Graduate Admissions Office
Second in a three part Q&A series, please read on for some favorite memories from the MPA class of 2019.
What is a favorite memory from outside of class?
There were a lot of gatherings, parties, and trips during the past two years. One memory that comes to mind is the service auction dinners. The WWS Service Auction is an event organized by the MPAs to raise money for a local charity. A typical auction item is a student-cooked meal. I had a...
Graduate Admissions Office
How many current Master in Public Policy (MPP) students can you spot amongst Seward Johnson’s Were You Invited?—which was inspired by French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s The Luncheon of the Boating Party. This sculpture resides at the Grounds for Sculpture, where our MPP students recently enjoyed an outing and happy hour after their second week of programming.
Just like the painting that inspired this sculpture—which captures the...
Graduate Admissions Office
Building on an earlier blog post on Urban Policy at the Woodrow Wilson School, this blog post will focus on the second of our optional certificates, the Certificate in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy.
We have four fields of concentration in our two Master’s degrees—the two-year MPA for those individuals earlier in their professional careers, and the one-year MPP for mid-career policy professionals. All students must indicate their...
Graduate Admissions Office
What’s unique about the Woodrow Wilson School’s approach to policy?
Our distinctive multidisciplinary course of study strikes a balance between theory and practice. Eighty-five full-time faculty members teach at the School, almost all of whom have dual appointments with other departments. Approximately 45 visiting professors, lecturers and practitioners from the world of public and international affairs also teach at the School. Our faculty...
Perhaps you are thinking about coming back to school after working full-time for a number of years. Maybe you’ve been in the for-profit sector and want to pivot to the public sector. Or maybe you are already in the public sector and want to hone your skills. Whatever the case, you may be wondering whether returning to school is the right move, and if so, whether the Woodrow Wilson School is the right place for you.
I was in your shoes at this...
The Evaluation of Transcripts & GRE Scores
The beauty of the admission process to schools of public and international affairs is that the applicant pool is relatively small in comparison to other professional graduate schools of law, business, engineering and medicine. We do not use a matrix or formula for GPAs and GRE scores because the content behind those points of data is what we value most. We focus mostly on your performance in courses...
How to Build Momentum in a Personal Statement
The personal statement must “smell authentic” meaning that it could never be possible to confuse it with any other applicant. To be compelling, your story must be told with humility while also highlighting your strengths and leadership. Begin your personal statement by telling your story of public service and your contributions to the public good. Define your passion for specific policy issues and...
The Dec. 15 deadline to submit MPA, MPP and Ph.D. applications for Fall 2017 is quickly approaching. The admissions office will post short reminders of what applicants should include as they complete their applications. Check back for more reminders and tips.
Letters of Recommendation
By virtue of the small class sizes of the MPA, MPP, and Ph.D. cohorts, admission to each program is competitive; in crafting a diverse class each year, it becomes...
The deadline to apply to our graduate degree programs (MPP, MPA, Ph.D.) is today, Dec. 15. We have compiled the top five frequently asked questions regarding the application process. Refer to this list before hitting submit!
What time is the application deadline?
11:59 p.m. EST
I submitted my application but do not see my GRE/TOEFL scores on the checklist. Why not?
Once you submit your application, it can take up to three weeks for your...
WWS Graduate Admissions Office
As you put the final touches on your applications to the MPA, MPP and Ph.D. programs, be sure to review the application tips recently posted to the admissions blog. For your reference, the links are posted below.
Getting In
Policy Memo Writing Tips
What Counts as Relevant Work Experience?
2016 Application Countdown, Part 1 - Letters of Recommendation
2016 Application Countdown, Part 2 - Personal Statement
2016 Application Countdown, Part 3 -...
WWS Graduate Admissions Office
The Ingredients of a Strong Résumé
Use a two page annotated format.
Begin with paid Professional Work Experience. Provide date, job title and employer. Under each one, provide a brief paragraph of your key assignments and important accomplishments. Some bullet points are fine, but be judicious; substance is more important than format.
Include a separate section on Leadership and Public Service. Include examples of leadership in college,...
WWS Graduate Admissions Office
The Evaluation of Transcripts & GRE Scores
The beauty of the admission process to schools of public and international affairs is that the applicant pool is relatively small in comparison to other professional graduate schools of law, business, engineering and medicine. We do not use a matrix or formula for GPAs and GRE scores because the content behind those points of data is what we value most. We focus mostly on your performance in courses...
WWS Graduate Admissions Office
GRE Scores and the Dec. 15 Deadline
WWS is flexible on the receipt of GRE scores for applicants who either retake the GRE or could not schedule the test before the Dec. 15 deadline. During the past 20 years, GRE testing has moved from paper- to computer-based administration, but not in all countries. The one constant is that it is difficult to control all of the externalities that affect taking the GRE, including:
unforeseen professional travel...
WWS Graduate Admissions Office
How to Build Momentum in a Personal Statement
The personal statement must “smell authentic” meaning that it could never be possible to confuse it with any other applicant. To be compelling, your story must be told with humility while also highlighting your strengths and leadership. Begin your personal statement by telling your story of public service and your contributions to the public good. Define your passion for specific policy issues and...
