funding and that means lots of debt.

I do think, however, that since its a small program, students have access to faculty and more resources, as well as a second year funding (I remember watching the video of the MPA-DP information session last year, and a student explained that MPA-DP students recieved more funding than those from the regular MPA class in the sencond year).

I think insights from the class that is about to graduate will be very helpful...

As of my background, I did International Relations at LSE, and have worked for an international organization in Washington DC for the past 4 years. I have done significant field work....I travel a lot to support the implementation of projects to expand access to civil registration in Latin America and the Caribbean. My GRE was Q.710 V.510 AW. 5

[wildblooms]

I have to preface this post by saying that I'm a waitlisted candidate for the MDP, so proceed with caution, but I came across a couple of posts expressing doubt at the 2nd year fellowship allocation, with specific emphasis on this post: http://themorningsidepost.com/2008/08/in-response-clarification-about-financial-aid-at-sipa/ in what I believe is a SIPA publication. This is a response by Matt Clemons regarding a student's concerns over the 2nd year fellowships, I thought this might come in handy.

[Quixotic Man]

Thanks for starting this thread. I am trying to decide between this SIPA course and the MPP course at HKS. Both very different courses, which each overlap with my work and goals in different ways. Two questions I have at the moment:

- How much access do MDP students have with faculty, e.g. Jeff Sachs? Is it significantly different to other courses at SIPA (or other schools, such as HKS), as I have been led to believe?

- What do previous students' views on the summer placement at the Millennium Villages projects? Was it a beneficial time that linked in well with your studies?

I'm aware that this thread is aimed at future students and my questions are at current/past students. Thought it still worth posting here, in case some readers have helpful insights. Also planning to post to the SIPA admit discussion board.

Undergraduate institution: Oxford

Undergraduate Major: Physics

GRE Quantitative Score: 770

GRE Verbal Score: 660

GRE AW Score: 4

Years of Work Experience: 9 years working for a relief and development NGO in Asia

Edited March 18, 2011 by Quixotic Man

[economist_in_drag]

Undergraduate institution: University of Chicago

Undergraduate GPA: 3.53

Undergraduate Major: Economics

GRE Quantitative Score: 800

GRE Verbal Score: 670

GRE AW Score: 3.5

Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2 years

Years of Work Experience: Almost 2 years

Describe Relevant Work Experience: Project manager designing household surveys, oveseeing fieldworks, etc.

I got Dean's fellowship of $20,000 also.

[Diesel2011]

Hey all,

I wanted to move this discussion out of the SIPA results thread, as there are still people there anxiously waiting for results (and most appear to be in the MIA or MPA camp, so all the Dev. Practice talk could get annoying for them).

I got in to Columbia, MPA-DP, which is my top choice, but without any funding. While I could see taking on (massive) loans if I was aiming to come out in international banking/finance, I plan to continue working in either public sector or with NGOs. I assume most people considering the MDP track are in the same boat. Is the education/connections/name-value/experience worth it for us? I know this is still a relatively new program, so it can be hard to judge... but I wanted to share thoughts with some other MDP applicants, and use this feedback in making my decision (I also plan to use the admitted students forum on the SIPA website).

Also, I noticed lotus_seed had a question regarding people's experience (in main SIPA thread), as s/he is planning to reapply in the next few years, so I thought we could share that here too.

I also got into the MDP program at Columbia with no funding. I am probably not going because almost every other school has made me a really competitive offer. If you are thinking to pursue the UN track - maybe with UNDP - there would certainly be some benefit to living in NYC and attending to Columbia. Otherwise - if you are planning to work for an NGO and are not picky - I would be very hesitant about taking on such a massive amount of debt. I noticed that you applied to Emory's MDP program - as did I. They have not released decisions yet, but they have worked hard to get funding to offer at least partial fellowships for their students. Emory's program is not as quantitatively rigorous; it does not have similar name recognition; and it is not a professional MPA degree like SIPA's program. But for development studies, the quality and structure of their program seems just as good - and they have established strong partnerships with groups like FAO, the Carter Center, CARE, and IRD.

Anyway, here are my stats

Undergraduate institution: top 20 US private institution

Undergraduate GPA: 3.93

Undergraduate Major: Political Science and Islamic Studies/Arabic

GRE Quantitative Score: 740

GRE Verbal Score: 680

GRE AW Score: 4.5

Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3 years

Years of Work Experience: 2.5 years

Describe Relevant Work Experience: Managed a development program for 2 years in Darfur - also worked briefly in Jordan and Egypt. Currently, working as an economic development consultant for a financial holding company in the US

[cplanicka]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone had any further thoughts on Columbia MDP or are any closed to a decision? I have pretty much narrowed it down to Columbia MPA-DP (No Funding), Chicago Harris MPP (full tuition), Fordham IPED (full tuition), Emory MDP (10k), American SIS Dev Management (half tuition). Still think Columbia MPA-DP is my top choice as a program, but it is hard to pass up some of the funding offers! What are you other admits thinking??

[newdisplayname]

Hey, so I decided to resurrect this post for those of us who applied to the MPA-DP program at SIPA. I have a question: Are they going to release notifications on the 18th just like in the rest of the programs? Since the program has an independent admissions committee I was thinking that they may manage things differently? I don´t know... 

[nason]

Hey, so I decided to resurrect this post for those of us who applied to the MPA-DP program at SIPA. I have a question: Are they going to release notifications on the 18th just like in the rest of the programs? Since the program has an independent admissions committee I was thinking that they may manage things differently? I don´t know... 

 

I was wondering/hoping the same thing, but haven't come across anything to imply they might release sooner.  I guess they were sent out earlier last year going by this post though...so anything is possible.

[newdisplayname]

Nason, I wrote them and they said they´ll be releasing notifications at the same time than the rest of the programs (the week of the 18th) so we can´t do anything but wait ksflkdgfjfgdlkjdfgklfdjslsjfkdsljfds

[newdisplayname]

BTW, who else has applied to this program? Anyone from Mexico?

[nason]

Nason, I wrote them and they said they´ll be releasing notifications at the same time than the rest of the programs (the week of the 18th) so we can´t do anything but wait ksflkdgfjfgdlkjdfgklfdjslsjfkdsljfds

 

Thanks for the heads up.  This whole waiting game is the worst

[newdisplayname]

Considering that the MPA-DP has a different admissions committee, I think it is fair to bump up this thread. I´ll make sure to post as soon as I hear back from them, you should too!

[MPPgal]

BTW, who else has applied to this program? Anyone from Mexico?

I know a few of my coworkers if you want I can put you in touch with them!

[dani13.9]

Hey everyone! I came across this interesting post that was active about 2 years ago. I was hoping to revive it as I could certainly use your advice!

 

I was accepted at Columbia's MPA-DP program ($30k scholarship over the two years) and Emory's MDP Program ($40k scholarship over the two years). I am pursuing an external scholarship to be able to afford the rest of the tuition/living expenses, etc. 

 

This external scholarship requires that I choose the Master's Program right off the bat. My heart is telling me Emory because I feel the program is a better fit for me. I have been out of college for about 8 years and have been working in the not-for-profit, NGO sector for almost 6. It is what I love doing, and I think I would be far happier going down a socially-oriented path than, say, international finance/banking. I have also perceived more interest from Emory (I'm guessing because it's a smaller program, they are able to give more personalized attention to their accepted students) than from Columbia (After I got my acceptance letter, I wrote them to ask if I could speak with current students, alumni, or a program manager and I have yet to receive a reply).

 

At the same time, I realize Columbia is...well, Columbia. I'm wondering if their whole package (University name, quality of academics, networking opportunities, field experience) is a "smarter" choice than Emory. Financially speaking, I'm practically in the same boat with either Universities... I need another form of scholarship to be able to afford the cost of either program, the only difference is that overall, Emory come up to about $25k less than Columbia. Emory would also let me defer for a year in case I don't get that scholarship I'm applying for, whereas for Columbia, I'd have to reapply.

 

I realize that ultimately the decision is up to me, but any advice/insight would be greatly appreciated!!