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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Admissions
We recommend that all applicants carefully review this page for information and we also encourage applicants to stay up-to-date by subscribing to the SIPA Admissions Blog. When you visit the blog you can subscribe by entering your e-mail in the Subscribe box in the right hand column.
Vital Statistics
Program Questions
Preparing to Apply
Submitting an Application
Waiting for and Responding to an Admissions Offer
Miscellaneous Questions
- What are the application deadlines?
- What am I required to submit?
- How long are the programs?
- What is the minimum or average GPA or GRE score for successful applicants?
- How many students are in each program?
- How many international students attend SIPA?
- How much does the program cost each year?
- What is the average age of a SIPA student?
- What courses are required to complete the Master of International Affairs (MIA)? Master of Public Administration (MPA)?
- Does SIPA offer a PhD program?
- Do you have a dual degree program?
- Can I study part-time?
- Do you offer evening classes?
- Do you have an online or distance-learning program?
- Can I take classes at other schools or departments within Columbia University?
- What's the difference between the Masters of Public Administration (MPA) and the Executive Masters of Public Administration programs (EMPA)?
- What do you look for in an applicant?
- Can I visit the campus?
- Can I arrange a personal interview with an admissions adviser to discuss my application? Do you have information sessions about the MIA and MPA programs?
- Is a personal interview required or recommended?
- Can I reapply if I was not admitted to a prior term or if I had declined my offer of admission?
- Do you accept transfer students?
- May I take courses as a non-matriculated student?
- Do I have to apply to a concentration or institute?
- Do you have any special requirements for international applicants?
- Do I have to take the TOEFL?
- My transcript(s) and/or letter(s) of recommendation are not in English. Do I need to have the document(s) translated
- Do I have to be fluent in a foreign language?
- Can I waive my application fee?
- What forms of payment do you accept for the application fee?
- What is your GRE policy?
- Can I substitute the GMAT for the GRE?
- Can I submit my LSAT scores?
- I've taken undergraduate- and graduate-level courses at a number of schools. Which transcripts am I required to submit?
- Who should write my letters of recommendation?
- Can I have my recommendations sent by my college's letter file service?
- What if my recommender forgot to use the recommendation form?
- Which fellowships will I be considered for if I fill in the Fellowship Statement?
- Do you offer fellowships to international students?
- Can I apply for a TA position in my first year?
- Is it possible to receive a full fellowship for my first year?
- Can I apply online?
- If I mail application information to your office, do the documents need to be mailed together?
- Do the application materials need to be postmarked with the date of the deadline?
- I tried to track my application on Columbia's application tracking system and it didn't work.
- What should I do after I mail or submit materials to the SIPA Admissions Office?
Waiting for and Responding to an Admissions Decision
- When do you mail decisions?
- Can I get an early decision?
- Can I defer my admissions offer?
- What is the waiting list?
- What should I do if my application is put on the waiting list? When will I receive a final decision?
- Can I submit additional materials to improve my application while on the waiting list?
- If I was not admitted, can I get feedback on my application?
- May I appeal my admissions decision?
- What sort of computer facilities does SIPA offer?
- Is student housing available?
- What sort of jobs do SIPA students accept after graduation?
- When do I need to send in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid)?
- What is your FAFSA school code?
- Where can I find more information about financial aid?
- What is the best way to stay informed about matters pertaining to admission and financial aid?
Vital Statistics
1. What are the application deadlines?
MIA and MPA Two-Year Full-Time Programs
Spring 2013 Entry: October 15, 2012
Fall 2013 Entry: February 5, 2013
MPA- Development Practice (MPA-MDP) only:
Fall 2013 Entry (no spring admission): February 5, 2013
All materials must be received by this date.
Environmental Science and Policy One-Year
November 1: early decision.
January 15: with fellowship consideration.
February 15: final deadline (without fellowship consideration).
Program in Economic Policy Management (PEPM)
November 1: early decision
January 1: with fellowship consideration.
February 5: final deadline
Executive MPA
March 1: early decision.
July 1: final deadline.
PhD in Sustainable Development
December 15: with fellowship consideration. PLEASE NOTE THAT PhD APPLICATIONS ARE NOT HANDLED BY SIPA. Please visit this site for information on how to apply to the PhD in Sustainable Development.
Please note when a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday that is on the University Calendar, the due date becomes the next business day. All items must be received by the SIPA deadline date. Items postmarked on the due date are not considered to be on time.
In order for an application to be considered on time all documents must be received in our office by the due date, or uploaded to our Web server via the application site by midnight of the deadline day. Late applications will be considered at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, but we cannot guarantee that applications completed late will be reviewed.
We highly recommend that if you mail something to our office that you use a tracking number. With the extremely high volume of mail we receive we regrettably are often unable to respond to individual requests for confirmation of documents received.
When a document is opened it is not important, when it is received is important. As long as a document is received by the deadline, it is considered on time, even if we open it several days or weeks after it is received.
2. What am I required to submit?
Sending hardcopy materials can delay the evaluation of your application and we recommend that you submit as many materials via the online application site as possible. Our online site allows applicants to submit all of the required documents on line. To apply all of the following must be submitted:
- Application form (biographical information filled in on the application site)
- Personal statement/ Essays - these questions are subject to change each year.
- Standard Résumé/CV
- Quantitative/ Language Résumé/CV - click here for samples/instructions.
- Test Scores
- GRE or GMAT for all applicants (results must have been achieved within five years of applying)
- GRE Code: 2161 (do not list a department code)
- GMAT for MIA: QF8-64-56
- GMAT for MPA: QF8-64-99
- TOEFL or IELTS exam for applicants that speak English as a second langauge (results must have been achieved within two years of applying). Columbia also offers a language test. For details, click here.
- Our TOEFL code is 2161.
- Three letters of recommendation: The names of the individuals you chose can be submitted on the application Web site any time after beginning the application.
- Academic Transcripts - please see details below.
- Application fee - US $95.00
- Special Note:
- Candidates (MIA/MPA two year program) may submit an additional essay to be considered for candidacy in the SIPA International Fellows Program, the Lemann Fellows Program, and/or the Harriman Fellowship. This is not a requirement, it is an optional part of the admission application.
- If applicants wish to be considered, a 300 word essay will need to be uploaded as part of the admission application. This essay is separate from the personal statement topics above. Details may be found in the application.
Transcripts: Applicants are required to submit transcripts from all colleges, professional schools and universities attended (including Columbia). Our preferred method is that you upload unofficial copies of your transcripts to the application Web site. When scanning transcripts to upload, be sure to scan the reverse side of the transcripts if applicable or any additional pages that include comments on the grading system used. Transcripts not in English must be translated into English prior to uploading. We recommend using a high quality scanner for this process.
Remember that if you cannot read the transcripts, we will not be able to either. Thus after scanning your transcript you should print it to see if it is legible. Once you have determined that it is legible please upload the transcripts.
If an applicant is currently in an academic program and will not finish the program by the time of the application deadline we ask that the applicant submit the most up-to-date transcript information. We do not require that a program be completed at the time of application. In other words, we can make an admission decision with incomplete transcripts if an applicant is still finishing a program.
If you wish to have transcripts mailed to our office, the registrar should seal the transcript in an envelope, sign across the seal and return it to you. Do not open these envelopes or break the seals. Some universities may prefer to send transcripts directly to our office. If this is the case, please have official transcripts sent to:
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
420 West 118th Street, 4th Floor
Mail Code 3325
408 International Affairs Building
New York, NY 10027
All documents, except foreign transcripts judged irreplaceable, become the property of Columbia and cannot be returned. All documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations.
If a person writing a letter of recommendation for you wishes to do so in another language, please see to it that the letter is sent to an official translator. Letters submitted this way should be mailed to our office. The translator should include both the translated copy and the official copy of the letter in a sealed envelope, along with their contact information.
Applicants whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English are required to submit TOEFL scores or results from the IELTS exam.
To be considered for admission we do not require official test reports. We ask applicants to self report GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS scores. If an applicant is admitted, we would then require an official score report for placement in the permanent academic record of the student.
Applicants wishing to be considered for the SIPA Fellowship (see above) are also required to submit the fellowship statement with their application. (See question 40 for more information.)
The MIA, MPA, and MPA-DP programs require 54 points for graduation, usually taken over four semesters. Part-time attendance is not allowed.
4.. What is the minimum or average GPA or GRE/GMAT score for successful applicants?
We do not keep statistics of average GPA or GRE scores, and there are no minimums for either. The Admissions Committee carefully reviews every application it receives and considers grades, particularly those in relevant coursework, in the context of the applicant's personal statement and work experience. Please see question 33 for a full explanation of our GRE/GMAT policy.
6. How many students are in each program?
Including first-year and second-year students in the MIA and MPA program there are approximately 900 students.
7. How many international students attend SIPA?
Approximately 50% of our students are international. This number can vary from year-to-year and the school does not try to target a certain number of international students in the admissions process. The admission criteria is the same for bot domestic and international students (except for the English language test requirement for applicants that do not speak English as a native language).
8. How much does the program cost each year?
Please visit here for more information on the costs associated with attending.
9. What is the average age of a SIPA student?
The average age of an incoming MIA / MPA student is 27. However, we have received applications from students who are as young as 21 and as old as 61. The vast majority of MIA / MPA students are between 25 and 35 years old. It can be said that most admitted students have a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience.
Program Questions
10. What courses are required to complete the Master of International Affairs? Master of Public Administration?
For the MIA, visit here.
For the MPA, visit here.
11. Does SIPA offer a PhD program?
Yes. SIPA offers a PhD in Sustainable Development. Contact Mona Khalidi by sending an email to mk2388@columbia.edu.
Admission for all PhD programs at Columbia is coordinated through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the following location:
Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Office of Admissions
535 West 116th Street
Mail Code 4304
New York, NY 10027
212-854-4737
gsas-admit@columbia.edu
To apply for the PhD in Sustainable Development please visit this site.
12. Do you have a dual degree program?
Both the MIA and MPA can be taken as part of certain specially arranged dual degree programs with other graduate schools within Columbia. There is no joint program combining the MIA and MPA degrees.
To pursue a dual degree you must apply independently and be admitted into both schools. The admissions procedures are completely separate. Because the application process is separate for each school, applicants must submit all of the admission documents required by each school. For SIPA, this means all applicants that apply must submit either a GRE or GMAT score. This requirement is not waived for those currently enrolled in other Columbia programs or international partner institutions while applying to SIPA.
After being admitted into both schools, you can then declare your intention to pursue the dual degree. If you are admitted into only one of the two schools but still wish to pursue the dual degree, you have up to one year to be admitted to the other school.
As one half of a dual degree program, the MIA and MPA degrees are completed in three semesters instead of four. Dual degree students complete the MIA or MPA core requirements, and the coursework done at the other school counts toward your SIPA concentration. You may do what you wish with your remaining elective credits; many students choose to bundle their electives into another concentration.
SIPA also has dual degree programs with the London School of Economics, The National University of Singapore, the Hertie School of Governance, and the Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po).
No. You cannot study part-time in our two-year, full-time programs. Offers of admission will be for full-time study only. Students wishing to enroll part-time should consider the Executive MPA.
14. Do you offer evening classes?
There are many evening classes available each semester at SIPA. However, the MIA and MPA are not evening programs, so students should be flexible enough to take courses during the day, especially in their later terms. It is not feasible to finish the program with evening courses alone.
15. Do you have an online or distance-learning program?
No, SIPA does not offer these types of programs.
16. Can I take classes at other schools or departments within Columbia University?
Yes, we encourage students to do so in order to approach policy in an interdisciplinary fashion. In the past, SIPA students have cross-registered for more than 700 different courses throughout the various graduate and professional schools at Columbia. This can be arranged with permission from both schools if the courses are considered sufficient for your SIPA degree requirements. To get an idea of what is offered for a given term, check the Columbia Directory of Classes.
17. What's the difference between the Masters of Public Administration (MPA) and the Executive Masters of Public Administration programs?
The Executive MPA program is designed for a select group of managers who either work in or with the public sector. We believe that the program's rigorous curriculum and its hands-on approach to policy and management problem solving will be of great use to executives in the nonprofit sector, in government, and in the parts of the private sector that work closely with governments and nonprofit groups. The program meets on Saturdays during the school year and on Tuesday and Thursday nights during the summer.
The full-time MPA is a more traditional two-year full-time program designed for students who have had some work experience but are may not be settled in their careers.
Preparing to Apply
18. What do you look for in an applicant?
The admissions committee seeks to admit candidates with a combination of proven academic ability and most successful applicants possess two to three years of relevant professional-level work experience. GRE scores are required for all applicants to the two-year full-time MIA and MPA programs. We will also accept the GMAT. See question #2 for our test reporting code numbers.
Due to the diversity of our applicant pool there are no firm requirements or prerequisites for applying. The following are our recommendations for making your application as competitive as possible.
Academic Background
The admissions committee looks for strong grades in courses relevant to SIPA's rigorous curriculum. Specifically, since the core degree requirements for both the MIA and MPA degrees include economics, statistics, and financial management , the Committee looks for evidence of a candidate's ability to undertake quantitative coursework at the graduate level. There are three general categories of academic coursework the Admissions Committee feels are particularly helpful in preparing to study at SIPA: economics, statistics, and mathematics.
The Admissions Committee prefers applicants to have completed at least two courses in economics (macro and microeconomics). Students who plan to pursue careers in development economics, quantitative policy analysis, trade, finance, environmental economics, energy policy, and international banking are expected to demonstrate strong economic and quantitative preparation with calculus and an intermediate micro and macroeconomic sequence through previous undergraduate or graduate study.
Students lacking an economics background and interested in pursuing these fields are strongly encouraged to make up this deficiency before applying to SIPA. Other recommendations include coursework in international relations, political science, foreign languages, and history.
All students at SIPA are required to complete coursework in economics, statistics, and financial management as part of the core curriculum. Thus, the Admissions Committee also recommends the completion of a high level math class and if possible a statistics course as well. The lower level economics sequence at SIPA deals extensively with concepts covered in high level Algebra classes (i.e. Linear Algebra) while the high level sequence deals with concepts covered in Calculus based math courses. Applicants lacking a quantitative background are encouraged to consider enrolling in mathematics courses above all else.
While the Admissions Committee does not require that each applicant have experience in all three areas (economics, statistics, and mathematics) to be admitted, extensive coursework in these areas definitely strengthens one's chances of gaining favorable admission consideration.
You are not required to have a particular undergraduate major. However, students whose fields of study were far 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.
Professional Experience
Most successful applicants have had at least three years of applicable 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 you should have before submitting an application; our applicants come from every corner of the globe with vastly different backgrounds and professional experiences.
Depending on your intended field of study, experience at an international relief organization, a government agency, a nonprofit or nongovernmental organization, or a corporation with operations in the international sphere (to name a few examples) will certainly make your application more competitive.
Approximately 5 to 10 percent of accepted students each year come directly from undergraduate institutions. These are individuals with extraordinary academic records who have also had significant internship or study abroad experience. In some cases, recent undergraduates with very strong academic credentials are not offered admission but are encouraged to reapply after they have gained at least one year or more of relevant work experience.
There are no official tours of the SIPA building. However, tours of Columbia's main campus are given by the Visitors Center and can be arranged by calling 212-854-4902.
20. Can I arrange a personal interview with an admissions adviser to discuss my application? Do you have information sessions about the MIA and MPA programs?
Due to the enormous interest in our programs, the SIPA Admissions Office is unable to arrange individual informational appointments for all prospective students. However, we do offer weekly information sessions for the MIA and MPA programs at most times throughout the year.
These are conducted in small groups by either the Director of Admissions or another member of the SIPA Admissions Committee. At the session you will be given a brief presentation about SIPA followed by a question and answer period, during which you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the program or the application and admissions process (but please finish reading this FAQ section before attending the session). The sessions usually last about two hours; dress is casual.
The schedule for the MIA and MPA information sessions is subject to change and space is limited. Please call us at least two weeks in advance for the current schedule and to reserve a space. You may also send an email to sipa_admission@columbia.edu. The regular scheduled for information sessions is Monday at 6 p.m. and Friday at noon.
For more information on visiting the campus see our Visiting SIPA page.
21. Is a personal interview required or recommended?
No. An interview is not part of the application process. However, to help you make the best choice about where to pursue your graduate study, we do encourage you to visit the school and attend an information session.
22. Can I reapply if I was not admitted to a prior term or if I had declined my offer of admission?
Application materials from all programs are kept on file for two years, after which they are destroyed. If you were denied admission, you are required to wait one year until reapplication. You are only permitted to reapply twice after your initial application. Reapplications are subject to the same deadlines and regulations as new applications.
You are required to submit a new application to reapply, however, not all materials must be submitted again. The first step is to send an email to sipa_admission@columbia.edu stating the program, year, and term of your original application, as well as updated contact information, including a working e-mail address and current mailing address. (Your decision will be mailed to this address.)
Reapplicants must update the personal statement and Résumé / C.V. It might also benefit applicants to retake standardized tests such as the GRE, GMAT, or TOEFL score (if applicable). In the second essay, reapplicants should also address how have they enhanced their candidacy since the previous application.
For detailed instructions regarding the reapplication process, please click here.
23. Does SIPA accept transfer students?
You cannot apply to SIPA as a transfer student. However, advanced standing may be granted based on previous graduate-level coursework completed. This is awarded on a case-by-case basis only after a student is admitted to SIPA. You must submit a standard application and be admitted; at the time of registration you can arrange for a review of your previous coursework and advanced standing may be granted.
Please note: We will not offer a formal individual assessment of what graduate-level work will be accepted for advanced standing before you are admitted to SIPA.
A student may receive advanced standing credits worth up to 12 points for the MIA and MPA programs. At least forty-two points in residence are required for a master degree issued in New York State. Advanced standing is only granted for graduate-level courses that are considered by the dean to be equivalent to SIPA courses and in which the student received a grade of B or better. In general, students holding an MBA or JD degree will qualify, as will students with MA degrees in relevant areas of study. For details, please refer to the Advance Standing Policy.
24. May I take courses as a non-matriculated student?
Yes, but this cannot be arranged through SIPA. If you wish to take one or more classes as a non-degree student, you must apply to the School of Continuing Education (212-854-9666). Most SIPA classes are available to non-degree students.
25. Do I have to apply to a concentration or institute?
No. You do not need to apply to a specific concentration. However, if you should have an idea of what you wish to study at SIPA, it will certainly help your application if you express this in your personal statement. You will be asked to indicate your intended area of study on your application, but you are allowed to change once you have started the program.
26. Do you have any special requirements for international applicants?
There are no additional requirements for international applicants, but please see the questions on this page regarding the TOEFL exam and foreign document translation (see questions 27 and 28).
We do advise applicants from overseas to allow for difficulties in communication, as well as delays in the delivery of mail both to and from the Admissions Office. This can cause problems, especially as the deadlines approach. Leave yourself ample time to get all your materials in order before sending them to the admissions office.
We highly recommend that international applicants take advantage of our online application. By using our online application, you can track the receipt of your documents, as well as receive your admission decision. 100% of the documents required to be considered for admission can be submitted on our application site and we do not require that a single document be mailed to our office.
27. Do I have to take the TOEFL?
An international student whose bachelor's degree was not earned from an institution in which English is the primary 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:
A. Taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and receiving a minimum score of 600 on the paper test, 250 on the computer-based test, or 100
on the internet-based test.
- Admitted applicants that score between 100 and 109 on the iBT will be required to complete additional language training at Columbia University as prescribed by the Admissions Committee. This may be an ALP (American Language Program) summer English language class prior to enrollment AND/OR an English language class during the first semester of study at SIPA.
- Admitted applicants that score a 110 or higher (with a minimum of 25 in the Listening, Speaking, and Reading sections and at least a 28 in the Writing section) on the iBT are not required to participate in additional English language study before or after enrollment. Factors in making a decision include GRE/GMAT score(s), writing sections of the application, and grades in college/university level courses. Details concerning required English language study are included in the letter of admission.
Inquiries about the TOEFL should be addressed to:
TOEFL - Educational Testing Service
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-771-7100
www.ets.org
B. Taking and submitting results from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score no less than 7. For more information regarding IELTS visit www.ielts.org.
- Admitted applicants that score less than 7.5 on the IELTS will be required to complete additional language training at Columbia University as prescribed by the Admissions Committee. This may be an ALP (American Language Program) summer English language class prior to enrollment AND/OR an English language class during the first semester of study at SIPA.
- Admitted applicants that score a 7.5 or higher are not required to participate in additional English language study before or after enrollment.
Factors in making a decision include GRE/GMAT score(s), writing sections of the application, and grades in college/university level courses. Details concerning required English language study are included in the letter of admission.
28. My transcript(s) and/or letter(s) of recommendation are not in English. Do I need to have the document(s) translated?
Materials that are not in English must be translated by an official translation agency and notarized. SIPA does not endorse or recommend any individual provider of translation services. Please submit both the original documents and the translations to the Admissions Office.
29. Do I have to be fluent in a foreign language?
In the MIA program you are required to demonstrate fluency in a foreign language before you may graduate. The requirement also applies to MPA students that choose Economic and Political Development as their concentration. This requirement may be met in any of three ways:
- as a native speaker of a language other than English, with the ability to read and write that language.
- by passing a language proficiency test administered by SIPA - this test is administered to admitted students within the first few weeks of enrolling in the program.
- by achieving a grade of B or better in an Intermediate Level II (fourth semester) language course at Columbia
Note: Students may pursue any language course they wish at SIPA. However, elementary-level language courses will not count toward the credit requirement for your SIPA degree. In addition, advanced standing credit is not granted for language courses.
The MPA program does not have a foreign language requirement. The one exception is if you are an MPA student studying the Economic and Political Development concentration.
30. Can I waive my application fee?
Application fees are used to cover the expenses of processing applications and maintaining our online system. We waive the fee only for participants in specific programs with which we have a formalized agreement.
32. What forms of payment do you accept for the application fee?
We accept checks, money orders, drafts, and travelers' checks made out to Columbia University. We cannot accept wire transfers for any reason. If you apply online you, may choose to pay the fee with a credit card. (All payments must be in the form of United States dollars.)
Effective August 1, 2011, ETS made changes to the format of the GRE general test. Please be aware that SIPA will accept GRE scores in the old or new format. The same submission regulations apply to both formats (www.gre.org/faqnew.html).
Our GRE code is 2161 - Do Not List a Department Code.
GRE scores are required for all applicants to the full-time MIA and MPA two-year programs. We will also accept GMAT scores.
We evaluate all candidates based on five application elements: the personal statement; the Résumé / C.V.; transcripts of prior college and graduate school work; letters of recommendation; and the GRE or GMAT. For applicants who do not speak English as a first language we also require the submission of an English test score (see question 27).
GRE / GMAT results are never the sole basis for an admissions decision. They are useful as an indicator of academic ability. GRE / GMAT scores are helpful in that it gives applicants with average or marginal academic records a second method of demonstrating academic ability.
For complete information about the GRE, you can contact ETS directly:
Educational Testing Service
20 Nassau Street Princeton, NJ 08540
609-771-7670
www.ets.org
34. Can I substitute the GMAT for the GRE?
Yes, SIPA will accept the GMAT in place of the GRE. The following are our GMAT codes:
- GMAT MIA Code: QF8-64-56
- GMAT MPA Code: QF8-64-99
35. Can I submit my LSAT scores?
No. We will not accept LSAT scores.
35. I've taken undergraduate- and graduate-level courses at a number of schools. Which transcripts am I required to submit?
Applicants must submit transcripts for any college or university attended, even if the coursework was not part of a degree program. We need the credits, grades, and grading scale to be submitted. Unofficial copies of transcripts may be uploaded to the admission site for admission consideration. Only if an offer of admission is made and the applicant accepts will we require the submission of official copies.
Every class taken must have a grade. Classes that have notes such as T, TR, or CR will not be accepted. These notes generally refer to transfer classes. If an applicant attended one school and transferred to another and the new school only notes codes for transfer credit, the applicant must submit the transcript from the first school with the grade achieved.
If an applicant is currently in an academic program and will not finish the program by the time of the application deadline we ask that the applicant submit the most up-to-date transcript information. We do not require that a program be completed at the time of application. In other words, we can make an admission decision with incomplete transcripts if an applicant is still finishing a program.
36. Who should write my letters of recommendation?
Three (3) letters of evaluation are required with all SIPA applications. Only three letters will be considered, so do not submit more than three.
These letters should be submitted by individuals, who are able to state, from personal knowledge, your qualifications for graduate study.
While not a requirement, we prefer that one letter be from a member of academia. It is understandable that some applicants have not been in an academic program for sometime and would prefer to submit all three letters from supervisors or associates from professional settings. You are free to choose the combination of recommenders that you feel best describes your qualifications.
Letters may be submitted via the online application Web site (see instructions on the application menu) or via traditional mail delivery. If a letter is mailed to our office, the envelope should be sealed and the author of the letter should sign across the seal.
Please be advised that these should not be personal recommendations—letters from family friends, relatives, politicians, etc. who do not have direct knowledge of your academic or professional capabilities.
Also please note that the Admissions Committee does not recommend submitting three academic letters of recommendation. We prefer at least one professional letter of recommendation and we do consider internships and volunteer work to be professional experience.
37. Can I have my recommendations sent by my college's letter file service?
Yes, these letters are acceptable. Please keep in mind, however, that we would like to see at least one letter from an employer. If letters are sent directly to the admissions office by your college, you will not be required to send SIPA's letter of recommendation forms.
38. What if my recommender forgot to use the recommendation form?
It is not absolutely vital that these forms are used as long as the questions listed on the form are addressed in the letter. Our office does highly recommend that letters of recommendation be submitted via the online application site. See the application site for further instructions.
40. Which fellowships will I be considered for if I fill in the fellowship statement?
If your application for the fall session is completed before the January 5th deadline and you filled out the fellowship statement section of the application form, you will be considered for a merit-based fellowship offered by SIPA.
It is important to note that the majority of these funds are reserved for second-year SIPA students and that the chances of receiving a first-year fellowship are very small. Ten to fifteen percent of incoming students who apply for the January 5th deadline receive financial support from SIPA in their first year, and these are typically small, honorary awards.
Most of SIPA's funding is offered to second-year students who obtained a 3.4 GPA in their first- year.
41. Do you offer fellowships to international students?
Yes. International students are considered on the same basis as domestic applicants. The fellowships process is "blind" and we do not base decisions on where a student is from - decisions are merit based.
42. Can I apply for a TA position in my first year?
No. TA positions are reserved for continuing students. If accepted, your are welcome to pursue TA opportunities on your own, however, our office does not assign TA positions for first-year students.
43. Is it possible to receive a full fellowship for my first year?
First year fellowships at SIPA are very limited and it is highly unlikely that any applicant would receive full fellowship for the first year of study. Virtually all awards are reserved for second-year students; they cover about half of the year's tuition.
It might be possible to cover the full cost of tuition by combining an award from SIPA with another award earned from an outside source. We highly encourage all applicants to pursue funding from outside sources and an extensive database of such opportunities can be found here.
Submitting an Application
We strongly encourage all applicants to submit their application forms through the SIPA admissions Web site. We highly recommend that all applicants take advantage of our online application. By using our online application, you can track the receipt of your documents, as well as receive your admission decision.
100% of the documents required to be considered for admission can be submitted on our application site and we do not require that a single document be mailed to our office. For complete details on the documents that we require for admission consideration please visit this site.
46. If I mail application information to your office, do the documents need to be mailed together?
We highly prefer that applicants submit as many documents as possible via our online application site. If documents do need to be mailed, they do not need to be mailed together. It can expedite the process to mail documents together, but we understand that items may be mailed from other individuals (i.e. recommendation letters).
If documents do need to be mailed, please use the following address:
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
420 West 118th Street, 4th Floor
Mail Code 3325
408 International Affairs Building
New York, NY 10027
All documents, except foreign transcripts judged irreplaceable, become the property of Columbia and cannot be returned. All documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations. Translations may be uploaded to our Web site.
47. If materials are mailed, is it okay if they are postmarked with the deadline date?
No. All of the mentioned components of the application need to be received in the SIPA admissions office by the deadline in order for your application to be complete. We do not guarantee that applications submitted late will be reviewed. The review of late applications is subject to the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
48. I tried to track my application on Columbia's application tracking system and it didn't work.
SIPA uses the application tracking system of our online provider, Apply Yourself. You will be able to track the receipt of your documents using the same site applicants use to submit the online application.
49. What should I do after I mail or submit materials to the SIPA admissions office?
Once you have submitted your online application and paid the application fee, you can track the receipt of your documents online. This will allow you to check the status of your application without having to call or email our office.
Please understand that during heavy processing periods it can take up to two to three weeks to process information that has been submitted. For this reason, we recommend that you submit your materials as far in advance of the admission deadline as possible.
Waiting for and Responding to an Admissions Decision
50. When do you mail decisions?
Decision notifications are posted to the application Web site. You will receive an email when the decision is available. We do not mail hard copy letters to applicants.
Fall decisions are communicated in mid-March. We do not follow "rolling" admissions. All applications are read at the same time (starting in January) and all decisions are released roughly around the same time.
51. Can I get an early decision?
Early decision is not part of the SIPA Admissions Review Process and early decisions are only granted in rare and unusual circumstances. If you feel you face a rare or unusual circumstance you may petition the Admissions Committee for an early review of your application.
To submit a petition, please document the circumstances you face in an email and send it to sipa_admission@columbia.edu. In the subject heading of the email please write, “Early Decision Petition.”
52. Can I defer my admission offer?
Applicants should make every effort to apply in the year that they intend to enroll. However, applicants accepted to the full-time MIA and MPA programs may apply to defer enrollment for one year with the permission of the Admissions Committee. MPA-DP applicants cannot apply for a deferral and neither can MIA or MPA applicants admitted from the wait list.
Deferral requests must be submitted in writing and emailed to the Office of Admissions. The email should outline the reason(s) for seeking a deferral. Deferrals are considered on a case by case basis. Generally, requests are granted only for very compelling reasons (such as medical or family emergency), academic opportunity (such as a Truman or Fulbright Fellowship), or extraordinary professional opportunity.
Emails requesting deferral must include the following text: "I understand that a $1,000 nonrefundable deposit is required and if I fail to enroll in the semester agreed upon, regardless of the reason for not enrolling, both my deposit and my admission offer will be forfeited."
If the deferral is granted, a nonrefundable $1000 deferral deposit is required in addition to the nonrefundable $1000 enrollment deposit. These deposits are applied to the student's account toward the first semester tuition if the student enrolls at the expected time.
The deferral deposit will be applicable only for the agreed-upon matriculation date and will not be returned to the applicant under any circumstances. If the candidate does not enroll for the term agreed upon, the admission offer and deposit are forfeited.
The deferral deposit will not be waived or reduced. These policies are very strictly enforced and we strongly encourage students who cannot enroll in the coming semester to consider reapplying for the semester in which they wish to enroll.
Note: Applicants who are admitted from the waiting list cannot defer admission under any circumstances. Applicants to the MPA-DP may not defer.
After reviewing all of the applications received, the Admissions Committee typically places a small number of applicants on an admissions wait list each year. As admitted students respond to their admission offers, we evaluate our enrollment needs in light of the number of seats that remain available in the class.
To fill in these open spaces we may begin admitting applicants from the wait list. However, the number of seats that become available varies greatly from year-to-year and it is literally impossible to estimate your chances of being admitted from the wait list. The wait list is not ranked, nor is there any guarantee that applicants placed on the wait list will be granted admission.
54. What should I do if my application is put on the wait list? When will I receive a final decision?
If you your application has been placed on the wait list, we ask that you respond to let us know if you would like to remain on the wait list or be removed. Applicants who wish to remain on the wait list will receive occasional updates via e-mail about their status; these updates may continue until our numbers for the incoming class are finalized. A final notice will be emailed to all applicants on the wait list once the class has been finalized.
If a space becomes available and your application is chosen, we will contact you. At any time you may contact us if you would like your application to be removed from the wait list.
55. Can I submit additional materials to improve my application while on the wait list?
No. We do not permit applicants on the wait list to submit any additional materials. These applications have already been evaluated by the Admissions Committee; newly submitted materials will not be reviewed.
56. If I was not admitted, can I get feedback on my application?
Due to the extremely large number of applicants and limited staff we are unable to respond to individual requests pertaining to why an applicant did not gain admission to our program. For general information on the most common reasons why applicants are not admitted to SIPA, please visit our Requesting Feedback page.
57. May I appeal my admissions decision?
The Admissions Committee reads each application thoroughly and considers all applicants seriously. There is no appeal process.
Miscellaneous Questions
58. What sort of computer facilities does SIPA offer?
Please visit the SIPA Computing Web site for more information.
59. Is student housing available?
Nearly every SIPA student finds convenient housing on- or off-campus before the start of the academic year. However, the housing situation is tight; SIPA is allocated slots for only about thirty percent of the students who desire Columbia housing.
About 80 percent of university housing is in shared apartments; a very limited amount of couples / family housing is available. Housing allocations are made on the basis of geographic proximity, with incoming students arriving from overseas receiving first priority. There is a university off-campus housing office that serves as a resource for non-Columbia housing.
60. What sort of jobs do SIPA students accept after graduation?
Visit the SIPA Office of Career Services (OCS) for more specific information.
Please note that SIPA Career Services are reserved for current students and alumni. OCS staff can not offer counseling or advice, in person or via e-mail, until you are a student at SIPA.
61. When do I need to send in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
It is best to send your FAFSA to the federal government as soon as you are able. Each year the Department of Education begins to take FAFSA forms on January 1st. For more information on financial aid, please visit the Financial Aid page.
62. What is your FAFSA school code?
Our FAFSA school code is 002707.
63. Where can I find more information about financial aid?
Please see the SIPA financial aid Web site.
64. What is the best way to stay informed about matters pertaining to admission and financial aid?
The best way to stay up-to-date is to subscribe to the SIPA Admissions Blog. You may do so by utilizing the Feedburner box in the right hand menu of the blog.
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Statement of Nondiscrimination
SIPA affirms that it admits students and selects employees regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, age, or disability and thereafter accords them all the rights and privileges generally made available to students or employees at the school.
If you have further questions after reviewing the view book, Web site, and this FAQ page, but you will not be able to visit SIPA or an information session, please feel free to contact us via phone at 212-854-6216 or e-mail. (Please type: "question not covered in the FAQ" in the subject line.)