Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule and Post Roundup COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule and Post Roundup COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog In observance of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid will be closed starting tomorrow, November 21, at 2pm ET, and will be closed Thursday and Friday. Well reopen as usual on Monday, November 26. While were out, well leave you with some resources to help you out with your application. Heres a roundup of the most popular blog posts from the last few days: How NOT to write your personal statement   The essay topics will change but the advice wont. Advice highlight: There’s nothing that upsets people more than when someone asks a question they could’ve easily found the answer to with a 30-second Google search. Heres a few Dos and Donts on Your SIPA Application   Some good overall pointers as you go along preparing for applications. Advice highlight: We understand that most applicants are also applying to other graduate programs in addition to SIPA, however, it is important applicants are diligent and address their essay to the correct school. The last thing that you want to happen is to submit a very generic essay and then address it to the wrong school. Whats in an App: admissions video essay   Remember, the video essay will be available to you after you finish the rest of the application and pay the application fee.  Advice highlight: This isn’t the be-all-end-all deciding factor for your admissions decision. This component provides the Admissions Committee a sense of who you are in person as well as your thought process and how you respond to questions. Preparation for grad school app Past student (and now alum!) Nancy Leeds shares advice she wished shed received when going through the process that youre going through now. Advice highlight: Visit the campus.  Trying to distinguish between schools from their websites and viewbooks is kind of like online dating you won’t get a real feel for them until you meet them in person. We hope you all have a chance to share a meal with your loved ones this week, be it family or friends. Happy Thanksgiving!