BA Admissions Information

General Information

The application deadline is February 1. Students will be notified about admissions decisions by mid-April.

Pre-requisites for admissions to the program:

  • Econ 101 and 102 (Principles of Economics I and II)
  • One other introductory social science course, such as PUBPOL 201 (Systematic Thinking About Problems of the Day), PS 111 (American Politics), PS 160 (World Politics), Hist 161 (U.S. History, 1865 to the Present), Soc 100 (Principles of Sociology) or Soc 102 (Contemporary Social Issues), Comm 101 (The Mass Media)

Please check the FAQs section for commonly asked questions about admissions.

Apply Online

Applications are available for current U-M Ann Arbor students. Students should apply during their sophomore year and are admitted for their last two years of undergraduate study.

Students can apply online by following this link. When completing the application, please keep these details in mind:

  • The Ford School can access your U-M coursework, so you do not need to submit a transcript separately.
  • Although not required, if you have taken college-level coursework outside of U-M and would like the admissions committee to see your grades in those courses, you may send those transcripts to the Ford School BA Admissions, 735 South State St., 2245 Weill Hall, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
  • You are required to submit two short essays and a resume as part of your application. The resume should include extracurricular activities, past work, internships, student leadership positions, volunteer work, etc.

    The essay topics are as follows:
    • Explain how your background, your experiences inside and outside of class, your career aspirations, etc. have led you to apply to pursue a BA in public policy. Why do you think public policy is the right BA for you? (300 words)
    • Identify a contemporary policy issue that interests you and discuss the most important considerations that a successful solution to the problem would have to take into account. (400 words)

      Please upload all documents in Microsoft Word, PDF, or plain text format.

Contact us!

All of us in the Office of Student and Academic Services are available to talk with you, by email or in person, to answer questions and share information about the Ford School. For further information about our master’s program and to be included on our contact lists, please request more information. More questions? Please email Student Services or contact us by phone: (734) 764-0453.