Welcome Week & Orientation at the Ford School

Welcome new students!

The official start of the school year, Welcome Week and Orientation (August 26–August 30) at the Ford School gives new students the opportunity to meet and engage with peers, faculty, and staff, and begin the process of preparing for the academic year.

MPP/MPA Orientation
Welcome Week helps students consider what it means to join a community like the Ford School and embark on a rigorous, professional degree path. During the week's activities, new students will be introduced to some of the school's core values of academic integrity, diversity, mutual respect, and constructive engagement. In addition, there are seminars on policy writing style, including resume preparation, are an important highlight, and students can opt to attend "math camp" or sit in on a review of calculus or microeconomics. Candidates will also participate in lunchtime Table Talks—a chance to get acquainted while discussing pressing policy issues.

BA Orientation
Our undergraduate program orientation will kick off on Friday, August 30th. The day will begin with a light breakfast, followed by a formal welcome from the Ford School community. Students will hear about career counseling, academic advisement, student involvement and alumni information. There will also be opportunities to meet staff, faculty and other Ford School students.

PhD Orientation
The joint PhD program is home to students doing a joint doctorate in Public Policy and Economics, Sociology or Political Science. During Welcome Week, new PhD students will be introduced to some of the school's core values of academic integrity, diversity, mutual respect, and constructive engagement. Like the Master's program, students can opt to attend "math camp" or sit in on a review of calculus or microeconomics. Students will also have the opportunity to have lunch with faculty and current PhD students.