Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is January 5th.
Can I apply online?
We strongly encourage all applicants to submit their application forms via the online system at: www.sipa.columbia.edu/admissions.
Submitting online has many advantages. Applicant data arrives securely, directly, and immediately into the SIPA admissions system, without data entry errors. The arrival of your electronic data notifies us that your hard copy materials will follow, and if the hard copy package does not arrive in the mail, we can notify you.
Hard copy materials can include transcripts and letters of recommendation.
What do you look for in an applicant?
The Admissions Committee seeks to admit applicants with a combination of the proven academic ability to master SIPA’s rigorous curriculum and two to three years of relevant professional-level work experience. Due to the diversity of our applicant pool, the Admissions Committee does not set cutoffs for GPAs or GRE scores. Each applicant’s personal, professional, and academic history is thoroughly reviewed to determine if SIPA is the correct fit for the applicant.
We evaluate all candidates based on the following criteria: the personal statement, résumé/curriculum vitae, transcripts of prior college and/or graduate schoolwork, letters of recommendation, and, lastly, the GRE.
The personal statement is the single most important part of the application. In it you should clearly demonstrate your interest in the program and how it fits into your specific career goals.
Do I need to have a certain major?
You are not required to have a specific undergraduate major. However, students with majors that are far removed from the International
Relations or Public Administration fields are advised to address with extra care in their essay why they now wish to “change gears” and study at SIPA.
How important is work experience?
Most successful applicants have had at least three years of work or internship experience relevant to their intended course of study at SIPA. It is impossible to make specific recommendations about what kind of work experience is considered appropriate; our applicants come from every corner of the globe with vastly different backgrounds and professional experiences. Previous experience will certainly make your application more competitive.
Do you accept applicants directly from undergraduate schools?
About 10 percent of the accepted students each year come directly from undergraduate institutions. These are individuals with extraordinary academic records who have also had significant internship and/or study abroad experience. Recent undergraduates with very strong academic credentials might be encouraged to reapply after they have pursued one or more years of relevant work.
What is your GRE policy?
SIPA requires the submission of a GRE score report for all applicants to the two-year, full-time MIA and MPA programs. The Admissions Committee may grant waivers of the GRE requirement in rare cases. Most waivers are approved only if an applicant can prove that taking the GRE would pose a tremendous hardship. If you have questions concerning this requirement, please send an e-mail to
sipa_admission@columbia.edu.
Do I have to take the TOEFL?
An international student whose bachelor’s degree was not earned from an institution in which English was the language of instruction must submit proof of competency in English. Applicants currently attending an English-speaking graduate school are not exempt. Competency in English can be demonstrated by the following methods:
The scores listed above are minimum scores. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to require additional English language study at Columbia prior to enrollment, and minimum scores do not automatically exempt an admitted candidate from this requirement or guarantee admission to our
programs.
Do I need to have my foreign documents translated?
All foreign documents, such as official transcripts and letters of recommendation, must be translated by an official translator and notarized as authentic translations by a notary public. For translation of foreign credentials, contact:
Globe Language Services
Evaluation Service
319 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
212-227-1994
or www.globelanguage.com For more information:
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