Master's application checklist

Five supporting documents to be submitted

Five supporting documents are required for all applicants. Application materials must be received by January 15 for admissions consideration.

Read our five top tips for completing your master's application to get started!

1. Essays

The academic statement of purpose should be a concise essay about your professional and academic goals (500 words). The admissions committee is interested in how this graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. The academic statement is uploaded on page 9 of the application under the section titled "Program-Specific Information."

A personal statement is also required for all applicants (500 words). This statement is meant to convey how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree. The personal statement is uploaded on page 10 of the application under the section titled "Additional Essay and Information."

Both essays provide an opportunity for the applicant to convey to the admissions committee information that cannot be found in transcripts, letters of recommendation, test scores, or resumes. Essays should clearly explain the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue a Master of Public Policy, areas and questions of interest, and why the Ford School, in particular, is the best place to pursue these objectives. Applicants should be mindful that the statements are not only an opportunity to demonstrate their strong interest in public policy, but also to demonstrate their ability to communicate succinctly and clearly.

2. GRE test scores

At the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, we believe that our admissions policy should be comprehensive, equitable, and inclusive. Our values dictate that we recognize the significant financial investment that students make in coming to our program; we owe it to them to do all we can to ensure that they’re positioned to succeed. The GRE score is just one of many data points that help us consider this question holistically. GRE scores are used to help build a broad picture of the fit between program and applicant, and to help understand the support needs of each matriculating student as we prepare for them to succeed in statistics, program evaluation, economics, and other core MPP coursework.

Applicants to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program must either submit GRE test scores or meet one of the waiver criteria listed below. GRE scores are valid for up to five years after your test date and must be submitted from ETS directly to the University of Michigan using institution code 1839. You do not need to use a department code. 

GRE waiver criteria

As part of our holistic approach to admissions, the Ford School understands that prospective students may feel strongly that their personal, professional, and academic experiences can speak to their ability to succeed in the Ford School’s coursework. To that end, we offer an opportunity for prospective students to apply for a GRE waiver. Please note that you only need to satisfy one of the following criteria:

1. Professional experience. Applicants must demonstrate that they have completed five or more years of full-time, relevant work experience after receiving a bachelor’s degree or bachelor’s degree equivalent from another country. For a GRE waiver, this experience should include quantitative work, so please detail the quantitative nature of your professional experience, and provide examples, if appropriate.
2. Coursework. A student may have completed and received credit for a college-level course in Calculus with a grade of B or better. This includes college credit received for Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) Calculus courses.
3. Other entrance exams. Students with current GMAT scores may substitute these scores for the GRE. Students who are applying for a dual MPP/MD or dual MPP/JD degree may substitute MCAT or LSAT scores.

GRE Fee Reduction Program

Educational Testing Services (ETS; the company that owns the GRE), provides the GRE Fee Reduction Program. This program can reduce the GRE General Test registration fee by 50%, or $100. Additionally, those who register for the General Test will also receive free access to GRE test preparation materials which include two practice tests and a writing practice test. 
U.S. citizens or resident aliens who are college seniors or unenrolled college graduates who meet eligibility requirements, and who plan to take a GRE test in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may be eligible for the Fee Reduction Program. We encourage students to learn more about the Fee Reduction Program, and to contact ETS with any questions regarding the program.

The optional GRE Statement 

The admissions committee will consider GRE scores in the context of the entire application file. We invite applicants to provide information in the additional information section of the application to contextualize their GRE scores. If you are requesting a waiver, please fill out this form.

3. Resume or curriculum vitae

A current resume or curriculum vitae must be submitted. Applicants who apply online should attach this under the section asking for a resume. The resume is uploaded on page 8 of the application under the section titled "Employment History; Resume and Financial Assistance."

4. Letters of recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required and should reflect the academic and, if relevant, job capabilities and experience of the applicant. We encourage applicants to submit letters of recommendation electronically—please see the online application for instructions. If you have any questions or difficulty submitting your letters of recommendation, please email fspp-admissions@umich.edu.

5. Transcripts

All applicants: Please upload an official or unofficial transcript with your online application in ApplyWeb. You may also upload additional transcripts from any other institution you attended. Please note that if you wish to submit more than one transcript, you will need to combine them into one document to upload.

An official transcript from your undergraduate degree-granting institution must be submitted to Rackham Graduate School only after an offer of admission is made. Visit this link for information on how to submit an official transcript to Rackham Graduate School.

International applicants

International students must submit additional documentation with their application. Please see our International Applicant Materials for full requirements.

Dual degree applicants

Dual degree applicants may need to fill out additional documentation as well. Please see our Dual Degree Applicant page for information.

More information

For prospective students, please use this calendar to schedule appointments.