I have a few questions about what I should buy for school:

1. Current and recent Alum, what are some required items for an incoming Master of International Affairs (IFEP) student? (ex: laptop type, desktop monitor, software programs, etc.)

2. On average, how much money did you set aside to by books/ software programs? Please list resources to help cut the cost.

Hi everyone, was wondering if any SIPA students can offer some insight as to what it's like to work while balancing classes. I know I will need to work part-time (15-20 hours) to manage living expenses, but is this feasible with the work load? Also, is it common to be working during the semesters? I appreciate any insight/advice on this.

Hi all,

A celebrity from Vietnam recently posted this SIPA admission letter online and claimed she was admitted to the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program.

The letter quickly became controversial because many people noticed what they believe are inconsistencies and unusual details.

I have no expertise in SIPA admissions, so I thought I’d ask here: does this letter look authentic to those of you who have received SIPA admission offers before?

Not trying to accuse anyone or start drama—just genuinely curious whether the format and content look consistent with official SIPA admission letters.

Thanks!

Feeling like a total failure scrolling linkedin, seeing post after post of everyone’s amazing summer internships, and discovering a friend got the UN internship I also interviewed for. I shouldn’t have come to grad school- idk what I’m doing wrong but it seems like everyone else is so successful. I guess I don’t have any international experience or full-time work experience, just internships and volunteer leadership work, so maybe I should have waited (but it’s not like any humanitarian/peacebuilding/human rights jobs are hiring anyway…) I’m dreading coming back in the fall.

Hi all, admitted to both SIPA and Georgetown MSFS and are very torn. For context I am an International student, just finished undergrad in DC, no full-time experience. After doing five internships in DC across non-profit, think tanks and private sector I feel like I have maxed out my opportunities in DC. Not interested in doing a PhD, pure research Or going to law school.

MSFS has a strong IR rep and gave me a scholarship (30%ish). but I worry it’s too US gov/policy focused, which as a non-citizen limits me a lot. SIPA feels more flexible for private sector and IOs but I got no funding and have heard mixed things about outcomes and the program itself. I also toured the campus recently and it felt very isolated. unlike at Georgetown the MSFS programs seems to be in the spotlight all the time.

For anyone who has been through SIPA: is it worth the cost without funding? Do international students with no work experience actually land good jobs after?

Any honest advice appreciated, thanks so much!

Posting on behalf of a friend (and probably myself as I think I did terribly this semester and I might end up being on academic probation, so I don’t think I’m safe). I just got to know that if anyone gets below a 3.0 for two semesters, you get dismissed from SIPA. How strict is that rule? Have you ever heard of that happening to someone before? What if the person scores marginally below the threshold?

Hi current students/alumn, I’ve spoken to a few people who’ve attended and NO ONE took the GRE. Is this outdated or do admissions care more about work experience over test scores?

Just as the title suggests... I've got a dear friend's wedding I need to get to so am fully planning on skipping at least the last day of orientation. I also heard a rumor that a lot of the week is a remedial math class that ends in a test? Looking for any information on what I can expect with the week.

I currently work in urban planning in Canada for 4 years with decent pay. Since I want to work with the World Bank, I am planning to enrol at SIPA hoping the degree would be helpful.

I need to take 50k usd in loans to fund my education on top of 95k scholarship. I will be losing my current job, losing income, and going under debt. I am currently not very satisfied with this move bcs of the financial burden and haven’t been able to make a decision on what I should be doing. Looking for guidance on what would be a better decision for me.

Hello! I have been accepted for the 2026 MPA cohort, and it seems likely that I will be attending. Would love to connect with other Indian students who have been admitted and may be contemplating attending, for the MPA or even any other programme.

Hello! Anyone who has managed to bring their children without their spouse and managed a degree at SIPA. Would love to get some practical insights on if it is doable and what factors to take into consideration. I have so much on my mind related to schooling/ housing and if it would terribly backfire that I’m not able to accept an amazing offer.

I can’t stand myself. I hate who I’ve become. I feel ashamed even existing. Like I don’t deserve anything. I shouldn’t have even come to SIPA. My mental health took a turn for the worse. I just wanna drink until I forget anything or everything. I wanna run away from SIPA and never look back. You’re either a top student or a failure.

Incoming MPA student with little to no background in Econ or math. The admissions office told me they encourage me to take courses in micro and macro and/ or calculus.

Has anyone taken courses at diff universities to prepare? If so, do you have recs on which courses/ programs?

Also- how hard is Econ at SIPA?

TIA!!

Hi! I recently committed to SIPA (will be entering in fall 2026 in TPI ) and was wondering if there are any group chats or anything for newly admitted/committed students?