SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

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Visiting SIPA

Another important part of learning about SIPA for many prospective students is visiting the school, visiting a class, or talking to a SIPA representative at an admissions forum.

Information Sessions at SIPA

Individual interviews are not part of the SIPA admissions process, but you are welcome, and encouraged, to schedule your visit to SIPA in conjunction with an information session. At these sessions you will have the opportunity to meet with a member of the admissions committee, hear a presentation on SIPA and the admissions process, ask individual questions about the school, and address your particular concerns as an applicant.

Information sessions for the MIA and MPA programs are held twice a week, on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. and Fridays at 12:00 noon. These sessions do not cover any of the other SIPA programs, just the MIA and MPA two-year, full-time programs.

Please note that this schedule varies near holidays, during January and February, when we are busy evaluating applications, and during the summer. Please call the Admissions Office ahead of time at 212-854-6216 to inquire about session availability and to make a reservation. (We do not accept e-mail reservations for information sessions.) As space in the sessions is limited, we recommend calling at least two to three weeks in advance to reserve a place.

Please note that the above schedule is for the MIA and MPA programs only. For information about open houses and information sessions for the Executive MPA (Anne Marie Geary), Environmental MPA (Louise Rosen), and PEPM (David Caughlin) programs please contact those offices directly.

Information Session Map

Information Sessions are held in the Career Services Conference Room, across the hall from the Office of Admission which is in Room 408. A map to the Conference Room is below:

Map to Information Session Location

Interactive Map of the University Campus

Class Visits

While you are in New York and on-campus at Columbia for an information session, you may also want to visit a class. You can choose a class from the class schedule. You may also want to contact a SIPA student in your field through the Admissions Office to ask them to recommend classes that may be of interest to you (sipa_admission@columbia.edu).

Admissions Forums Away From SIPA

Each fall SIPA representatives travel around the United States and abroad to meet with prospective students. The fall schedule is organized every summer and is usually finalized by mid-September. You can view this year's recruiting schedule on the Recruiting Schedule page.

Contact Us

If you have questions after reviewing the view book, Web site, and FAQ page, but you will not be able to visit SIPA or come to an admissions forum, please feel free to call or e-mail the appropriate office:

Visitor Information

The Columbia campus on Morningside Heights is located at Broadway and 116th Street in Manhattan. The School of International and Public Affairs is located at 420 West 118th Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Morningside Drive. Be aware that when you enter the building, "street level" is considered the fourth floor.

By Train or Bus

Trains to New York arrive at Grand Central Station or Pennsylvania Station, while buses stop at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Visitors arriving at these stations can take either public transportation or a taxi north to the campus.

By New York City Public Transportation

Five bus lines (M4, M5, M11, M60, M104) and one subway line (the #1 local) serve the Columbia neighborhood. The M60 bus is a direct link between the campus and LaGuardia Airport. The Columbia stop is 116th Street. Note that if you take the express trains #2 or #3, you must transfer to the #1 local at 96th Street. The #2 and #3 trains do not stop at Columbia University.

Intercampus Shuttle Bus

A free shuttle bus connects the Morningside Heights campus with Harlem Hospital and the Columbia University Medical Center. View schedule.

By Car from the North

Take the New York Thruway (I-87) or the New England Thruway (I-95) south to the Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95) in the direction of the George Washington Bridge. Take the exit for the Henry Hudson Parkway south (the last exit before the bridge). Exit the parkway at West 95th Street and Riverside Drive. Go north on Riverside Drive to 116th Street. Turn right and go two blocks to Broadway and the University's main gate. Please note that the main gate is not open to traffic.

By Car from the South or West

Take the New Jersey Turnpike north or I-80 east to the George Washington Bridge. As you cross the bridge, take the exit for the Henry Hudson Parkway south. Exit the parkway at West 95th Street and Riverside Drive and follow the directions "From Riverside Drive and 95th Street," below.

By Car from Long Island

Take the Long Island Expressway or the Grand Central Parkway west to the Cross Island Parkway north. Cross the Throgs Neck Bridge onto the Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95 south) and proceed as in "By Car from the North," above.

By Car from New York Airports

From LaGuardia: Take the Grand Central Parkway west to the Triborough Bridge, to Manhattan. Follow 125th Street across Manhattan 12 blocks to Broadway, which is under an elevated subway structure. Turn left onto Broadway and go south to 116th Street.

From Kennedy: Take the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) to the Whitestone Bridge and across. Get onto I-95 south and follow the directions in "By Car from the North," above.

From Newark: Follow directions in "By Car from the South or West," above.

Parking

You may park on the street or use the local parking garages. The 512-520 Garage is located at the corner of 112th Street and Amsterdam Avenue; the Riverside Church Parking Garage is located on 120th Street between Claremont Avenue and Riverside Drive; the GMC Garage is located on 122nd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam (Seminary Row).

By Air

For visitors coming into LaGuardia, Kennedy, or Newark airports, taxi service is available to the campus (about $25 from LaGuardia; from Kennedy a flat rate of $45 plus tolls), and there is bus service to Grand Central Station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal, bus service directly from LaGuardia airport to Columbia and the M60 city bus is also available.

For more information:

Floor Maps (PDF format): 4th Floor, 6th Floor, 15th Floor

Interactive Map

Virtual Campus Tour

Hotels