Columbia and Sciences Po Dual Degree Program

<p>@capbreton, </p>

<p>There are 4 admissions periods each year. If your daughter got her acceptance extremely quickly, then she had her interview near a admission period. Also, there are definitely more than 20 spots available to North America, as there are more than 20 undergrads from the US at Reims (in fact I will be going there tomorrow for an intercampus event). It may be true that they take 20 students per admissions period, and it most definitely is true that the interview is composed of three interviewers (usually SciencesPo alumni or faculty). The admissions scheme to the SciencesPo Columbia Dual BA is vastly different from regular international admissions to SciencesPo.</p>

<p>For you to hope to go to Columbia in your third year, I’ll just give a little statistic. Of the ENTIRE SciencesPo (all campuses combined), only 3 people were accepted into Columbia for the third year.</p>

<p>Overall, I urge you all to choose SciencesPo because you think you will love living abroad, you will love networking with people across the world, and you will love experiencing a completely and uniquely French experience.</p>

<p>whooo got the fed ex packet! somehow i feel like most people who applied got in…but whatever im not complaining and im choosing this for college with flying colors!</p>

<p>Hi all! For those who were accepted, may I know where you are from? I am an applicant from Nor-Cal and I haven’t received anything today. Thanks :)</p>

<p>As you know the SciencesPo Reims campus is beautiful, but small. Eventually they’ll take over both the old convent courtyards so they will grow. But having just dealt with the admissions folks there and here in the US, they reserve 50% of their spaces for French residents, with ROW getting the other 50%. With class sizes of about 80, 20 spaces for North America is about right with another 20 for “other.” I know they still have to interview in Singapore, South Africa and elsewhere, for example. I may not be exactly accurate here but I’m likely not far off. There could be some Americans coming from the French resident part.</p>

<p>I don’t know at this point where my daughter will pick for her year abroad. She didn’t like the environment at Columbia but did like NYU and applied there, but I suspect she’ll stay in Europe, probably someplace like Rome, before returning to Paris for the Masters program. I think your estimate of the number of spaces at Columbia is probably dead on in any event.</p>

<p>Fantaisie212,
No Fed-Ex either. We are located in Arkansas.</p>

<p>My daughter was also accepted, but there were very few details in the packet. For example: when does it start? when does she need to be on campus at Rheims? I have to say that while I am very excited for her and proud, I have a few concerns.</p>

<p>Has anyone found any posts about this topic from students actually in it?</p>

<p>In my letter it said that students should expect to be in Reims/their campus by August 20, and that more information (concerning visas and financial aid) would be coming in the coming months; I presume you’d find out more especially after you confirm your attendance. </p>

<p>There’s a Facebook group for accepted students (just search Dual BA with Columbia and Sciences Po) where you can find more information, and you can call Columbia GS itself.</p>

<p>Hey! I just got accepted to the Le Havre campus, and I’m really really excited but also kind of confused and just needed some input. I found out yesterday I got into Stanford, but I also have an unconditional offer from the London School of Economics. I know it’s hard to compare them since they’re all over the place, but I was just wondering if I could get some feedback before making a decision. Thanks!</p>

<p>This is for emmyz1994. My son was also accepted to Le Havre. He is trying to decide as well. He is American from California. Where are you from?</p>

<p>@ lapetiteblonde, </p>

<p>Hi, did your son receive his letter today? I am an applicant from CA too but I haven’t heard any news, so I plan on calling the office soon.</p>

<p>He received a call on Thursday congratuling him (that was a nice touch) and the FedEx package arrived later that day. We are curious as to how many Americans were admitted since the program really draws an international applicant pool. We are also VERY interested in contacting students from anywhere who have just completed their first year in Le Havre. My son speaks no French at all. He speaks Japanese quite well and some Chinese. We are curious about the actual number of Le Havre students; we have mixed messages from 150 to 250 students. We are wondering about the workload as 8 classes is quite different from the typical American college student’s courseload. So many questions …</p>

<p>Hey lepetitblonde. Im actually from California too! I’m up in Mountain View about an hour south of San Francisco. What about you?</p>

<p>There are currently 154 students in Le Havre, this number may increase to 200 next year. The community is excellent and school does a great job at integrating all the students. Speaking no French in Le Havre and Reims is not a problem, as all first year classes will be in English. Of course, you will be expected to learn French at SciencesPo when you arrive. Coursework is manageable, and classes will be two hours each divided into Seminars and Lectures. There are 3 Core classes each semester, each having a Seminar and Lecture per week, there is 1 Lecture class which focuses on Asian studies per semester (no seminar), and there is a Humanities class per semester (no seminar). In addition, there are language classes (seminar style) and art electives (optional seminar style). There is language testing for those already studying Asian Langauges to place them in their appropriate levels. </p>

<p>SciencesPo Le Havre has a really nice school community where everyone helps each other out. If you’re looking for a place where you can really have the chance to know a lot of interesting and well networked people, SciencesPo Le Havre is a great choice. We are having a new campus built which is expected to be completed for the next academic year, we hosted a Tedx Conference and a symposium on Creativity, Diversity, and Higher Education last week, just returned from the first SciencesPo MUN in Reims, and we will be hosting a debate tournament later this month. A lot of interesting projects and work is being done at Le Havre, and some of us will be going to the Cannes Film Festival. A wealth of opportunities to travel Europe (Vienna, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Venice… just to list a few that I’ve had the chance to visit), great friends from completely different backgrounds, Wine and Cheese, I urge you all to come to SciencesPo (Le Havre particularly of course ;]).</p>

<p>Thank you so much for those details. I’m hoping you can answer a couple more questions for me please:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Can you tell me anything about the calendar. Are there 16 week semesters? What sort of break did you have during the holidays? </p></li>
<li><p>How many classes are there? I count 8 for the first semester with Law, Econ, and Sociology as full courses, then Asian Studies, Math and Lit Hum as 1/2 courses … that’s 6 already. Then there will be 2 langauge classes: one Asian and French. You say it’s manageable. Where are you from? Are you from an American high school? I’m just curious. Also, are you attending SciencesPo entirely or are you part of the Dual Degree program. </p></li>
<li><p>Do you know if it’s possible to test out of the math class? My son is completing AP Calculus BC right now. </p></li>
<li><p>Finally, how large are the lectures? Are all first year students in the same lecture … 75 students. That makes sense to me as it would be most economical. And then, how large are the seminar classes? What about the language classes? Do you have access to the professors?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>The program really does sound amazing. Thank you again for your perspective and insights. I am greatly appreciative.</p>

<p>@lapetiteblonde</p>

<p>1) The Calendar for the 2011-2012 year can be found here: <a href=“http://college.sciences-po.fr/sitehavre/sites/sitehavre/files/2011-2012%20Calendar_Le%20Havre.pdf[/url]”>http://college.sciences-po.fr/sitehavre/sites/sitehavre/files/2011-2012%20Calendar_Le%20Havre.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>2) There is only 1 semestre of mathematics, and depending on your level of French and an Asian language, you may be able to avoid these classes. The hours per week really depend on the student. There are students with 30 hours per week and those who have 24. It is manageable and the grading is based on seminar grading and final exam grading. The seminar grade is worth roughly 70% of your total grade and consists of 3 things. 1st, class participation and engagement; 2nd, an in class presentation; 3rd a midterm exam. Each are worth roughly 30% of the 70%. There is then a final exam which is worth 30% of your total grade. I am from Hong Kong and I completed the IB Middle Year’s Program before I attended high school in the United States for my final two years, with a 5 in AP English and a 4 in AP World History (I attended a boarding school that was restrictive with the AP courses and exams that I could take). I am currently a SciencesPo student entirely, but that may change next year. However, since Dual BA students take the same classes as regular SciencesPo students anyway, it does not matter. The only difference is in the 3rd and 4th year, where they will be pursuing a Columbia course load. The workload is heavy, make no mistake, but it is definitely manageable, considering that there is no “homework” (only readings and presentations, although it is definitely recommended to keep up with the readings because the classes get difficult if you don’t) other than for language classes.</p>

<p>3) It is NOT possible to test out of mathematics. There is testing of mathematics level, however, and the class is divided between Quantitative Methods Level A, and Level B. There is only 1 semestre of mathematics.</p>

<p>4) All students of the same year attend the same lectures. Seminars are around 20. Langauges are up to 20 and as small as 4. There aren’t “office hours” as you know them, because the professors come from the Paris main campus, but they are accessible after lectures or seminars (assuming that they don’t have to take the train back to Paris 10 minutes after class ends) and some give their skype accounts if the students need to contact them immediately. E-mails are also a good avenue for contacting them. As for language classes, there are people who speak the language you need help in, and they are always willing to aid their fellow students. The teachers too are generally glad to help any students that need it after class or in extra hours.</p>

<p>This is less related to the Dual program but… All my condolences for M. Descoings’ family, friends and students. This is a very tragic news.</p>

<p>[url=&lt;a href=“http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/societe/20120404.OBS5406/mort-de-descoings-les-eleves-de-sciences-po-lui-rendent-hommage.html]Mort”&gt;Mort de Descoings : les élèves de Sciences Po lui rendent hommage]Mort</a> de Descoings : les </p>

<p>Hi…just checking in to see if anyone who was accepted to the Dual BA turned down the offer and if so why? My daughter is very on the fence now that we have learned more about the program…she sees that in some ways, the program may be somewhat limiting in the first to years in terms of exploring interests and has also been told that having 2 BAs is not that helpful (a BA & MA is more important for this field) and 2 BAs can essentially be obtained by getting a double major. This program is basically double the cost compared to another high-ranked college due to Columbia’s aid package being poor. Just wondering where folks are at with the deadline looming?</p>

<p>Rhiannon78,</p>

<p>While I didn’t apply to the Columbia dual degree, I applied and was accepted to the dual degree programme in European Social and Political Studies with the University College London. I have pretty much decided to turn down the offer because I want to make sure I have the opportunity take courses in a variety of different subjects. I’m still considering going because UCL and Sciences Po are top notch schools, and as someone who wants to live and work in Europe it would be a good choice, but I really think it’s too narrow for me. I’m currently on the Columbia waitlist and hoping I get in because I think it would be a much better experience for me at this point in my life. </p>

<p>Just a quick point - I see that you mentioned cost. I’m not sure how the Columbia dual degree works, but UCL/Sciences Po put me in contact with the person that would be my academic adviser there should I accept the offer, and she let me know about a scholarship called the Emile-Boutmy scholarship. With that scholarship tuition is only $4,000 for the years spent at Sciences Po. My adviser told me the paperwork is due April 25th which is already passed, but the forms said May 2nd was the deadline. It’s definitely something to check out.</p>

<p>EDIT: I’m not sure if any of this applies to you actually because I just realized how different the two programs are. The campus I was accepted to (Paris) isn’t even open to the Columbia students, and the campus at Reims isn’t an option for my program. </p>

<p>Just out of curiosity: what’s the language requirement for admission to the program? Are students required to speak French? It seems the campuses that you can go to are all anglophone save for Menton. Was the interview conducted in French or English? Sorry for all the questions -just find it interesting to compare what seems like a program that’s based more in the states to one based totally in Europe.</p>

<p>Dear NorgeSverige:</p>

<p>The course through the Dual BA program are taught in English, although I believe that if a student in close to or fluent in French, they may have the option of taking some classes in French. Each campus has a different regional focus, and the students are required to take 6 hours per week of language instruction in those languages (Reims=French or Spanish I believe, Menton=Arabic, Nancy=German or Italian (?) ,etc. And they may add another language as well if their schedule allows. I suspect that is because once back at Columbia, competency in English is required. Thus, English is viewed as the common language. Interviews were conducted in English.</p>

<p>I would agree with your assessment that for the BA level, these Dual BA programs seem too narrowly focused, with little opportunity to explore a varied curriculum due to the need to meet all the core requirements for each respective school. I feel that this specificity should be left to the graduate level studies.</p>

<p>As for cost, the big costs are the Columbia costs where financial aid was not generous. SciencesPo costs are subsidized by SciencesPo, making that part of the program fairly affordable. We were encouraged to apply for the Emile-Boutmy scholarship, but did not meet the requirements.</p>

<p>best of luck to you!</p>

<p>Dear to everyone accepted into the Dual Bachelor’s program, </p>

<p>I’m currently a Junior in high school in California</p>

<p>If I may know stats about yourself that you did in high school, such as SAT/ACT scores, GPA, class rank, extracurricular, etc. </p>

<p>I’m interested in applying for next year and want to see the stats of the accepted </p>

<p>thanks, xx</p>