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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Prospective Student Inquiries for the M.A.
Program in Climate and Society
1. What is the application deadline?
Earlier submission of applications is
encouraged. It is possible to submit the application
for admission in Fall 2007 as early as November 2006. Students who apply by the priority deadline of March 1st will receive a decision by April 15th. International students are highly encouraged to submit their application by the priority deadline. The final deadline to apply to the program is April 1. Admissions decisions are announced by late April or early May.
2. How long is the program? What do graduates of the program do afterwards?
The program requires approximately 12 months
of full-time study. The Fall semester begins in early September,
and the Summer term usually ends in the middle of the following
August.
AlumniRead profiles of some recent graduates of the M.A. Program in Climate and Society.
3. How do I apply?
All applications must be submitted online via
the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences web application.
You can fill out an application by setting up a registration ID and
entering all relevant information at
https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=COL-GAS.
Select "Climate and Society" from the pull-down
menu under the Program Information section of the online web
application form, and submit your application electronically.
All supporting application materials should be forwarded directly
to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the following
address. Please make sure that your name is clearly indicated
on all supporting documents (recommendations, transcripts,
etc.)
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
107 Low Memorial Library
535 West 116th Street, MC 4304
Columbia University
New York, NY 10027
To read more about the application process, please see the
Graduate School's information at
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsas/ps/main/pages/admis-info/index.html
4. Do I have to take the GRE? Can
I have the GRE requirement waived for my application? What is the minimum score requirement?
The GRE test is required for admission to the
M.A. Program in Climate and Society. Students in countries
where the test is not offered or available to them must include
a note requesting a waiver as part of the application.
To have GRE test scores sent to the Graduate School of Arts
and Sciences at Columbia University, use Institution Code
2162. A Department Code is not necessary.
GRE scores are evaluated as just one part of your application. A strong application file includes GRE scores that demonstrate your quantitative and verbal skills. There is no minimum score required, but in general successful applicants have performed well on the exam.
5. Do I have to take the TOEFL?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
is required for non-native speakers of English. The Graduate
School of Arts and Sciences normally requires a score of 600
on the paper-and-pencil test or 250 on the computer-based
test. Applicants are strongly urged to make arrangements to
take the examination in early Fall. Inquiries about this test
should be addressed to TOEFL, Educational Testing Service,
Princeton, NJ 08540, U.S.A; Tel.: (609) 771-7100; Web site:
http://www.ets.org.
The IELTS exam is also accepted. Acceptable scores for the
IELTS exam are usually 7.0 or above.
For students who have received an undergraduate degree in
a country where English was the language of instruction, the
test is not necessary. For students who have received another
master’s degree in an English-speaking program, the
test is still necessary.
6. Can I apply to more than one
graduate program at Columbia?
Applications for the M.A. Program in Climate
and Society are handled through the Admissions office of the
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). The Graduate
School does not permit simultaneous applications to more than
one program. To read more about admissions procedures for
GSAS, please consult
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/gsas/ps/main/pages/admis-info/index.html#N10049
7. I want to study for a Ph.D. in
this field. Does the M.A. degree lead to a Ph.D.?
Admission to the interdisciplinary M.A. Program
in Climate and Society does not include admission to other
programs at Columbia. However, students in the program may
wish to apply to programs of further study during or after
completion of the M.A. Program. Studies of interest at Columbia
might include the interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Sustainable Development,
the Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science, and/or the Ph.D.
in Earth and Environmental Engineering.
These programs require a separate application for each admissions
cycle.
8. Are scholarships available for
students from outside of the United States?
Full and partial scholarships are available
for international and U.S. students who have been admitted
to the program, and are awarded on the basis of merit and
need. There is no additional application other than the application
to the program.
However, all students, particularly international students,
are strongly urged to apply for external sources of funding
as soon as possible. Scholarship programs often have application
deadlines between 6 months and 1 year before the start of
the academic program. For more information, please consult
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/climatesociety/admissions.html
9. What kind of a degree is this?
Which division of Columbia University awards the M.A. in Climate
and Society?
The interdisciplinary M.A. in Climate and Society
is a program of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at
Columbia University.
10. How many students are in the program? How many apply?
There have been fewer than twenty students in the program each year thus far. In 2007-2008 we expect to increase this number slightly.
Because the program is very specialized, there is an extremely qualified applicant pool each year. The program is competitive and admits fewer than half it's applicants.
11. What are the prerequisites for
admission? Can I still apply if I haven’t taken all
the recommended courses?
Applicants should have a background in either
natural or social science, and/or have the aptitude to absorb
the foundations of climate science and quantitative principles.
12. Who are the faculty involved
with this program? How can I contact them to tell them about
my research interests?
Please contact the M.A. Program office first;
an updated listing of relevant faculty and researchers is
available on the “Faculty” page:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/climatesociety/faculty.html
13. I am currently enrolled in/I
have already completed a master’s degree program. Can
this shorten the time that I would be enrolled in the M.A.
Program in Climate and Society?
A set curriculum has already been established
for the program that includes a significant component of uniquely
designed core courses. See the curriculum description at
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/climatesociety/curriculum.html
14. Is it good for my application
that I have been working in the field of environment/development
for several years?
Work experience in a related field is considered
desirable, although the program will also accept students
who are currently finishing their undergraduate studies. Students
are selected for admission based on academic background and
related work experience.
15. Can I submit letters of reference
from my employer instead of from former professors?
You are free to submit the references that you
believe best support your application. The committee would
prefer at least two academic references but recognizes that
professionals who have worked for several years may have difficulty
obtaining references from their undergraduate studies. In
those cases, relevant professional references are certainly
acceptable, but at least one reference from a professor who
knows your work is still preferred.
References can be submitted through the online application
electronic option, or through the mail to the Admissions Office
of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
16. Who can I talk to about my application?
If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Assistant Director, Ms. Arezou Raeisghasem at arezou AT ei.columbia.edu
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