<p>From Columbia University’s Graduate School of International and Public Affairs FAQ for admissions webpage:</p>
<p>What do you look for in an applicant?</p>
<p>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. Starting with the fall 2009 application cycle, GRE scores will be 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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Academic Background</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Professional Experience</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Didn’t see anywhere in the answer that Columbia’s graduate school had a preference for either UF or USF graduates.</p>
The Honors program was really nice; the staff cared incredibly for its students and I loved the emphasis they had on certain fields. The dorms for the Honors students were great; you have a choice from a suite or an apartment style. They’re brand new and all the professors/dept. heads have their offices there, so one can have quick access to your teachers. Also, some of your classes are located there so you can just roll out of your bed and go to class! The dorms are basically really attractive. USF is experiencing a lot of construction lately so we’ll have even more establishments to use. And there’s a gym like a ten minute walk away, which I found nice.</p>