dazedandfazed Posted March 16, 2012 Posted March 16, 2012 hi guys, I am in a big dilemma. I got admitted to Cornell with 28K aid per year renewable , which means i will have to pay only 6k a semester. But recently I got accepted to Columbia with no aid. Does SIPA's location in new york really open so many doors and opportunities to network that I should pass up my cornell offer? Cornell seems to have a good faculty and classes that I'd like , I am not bothered by its relatively low ranking compared to Columbia since I know its rather young. So in other respects than academics , is Columbia really worth it.
orangesplease Posted March 16, 2012 Posted March 16, 2012 I think SIPA has a very very well established program. After looking into it very closely, it is a very interesting program. The first week you're there, you go on a retreat with the students. They do a field trip each year, alternating DC and a military base/situation. A lot of things to say about them... UNFORTUNATELY, this Ivy League school seems to be the stingiest in terms of grants/scholarships. The $47,000 for tuition and fees for one year is pretty ridiculous if you aren't one of the rare scholarship recipients. Though people have often said 2nd year students receive a lot of aid, the reported average 2nd year student receives only 15k or so--not even half of tuition. In this situation, I would say your ability to handle the finances is more important. If going to SIPA entirely on loans isn't a big deal and you have financial support or some money saved up, awesome. If that's not the case, you should consider CIPA, assuming that 28k is renewable next year and it covers well over half of your tuition.
Chipembere Posted March 16, 2012 Posted March 16, 2012 I am in the exact same situation except I was admitted to the MPA-DP...I'm blinded at the moment by NYC and Columbia, but don't know if the debt is worth it. Certainly a gamble...Gonna attend admitted student day at CIPA, Maxwell and Columbia. Will hopefully clear things up.
dazedandfazed Posted March 16, 2012 Author Posted March 16, 2012 I am really worried that being at CIPA . . ie being that much farther away from NYC is going to make it that much more harder to network and find a jobs. Chipembere , I am currently a senior at Uni so I cant come to admitted students day but please let me know your reflections and pose the same questions to them please?
IdnujnanCihtrak Posted March 17, 2012 Posted March 17, 2012 Hi Guys / Gals... Same dilemma here....SIPA (MDP) and SAIS (not IDEV) without funding and awaiting Maxwell EMPA results....I am from India...Long long way from NYC or DC....Websites and what's there on the net - u always get contradictory thoughts.... I am looking at a Development / Consulting in Sustainability kind of career...and am fascinated by the MDP program (esp the field work)...But SAIS is in DC and I have worked extensively on World Bank projects in my past...So have a few ppl I know...May be, I will be able to get an internship with them....In fact one of them was my referee for these applications... Please help me with some clues on this... Would really appreciate any and all help!!! And once I get MAxwell results and "IF" I make it through - can u help me evaluate the three.... Appreciate it 'in advance'... Regards
cannotdecide Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 Wow I am in the exact dilemma between SIPA and CIPA! I also got 28k and no funding from SIPA and seriously considering CIPA....It is a thriving, growing program, and I feel that if you work hard enough and make connections, you can get the internships you want, and CIPA (unlike SIPA) seems to really try to help their students because they realize the distance and such could be an issue. And both schools don't have that much of a huge margin in terms or career placements, especially given CIPA is newer. I also got almost full ride at UMD and up for a fellowship, but biting and thinking of more known names...though I can't say UMD hasn't crossed my mind.
Chipembere Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 I am really worried that being at CIPA . . ie being that much farther away from NYC is going to make it that much more harder to network and find a jobs. Chipembere , I am currently a senior at Uni so I cant come to admitted students day but please let me know your reflections and pose the same questions to them please? I'll certainly let you know how it goes. Hopefully will be able to answer some questions.
clover123 Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 When is the deadline for the accepted students to confirm their acceptance? I'm on the waitlist and I'm hoping I'll know after you guys accept/decline. haha
Yangtze Posted March 19, 2012 Posted March 19, 2012 Hi, everyone! amazing to find people who are also admitted to MDP at Columbia and face the exact dilemma between it and CIPA. I am from China and now study in Hong Kong. As with the situation with IdunjnanCihtrak, a campus visit is unfeasible for me, though strongly needed... Really looking forward to hearing updated sharing from Chipembere and guys who are gonna make decisions in similar situations!
bambo222 Posted March 20, 2012 Posted March 20, 2012 (edited) I was an undergraduate at Cornell and am pretty positive that I'll be returning to get my MPA at CIPA next fall with generous funding. I wouldn't worry too much about the location of Cornell; our alumni network is huge and judging by my experiences Cornellians are very happy to help you network. Furthermore, after speaking with the folks at CIPA many times, I was impressed by their determination to grow the program. I think CIPA faculty will indeed put in extra effort to ensure my own success with internships and eventual placement (but identifying how the university can help you is also largely up to you). I also have a narrow interest coming into the program and love that I have access to virtually every graduate class at Cornell (especially at the business school), enabling me to tailor my coursework around what I need to know. Finally, I wouldn't worry about academics; if it was like undergrad you'll work your butt off too. And with generous funding there is very little risk. I'm psyched for next year! Granted, I might be a little biased (or perhaps I'm just informed) because I loved my undergraduate experience. Either way, you should join me! EDIT: if you have any questions about Cornell or what it's like living in the area, I'd be happy to answer them. Edited March 20, 2012 by bambo222 kellyclarksonfanlol and dazedandfazed 1 1
CookieJar Posted April 1, 2012 Posted April 1, 2012 I got similar amount of funding from CIPA and a non-MPA program from Chicago. It's really hard to choose.
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