Top 10 Tips for 2012 Application #1 Test Score Reporting COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

Top 10 Tips for 2012 Application #1 Test Score Reporting COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog We just finished one top 10 list and now we are on to another.   The first list dealt mostly with communication advice, this list will provide insight on the process of submitting your admission application to SIPA. One of the ways we seek to make the application process fast and easy is to accept self reported test scores for admission application review. To repeat, to be considered for admission to SIPA we do not require that official test score reports be on file. This includes the GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and IELTS. At SIPA, we only require official test scores reports if an admitted applicant chooses to enroll. Here are a few common questions we receive and reminders of how the process works in our office. Question: I sent my scores to SIPA some time ago, can you tell me if they have been received? Answer: Applicants self report test scores as a part of the online application process. When assembling a file for admission we do not look for official reports. When you request that official test reports be sent to SIPA, they are downloaded into a centralized computer system. We will not match application records to this system until after admission decisions have been made. Therefore, you should self report your scores when applying online. We print your application, do a manual check to make sure the necessary information has been included and then will update your record accordingly. We appreciate your patience as we work as quickly as possible to print and manually check each application after it has been submitted. Question: I emailed my scores to your office or mailed a paper copy, do I still need to self report the scores when submitting my application? Answer: Yes. Every applicant should self report the results of each test taken when filling in the online application. If the scores are not entered they do not appear when we print the application and this slows down the process. Question: I took the (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS) several times. How should I report my scores? Should I only list my top scores? Answer: As you can see in the screen shot below you can self report the total results for thee different exams for both the GRE/GMAT section and the English as a Second Language section. You should therefore report each test individually. Let us say that you take the GRE three times. We DO NOT want you to take your top three scores achieved and enter them as one exam. You should report your scores from all three exams in the three separate sections that are available to you. If you have taken a test more than three times, report your most recent three scores. Screen Shot From Application Site Showing Multiple Entry Areas to Report Test Scores Question: How late can I report my test scores? Answer: The application deadline is January 5th at 11:59:59 PM EST. This means that all of your application and all of the associated information should be submitted by this time. Therefore, you can report your test scores up until this time. Because we do not need official test scores to consider an applicant for admission, you do not need to worry about how long it will take the testing agency to report the scores to us, only concern yourself with being able to self report your scores by the deadline. Question: If I am admitted, when will my test scores need to be received by SIPA? Answer: Applicants that are admitted and pay a deposit to enroll are required to have official test scores in our office by June 15th. We will provide guidance on this process after admission decisions go out. If you have listed our test code when taking the exam more than likely we will have an electronic record in our mainframe system. Question: Is there a time limit on how long scores are acceptable? Answer: TOEFL and IELTS scores up to two years old are acceptable. GRE and GMAT scores up to five years old are acceptable.   The year periods relate to the admission deadline January 5th.   The tests must have been taken within 2 or 5 years of this date respectively. Question: When I am taking the exam and it asks for your school code, what number should I enter? Answer: See below we highly encourage you to list our code so that if you are admitted, we can work through the process faster. GRE Code: 2161 (do not list a department code) GMAT Code for MIA: QF8-64-56 GMAT Code for MPA: QF8-64-99 TOEFL Code: 2161