personal statement mpp

Breaking down the MPA/MPP personal statement, personal essay, and supplemental essay

Essays for graduate study cover a myriad of topics. Here at SPIA, we hope our essays help reflect and speak to our culture, our community, and our values—the stuff we care about. We require a variety of essays and short answer written responses, and each serves a slightly different purpose toward helping us to understand the academic and professional trajectory of each person as well as the motivation for graduate study at Princeton. No one thing is determinative in our process or application; we read each file individually and holistically, and admissions decisions are based on the totality of information in the file. 

The personal statement should answer the prompt and include an explanation of one’s commitment to a career in public service. We are interested in a clear description of the policy areas of interest to you and why you care about them as well as how your previous academic, personal, and professional experiences have shaped your career goals. We want to know why you want to enroll at SPIA, what you hope to gain from our program, as well as your career plans in terms of policy issues and agencies or organizations you wish to work with and why. We are looking to understand Why Princeton. Why now. And what’s next.

SPIA’s supplemental essay has long been the part of our application where we ask you to go beyond the other dimensions of the file and where we seek to get to know you on a more personal and individual basis. We all come from somewhere and it shapes us – both in who we become and what we value. We’re interested in your story and what shaped you. What do you value? This essay often helps us to further understand the person behind the paper.

This year, the Graduate School introduced the personal essay . The announcement of this essay reaffirms Princeton’s strong commitment to welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and experiences. It provides applicants an additional space to describe how their academic interests and life experiences will help them contribute to Princeton’s scholarly community. We hope to further understand how you will contribute to our tight-knit and vibrant campus community.

We understand there may be some similarities and overlap in how you interpret and write each essay. Our hope, of course, is that each essay will reveal something new and that each provides space and opportunity to translate through as rich and as full a description of your background, goals, and aspirations as possible. 

Through each of them, we are looking for you to tell us your story in the way that only you can.

5 MPA Personal Statement Tips for Driven Applicants

Most graduate degree programs require applicants to submit a statement of purpose, sometimes called a personal statement, along with their other application materials. The statement of purpose is your opportunity to tell your story, describe your motivations, and explain why you would be a good candidate for the program. 

But as a future Master of Public Administration (MPA) student, you must tailor your statement of purpose to your long term career goals specifically in the field of public affairs and public administration. Here are five tips to doing exactly that. 

Make yourself a competitive leader in public affairs; learn more about Cornell’s dedication to career management and professional development within the MPA program.

MPA Personal Statement Tips

When it comes to graduate school admission, the personal statement represents your chance to truly shine.  In addition to providing a tremendous opportunity to convey the quality of your writing to admissions committees, the personal statement allows you to highlight your purpose for pursuing graduate studies."   Thomas O’Toole Executive Director of Public Affairs Programming at the Cornell Brooks School

From specific motivations for applying to exploring your goals in public affairs, here are a few tips to submitting a fantastic statement of purpose . 

1. Be specific about why you're applying to the MPA program

Why is this the right time for graduate study for you .

You have many graduate programs to choose from — and there are myriad MPA programs to choose from across the country as well. For this reason, It is important to detail specifically why you are applying to the MPA program of your choosing: what aspects of the program are you drawn to? Why do you think you are a good fit for this MPA program in particular?

Be specific and really dive into your personal reasons for wanting to join the MPA program you are passionate about and be sure to include details regarding what you will contribute to the community at large

2. Make it personal to your unique experiences

Knowledge, skills, and abilities you will bring to enrich our community (why are you the right person).

What are your personal motivations for obtaining an MPA? What personal experience have inspired you to pursue a mission-driven, impactful career in public affairs ? These are incredibly important questions to answer within your personal statement as they provide context for what is going to drive you throughout your time in the program and beyond.

Detail the kinds of challenges or problems you have encountered during your lived experience and connect those to your dedication to impact societal, systemic change.

3. Describe your long term career goals related to public affairs.

How can the brooks mpa uniquely address your academic and professional interests (why is this the right place).

Within the field of public affairs and public administration, there are nearly countless diverse and dynamic career opportunities. Whether you want to work in environmental , economic , infrastructure , or social policy , there is a public service career for you . 

Take some time to evaluate your long term career goals and describe the specific role or industry in which you want to transform peoples’ lives for good.

4. Include relevant professional experiences that will augment your time in the MPA program.

You will want to highlight your professional accomplishments within your statement of purpose. Be sure to include examples of volunteer work, positions of responsibility, and any other life experiences that have contributed to your interest in public affairs.

In doing so, you will exemplify your dedication to professional development , show your commitment to lifelong learning, and demonstrate how you are well prepared to continue gaining the skills needed to lead in the field.

5. Proofread

You are strongly encouraged to proofread carefully before submitting your personal statement. There are no additional writing samples within the application–this is the best way to show what you are capable of. 

Because public affairs is a writing intensive field, writing quality matters. So this should tell you something about the weight we place on these essays in our overall evaluation.”

Proofread your personal statement multiple times to be sure everything is correct before sending it our way.

6. Be proud; be confident; be passionate.

The field of public affairs and public administration is one of the most transformative fields in existence today. 

Our industry is a deeply ‘human’ field, and the more your passion and motivation come through in your writing, the more success you will have in the application process.” 

Armed with an MPA, you will enter the field with the marketable skills needed to make a difference, and for that reason, you should be excited, proud, and confident in your decision to apply to the MPA program of your choice.

Here’s How to Apply to Cornell’s MPA Program

At the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, we make applying to the MPA program as easy and as accessible as possible. Here are the six steps you need to take to apply.

• Complete Cornell’s Online Graduate School Application . For questions pertaining to any technical issues or errors, contact the Graduate School office at 607-255-4884.
• Submit unofficial copies of your college and university transcripts. Do not send official transcripts to the MPA Program. Before matriculating, all admitted students will be required to submit an official transcript to the Graduate School. Review submission parameters on the Graduate School’s website .
• Submit your résumé and three letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional are acceptable).
• Applicants for whom English is a second language will need to meet minimum scores on either the TOEFL or IELTS exams. Required minimum scores on the TOEFL exam are: writing 20, listening 15, reading 20, speaking 22. Our field requirements for the IELTS exam are an overall score of at least 7.0.
• Submit both a Statement of Purpose and an Essay. ( See this page for more information .)
• You will be sent email instructions to participate in an online interview to complete your application.

Check out our recorded webinar about applying to the MPA program!

Jumpstart Your Public Service Career at the Cornell Brooks School MPA Program

You have the valuable opportunity to obtain a Master of Public Administration degree that will prepare you to launch your career in public service. 

Are you ready to take the plunge?

Take the first step in your next career venture by requesting information or starting your online application today. You can also visit our Webinar Library or Resource Library for additional webinar recordings and downloadable guides.

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• FindAMasters
• Public Administration Masters Personal Statement Sample

Written by Sarah Hastings-Woodhouse

This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Public Administration. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement .

What has always fascinated (and troubled) me about local and national governance is the enduring difficulty of implementing positive change, despite the best intentions of policymakers. Of particular interest are the deeply engrained political, social, and economic barriers that continue to impede our efforts to tackle the climate crisis.

My ultimate aspiration is to pursue a career in climate policy at the national level, to help combat one of the most urgent threats facing our own and future generations. My hope is that studying your Masters in Public Administration will equip me with the skills necessary to do so.

My Bachelors in Environmental Politics has equipped me with an in-depth knowledge of the ecological crisis we face, as well as the ways in which governments have attempted to address it, both in the UK and internationally. What became abundantly clear is that even where policymakers are ideologically united on the problem of climate change, many of the obstacles to implementing meaningful change are administrative, logistical, or bureaucratic.

For this reason, I was particularly interested in the aspect of your course that examines how we can improve collaboration between policymakers and scientists. I would love the opportunity to attain the management and leadership skills necessary to bridge the gap between politics and climate science, and to find innovative ways that experts can work together in our collective interest.

Outside of academia, I have gained extensive experience that I feel would be of relevance to this course. During my degree, I volunteered for the Green Party, which involved canvassing and helping with social media campaigns. I had personal interactions with our constituency’s candidate and gained valuable insight into the processes behind policy development and strategic communications.

After graduating, I completed a 12-week internship in the UK’s Civil Service, where I worked in internal communications. This allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of how governmental organisations operate, and how we can promote cohesion amongst members. I am interested in how this course can help me apply this understanding to the larger goal of uniting multiple sectors around a shared purpose.

Find a Masters in Public Administration

If you're interested in a studying Public Administration Science, then why don't you check out our regularly updated catalogue of available Public Administration Masters courses .

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Richenda Gambles

What should i include in my personal statement.

The personal statement plays a key role when our Admissions Committee are considering applications.

Your personal statement is your opportunity to succinctly tell us why we should accept you on our MPP.

It is usually the first thing we look at when assessing your application – and we want to see your commitment and motivation shine through. We ask you to answer four specific questions, as detailed on our admissions pages, with each response coming to no more than 200 words, and so a total piece of  no more than 800 words . Here we elaborate on what we want to hear about. 

Your motivation for studying an MPP

First up is a question about your motivation. Tell us clearly why you want to do the MPP and why it’s such a critical next step for you in relation to your focus on public service. Make clear how the MPP flows from what you have done to date and how it will cement the work and learnings you have had.

Commitment to public service

Second, we ask you to make clear the ways in which you are, and intend to remain, committed to public service. Here we want you to outline where you see your public service career going in the years following the MPP. What sort of work do you see yourself doing and how is the MPP essential for deepening your success with this?

Demonstration of impact

We look for change-makers and people who are able to work with others to get things done. So the third question we ask you is about the most significant and impactful work you have done to date. This could, for example, relate to your involvement in a university campaign on an issue of importance to you; or it could be a piece of work you have been involved with or led in your professional life. We want to hear about the specific role you played in this work, but also what you learnt from the experience and what, if you had a similar opportunity, you might do differently in the future.

Leadership qualities

We also want people who are leaders. Leadership can take many forms – being directly responsible for the delivery of a project; being key to the strategy for a piece of work to be executed by a group of individuals; or being someone who supports and enables others to also carry out a task. In the final question we want you to address, we want you to outline a situation where you have played a role in leading a project or a team. Tell us what you did, how you approached this, what you learnt from the experience ,and what you might do differently in the future.

The personal statement is your opportunity to showcase your motivation and achievements to date – as well as your ability to reflect on what you have done and how you want to further your learning through our MPP. It is a chance for us to understand the essence of what you are about and it always makes for a fascinating and inspiring read!

Richenda Gambles is Director of Admissions at the Blavatnik School of Government. Find out more about how to apply for the Master in Public Policy .

Master's application checklist

Online application.

The University of Michigan strongly encourages all applicants to apply online. The applications for the master's of public policy and the master's of public affairs are available through the Rackham Graduate School website . 

We are no longer accepting applications for the Fall 2024 term. The application for admission for the Fall 2025 term will open in September.

Program selection:  The Master of Public Policy (MPP) code is 00416 and the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) code is 02292. Indicate whether you are applying for a combined degree or submitting multiple applications with another department.

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!

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 or quantitative resume (MPP only)

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. The Ford School is committed to the success of the students we admit, starting with Springboard , a three-week summer program in quantitative reasoning and data analysis that we recommend to admitted students who need a longer quantitative on-ramp to prepare for starting the MPP.

Applicants to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program should either submit GRE test scores or demonstrate their readiness for our curriculum by submitting a quantitative resume as described 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. 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.

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.

Quantitative Resume

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 submit a quantitative resume in lieu of standardized test scores. This resume can include:

• Quantitatively intensive college-level coursework. The resume identifies a quantitatively oriented undergraduate major and/or multiple courses taken at the undergraduate or graduate level in statistics, economics, calculus, or social science research methods. List the name of the course, where it was taken, the grade received, and a short description of what content was covered.
• Work experience with a significant quantitative or analytical component. The resume identifies paid or volunteer work experience involving substantial data analysis, such as program evaluation or data-oriented research. The resume should identify the duration of this work experience, specific analytical skills that the applicant has learned, proficiency with statistical software, use of data visualization methods, etc. 

Update (10/26/2023): If you plan to apply within the next few weeks, please send your quantitative resume to us directly at [email protected] . Otherwise, an option to upload a quantitative resume should be available on the application within four weeks.

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. 

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 [email protected] .

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.

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Master of Public Policy (MPP)

• Entry requirements
• Funding and costs

College preference

• How to apply

About the course

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is an intensive one-year taught degree course that offers a distinctive approach to learning about public policy. It is a transformative opportunity for current and future leaders with a commitment to public service. Taught by outstanding academics as well as expert practitioners you will be uniquely positioned to develop academic knowledge and professional skills to address some of this century's most complex public policy challenges.

The MPP begins with a carefully planned programme of activities during the induction period which provides an introduction to policy making and advice on how to derive the greatest benefit from the MPP experience. The curriculum for the rest of the course is delivered via a series of lectures, seminars, case studies and workshops across three terms, and the summer project which is an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned through the programme in a public policy context.  

Policy challenges are becoming more complex every day and public leaders need to be able to use expertise from different specialist fields to find innovative solutions. For this reason, the curriculum integrates insights and approaches from a diverse range of academic disciplines and also includes modules delivered by leading policy practitioners. 

The current curriculum includes the following compulsory modules:

• Evidence and Public Policy
• Foundations (Philosophy and Public Policy)
• Law and Public Policy
• Policy Challenge I
• Policy Challenge II
• The Politics of Policymaking

You can also personalise your learning to meet your professional needs by choosing from a number of options as well as deepen your professional and practical skills through modules such as negotiation, communications, private finance and design thinking. You will also get to further sharpen your skills and exposure to real world policy challenges through a six-eight week summer project. It is expected that MPP students will be fully committed to their studies and take responsibility for their active participation in all aspects of the programme.

Alongside teaching, which can include lectures, case studies, workshops and seminars, you are encouraged to learn from each other, for example by forming study groups and arranging student-led talks and events. You will also be expected to undertake some self-directed study, including required and supplementary readings and case studies. In the case of required readings, you are expected to have read these in advance of the class to which they are assigned. The course page on the school's website provides further information about the course .

Public Policy 1+1 programme

You may also opt to apply for the MSc in Public Policy Research at the same time as applying for the Master of Public Policy (MPP) as part of the  Blavatnik School 1+1 programme . This two-year programme enables you to be accepted onto both degrees at the same time.

In order to be considered for the Public Policy 1+1 you must submit separate applications for the Master of Public Policy (MPP) and the MSc in Public Policy Research in the same admission cycle. You should follow the instructions in the  How to apply  section of each course page, paying particular attention to the personal statement and written work requirements for each course. You should state clearly that you wish to be considered for the Public Policy 1+1 programme in your personal statement.

Supervision

It is recommended that all students meet with their supervisors at least once a term. The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Blavatnik School of Government and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming students to work with a particular member of staff.  Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Blavatnik School of Government.

Your learning will be assessed for each module in a variety of ways. Current methods include examinations, open-book assessments, essays and in-class testing of a more practical nature.

Graduate destinations

The MPP prepares you to become a change-maker. The skills you acquire on the programme will enable you to find and use evidence effectively, communicate effectively, and make key decisions whether in government, non-governmental organisations or the private sector. You will learn to view uncertainty as opportunity and recognise the benefits of change, as well as recognise and respect the diverse range of perspectives you may encounter and work with.

Our alumni are exceptional achievers and change-makers who share a commitment to improving public service. Please see our Alumni website . When you join the school, you also join an incredible and lifelong community of peers, and an alumni network spread across the globe. These connections serve as powerful reminders for all of us of our shared commitment to public service and our desire to make a real difference in the world. Our alumni hold senior public sector positions in every global region, and include a UAE minister; elected representatives in Panama, Brazil, Ukraine, Canada and Mongolia; and senior civil servants across the world. Many more work in multilaterals and the third sector, including those who have founded NGOs.

In addition, students can benefit from the Blavatnik School’s professional skills programme and in conversation events with leading public policy and political figures, as well as access one-to-one careers advice at the University's Careers Service, which is very close to the Blavatnik School.

The MPP is a degree for professionals that trains people to hone their skills in policy making and analysis and is not designed to prepare you for research-based courses of study, such as the DPhil in Public Policy .

Successful graduates of this course may also progress to the  MSc in Public Policy Research as part of the  Blavatnik School 1+1 programme , provided that successful applications to both programmes were made in the same admission cycle and that all the requirements of the Blavatnik School 1+1 programme (shown on the programme page ) were met.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any discipline. 

Applicants should have an outstanding academic record with exceptionally high academic results throughout, or should show an impressive upward trajectory in performance. This may be further evidenced by scholarships or prizes awarded because of academic abilities/achievements or glowing academic references ranking you at the very top of your peer group.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is usually 3.7 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

You may also submit scores from a standardised test such as the GRE, GMAT or LSAT, though these are not required to complete your application. 

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

Publications are not expected.

Commitment to public service

In addition to academic and analytical ability, applicants are expected to demonstrate a high level of commitment to public service. You should demonstrate an ethos of public service evident in the trajectory of your chosen career path, whether this be in the public, private or NGO sector, and/or an outstanding record of achievement in volunteering. This ethos and commitment should also go beyond your own life and demonstrate that you are able to show regard for others in the broader community, and recognise why the perspectives of others might differ from your own.

Evidence of leadership and impact

Applicants should also demonstrate an ability to lead and have impact in their chosen field through devising or initiating projects which are innovative in nature and lead to real and lasting change. This does not necessarily need to be shown through traditional leadership positions. You should bear in mind that leadership often requires enabling and empowering others to succeed. Sometimes the highest-impact work is also the quieter work which takes place behind the scenes, facilitating the more visible contributions of others. These qualities of leadership, drive and entrepreneurialism may be demonstrated through voluntary, professional or other activities.

There is no preferred background for the MPP and applications are welcomed from all academic disciplines and professional backgrounds. Prior full-time or part-time professional experience is viewed favourably, because of the ways in which it can develop and enhance commitment to public service and evidence of leadership and impact.

Please note, in considering applicants’ achievements and their suitability for a place on the MPP, the Blavatnik School of Government takes a holistic approach and a range of contextual factors, looking at each applicant’s individual circumstances, will be taken into account.

Further guidance

• There are no age restrictions on the MPP and you are not required to come with prior professional experience. However the majority of successful candidates often bring at least a year or two of professional experience, if not significantly more. 
• The MPP is an applied degree and students will not be taught in-depth research skills. It will not prepare applicants directly for progression to research-based courses such as the DPhil in Public Policy. 
• In order to be accepted onto the DPhil applicants will be required to have completed a degree that provided the research training and skills necessary for their intended DPhil area of study. For more information on the DPhil entry requirements please see the DPhil in Public Policy .

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application, including references and an official transcript. See 'How to apply' for instructions on the documents you will need and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are not normally held as part of the admissions process.

Any offer of a place is dependent on the University's ability to provide the appropriate supervision for your chosen area of work. Please refer to the ‘About’ section of this page for more information about the provision of supervision for this course.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed on academic merit and potential, according to the published entry requirements for the course, and evidence relating to commitment to public service and leadership and impact. The  After you apply  section of this website provides  further information about the academic assessment of your application , including the potential outcomes. Please note that any offer of a place may be subject to academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions may vary depending upon your individual academic circumstances.

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• Socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot on selection procedures  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• Country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• Protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Further information about processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  information about using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

After an offer is made

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer letter will give full details of your offer and any academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course.  In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any relevant, unspent criminal convictions before you can take up a place at Oxford.

At the Blavatnik School of Government there is a dedicated MPP study area as well as additional study spaces elsewhere in the building, some of which can be pre-booked.

Students also have access to the student common room, in addition to the communal facilities such as the café and the Inamori Forum. The school runs an extensive range of events and brings public policy leaders to the school to inspire and mentor students. 

The Blavatnik School does not have its own library because most reading material is made available electronically. However, students can choose to study in a number of the University’s many excellent libraries as well as at their college library. 

The Blavatnik School benefits from its own ICT team, which provides support and advice to students. Students are expected to bring their own laptop.

Students are strongly encouraged and supported to organise their own peer learning and social activities. 

Blavatnik School of Government

The Blavatnik School of Government is a global school committed to excellence in leadership and public policy education and to pursuing a vision of a world better led, better served and better governed.

Founded in 2010, the Blavatnik School is one of the newest and most vibrant departments of the University of Oxford and it has already developed an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching and research.

It fosters a dynamic programme of policy-relevant and academically excellent research that has the potential for positive, real-world impact. Through innovative graduate courses, it brings the latest research and practice right into the classroom so that you can be a part of discovering and advancing knowledge on the cutting edge of public policy challenges. 

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is an intensive one-year graduate degree, taking a broad view of how public policy is made, implemented and evaluated at local, regional and global levels. The Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Public Policy offers an opportunity to pursue academically rigorous research on a policy-relevant topic and can be taken full time over three years or part time over six to eight years. The MSc in Public Policy Research is a one-year graduate degree, offering training in the applied research skills needed to produce impactful research and inform public policy decisions. The Public Policy 1+1 programme combines, first the Master of Public Policy (MPP) and second, the MSc in Public Policy Research. Candidates will receive individual awards for each of the two programmes. 

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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the school's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Information about course fees

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

If your application is successful, you will be asked to pay a deposit against your course fees at the application stage as a condition of your offer. The deposit amount and date by which payment must be made are shown below.

The department's website provides  further information about deposits for this course .

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs. However, as part of your course requirements, there may be costs associated with the summer project, depending on the type and location of the placement, such as travel and accommodation expenses. You can find out more about the summer project on the Blavatnik School of Government website. You will need to meet any additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from the school or your college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

If you are applying for the Public Policy 1+1 programme and wish to state a college preference, you will need to choose a college from the list of colleges that accept applicants for the Public Policy 1+1 programme.

Master of Public Policy

The following colleges accept students for study on this course:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Jesus College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Mansfield College
• New College
• Nuffield College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

The following colleges accept students for this course when studied as part of the Public Policy 1+1 programme:

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

Completing your application.

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents . 

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Referees: Three overall, academic and/or professional

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

References are invited to evaluate the applicant’s achievements within the selection criteria of academic and analytical excellence, commitment to public service and leadership and impact. It is recommended that you seek out referees that are familiar with your achievements and who can provide substantial personal evidence in support of your application.

You must submit at least one academic reference from your current or most recent institute of study. The other two may be either academic or professional but each must speak to your analytical ability and suitability for the course.

Current master’s students, or those who have completed a master’s degree, are required to submit a reference from their supervisor or course director on the master’s programme. If you do not provide an academic reference that meets the criteria listed above, you will be asked to do so before the assessment of your application can be completed.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

A CV/résumé is compulsory for this course. Most applicants choose to submit a document of one to two pages highlighting their academic achievements and any relevant professional experience.

Personal statement/statement of purpose: A maximum of 800 words

Your personal statement must be structured as follows, and answer all the questions below:

• What motivates you to apply for the MPP? Why is it critical for your next steps in public service? (200 words)
• Outline your career plan for the next 5-10 years and explain how your work will serve others and drive positive change (200 words)
• Describe the most significant and impactful work you have done. What could you have done differently to be more impactful? (200 words)
• Describe a situation where you had to lead a project and/or a team. What was the outcome and what did you learn from the experience? (200 words)

In your answers to the above, please be as specific and detailed as possible.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

You may also use your personal statement to explain any special circumstances relating to any element of your application that you wish to bring to the attention of the assessors.

If you would like to be considered for the Public Policy 1+1 programme you should state this clearly in your personal statement (in addition to making a separate application for both courses). You will need to upload a separate personal statement specific to each application when you apply. Details on what should be included in each personal statement can be found in the How to apply section of each course page.

The personal statement should be written in English and will be used to assess:

• your commitment to public service
• evidence of proven or potential leadership and impact
• general suitability for the MPP programme.

Written work: Two essays, one of a maximum of 1,500 words and one of a maximum of 400 words

You must not submit work which was produced in conjunction with others. You should also appropriately reference your work, using the  university’s guidance on referencing .

The word count must be adhered to and listed at the end of the body of written work. The total word count should exclude any footnotes, annotations or bibliography used.

Reflective policy essay (maximum 1,500 words)

You are required to submit a reflective policy essay based on the following brief:

• Write about a situation you experienced where a lack of good policy and/or poor implementation created an undesirable outcome (300 words)
• Write an analysis from the perspective of a public servant, citizen or commentator – whichever you feel is closest to your experience – of what went wrong, what could have been done differently, and propose recommendations that would produce better outcomes going forward (1,200 words)

This must be entirely your own work and written in English.

If you are applying as part of the Public Policy 1+1 programme, please note that the documents required to apply for each of these two programmes are different. Please make sure you refer to the ‘How to apply’ instructions on both course pages for further information on the application requirements.

Public service essay (maximum 400 words)

You are also required to submit a short essay relating to public service. The Blavatnik School cares greatly about nurturing people who want to commit fully to public service. Your second piece of written work should therefore give us an example of a situation where you have demonstrated this and how you plan to further your commitment in the future.

This written piece will be assessed for evidence of your commitment to public service and your ability to articulate the contribution your work has made and the impact it has had.

Detection of plagiarism

Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. All published and unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is covered under this definition. Plagiarism may be intentional or reckless, or unintentional. The test for determining if plagiarism has taken place is quite simple: has material been included in this piece of work without adequate referencing? If the answer to this is ‘yes’, then plagiarism has occurred. Therefore, when taking information from a source it is important that the source is fully acknowledged.

Plagiarism and collusion are serious offences and in order to protect the credibility of the application process applicants are required to submit an electronic copy of their work. All applications are put through plagiarism detection software to identify applicants submitting an application that is not their own original work.  More information about plagiarism  can be found on our plagiarism page. 

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply

Applicant feedback

The Blavatnik School of Government receives a very large number of applications and enquiries each year. In the interest of making the admissions process as impartial and fair as possible, it is not possible to offer feedback to some candidates when the privilege cannot be extended to all. Therefore, the department cannot provide individual guidance on suitability for the course, but would rather encourage you to read the selection criteria carefully and judge for yourself whether your application would meet them.

Each year is a separate admissions cycle and being unsuccessful in one year does not necessarily mean that an application would also be unsuccessful in the next.

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 5 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Blavatnik School of Government

• Course page on the school's website
• Funding information from the school
• Academic and research staff
• Current students and alumni
• Research  at the school
• Social Sciences Division
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 614343

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Other courses to consider

You may also wish to consider applying to other courses that are similar or related to this course:

You can study this course as part of our  public Policy 1+1 programme , combining the Master of Public Policy and MSc in Public Policy Research.

Oxford 1+1 MBA

You can study this course in combination with our MBA, as part of our  1+1 MBA programme .

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Getting Into Grad School: Writing a Personal Statement

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As a first generation student, I had very little in the way of background knowledge when it came to applying to grad school. My chosen school,  McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy , was highly competitive, and it took me months to build up the courage to begin my application. Once I started my application, I felt even more lost, and intimidated, by the process.

I needed help. So, I reached out to a community of other first generation students, a group called the  Shoestring Initiative , and asked for somebody, anybody, to offer me whatever advice they could spare.  Elaine Laberge , who went on to become my friend and mentor, kindly offered me her full support. Her support remains something for which I am deeply grateful.

I wrote more drafts of my personal statement than I can count, as I simultaneously worked to format my CV and to collect the needed reference letters. It was the statement, however, that I found the most challenging. How do you summarize your life in 1,000 words or less?

Elaine helped me. She offered words of support, and reviewed draft after draft of my letter. I submitted my application to the Max Bell School of Public Policy on the final day of applications, having wanted every last minute to edit my letter.

I got in. And, I received a scholarship, a much-needed relief after already having taken on debt for my undergrad.

In August of 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, I started my studies at the Max Bell School of Public Policy. My first class was taken in my parent’s basement. In July of 2021, I graduated from Max Bell. I was the first of my family to receive a Bachelor’s degree, and in 2021, became the first with a Master’s degree as well.

However, without the support of my family, friends, and community, I don’t think I would have even been accepted, let alone have graduated. Without the generational knowledge of post-secondary institutions, grad school can be far more challenging than it otherwise would be. Even getting in can be needlessly difficult. And so, I want to share my experience in applying to grad school, as well as my actual personal statement, for any other first generation students, or anyone, really, who may be struggling. Below, please see the letter that got me into grad school, a letter that I could not have written without the support of of Elaine, and a letter that, I hope, can support other students. Please feel free to use my letter as a guide for what sort of information to include within your own unique personal statement, and as a framework for what formatting can look like.

Here it is:

Practical policy: On wanting to enact tangible change

In mid-October 2015, the political tensions were reverberating across Canada. I was just a few months too young to vote, and was taking my first ever class on Canadian politics. On October 20th, I went to class, where the historical event of the night before wasn’t even mentioned. No discussion on shifting political ideology, on voter turnout, or on the range of federal policies that would soon be implemented by our new government. When I walked out of that class that day, I decided that it was critical for me to learn more about the tangible ramifications of political theory, versus focusing purely on the abstract. I saw so many problems in the world around me, and desperately wanted to use what I learned in school to find solutions. For me, it was this desire that became the driving force of my university career.

At 19, I was becoming more engaged with activism, specifically around food policy. Eventually, I was hired to manage my campus food bank. I’ve always worked while being a student, and while running a food bank and being a full-time student was difficult, I enjoyed the challenge. While working on a shoestring budget, I fed up to 200 students a day, while also developing food security policy with the University of Victoria’s Student’s Society. It seemed ridiculous that here, in a well-off city, at a well-funded university, we had hundreds of students going hungry. Although I was not in a position to make structural changes, I learned the importance of  in-the-meantime  shifts and small-scale policy solutions. To further support students in a respectful and relational way (i.e., not shaped by a deficit-based premise or perpetuating stigmatization), I led over 10 workshops and events on topics ranging from preparing food while living with a disability, to supporting local food systems to navigating food labels.

At this point in my schooling, I was drawn to the broad-reaching ramifications of political insecurity, civic “disobedience,” and climate change on global food systems. Through an intersectional lens, coupled with my lived experiences of food insecurity, I directly applied this knowledge at work. For me, education was also meant to play a practical role, and I was privileged to hold a job where I could directly apply what I’d learned in class.

Although working full-time, carrying a full course, and honouring my familial obligations occasionally impacted my GPA, in my third year as an undergraduate, I was published for the first time. “She was asking for it: How Canadian media supports rape culture” (2018, p. 12) was written in the wake of the  #MeToo  movement. The article pays particular attention to the deeply biased reporting of sexualized violence committed against Indigenous women. Just as the grassroots  #MeToo  movement was sweeping the world, so too did the Victoria Women’s March sweep Victoria. I played a central role in organizing the event on the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples’ traditional territory, and galvanized city-wide engagement. Alongside a small but dedicated group of volunteers, the march was rounded out by speeches from Indigenous matriarchs, Tsastilqualus Nation representatives, and the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre. The classroom conversations we’d had on feminist theory suddenly felt a thousand times more relevant.

By graduation, three of my academic papers had been published, the food bank had a successful assortment of programs and policies, and I was more engaged with political action than ever. Around this time, I was volunteering with the  British Columbia Council for International Cooperation , working on their program, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Youth Bootcamp. In July of 2019, myself and 19 other young people attended the United Nations High Level Political Forum on the SDGs in order to ensure youth voices were represented at the highest level of policy making. While there, we hosted an event on intergenerational equity at the Canadian consulate, and spoke to the fact that future generations must also be considered in policy making. Intergenerational equity remains a critical lense through which I view policy.

Also in the spring of 2019, just prior to my graduation, I represented the riding of Victoria at an event called  Daughters of the Vote , for politically engaged young women, in the House of Commons. For the first time, I truly experienced politics in action. Upon my return, I immediately applied for a position with Alistair MacGregor, Cowichan — Malahat — Langford MP, NDP. Three days after my convocation, I began work at his constituency office, and later began working on his re-election campaign. I am thrilled to be engaged in learning to navigate the political side of daunting public and social policy issues such as food security, gender equity, and climate change; issues that were critical elements within the local debates, while also bringing sustainable development goals to life on both a deeply localized scale and at the national level. In short, in my current role, my interest in public and social policy continues to flourish. This  is  my passion.

My interest in the Max Bell Master of Public Policy (MPP) program is shaped by my dedication to addressing the concerns that have dominated my life and those of other marginalized individuals, families, communities, and nations: food security, gender equity, and social justice. Part of my values are a commitment to making meaningful and tangible differences to tackle systemic inequality and injustice. Second, the program combines theory with practical skills and effective policy implementation. Specifically, the program offers unparalleled opportunities to create accessible and applicable policies for real organizations within the Policy Lab. Third, I will learn from professors who are practitioners and learn alongside similarly motivated and engaged students. Finally, I firmly believe that I will find a home in the MPP teaching program. It is a place where I can build upon my five years of political and social advocacy and public policy work. Through the program, I will attain the knowledge and skills that I can apply in building a career in social and public policy.

Max Bell School of Public Policy's MPP Program

We prepare students for public policy careers in the government, private and non-profit sectors at the local, national and international levels. Discover our 11-month MPP program and how to apply.

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Anil Wasif on Bangladesh's Current Political Upheaval | Policy Magazine

Canada-India Relations | The Globe and Mail

Accelerating Canada's Green Energy Transition | Toronto Star

Tackling the Negative Implications of a Less-Cash Society | CBC News

Jennifer Welsh on The Sunday Magazine | CBC News

Department and University Information

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School of Public Policy

Solutions for the Region, Solutions for the World

Admission Requirements

The MPP Admissions Committee uses a holistic approach when reviewing a candidate’s file for admission. Our holistic approach includes multiple indicators such as the candidate’s past academic performance and professional profile, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. The committee also considers leadership and work experience, internships, and volunteerism, but it is not required for admission. The committee carefully reviews and considers all of these indicators in selecting successful candidates. 

Application Requirements

To apply, you must complete an online application through the UCR Graduate Division website . Applications for Fall 2024  are now open (more information available on the Graduate Division website). You will be required to provide:

• Students with less than a 3.0 GPA are still encouraged to apply
• 3 letters of recommendation
• The personal statement and statement of purpose are an opportunity for the admissions committee to learn about your interest in public policy, goals for the future, and how your experience (e.g., personal, work, volunteer, leadership) has prepared you for the MPP program. Each statement should be about two pages in length, double spaced, and included as attachments.
• Courses in Statistics, Economics, and Political Science are strongly recommended, but not required 
• GRE is not required
• TOEFL or IELTS scores - for international students only

Download the Graduate Application Guide to assist you in submitting a complete graduate application.

Important Dates

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for fall. January 5th, 2023 is the priority deadline to be considered for funding.
• GRE not required
• Info Sessions

Attend admissions events such as college fairs and information sessions where you can learn more about our MPP program:

• Recruitment Fairs

Apply for the MPP program via the UCR Graduate Division website

FAQ: Admissions & Application

Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA in their last two years of coursework (Junior & Senior years). The admissions committee uses a holistic review in determining an applicant’s eligibility for admission. Students that may be slightly lower than the 3.0 GPA are still encouraged to apply as the committee will also take into consideration: letters of recommendations, personal statement, statement of history, reasons for pursuing public policy, and prior work/volunteer/internship/research experience.

No. Students are strongly encouraged to complete a course in Statistics, Economics, and Political Science to be better prepared for program curriculum.

No. If you have taken the exam, students are encouraged to submit their scores as part of the admissions review process.

Statement of Purpose: Goals and Qualifications

The statement of purpose allows you to address specific interests with respect to the program to which you are applying. The following information should be included in this statement:

• Explain how your interest in public policy developed. Why are you wanting to pursue an MPP?
• Think about what you would like to do post-graduation. Do you want to work in a non-profit? Do you see yourself working for the public sector whether it be with an elected official, city, county, state government, or working with a special district? What do you see yourself doing?
• Talk about, and provide examples of policy issues, that you are passionate about and why?

Statement of Personal History

In an essay, discuss how your experiences — personal, work, volunteer, leadership, — have prepared you for the MPP program. Have there been any issues that have adversely impacted your academic performance?

Please note that the Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Statement of Purpose.

Applications for the fall term will be available online on October 1. The priority filing deadline (to be considered for a higher funding package) is January 5th . The program will continue to accept applications after January 5th on a rolling basis. Please connect with the Program Coordinator to inquire about the deadline, post-January 5th.

https://spp.ucr.edu/mpp/tuition-and-fees

While many Master programs typically do not provide funding to students, we are able to provide a small amount of funding to students being considered for admission. The average financial package is approximately $12,000 + one quarter of employment. Financial packages can take one of three forms.

• Fellowship support
• Employment-based aid: Teaching Assistant or Graduate Student Researcher
• A combination of the above: Fellowship + employment

While we can provide some form of financial support, students are still taking out loans. For more information on graduate student loans please visit the Financial Aid website.

Students will need to provide the name and contact information for a minimum of three recommenders, one of which needs to be a faculty member. Students may list more than three recommenders, however three is the minimum.

Your recommenders will receive an email asking for them to upload their letter of recommendation. Please ensure that your recommenders email address is correct. If your recommender indicates they did not receive the email, please have them check their Junk folder

Students will need to upload their unofficial transcripts and a copy of their resume.

International students, please see the documents (transcripts, degree certificates, and English-translations) that need to be submitted at the time of application submission.

Students will need to contact the Graduate Division to request an application fee waiver. Please visit the Fee Waiver page for additional information.

All students whose first language is not English and who have not earned a bachelor’s degree equivalent, at an institution where English is not the language of instruction are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS exam scores. Please visit the Graduate Admissions website for score minimums.

https://graduate.ucr.edu/apply

FAQ: Program and Campus Information

The MPP program is designed to be completed in two-years. Students will take 12 units (3 courses)/quarter for a total of 72 units.

No. Students need to be enrolled full-time (three courses/quarter).

No. The degree program is fully in-person.

Through Spring 2025, courses are taught Monday through Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m..

Beginning in Fall 2025, courses will be taught Monday through Friday, mostly during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m..

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The MPP program does not have concentrations. Students are encouraged to take their elective courses from a broad variety of areas: environmental policy, urban policy, health policy, education policy, and social justice and policy.

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Woodrow Wilson School MPA and MPP Personal Statement

posted on November 12, 2015

“Your personal statement should showcase your strengths and provide an overview of your background, goals, academic and professional aspirations, and a commitment to public service. The personal statement should be approximately two to four pages. If you wish to address any weaknesses in your application, it is better to write a separate, succinct, fact-based explanation as an addendum.” You have two to four pages to say what you need to say, which is a wide range and gives you space to work with. Just because they give you four pages doesn’t mean you  need to fill the full four pages. A well written and concise statement is better than filling it the to the max. Let’s start with the last phrase which is critical to this application component, “ a commitment to public service .” Think hard about what your commitment to public service actually is. What they’re really asking is: what draws you to this work?  Why have you chosen to pursue a career in public service? When answering, don’t fall into platitudes, like “I want to serve my country” or “I care about using policy to improve the lives of others.” Go personal. The personal statement is the place where your application comes alive and you become more than test scores and transcripts. If you’re having trouble articulating what it is that really motivates you, sit down with a friend or family member and have them interview you, probing for stories that have influenced you along the way. This should draw out the elements of public service that stimulate you the most, the elements that cause you to want to get up in the morning and work long days. Again, the more personal the better. Show the depth of your personality and the basis for your commitment to public service. “ Goals, academic and professional aspirations . “ This is another section that trips up many applicants. Make sure you’re clear in your goals, that you describe them in a compelling way, and that they make sense, particularly for this program. Academic and professional aspirations may be slightly different from other goals or they may be one and the same; I find it most helpful to think of them all together. One way to tackle this is to lay out 3, 5, 10 and 20 year goals. You may not choose to write about all of them, but it’s a way to think about where you’re going, where you want to end up, and everything along the way. Once you think you have a good set of goals to include in the personal statement, run them by someone else alongside the articulation of your commitment to public service and make sure the two complement each other. Finally, your   talk about your  background . This is just another space Woodrow Wilson is allowing you to tell your story. Hopefully, your answer is linked to your commitment to public service and you can tell them about where you come from and/or what you’ve done academically and professionally. How does what you are saying support the arc, or continuity, of your story? You want the admissions officer reading your statement to get a sense of you as a person, what makes you tick and why. You want to give them facts that support your claims and goals. Don’t regurgitate your resume or your transcripts–they have those in front of them. If you need ideas, mention a job you had or a course you took (only if you have more to say about it). Was it a pivotal time for you? Did it shift they way you thought about something? If yes, then feel free to mention. Finally, think about this: if you had 3 minutes of time in front of the person making the decision about your acceptance, would what you say to sway them? Why you? Make sure to include this in your personal statement. (Note: Contrary to some other programs that may encourage you to address weaknesses in your application in the personal statement, WWS specifically tells you not to do this and instead discuss those in an addendum. Pay attention to this and don’t include this in the Statement. Following the rules is the #1 rule of these applications.) Once you feel happy with the content of your statement, have a few friends read it over to make sure they come away with the message you intended. Ask them what their take-aways were after reading your statement and what they’ve learned about you as an applicant. This will provide valuable insight into how compelling your essay is. After you’ve made any adjustments these conversations generate, next ask 2-3 people (and it could be the same people) to read it over for grammar errors and typos. There is no excuse for these mistakes in your personal statement. Don’t give the admissions officer any reason to discount your otherwise great story! 

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International public policy personal statement example.

It was only when I attended a Model United Nations conference in high school did I consider studying international relations, negotiating with other representatives and putting out my viewpoints that lightened me up. Therefore, I chose International Relations and Diplomacy as my bachelor major.

Growing up in China with my parents being teachers, I am profoundly influenced by Confucianism and relevant theories. Li Ji (“The Book of Rites”) builds up the law system of ancient Chinese society, and its theory “Cultivate the moral self, then regulate the family, rule the country rightly and make the world stay in harmony.” has been my motto since I entered my university. Policy, as the implementation of state’s administration theory binding with its concrete situation, promote the development of social progress. Hence, I resolve to continue my international relation study in an advanced and more practical area——International Public Policy.

In terms of self cultivation, learning various International Relations and political theories help me to define the current situation in the world. “Reading thousand books, travelling thousand miles” — conveys the message that a person should build up his or her wisdom with both knowledge in books and experiences. I am very interested in geopolitics theory and Robert Kaplan’s book “The Revenge of Geography” which illustrates the potential conflicts that might happen at borders of countries and continents. Also I got inspired by Samuel P. Huntington’s “The Clash of Civilizations” and figured out the potential relevance between the country’s geo-position and its culture. All these lead me to respect other cultures when I am aware of the possible formation of them.

Having lots of experiences in communicating with foreign students and teachers in my college especially the precious experience of being an exchange student in Finland, I had multiple courses about European Union, United Nations, western democracy and so on.

By learning other countries’ policy administration and sharing thoughts with foreign students, I broadened my horizon and expand my vision as well. Moreover, the recent intern experience in WWF China provides me the chance to apply theory to practice. I engaged in the planning and execution of the project “One Planet City Challenge” and “Low-Carbon City Campaign” in China, from which I realized the society is beset with disparities.

While UNFCCC forums achieved great success and have launched protocols and agreements, countries still hold different considerations of their own interests. When it comes to the biggest developing country — China, the implement of energy-saving regulations and instructions also faces challenges and barriers. I once attended the China Coal Conference, in which different stakeholders hold different perspectives and some even believed it wrong to limit the usage of coal in rural areas for the cost of gas and other substitutes is much higher.

International negotiations and communications have significant effect towards policy making. By communicating and sharing thoughts with other delegates in Model United Nations that hold different opinions or profit interests, I realized that the implement of International Relations theories — mostly public policies indicate the specific reality and situation of the stakeholder — normally the state. Being the vice president of the Student Union, I found the Union as a smaller version of the UN, thus academic knowledge and theories can fit in the daily work to enhance efficiency as well as obtain more profits. So herein lies my appeal for further study of international public policy.

As the biggest developing country in the world, China builds up the “Belt and Road” project, providing broad markets to developing and developed countries en route, leading developing countries’ development, which is deeply influence by the aforementioned theory “Rule the country rightly and make the world stay in harmony”. Holding the dream to improve the situation and condition of developing countries, I set myself a goal to advance my study in UCL as this old university has the best political and social faculty, not to mention its global impact. I firmly believe the upcoming study experience will provide me a new platform, and I hope I can reciprocate the favor and contribute to the diverse student body, and the globalization progress as well.

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There is no profile associated with this personal statement, as the writer has requested to remain anonymous.

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Universities applied: University College London (offer) King's College London (offer) University of Warwick (offer) University of Edinburgh (offer)

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SOP & LOR

SOP for Public Policy: How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Masters in Public Policy (MPP)?

Aspirants with a background in economics, law, finance, philosophy, management architecture, and other public policy related majors can apply for Masters in Public Policy (MPP). Here, a statement of purpose for public policy will play an important role in the application to some of the top public policy schools like Harvard.

This is because these schools assess student’s capabilities like critical thinking and creativity through writing samples along with problem-solving and decision-making skills evident from your portfolios. Similarly, other key capabilities can be highlighted and substantiated through your statement of purpose for masters in public policy.

So how can one design an impressive SOP for public policy program? Let’s discuss that at length and understand the intricate facets of a good statement of purpose for public policy.

Ans. Keep the length of the statement of purpose for masters in public policy within 800-1000 words. However, have word counts defined as part of the online applications. For example, the University of Oxford requires an 800-word statement of purpose for public policy. What can lead an SOP for masters in public policy to be rejected right away? Ans. Plagiarism and poor syntax can get your sample statement of purpose for masters in public policy rejected. What is the best writing style of an SOP for masters in public policy? Ans. Conversational writing keeps the narrative engaging. So, write your SOP effectively maintaining a positive tone. Creative and critical writing abilities are a plus! How many SOPs to write for Public Policy? Ans. Each university requires a separate and original SOP. Hence, you need to write a different sample statement of purpose for masters in public policy for every university you’re applying to. Along with SOP, Universities require program-specific writing samples as part of applications. How to save and submit your SOP? Ans. SOPs have to be uploaded in PDF as part of the applications. This makes your SOP look professional and eliminates the possibility of any formatting inconsistencies. Universities may also provide forms to paste contents of SOP as part of applications with or without the option to upload it. How to Draft an SOP for Public Policy? To structure your public policy statement of purpose examples properly, brainstorm, free-write, and collect your thoughts. Your SOP should be a dive into relevant life experiences, academic and professional background (if applicable), career goals, co-curricular activities, volunteering/community involvement, and more. So, refer to the effective guidelines and draft a stellar sample SOP for public policy. Introduction What motivated you to choose public policy as your interest? What is the strongest experience that led you to choose this field? For example , how witnessing the living conditions of your domestic help appalled you enough to question the policy structure of your government, making you dive into the research of policy issues, and eventually leading you to pursue a career in the same. Write your introduction with an attention-grabbing experience that is suggestive of your journey into the field. As another way, you can also begin with a research problem statement that you consider exploring in your future master's program. The reason for this is that some universities directly want a research proposal in the form of an SOP. , The University of Oxford assesses your eligibility through your commitment to public service. Thus, it is advisable to start your SOP with an anecdote that highlights a problem around you or in your community/society, how it affected you, and the measures you took or can be taken to improve that. Second Paragraph Following the introduction, build a paragraph discussing relevant academic and life experiences that have supported your interest. How has each of these experiences pivoted your thought process, streamlined it, or altered it? Here, you can discuss relevant undergraduate experiences or courses in which you developed a particular interest. For example, you must have developed an interest in interior public policy or behavioural sciences. Do write about a few course specifics and how these led you to develop your portfolio and inspired you to work on projects relevant to public policy. You can discuss interesting projects you have worked on or relevant co-curricular experiences worth sharing. Make sure that your experiences align with your interest in the Public Policy program you’re applying for. For instance, if you are applying for MPP, your research project on policies to ensure a safe internet browsing environment, where you examine current policy issues and identify problems regarding the subject, will be a relevant experience to illustrate. Third Paragraph If you have faced any setbacks in your academics, this is the place to mention them. If you just made the cut or have lesser scores, you can mention that here. Have you faced any other unique challenges or setbacks that have redefined your perspectives or interests? How did you overcome these challenges and what is/are the positive outcomes of these experiences? It’s essential to reflect on the lessons from these experiences to underscore your resilience.   Fourth Paragraph Interested in co-curricular activities? You can discuss all about them in this paragraph. Remember that Universities are interested to know more than just academics. So, go ahead and speak about your hobbies, social work, volunteering, etc here. You can also discuss workshops or certifications which you have taken to upgrade your skills. However, it’s very important to not make the sample SOP for public policy an embellished version of your resume. Fifth Paragraph If you have work experience at any organization, add it here. In case you do not have any, you can also discuss your internship experiences, reflecting on your specific learnings and take-aways. Find a knowledge gap in your career and focus on that or the need for you to go for MPP at this stage of your life. How has the work experience/s influenced your career goals? Why do you wish to go for a master's now? Define your short-term and long-term goals. How will the master's program from a specific public policy school help you achieve these goals? How does the program align with your areas of interest? Public Policy schools like to assess your conviction in applying to their programs. Justify your reasons for the choice of the school and the program. Make an effort to understand the values of the school and devise this paragraph accordingly. Remember that your conclusion needs to be equally engaging as your introduction. It should leave the reader with a satisfying impression. What capabilities equip you to contribute to the University? How can you be an asset to the University? What activities, clubs, sports, student associations, groups, etc, piqued your interests? What diverse experiences do you bring to your future graduate community? Conclude your SOP with your expectations from the program and how you look forward to receiving, assimilating, and contributing to new knowledge at the University. Suggested: How to Write a Good SOP? Do’s and Don'ts of a Statement of Purpose for Public Policy Your SOP for masters in public policy should be truthful, concise, engaging, and well-written. Remember that every experience that you present should be coherent and well connected. This leaves no space for grey areas. Follow these Do’s and Don’ts into your SOP. Should you maintain a positive tone throughout the SOP? Should you include your name in your Public Policy SOP? Can you write your SOP at the last minute? Is it imperative to stick to the word limit? Can you opt for a friendly tone while writing SOP for MPP? Should you strictly adhere to the given SOP format? Should you include your work experience in your SOP? Should you be honest about your strengths and weaknesses? Can you be extremely direct or casual? Suggested: Common mistakes in Writing SOPs and Application Essay Skills to Include in Your Statement of Purpose for Public Policy Your SOP for masters in public policy should be in-depth and research-intensive. Public Policy is an analytical field of study. The diverse career prospects of this field include the finance industry, consultancy firms, public aid, management, government, and social enterprises. Therefore, to explore them in future and assure your seat in the University, your SOP should portray these skills to make it unique and appealing then competitors. Analytical Skills Research Aptitude Academic/Research Writing Skills Knowledge of Public Policy Specialisation applying for Experiential Mindset Critical Thinking Communicational Skills Strong Work Ethic Problem-solving Suggested: Remove Your SOP Writing Fever! SOP Requirements of Top Universities for Public Policy Most universities have similar SOP requirements as part of their respective applications. We’ve shortlisted a few top universities for MPP with their SOP requirements below. 1.    Harvard University Harvard University does not ask you to present a Statement of Purpose. However, they ask you to present several short essays instead. Following is a tentative list of those essays and their guidelines: ESSAY: Write your plans to create positive change through your public leadership and service. Keep it within a 500-word limit. MPP ESSAY: Describe how the MPP curriculum at HKS would leverage your distinctive abilities and/or fill gaps in your skillset as you equip yourself to achieve your career goals. Keep it within a 500-word limit. PERSONAL HISTORY ESSAY: Diversity of all kinds (race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, physical abilities, political philosophy, intellectual focus, socioeconomic status, geographic, and many others) is important to enriching the educational experience. Mention and talk about anything in your background or life experience that has shaped your perspectives and how that would contribute to the classroom and community at HKS. Keep it within a 250-word limit. EXPECTATIONS ESSAY: Describe a time when you did not meet the set expectations and elaborate on how the experience changed you. Keep it within a 250-word limit. PERSPECTIVES ESSAY: Describe a time when interactions with others and/or an experience caused you to change your mind or expand your point of view. Keep it within a 250-word limit. OPTIONAL STATEMENT: If you have any concerns about your prior academic, professional, or personal background that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee, write about them in a precise manner. Keep it within a 250-word limit. 2. University of Oxford The requirements for University of Oxford SOP as part of Masters in Public Policy Applications are as follows. A maximum of 800 words SOP should be written. If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document. You should explain why you want to do the MPP course, how your experience to date prepares you for the course, and how the MPP would enhance your future plans. Please also outline your specific policy interests, the skills, and experience you would bring to the classroom. You may also use your personal statement to explain special circumstances relating to the element of your application that you wish to bring to the attention of the assessors. If you would like to be considered for the Public Policy 1+1 programme you should state this clearly in your personal statement (in addition to making a separate application for both courses). You will need to upload a separate personal statement specific to each application when you apply. Details on what should be included in each personal statement can be found in the “How to apply section” of each course page. your commitment to public service evidence of proven or potential leadership and impact general suitability for the MPP programme. 3. London School of Economics and Political Science Your statement for London School of Economics should be typed and in no longer than two sides of A4 paper. There is no fixed word limit, but the expected word count is 1,000 - 1,500 words. In your statement, you  can discuss the following parameters: Motivation for undertaking the program. Academic interests, strengths and background relevant to the program. Areas of specific interest within the program. Academic ambitions and/or research interests related to the program. Any professional aspirations, and how academic work within the program might help you realise such aspirations. Other relevant information, such as additional reading or research, work or other relevant experience that has influenced your decision to apply for the particular program. As mentioned for the school before, do make sure that your statement should be… All your own work. It might lead to cancellation if found otherwise. Is well-written, well-structured, and specific to the program applied for. Is proofread before being uploaded and only the final correct versions are uploaded. Only include that SOP sample which is relevant to your program choice. Additional information regarding unrelated extra-curricular activities, personal achievements or work experience should be included in your CV. Have your name and the name of your chosen program in the header or footer of every page. The SOP writing style for most countries remains the same. However, in the case of program-specific statement of purpose for Public Policy, you can re-engineer the original draft to suit the University/program requirements. We understand writing public policy statement of purpose examples can be daunting. But don’t worry, Yocket is here to help you comprehend the nuances of an actionable SOP in terms of the format and guidelines. Therefore, choose Yocket premium and bring your study abroad dream to life. Our councellors are transparent with the rules, cooperative, and provide unique services. So they will surely help you succeed! More Topics Top Premium Admits Columbia University Yocketers Admitted Scholarships granted Sharwari Bhosale Cornell University Atharva Thodge New York University Shravan Khunti University of California, Los Angeles Prateeka Rawat Johns Hopkins University Kaustubh Rai University of Washington Neeharika Eddula University of Pennsylvania John Harshith University of Toronto Meghamala Dash Duke University Varun Bhardwaj University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Romil Gupta University of California, San Diego Harshit Timmanagoudar The University of Chicago Northwestern University The University of Edinburgh Nandita Shekar Articles you might like The Indian Dream To Go For Higher Studies Abroad? Hold all the aces before you depart for your higher studies What After SAT / ACT Exam? | Things to do for Studies Abroad Upcoming Events Scholarships and Other Funding Strategies 2025 June 15th, 7:00 pm IST | 1hr Fireside chat with Brown uni admitted student June 21st, 3:00 pm IST | 1hr Looking for Funding options: Scholarships, RA & TA are the way forward! July 2nd, 5:00 pm IST | 1hr Department of Political Science College of Social Science Application Process Funding Opportunities Linked BA-MPP Application into the Master of Public Policy are accepted for  Fall Semester ONLY .  The application deadline each year is  JUNE 15 .  Application: Step One (Start ): Apply online for admission here: https://explore.msu.edu/apply/ .  You may pay your application fee at this point.  This step initiates your application process by generating an applicant ID. Step Two (Upload/Request):   Required supporting documents include: Personal Statement: The personal statement focuses on your abilities and preparation to do graduate level work, your interests related to public policy, and your professional career goals. Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation are required from individuals qualified to assess your promise of success in a graduate program (e.g. college or university faculty, individuals at research or other scholarly institutions, teaching assistants, professional supervisors, etc.).  Please request letters of recommendation through the application page.  If you have difficulty with this or any further questions, please contact   [email protected]. Step Three (Send):  Have official transcripts and English Language Competency test scores (if required) sent to the Department of Political Science. For more information on which tests MSU accepts, along with procedures to request a waiver for English Language Competency, please see: https://grad.msu.edu/english-language-competency Department of Political Science 368 Farm Lane, S303 South Kedzie Hall Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 A Complete application file must include the following: Official Transcripts:   Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate study mailed the Department of Political Science at the above address. English Language Competency Test Scores:  English Language Competency tests are required for international applicants and applicants whose first language is not English.  Applicants should have all test scores sent directly from the testing agency directly to Michigan State University. For fall 2022 admissions, Michigan State University accepts: Duolingo English Test, TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, and IELTS Indicator tests. For more information on which tests MSU accepts, along with procedures to request a waiver for English Language Competency, please see: https://grad.msu.edu/english-language-competency Information on International Graduate Applications:   During the application process, applicants submit certified copies (sealed and stamped by institutions) of all post-secondary transcripts, graduation certificates and degrees directly to the Department of Political Science.  MSU requires these documents in the original language as well as an official English translation. Official transcripts should be sent directly to the Department of Political Science: Michigan State University Department of Political Science 368 Farm Lane, S303 South Kedzie Hall East Lansing, MI 48824 Transcripts uploaded through the portal by the applicant are not considered official. Linked BA/BS-MPP Applicants:  You will generate an application form online as described in the steps above. Linked BA/BS-MPP students may apply under certain circumstances to Spring Semester. Graduate Assistantships The Master of Public Policy program offers a limited number of competitively-awarded assistantships for incoming students. Recipients of MPP Program graduate assistantships work during the Fall and Spring semesters (10 hours if the assistantship is quarter-time or 20 hours if the assistantship is half-time) on research, teaching, or administrative assignments for the program. In return, recipients receive a stipend, tuition and fee waivers (for 9 credits for the Fall and Spring semesters), and health insurance coverage. The program also partners with other units and departments on campus to award assistantships when funding is available. Important deadlines if you wish to be considered for funding: January 1 : Completed applications received by January 1 will automatically be considered for any available funding opportunities, including competitive University, Graduate School, and College of Social Science awards; MPP Program Graduate Assistantships; and IPPSR Fellowships. February 15 : Completed applications received by February 15 will automatically be considered for any available funding opportunities, including MPP Program Graduate Assistantships; and IPPSR Fellowships. May 15 : Completed applications received by May 15 will automatically be considered for any available funding opportunities, including IPPSR Fellowships. IPPSR Fellows MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR), in conjunction with the Master of Public Policy Program, offers a limited number of competitive IPPSR fellowships for incoming students. Fellows work at IPPSR during the Fall and Spring Semesters (10 hours if the assistantship is quarter-time or 20 hours if the assistantship is half-time) on research assistantships, applying research findings to Michigan public policy issues and compiling information for policymakers and civic education efforts. Fellows will also be involved in event organizing and online publishing. Fellows receive a stipend, tuition and fee waivers (for 9 credits for the Fall and Spring semesters), and health insurance coverage. Mid-career applicants who have worked in Michigan government or the policymaking community are especially encouraged to apply. Graduate School and University Resources Feel free to visit MSU’s Graduate School for more funding opportunities: https://grad.msu.edu/funding .  MSU also offers residential life graduate assistantships and need-based scholarships , among other funding opportunities.   The Departments of Political Science and Economics offer a five-year Linked Bachelor and Master of Public Policy Degree programs. The Linked Program is designed for students who want to pursue professional careers in policy analysis, program management, and policy advocacy. This program allows MSU undergraduates to apply up to 12 approved credits from the undergraduate level to their master degree requirements. As a result, undergraduates can get a jump start on their professional careers by earning both a bachelor's (BA or BS) degree a Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree in just five years. Students normally apply for the new Linked BA/BS-MPP programs option during the end of their junior year of undergraduate studies with the expectation of starting the program during their senior year.  To be admitted, students must do the following: ●     Meet with Academic Advisor Krista Zeig ( to see if the Linked Program will work with your degree and career plans. ●     as described in the general application process to the MPP ●     Through the online application submit a Personal Statement describing interest in, and motivation for pursuing a graduate degree in public policy.  More specifically, you may describe why you would like to be admitted to the Linked Program.  Summarize your professional goals and how you believe this program will help you attain those goals.  List any special analytic or research skills you possess that may be useful in graduate study.  Also, describe any substantive policy areas (i.e., education, the environment, health care) or specific policy problems (i.e., economic development, government regulation, state fiscal issues, etc.) of particular interest to you. ●     Through the online application, request THREE letters of recommendation from faculty members addressing your potential for success in graduate study in public policy. ●     Provide current academic transcript(s).  Mail to: Department of Political Science, 368 Farm Lane, S303 South Kedzie Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. Linked Programs are open to current MSU undergraduates majoring in political science or economics, although a similar dual-enrollment option in the MPP Program is available to MSU undergraduates with other majors.  Admission to the Linked Program is competitive.  Students should have strong academic backgrounds (i.e., undergraduate grade point averages of 3.50 or above); they should have done well in their political science, economics, and public policy courses; and they should have a clear desire to pursue a career in public policy.   Join Us for an Information Session About Criminal Justice Thursday, October 31 at 12:00 PM (ET) Join Us for an Information Session About Public Affairs Education Wednesday, November 13 at 12:00 PM (ET) Master of Public Policy The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is the industry standard among public policy professionals. It emphasizes the analysis of data and other relevant information to assess public problems, develop appropriate policy responses, and evaluate program effectiveness. Northeastern University’s MPP program is dedicated to developing policies that create more just, equitable, and resilient cities. With the option to take courses online, on campus in Boston, or on campus in Arlington, this degree allows students to exchange diverse views, consult with faculty, and work collaboratively no matter where they are in the world. MPP graduates enter careers as policy analysts, researchers, consultants, program evaluators, and policymakers in a broad range of public, nonprofit, and private sector settings. “I chose the MPP program because public policy decisions affect every part of our lives, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of affecting policy change on principles of equity and improving the lives of underprivileged, underserved communities. . . .The MPP program allowed me to better understand the nuances of policy creation and the factors that prevent or spur policy development.” Katie Kalugin, MPP ’18 Northeastern MPP at a Glance Take courses online, on campus in Boston, or on campus in Arlington, or a combination of all three The upcoming start date is September 4, 2024 . Courses taken at Northeastern University outside of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities are subject to different tuition rates. Complete an optional concentration or certificate of specialization Master of Public Policy Overview The Northeastern MPP takes a practice-oriented, research-based approach. Students build a toolkit of essential skills in analysis, evaluation, statistical, economic, and decision-making. They also gain advanced technology skills, including Big Data analytics, data visualization, programming languages such as R and Python, GIS applications, and artificial intelligence. In addition to technical skills, the MPP program prioritizes social, economic, and racial justice to equip students with the people skills that employers ask for. All of our MPP courses incorporate real-life case studies and we partner with public and private organizations to offer on-the-job training through co-op, capstones, and internships. Students can choose to take all courses online, on campus in Boston, or on campus in Arlington. They can also mix and match modalities. All online classes are offered asynchronously and all on-campus courses take place after 5 p.m. to accommodate employment and co-op opportunities. Learn more about completing your degree in Boston, in Arlington, or online. Program Goals and Learning Outcomes As a professionally oriented graduate program, the MPP develops leaders for a changing world through: Coursework that combines methodological rigor, diverse analytical tools, and real-world relevance through applied policy projects (e.g., program evaluations, field research) Policy-relevant internships and co-ops with real-world employers plus opportunities to work with faculty on applied, participatory, and action research that’s community engaged Team-based capstone projects that deliver actionable advice to a range of local and regional clients Learning Outcomes Students will be able to: Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions Identify and explain the institutional, structural, and political contexts of policymaking Employ analytical tools to collect, analyze and interpret data, including appropriate statistical concepts and techniques Anticipate in and contribute to the public policy process Communicate results of analysis and interact productively with diverse audiences Assess policies, research methods, and practices using a social justice lens Master of Public Policy Admission Requirements Completed online application Application fee ($100) Personal statement Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended Three letters of recommendation Applicants to the MPP program are not required to submit GRE scores. Visit our admissions page for more details about application requirements, tuition, and financial aid. “Northeastern is an exciting and dynamic place, and we attract students who reflect that.” Alicia Sasser Modestino, associate professor, School of Public Policy & Urban Affairs and the Department of Economics Program Curriculum The Master of Public Policy at Northeastern consists of 40 semester hours and can be completed in as little as 1.5 years (4 semesters as a full-time student). Our online and on-campus modalities include the same core courses and are taught by exceptional faculty with extensive experience working for public policy organizations, government agencies, private sector enterprises, and nonprofits. The MPP is designed for students whose career goals are to analyze problems, strategize and devise policy options, assess the impacts of the alternatives, and advocate for effective solutions. The curriculum focuses on developing competencies in statistical analysis, research methods, policy analysis, and program evaluation. Our courses teach students to think strategically and act ethically. MPP courses include: Techniques of Program Evaluation Techniques of Policy Analysis Research Methods in Social Sciences Statistical Analysis Economic Analysis for Policy and Planning Strategizing Public Policy Capstone in Public Policy and Urban Affairs Visit our MPP curriculum page for more information, including a full course list with descriptions. Choose a Concentration or a Certificate Students who would like to target specific areas of expertise can add an optional concentration or earn a specialty certificate alongside their public policy master’s degree. Concentration Options Healthcare Management and Policy Sustainability and Climate Change Policy Certificate Options Computational Social Science Information Ethics Nonprofit Sector, Philanthropy, and Social Change Security and Resilience Studies Urban Analytics Urban Studies Find out more about these customization options . Experiential Learning: Real-World Experience for Real-World Impact Our experiential learning opportunities are a hallmark of Northeastern’s graduate programs in public policy. The co-op is our signature program, where students earn graduate credit for full-time work at a partner organization. The MPP requires a capstone project with a real-world client, and students can also learn experientially through internships and partnerships with research labs and centers. Students also get practical experience throughout their coursework with case studies, small group exercises, applied projects, action research, and more. Visit our experiential learning page for more information. Master of Public Policy Careers This program equips graduates with the conceptual, analytical, and methodological tools necessary for rewarding careers as policy analysts, researchers, consultants, program evaluators, and policymakers. Our goal is to prepare students to be effective in a dynamic and increasingly diverse professional environment. This includes assisting students in every possible way to secure internships, post-graduate employment, and career advancement. NU graduates work in a broad range of public and nonprofit settings, ranging from local to international, and in the private sector. Learn more about salaries and careers with a Master of Public Policy degree. 100% The job placement rate of the 2021–22 graduates of Northeastern’s MPP program Interested in a role focused on the management and implementation of public policies? Northeastern also offers a Master of Public Administration (MPA) . To compare the degrees, view our article on the differences between an MPA and MPP . Get Started Now Fill out the form to learn more and download a brochure about Northeastern University’s Master of Public Policy . You can also email [email protected] or call us toll-free at +1 877.377.2739 or at +1 617.655.6736 to talk with one of our admissions counselors. Northeastern University has engaged AllCampus to help support your educational journey. AllCampus will contact you shortly in response to your request for information. About AllCampus . Privacy Policy . You may opt out of receiving communications at any time. * All Fields are Required. Your Privacy is Protected. In this Section Get started, connect with us. alternate_email [email protected] call +1 617.655.6736 call +1 877.377.2739 (toll-free) People & Community Research & Impact Career Services Apply to the MPP The Fall 2024 UC Berkeley Graduate Application is closed and we are no long accepting applications.   MPP and MPP/Concurrent Application Deadline for Fall 2024 Admission: December 4, 2023 at 8:59 PST.                                                                   - All application materials, including Letters of Recommendation and official GRE, TOEFL or IELTS test scores are due on December 4, 2023 by 8:59 PM PST. Failure to submit required materials by the deadline will cause your application to be incomplete.  - After submitting your application, you will receive an email from UC Berkeley's Graduate Admissions Office confirming your submission. You may log back into your application to monitor the status of materials received or processed, such as fee waivers, test scores, and letters of recommendation.  - We will not accept applications after December 4th. There are no rolling admissions; MPP students are admitted for the fall term only. - Admissions decisions are typically sent in mid-March via email.  Please visit our MPP admissions FAQs page for answers to commonly asked questions and be sure to add  [email protected]  to your email contacts. Messages from the MPP Admissions Office will be sent from this address.  Basic Admissions Requirements for UC Berkeley Graduate Applicants a bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution; a satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field  evidence of English Language Proficiency (only for applicants from countries/regions in which the official language is not English); for more information about the TOEFL/IELTS requirement or exemption eligibility, please visit Berkeley Graduate Division's  Evidence of English Language Proficiency Guidelines  and our  TOEFL FAQs for more details. Fall 2024 MPP Application Checklist Before starting your application, please review the following application checklist and instructions specific to applicants for the MPP or MPP/Concurrent degree programs. If you have any questions about the items on this checklist, please contact the MPP Admissions Office at [email protected] .  The MPP Admissions Office offers virtual advising appointments for Fall 2024 applicants who would like to connect and discuss their application questions. For more details about office hours and admissions events, please visit our Resources for Prospective Applicants page. Policy Statement of Purpose Please follow the instructions below for the (Policy) Statement of Purpose essay. These instructions supersede the instructions from the general Statement of Purpose section on the online application. MPP Applicants -- For the Statement of Purpose, please follow the Policy Statement of Purpose prompt below and upload your essay to the "Statement of Purpose" section of the onling MPP Application. MPP/Concurrent Degree Applicants -- because concurrent degree applicants are essentially applying to two programs through one application, they must submit two statement of purpose essays (one for each program). For the MPP, please submit your Policy Statement of Purpose through the "Program Page" section of the application. Your statement for the other program should be submitted under the "Statement of Purpose" section. Please be mindful of any essay prompts that may be required for your second essay. For additional instructions visit  Applying for Concurrent Degree Programs . Instructions: The Goldman School of Public Policy welcomes applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a variety of career aspirations. Some of our students have had prior experience in the realm of public policy; others have not. It is helpful to us to know more about your background, your motivation, and your long-term goals than cannot be inferred from your records and references. We would appreciate you helping us by supplying a brief statement of 3-5 pages, double-spaced. Please address these areas: The Present: Why do you want to take an educational program in the analysis and management of public policy? The Past: What experiences or activities bear on your qualifications for this program, e.g., research papers, study groups, job responsibilities, policy or political projects? How do these experiences relate to your decision to undertake the study of public policy analysis and management? If you have been out of school for a year or more, please indicate the positions you have held and your major activities. The Future: What kinds of work and activity would you like to engage in following graduation, and what are your long-range career objectives?Please supply whatever information you think may help us to understand your candidacy more fully. Personal History Statement The Personal History Statement is a required part of the UC Berkeley graduate application. Consider this as your personal introduction to the admissions committee. In your Personal History Statement, please describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. In this section, you may also include any relevant information on the following: How you have overcome barriers to access in higher education, evidence of how you have come to understand the barriers faced by others, evidence of your academic service to advance equitable access to higher education for women, racial minorities, and individuals from other groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education, evidence of your research focusing on underserved populations or related issues of inequality, or evidence of your leadership among such groups. Although there may be some overlap, please note that the Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Policy Statement of Purpose. The Personal History Statement should focus on your personal history/journey, where as your Policy Statement of Purpose should focus on your academic and professional experience. There is no page length requirement for the Personal History Statement. However, this essay is generally 1-2 pages, double-spaced. Letters of Recommendation Three (3) letters are required but we will accept up to four (4) letters. Your letters should be a combination of academic and professional or all professional. You will be prompted to invite recommenders to submit letters on your behalf through the online application. The most helpful letters are from persons who have supervised the applicant's work in either an academic, employment or community service capacity, who can evaluate the applicant's intellectual ability, creativity, initiative, leadership potential and promise in the field of public policy. Note: Letters of Recommendation are due on December 4th. Please stay in touch with your recommenders to ensure that your letters are submitted on time. Applications without three letters will be considered incomplete. Transcripts and Grade Point Average (GPA) Please upload unofficial transcripts from all universities or colleges attended, including community colleges, summer sessions, study abroad, and extension programs. Transcripts should list the name of your undergraduate institution and degree conferral date. Unofficial transcripts for any in-progress coursework during the fall semester or quarter should be forwarded to [email protected] immediately after the course concludes. **Official transcripts will be required only for admitted students who accept admission.** Required records from international institutions You may submit academic records in one of two ways: 1) In addition to unofficial transcripts,  please upload degree certificates/diplomas with evidence of degree conferral and/or applicable translations. Academic records should be issued in the original language and accompanied by English translations unless the institution issues original documents in English. English translations are required for all languages except Spanish; degree names and grades should be transliterated, not converted to English words or the U.S. grades of A-F. If your home institution does not issue documents in English, you may submit translations prepared by certified translators from the American Translators Association or the Ministry of Education. 2) If you earned your basic/bachelor's degree outside of the United States, you may upload a copy of your World Education Services (WES) International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) evaluation as your unofficial transcript/academic record for that institution. The WES ICAP must include verified copies of your official basic/bachelor's degree transcripts and degree certificates. ------------------------------------------ You will be required to enter both your Cumulative Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA), and your Advanced GPA into the "Grades" page of your online application. Primary weight will be given to the Advanced GPA, however, your entire academic record will be evaluated. We do not require the major field or intended field of study GPA calculations.Your cumulative GPA should appear on your undergraduate transcript. Calculate your Advanced GPA using an online GPA calculator tool and enter it as a value between 0.00 and 4.00. If your GPA is not based on a 4-point scale, leave these fields blank. This may be the case for many international applicants. If your GPA is not on a 4.0 scale, please be sure to submit a transcript that includes a grading key. GRE Requirement Applicants have two ways of meeting the GRE requirement for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle (please pick one): 1) by submitting official valid GRE scores reported via ETS 2) by submitting a Quantitative Resume Note: applicants who choose not to submit GRE scores are required to submit a quantitative resume. The purpose of the quantitative resume is to provide the admissions committee with additional information on your quantitative proficiency in the absence of official GRE scores. *No preference will be given to either option. Do not submit both.* Quantitative Resume The quantitative resume will highlight your quantitative experience in an academic and/or professional setting. Please upload your quantitative resume to the "Program Page" section of the application as a PDF. Please include within it: A list of up to five (5) quantitative courses (math, statistics, calculus, microeconomics, and physical or social science methods) taken in college as part of your undergraduate degree. Applicants with quantitative undergraduate majors should focus on courses that are most relevant to the MPP curriculum.For each course, please include (1) the course name (2) the school where the course was taken (3) semester/quarter and year the course was completed (4) grade received and (5) a short course description or summary of major concepts covered.Note: we will also accept college-level coursework completed after undergraduate studies from a community or 4-year college or an online institution.  Description of experience using quantitative methods in an academic and/or professional environment (paid, volunteer, or internship). This may include regular work tasks and/or substantive projects completed. Please address any analytical skills acquired (e.g. use of data analysis software, data visualization tools, etc.) Some of the information included in your quantitative resume may overlap with your traditional resume; it is fine to include it in both. Uploading a duplicate copy of your traditional resume will not fullfil the requirement. For more guidance on how to draft your quantitative resume, please review  Tips for Writing Your Quantitative Resume . Scores dated before August 2018 are no longer valid. GRE scores are due the same day the application is due. It may take several days for your scores to be received and matched to your application electronically. To ensure you meet the application deadline, you should take the GRE by no later than early November. Our institution code is 4833 (Graduate Programs). Reservations for the GRE exam should be made in advance through: The Education Testing Service (ETS) at  http://www.ets.org/gre .  English Language Proficiency All applicants who have completed a basic degree in a country/region in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency. This requirement applies to institutions from Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asian countries, most European countries, and countries in Africa in which English is not the official language. There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For Fall 2024, tests taken before June 1, 2022 are considered invalid even if your score was reported to Berkeley. Use institution code 4833 (Graduate Programs). You may sign up for the TOEFL at  http://www.ets.org/toefl .  As an exception to the TOEFL, UC Berkeley also accepts the IELTS exam. All IELTS scores must be sent electronically from the testing center, no institution code is required. Tests taken before June 1, 2022 will not be accepted. Your most recent overall Band score must be at least 7 on a 9-point scale. The address for identification purposes is: University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Division, Sproul Hall Rm 318, MC 5900, Berkeley, CA 94720. Please do not mail any score reports. *GSPP does not offer TOEFL/IELTS waivers, however some applicants may qualify for an exemption. Please review UC Berkeley's exemption criteria HERE . Resume (Work Experience) Please upload a current resume reflecting your work experience, education, and other relevant information. There is no page limit for the resume. Your resume should be submitted under the "Supporting Materials" section of the on-line application. GSPP believes work experience adds tremendous value to class discussions and helps students to develop a context for problem solving and policy analysis. Although GSPP does not require work experience for admission, it is strongly recommended and encouraged. On average, incoming students have at least three to four years of full time work experience after completing the undergraduate degree.  Writing Sample (Optional) Submitting additional writing samples, including publications or presentations is not required. The Policy Statement of Purpose and Personal History Statement will serve as primary writing samples for all applicants. Addendum (Optional) Please complete this section if you wish to address any specific personal issues that have adversely impacted your academic performance and/or any aspect of your application. Application Fee The application fee for U.S. citizens and current permanent residents is $135. The application fee for all other applicants is $155. Application Fee Waiver To be eligible for a fee waiver, you must be a U.S. citizen or current permanent resident who demonstrates financial need or participated in certain programs. Undocumented students in the US may be considered for an application fee waiver if they demonstrate financial need. Visit Prospective Undocumented Graduate Students for additional information. Please see the Graduate Admissions  Fee waiver eligibility page to find out if you qualify for a waiver exemption.  Eligible applicants must submit their fee waiver request through the online application portal. Our department cannot process or grant fee waivers. No exceptions. Note: Fee waiver decisions will be posted on your application status page after submission of the application. Please direct questions to the UC Berkeley Graduate Admissions Office at [email protected] . Sample Statement of Purpose for Masters in Public Policy (MPP) by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad In statement of purpose. India is a place of immense challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, limited state capacity in a country with a burgeoning population results in unmet needs for basic amenities such as healthcare, education, clean water, and clean air. On the other hand, the same large population, which is mostly young, can be harnessed and channeled into a productive workforce. In my lifetime alone, in addition to the everyday battles for access to basic provisions, I have seen my fellow countrymen brave wars, floods, earthquakes, and economic and political meltdowns with their characteristic resilience. The state, however, has often fallen short of the expectations of the people. As part of the same state machinery, in my role as a career civil servant in India’s Administrative Service, I have gained important insights into the nature and extent of this state dysfunction. Here, I am primarily concerned with the executive and administrative capacity of the state in terms of service delivery and governance. In my nine years of diverse experience of public service in federal government and different provincial governments, I have often had to implement policies that lack theoretical foundation, intellectual roots, or economic rigor. Over the period of time, I have realized that this is a norm rather than an aberration. Our policy interventions lack systematic measurement, institutionalized analysis of evidence, rigorous cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness regimes, or any meaningful feedback loops. This leads to a limited executive capacity of the state and poor outcomes. Furthermore, the already limited capacity of the state is further clogged up by regulatory overload. I have been Assistant Commissioner in many subdivisions and one of my tasks was to enforce the prices of essential commodities as notified by the Government. At the end of each month, the government releases a performance ranking of Assistant Commissioners on the basis of the fines imposed and the arrests made. This entire process, from establishing prices to enforcing them and evaluating performance, shows a lack of economic understanding of government interventions and market failures. Moreover, it clogs up our already limited capacity for basic service delivery at the grass-root level. Similarly, I have personally experienced that our actions against air pollution meet with little success because they arerandom, discretionary, and purely coercive in nature. No careful analysis of incentive structures is carried out to envisage a more sustainable policy framework to deal with air pollution. My experience of enforcing the government’s frequent ban on plastic bags has also provided similar lessons. These bans fail because the policy lacks a holistic approach. It targets retailers and end consumers without accounting for the intricacies of the supply chain or the feasibility of alternatives to plastic bags.   These are only a few of many examples from my public service experience that speak to the need for an improved and institutionalized policy approach based on the essentials of data, measurement, and economics. I am interested in filling this important policy gap. This is a policy area of interest to me as it has a direct bearing on enhancing the executive and administrative capacity of the state. This is the reason I plan to pursue a Master in Public Policy. I am drawn to Stanford’s Master in Public Policy (MPP) program for a myriad of reasons that directly resonate with my goals and background in civil service. The MPP program offers courses such as “Program and Policy Evaluation” and “Energy Policy Analysis” which can sharpen my understanding of nuanced policy analysis, fostering my ability to craft policies grounded in empirical realities back in India. I am particularly eager to learn from esteemed faculty such as Professor Bruce Owen, whose extensive knowledge in economics and public policy can provide new perspectives in policy interventions. Leveraging Stanford’s close relationships with influential policy incubators, like the Stanford Policy Lab and the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), I see a path for myself working on substantial field projects, even potentially collaborating with government agencies and NGOs to develop policies with a deeper understanding of market dynamics and regulatory frameworks. Post my MPP, Stanford’s rich network could potentially facilitate opportunities to collaborate with organizations such as the World Bank or UNESCO, allowing me to bring a global perspective to India’s policymaking landscape. Through this program, I envision myself leveraging the collaborative Stanford environment to foster connections and acquire skills that would be instrumental in introducing a data-driven, analytical approach to policy design and implementation in India’s public sector. I plan to engage rigorously with the theory, develop an understanding of the intersection of policy, politics, and economics, learn the quantitative tools in economics and statistics to make better sense of data and learn to use evidence in decision-making. I also hope to learn from the varied experiences of my teachers and colleagues and discuss some of the intractable policy questions I have come across in my experience as a public policy practitioner in India. I am currently at a mid-career point. This is the right time for me to bring my field experiences into an academic setting and put them to the test. After the degree program, I plan to return to my country well-equipped with the knowledge and skillset to make a difference in the policy design, service delivery, and governance landscape of India. My professional responsibilities as a civil servant provide me with opportunities to be an influencer and change-maker in my country. My leadership goal is to spearhead a movement within India’s public sector to introduce intellectual and scientific traditions into public policy. In doing so, I aspire to play an instrumental role in making our state capacity responsive to the basic needs of the people, enabling them to realize their true potential. Sample SOP for PHD in AI (Artificial Intelligence) Growing up in Kuala Lumpur, the bustling heart of Malaysia, I was exposed to a significant urban-rural divide in healthcare access. The influx of people from rural areas into the city for advanced medical care highlighted the lack of sophisticated medical facilities... Sample Statement of Purpose for Banking and Finance Sample Statement of Purpose in Finance The Fall of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and Credit Suisse has again raised the debate about the role of central bankers, deposit insurers, and regulators in modern-day banking. World has been through similar or worse... Sample Statement of Purpose for Cyber Security Sample Statement of Purpose for Cyber Security I am applying to pursue a master's degree in Cybersecurity with a special focus on Software Security and Data Privacy. My ultimate goal is to improve the cybersecurity posture of the US by collaborating with key... Sample SOP for Business Analytics The following SOP was written by an applicant who was admitted to top MSBA (Masters of Science in Business Analytics) programs in the US. Variations of this essay got accepted at Duke, UT Austin, and UCLA. This statement of purpose is intended to provide an example... Sample Stanford Computer Science Statement of Purpose The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to Stanford's doctoral programs in computer science. Stanford's CS program requires a 2-page statement of purpose that covers the following points: Should be concise, focused, and well... Sample Harvard MPH Statement of Purpose The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to Harvard's master’s programs in public health. Harvard's MPH program requires a 600-word statement of purpose that covers the following points: Academic and/or professional preparation... Sample Statement of Purpose in Public Health (MPH) The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to several top master's programs in public health. Variations of this SOP got accepted at Rutgers, and Chicago. Read it to understand what a top SOP in MPH should look like. Example... Sample Statement of Purpose for Nursing The following statement of purpose was written by an applicant who was admitted to top MSN (Masters of Science in Nursing) programs in the US. The applicant aspires to specilize in the field of nursing informatics. Variations of this SOP got accepted at Johns Hopkins... Sample Statement of Purpose Cancer Research (Ph.D.) The following statement of purpose is written by an applicant who got accepted to top Ph.D. programs in cancer research/cancer biology. Variations of this SOP got accepted at JHU. Read this essay to get inspiration and understand what a top Ph.D. SOP should look like.... Sample Study/Research Objectives for Fulbright Scholarship With an admissions rate of less than 20%, even applicants with the most outstanding profiles and GRE test scores get rejected from the Fulbright program. What sets successful Fulbright applicants stand out are their unique experiences, achievements and their ability... WANT MORE AMAZING CONTENT? Free GRE Practice Questions 100+ Personal Statement Templates 100+ Quotes to Kick Start Your Personal Statement 390 Adjectives to Use in a LOR Public policy personal statement example Reading time: 3 minutes Price: Free download Published: 5th July 2019 Word count: 800 words File format: Text As a researcher, I have a working knowledge of public policy. I know for a fact that issues which we face everyday are directly linked to the workings of public policy. Poverty at its most basic level (for instance parents living in the streets giving away their children), or the lack of response to calamities such as the Super Typhoon Yolanda, or the legislators’ insistence of allocating pork barrel into the national budget, or the failure to curb graft and corruption both in and out of government-these can all be traced to the workings of public policy. As a researcher, I came to understand that no other course has a deeper link to the directions which a nation takes than public policy. And as a researcher, I came to understand that no other course has a better understanding of a nation’s growth and development than public policy. This encouraged my resolve to apply into the PhD Public Policy program of the Johnson-Shoyama School of Public Policy. In the course of my application, I intend to specialize in budgetary policy. This will give me a deeper understanding of why a certain sector of society gets much more and another gets very little in the share of government resources, even at the expense of justice and fairness. For example, in the Philippines, government employees get very large bonuses while the government could barely build roads and bridges in the countryside that are crucial in alleviating the plight of small farmers. My intent is to analyze the politics and policy making process involved in a country’s national budgetary system within the context of a parliamentary government and with its own particular institutional characteristics and leadership processes. Why? The budget is generally considered the most important piece of legislation adopted each year. It is the main ingredient in the conduct of fiscal policy. It is also the master plan of government around which revolves the central political question ‘who gets what, and how’? It reflects a government’s social and economic policy priorities more than any other document, and translates policies, political commitments, and goals into decisions where funds should be spent and how funds should be collected. It is likewise indicative of ongoing political dynamics, a mechanism by which political coalitions bargain over conflicting goals, make side-payments, and try to push one another to accomplish their objectives. Likewise, better understanding of the budgetary process of any government would ably contribute to avoiding a budgetary impasse or a fiscal cliff in which conflicting interests of ‘stakeholders’ result to a non-passage of the National Budget law. MY TENTATIVE RESEARCH STATEMENT This early, I have already a tentative research statement, subject to changes depending on how it will develop with research advisers. My tentative research statement is as follows: The main research problem of this study is to determine what factors (or variables) has the greatest impact on a country’s national budget, and how do they affect funding allocation of certain areas of concern. The research objectives of this study are identified as follows: To examine the dynamics of the budgetary process. This will be either an entire country or a particular state or province. To determine the priority areas of certain ‘key players’ in the budgetary process. These groups include political parties, lobby groups, or perhaps individual Members of Parliament. To propose mechanisms that will generate greater harmony and cooperation among ‘key players’ or ‘stakeholders’ in the budgetary process, with the end-in-view of producing a national budget that favors the real priorities of the country as well as avoid a budgetary impasse or a ‘fiscal cliff.’ To determine which group or sector dominates in the national budget process, and how to they dominate. To pinpoint budgetary reforms which are needed for the growth and development of the country or state or province where the research is conducted. Overall, this study seeks to contribute to a more systematic understanding of an important policy – the national budget. The policy process of the national budget has been little studied in the past. The importance of this approach has been overlooked unlike the economic and business approaches wherein there are many studies. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS AND HOW TO ADJUST TO SUCH LIMITATIONS Given limited time and resources, this study can be limited as follows, upon consultation with the adviser: 1) A particular sector in government, such as Health, Education, Defense, Public Works, Transportation, etc; 2) A particular local government, such as the Ontario Provincial Government, the Saskatchewan Provincial Government, a city or town in Saskatchewan such as Saskatoon, etc; and/or 3) A combination-a particular sector in a particular local government. CERTAIN KEY CONCEPTS The key concepts in this study are: 1. National budget; 2. Budgetary laws, policies, and politics; 3. The parliamentary system of government; 4. Stakeholders involved in the national budget. Related personal statements: Criminology and Forensic Science BSc Personal Statement Law degree personal statement example (9) Criminology BSc (Hons) Personal Statement Example Social and Political Sciences BA (Hons) Personal Statement Example Law personal statement (8) Law personal statement (7) Law personal statement example (6) Politics personal statement (1) Politics personal statement example (2) Law (International) personal statement (5) Review this personal statement: Latest reviews:. There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one. Leave a comment Cancel reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Privacy Overview Tim Walz's working-class cred: no stocks, no bonds, and he doesn't own a home WASHINGTON — Tim Walz's personal finances are something of an anomaly in presidential politics: He has no investments. No bonds. No stock holdings. No real estate. And he does not currently own a home. The limited financial portfolio of Walz , who Vice President Kamala Harris named Tuesday as her running-mate, speaks to the blue-collar pedigree that attracted Harris to the Minnesota governor and former six-term congressman. Many presidents and vice presidents came from humble beginnings. Yet Walz's modest means as a candidate are drawing financial comparisons to President Harry S Truman, the working-class running-mate of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, as perhaps the best comparison. "In recent years, he stands out considerably. If you look at the folks who have been chosen as running-mates, they've been relatively financial secure," said Mark Updegrove, a presidential historian and president and CEO of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation. "He has a far more prosaic background than any of the other candidates I can think of, with the exception of Truman, in the last 75 years," Updegrove said. More: Why Kamala Harris chose Tim Walz over Josh Shapiro as her running mate Walz, 60, and his wife Gwen Walz reported earning $166,719 in 2022, according to a federal tax return that year , the couple's most recent tax filing made public. Most of the income, $115,485, came from Walz's salary as governor, while $51,234 was earned by Gwen Walz's salary as an educator, which she lists as business income. The couple paid $24,062 in federal income taxes. The tax return is otherwise mostly bare: Line-items for IRA distributions, taxable interest and capital gains, for example, are all blank. Walz listed no property ownership, securities, business ownership, book royalties or other forms of income besides his job as governor in his 2023 annual statement of economic interest filed with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. In his 2019 economic interest statement, Walz disclosed ownership of his home in Mankota, Minnesota. But the Walz family sold the 3,223 square-foot home on one acre in 2019 for $304,000 after Walz was elected governor. More: The new 'Swift Boat?' Tim Walz's military service targeted by Trump campaign The Walz family resides in the state-rented Eastcliff Mansion, the historic home of the University of Minnesota's president, while the state-owned governor's mansion undergoes renovations. The state is paying $4,400 a month for the rental. Walz's assets are limited to his state and federal pensions as a former teacher and former congressman, life insurance and college savings, according to his 2019 financial disclosure report as a member of Congress. He does not have a 401(k) account. These assets were valued then between $112,007 and $330,000. An analysis from the Wall Street Journal found the pensions could add about $800,000 to their net worth. Like Walz, two other Minnesota Democrats − former vice presidents Walter Mondale and Hubert Humphrey − had limited wealth compared to most vice presidential and presidential candidates. Mondale lost his White House bid to Ronald Reagan in 1984 and Humphrey lost to Richard Nixon in 1968 Similarly, Mike Pence had few investments and no significant mutual funds when he was elected in 2016 as Donald Trump's vice president and left his job as Indiana governor. If Harris and Walz are elected, Walz's earnings would nearly double with the vice president's annual salary of $284,600.  Walz joined the Army National Guard at age 17 after graduating high school, serving in the Minnesota National Guard from 1981 to 2005 before retiring to run for Congress. Walz also worked as a high school social studies teacher and football coach. He served in Congress from 2007 to 2019 and is serving his second term as governor in a term that lasts until 2027. More: What is JD Vance's net worth? A look at Donald Trump VP pick's fortune As a congressman, Walz co-sponsored the STOCK Act, which former President Barack Obama signed into law in 2012 to prevent lawmakers and congressional staffers from trading on non-public information. "This is about restoring faith," Walz said of the bill in 2011 after introducing it. Some on the right have taken aim at Walz's finances, arguing his lack of investments means he doesn't have command on fiscal issues. "He's financially illiterate," Brianna Lyman, of the conservative online publication The Federal, said this week on Fox Business . The Harris campaign declined to comment on Walz's finances. Under federal law , Walz has 30 days from the time his candidacy for vice president began to submit financial disclosure reports with the Federal Election Commission. In comparison, Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance − Trump's running mate and a former venture-capitalist investor and author − has stock in more than 100 companies, according to financial disclosures submitted as U.S. senator. Vance, author of "Hillbilly Elegy," which chronicles his humble roots in Appalachia, reported book royalties of $121,376 in 2022. He also reported having cryptocurrency valued between $100,001 and $250,000. Vance reported earning between $15,001 and $50,000 in rental income in 2022 from renting out a Washington D.C. rowhouse . Forbes Magazine valued Vance's net worth at up to $10 million and estimated the net worth of Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff to be $8 million . Trump's net worth is $7.5 billion, Forbes estimated this year . In their 2023 tax returns made public this year, Harris and Emhoff reported gross income of $450,380 before taxes and paid $88,570 in federal income taxes. When Harris ran in 2019 for president in the Democratic primary, Harris and Emhoff, a prominent entertainment attorney, released 15 years of federal tax returns. The couple reported earning $3.2 million income in 2019, with Harris' income jumping heavily after she married Emhoff in 2014. Harris disclosed more than 40 mutual fund accounts , securities, bonds and other investments in a 2019 federal disclosure as U.S. senator of California. Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison. News & Media Contact details Press releases Latest news Consultations The DPC welcomes X’s agreement to suspend its processing of personal data for the purpose of training AI tool ‘Grok’. 08th August 2024 The Data Protection Commission (“DPC”) welcomes X’s agreement to suspend its processing of the personal data contained in the public posts of X’s EU/EEA users which it processed between 7 May 2024 and 1 August 2024, for the purpose of training its AI ‘Grok’.  The agreement was concluded against the backdrop of an urgent High Court application brought by the DPC under Section 134 of the Data Protection Act, 2018. The application was made before Ms. Justice Reynolds who indicated in her concluding remarks that the rights and freedoms of data subjects across the EU/EEA were at the core of the application.  This was the first time that any Lead Supervisory Authority has taken such action, and the first time that the DPC has sought to utilise its powers under Section 134.  This application was made to protect the rights and freedoms of X’s EU/EEA users, and came after extensive engagement between the DPC and X regarding its AI Model training.   Commissioner (Chairperson) Dr. Des Hogan speaking on today’s decision stated: “My colleague, Commissioner Dale Sunderland, and I welcome X’s agreement to suspend processing   while the DPC, working in conjunction with our EU/EEA peer regulators, continue to examine the extent to which the processing complies with the GDPR. One of our main roles as an independent regulator and rights based organisation is to ensure the best outcome for data subjects and today’s developments will help us to continue protecting the rights and freedoms of X users across the EU and EEA. We will continue to engage with all data controllers to ensure the rights of our citizens under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the GDPR are upheld.” NOTES TO EDITORS Section 134 of the Data Protection Act 2018 allows the Commission, where it considers there is an urgent need to act to protect the rights and freedoms of data subjects, to make an application to the High Court for an order requiring the data controller to suspend, restrict or prohibit the processing of personal data.  4D hybrid model interrogates agent-level rules and parameters driving hiPS cell colony dynamics Find this author on Google Scholar Find this author on PubMed Search for this author on this site ORCID record for Jessica S Yu ORCID record for Graham Johnson For correspondence: [email protected] Info/History Preview PDF Iterating between data-driven research and generative computational models is a powerful approach for emulating biological systems, testing hypotheses, and gaining a deeper understanding of these systems. We developed a hybrid agent-based model (ABM) that integrates a Cellular Potts Model (CPM) designed to investigate cell shape and colony dynamics in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPS cell) colonies. This model aimed to first mimic and then explore the dynamics observed in real-world hiPS cell cultures. Initial outputs showed great potential, seeming to mimic small colony behaviors relatively well. However, longer simulations and quantitative comparisons revealed limitations, particularly with the CPM component, which lacked long-range interactions that might be necessary for accurate simulations. This challenge led us to thoroughly examine the hybrid model's potential and limitations, providing insights and recommendations for systems where cell-wide mechanics play significant roles. The CPM supports 2D and 3D cell shapes using a Monte Carlo algorithm to prevent cell fragmentation. Basic "out of the box" CPM Hamiltonian terms of volume and adhesion were insufficient to match live cell imaging of hiPS cell cultures. Adding substrate adhesion resulted in flatter colonies, highlighting the need to consider environmental context in modeling. High-throughput parameter sweeps identified regimes that produced consistent simulated shapes and demonstrated the impact of specific model decisions on emergent dynamics. Full-scale simulations showed that while certain agent rules could form a hiPS cell monolayer in 3D, they could not maintain it over time. Our study underscores that "out of the box" 3D CPMs, which do not natively incorporate long-range cell mechanics like elasticity, may be insufficient for accurately simulating hiPS cell and colony dynamics. To address this limitation, future work could add mechanical constraints to the CPM Hamiltonian or integrate global agent rules. Alternatively, replacing the CPM with a methodology that directly represents cell mechanics might be necessary. Documenting and sharing our model development process fosters open team science and supports the broader research community in developing computational models of complex biological systems. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. View the discussion thread. Thank you for your interest in spreading the word about bioRxiv. NOTE: Your email address is requested solely to identify you as the sender of this article. Citation Manager Formats EndNote (tagged) EndNote 8 (xml) RefWorks Tagged Ref Manager Tweet Widget Facebook Like Google Plus One Subject Area Systems Biology Animal Behavior and Cognition (5518) Biochemistry (12552) Bioengineering (9417) Bioinformatics (30789) Biophysics (15833) Cancer Biology (12904) Cell Biology (18490) Clinical Trials (138) Developmental Biology (9991) Ecology (14945) Epidemiology (2067) Evolutionary Biology (19141) Genetics (12726) Genomics (17523) Immunology (12662) Microbiology (29680) Molecular Biology (12358) Neuroscience (64652) Paleontology (479) Pathology (2000) Pharmacology and Toxicology (3449) Physiology (5322) Plant Biology (11069) Scientific Communication and Education (1728) Synthetic Biology (3061) Systems Biology (7681) Zoology (1728) Entertainment Newsletters WEATHER ALERT 2 heat advisories in effect for 10 regions in the area Jurors to hear opening statements in trial of ex-politician accused of killing las vegas reporter. Associated Press Las Vegas Review-Journal Robert Telles, left, talks with his attorneys Robert Draskovich, right, and Michael Horvath, in court prior to jury selection on the second day of his murder trial at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. Telles, a former Clark County public administrator, is charged in the murder of Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative journalist Jeff German. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, Pool) LAS VEGAS – Jurors are set to hear opening statements Wednesday in the trial of a Las Vegas-area politician accused of killing an investigative reporter who wrote articles critical of him. The death of reporter Jeff German , who spent 44 years covering the city, its government and its courthouses, and the arrest several days later of Robert Telles, the elected public official accused of killing him, stunned Sin City and the world of journalism. Recommended Videos A 12-person jury and several alternates were finalized Tuesday. Prosecutors are expected to present to the jury what they say is strong physical evidence, including DNA believed to be from Telles found beneath German’s fingernails. Heading into court on Monday for the first day of trial, Telles' defense attorney, Robert Draskovich, called the case “difficult," but said Telles looked forward to telling his story to a jury. That could come during defense testimony next week. Telles, 47, has pleaded not guilty to murder and could face life in prison if convicted. He has said he didn’t kill German, was framed and that police mishandled the investigation. The killing on Labor Day weekend 2022 made national headlines. German was the only journalist killed in the U.S. among 69 news media workers slain worldwide that year, according to data by the Committee to Protect Journalists . German, who lived alone, was found slashed and stabbed to death outside his home. He was 69. Police quickly circulated video of a person wearing an orange work shirt and a wide straw hat walking toward German’s home on the day of the killing. Police also released images of a distinctive maroon SUV like one that a Review-Journal photographer saw Telles washing outside his home days later. Telles was arrested the following day and has been jailed ever since. Prosecutors say articles that German wrote for the Las Vegas Review-Journal in early 2022 about Telles and a county office in turmoil provided a motive for the killing. Telles ran as a Democrat in 2018 to become Clark County administrator of estates. He lost his elected position after his arrest. Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, who knew German, said in a statement Monday that “the state of Nevada is looking forward, on behalf of Jeff and his family, to finally seeing that justice is achieved.” Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty. German’s relatives have not spoken publicly about the killing and declined through a family spokesperson and friend to comment on the trial. Progress toward trial was delayed in part by a legal battle the Review-Journal took to the state Supreme Court to protect public disclosure of confidential sources on German’s cellphone and computers. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. SI SWIMSUIT SI SPORTSBOOK 3x NBA All-Star, Ex-Grizzlies Guard Makes Controversial Jayson Tatum Statement Joey linn | 15 hours ago. Boston Celtics Memphis Grizzlies The Boston Celtics finally got over the hump with their star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, winning the 2024 NBA championship over the Dallas Mavericks in convincing fashion. This championship came after several deep playoff runs for Tatum and Brown, as they were finally able to complete their goal. Boston was the most dominant team in basketball all of last season, and that carried over into the playoffs. While all signs pointed to the Celtics being a tier above the rest of the NBA, some were hesitant to buy into their play style. During a recent episode of The OGs Show, former NBA All-Star and Memphis Grizzlies guard Gilbert Arenas made a controversial statement on the Celtics and their performance in the Finals. Gilbert Arenas says the Celtics didn’t play championship-level basketball and only won the Finals because they were a better team than the Mavericks (🎥 @theOGsShow / https://t.co/dO0GJJSqfJ ) pic.twitter.com/9suJmIfnGR — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 13, 2024 "They were the better team, hands down," Arenas said of Boston. "Did they play championship basketball? No. They had an advantage." Arenas said the Celtics spent most of the series chucking horrible threes, and specifically called out Tatum for taking contested threes over defenders he should be taking to the basket. While Arenas said Tatum is his guy, the former Grizzlies guard was critical of his shot selection. JT right now 😤 pic.twitter.com/YkHLJUCxcb — Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 13, 2024 "Tatum is my dude," Arenas said. "And he was frustrating the s--t out of me." Tatum and the Celtics are used to the criticism, but it is hard to imagine they listen to much of it after becoming NBA champions. Related Articles Ja Morant Excites Memphis Grizzlies Fans in Latest Workout Footage Eight-Year NBA Veteran, Ex-Grizzlies Player Joins New Team in Portugal Ja Morant Reacts to Viral LeBron James and Steph Curry Moment in USA-France Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: [email protected] Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer. Advertisement Supported by With Marathon Gold, Sifan Hassan Tests the Limits of Endurance The Dutch Olympian added a victory in the longest race of the Games to her bronze medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. “What was I thinking?” she said afterward. Share full article By Talya Minsberg Reporting from Paris, where she tried to keep pace with Hassan for approximately 200 meters. Sifan Hassan couldn’t stop laughing at herself. “What have I done? What is wrong with me?” she said of the inner monologue that had echoed in her head through the 26.2 punishing miles of the Olympic women’s marathon on Sunday. Hassan had already logged three Olympic races, and two bronze medals from them. She ran the first heat in the 5,000 meters on Aug. 2, the final of the 5,000 on Monday and the 10,000 final on Friday night. Then, only 37 hours later, she propelled herself across the starting line in the marathon, the most demanding race of them all, and ended up crossing the finish line first. An Ethiopian-born runner who competes for the Netherlands, Hassan, 31, had described her Olympic schedule — which initially was supposed to also include the 1,500 — as one driven by curiosity. She wanted to know if she could do all three events, requiring close to 40 miles of Olympic racing. The goal, she emphasized, was not necessarily to win medals in each race: Instead, it was simply to complete all three. No athlete had taken medals in all three events at the same Olympic Games since 1952, when Emil Zatopek won three golds for what was then Czechoslovakia. In the age of specialization in elite running, though, Hassan’s decision to even try all three races was unusually bold. To claim a medal in all three was, seemingly, unthinkable. Until she did it. As the words spilled out of her after the marathon, Hassan was still wrestling with the intense physical challenge she had set for herself, of whether testing her physical limits had really been the wisest idea after all. “Every single moment I regretted that I ran the five and 10,000,” she said. During the race, she said, she kept thinking of her competitors in the marathon’s lead group — Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, Hellen Obiri of Kenya, Sharon Lokedi of Kenya and Amane Beriso Shankule of Ethiopia among them — and their fresh, rested legs. “When are they going to break me?” she wondered. We are having trouble retrieving the article content. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber?  Log in . Want all of The Times?  Subscribe . 364 IMAGES Choose Our Service for Writing a Professional Personal Statement MBA Personal Statement Examples That Get You Noticed MBA Personal Statement Examples Sample ️ Bookwormlab.com 4 Great Personal Statement Examples and Why They Worked statement of purpose for internship sample 55 Personal Mission Statement Examples (2024) COMMENTS Sample Public Policy Personal Statement (Harvard, Brown, Erasmus Mundus Sample Public Policy Personal Statement (Harvard, Brown, Erasmus Mundus) The following essay is written by an applicant who got accepted to top graduate programs in public policy (MPP). Variations of this personal statement got accepted at Brown University, Harvard's Kennedy School, UC Berkeley and Erasmus Mundus scholarship program. Breaking down the MPA/MPP personal statement, personal essay, and The personal statement should answer the prompt and include an explanation of one's commitment to a career in public service. We are interested in a clear description of the policy areas of interest to you and why you care about them as well as how your previous academic, personal, and professional experiences have shaped your career goals. Cornell Brooks School MPA Application Tips: The Personal Statement When it comes to graduate school admissions, the personal statement/essay represents your chance to truly shine. Here are a few tips for making sure your essay reaches its full potential. 5 MPA Personal Statement Tips for Driven Applicants 5 MPA Personal Statement Tips for Driven Applicants Most graduate degree programs require applicants to submit a statement of purpose, sometimes called a personal statement, along with their other application materials. The statement of purpose is your opportunity to tell your story, describe your motivations, and explain why you would be a good candidate for the program. Public Administration Masters Personal Statement Sample This is an example personal statement for a Masters degree application in Public Administration. See our guide for advice on writing your own postgraduate personal statement. Sample Public Administration Personal Statement (Columbia, Harvard, NUS Sample Public Administration Personal Statement (Columbia, Harvard, NUS) The following essay is written by an applicant who got accepted to top graduate programs in public administration (MPA). Variations of this personal statement got accepted at Columbia's SIPA school, Harvard's Kennedy School, and NUS (National University of Singapore). What should I include in my personal statement? The personal statement is your opportunity to showcase your motivation and achievements to date - as well as your ability to reflect on what you have done and how you want to further your learning through our MPP. It is a chance for us to understand the essence of what you are about and it always makes for a fascinating and inspiring read! Master's application checklist 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. Harvard Kennedy School MPP and MPA2 Application Essay Tips [2021 MPP and MPA mandatory personal history essay Diversity of all kinds (race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, physical abilities, political philosophy, intellectual focus, socioeconomic status, geographic and many others) is important to enriching the educational experience at the Kennedy School. Master of Public Policy (MPP) You should follow the instructions in the How to apply section of each course page, paying particular attention to the personal statement and written work requirements for each course. You should state clearly that you wish to be considered for the Public Policy 1+1 programme in your personal statement. Resume and Essays A résumé is required of all applicants. This document should highlight the following information: employment, including titles and dates (months and years) for each position, job responsibilities, reason for any gaps in employment history; academic degrees, achievements, and honors; volunteer, public service, and political work; recent ... Getting Into Grad School: Writing a Personal Statement Max Bell School of Public Policy's MPP Program We prepare students for public policy careers in the government, private and non-profit sectors at the local, national and international levels. Discover our 11-month MPP program and how to apply. Find out more Admission Criteria 3 letters of recommendation Personal history statement + Statement of purpose The personal statement and statement of purpose are an opportunity for the admissions committee to learn about your interest in public policy, goals for the future, and how your experience (e.g., personal, work, volunteer, leadership) has prepared you for the MPP program. Harvard Kennedy School 2022-2023 Essay Advice: MPP, MPA, MPA/MC, MPA-ID Expert essay advice, tips, sample essay outlines, and mistakes to avoid from a Harvard Kennedy School & HBS joint degree grad. Woodrow Wilson School MPA and MPP Personal Statement Woodrow Wilson School MPA and MPP Personal Statement. posted on November 12, 2015. "Your personal statement should showcase your strengths and provide an overview of your background, goals, academic and professional aspirations, and a commitment to public service. The personal statement should be approximately two to four pages. International Public Policy Personal Statement Example International Public Policy Personal Statement Example It was only when I attended a Model United Nations conference in high school did I consider studying international relations, negotiating with other representatives and putting out my viewpoints that lightened me up. Therefore, I chose International Relations and Diplomacy as my bachelor major. MPP How to Apply MPP Admissions Timeline The MPP admission cycle begins in early September, when the MPP application for the upcoming August intake becomes available. Between early September and the January 5 th deadline, applicants should engage with our admissions team, complete and compile the mandatory application materials, and proactively contact their 3 recommendation writers so as to give them ... SOP for Public Policy: How to Write a Statement of Purpose for ... Want to write an SOP for public policy? Explore this Yocket guide with steps to write a statement of purpose for public policy, do's and dont's on statement of purpose for masters in public policy, and SOP for masters in public policy requirements of top universities. Admissions Personal Statement: The personal statement focuses on your abilities and preparation to do graduate level work, your interests related to public policy, and your professional career goals. Master of Public Policy (MPP) The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is the industry standard among public policy professionals. It emphasizes the analysis of data and other relevant information to assess public problems, develop appropriate policy responses, and evaluate program effectiveness. Northeastern University's MPP program is dedicated to developing policies that create more just, equitable, and resilient cities. Apply to the MPP These instructions supersede the instructions from the general Statement of Purpose section on the online application. MPP Applicants -- For the Statement of Purpose, please follow the Policy Statement of Purpose prompt below and upload your essay to the "Statement of Purpose" section of the onling MPP Application. Sample Statement of Purpose for Masters in Public Policy (MPP Sample Statement of Purpose for Masters in Public Policy (MPP) India is a place of immense challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, limited state capacity in a country with a burgeoning population results in unmet needs for basic amenities such as healthcare, education, clean water, and clean air. On the other hand, the same large population, which is mostly young, can be harnessed and ... Free public policy personal statement example (downloadable) This free example of a personal statement will inspire students looking to study public policy at post graduate level, such as for a research degree. Tim Walz has no stocks, no bonds and doesn't own a home Tim Walz's personal finances are an anomaly in US presidential politics: He has no stocks, bonds, or private equity, and he doesn't even own a home. The DPC welcomes X's agreement to suspend its processing of personal The Data Protection Commission ("DPC") welcomes X's agreement to suspend its processing of the personal data contained in the public posts of X's EU/EEA users which it processed between 7 May 2024 and 1 August 2024, for the purpose of training its AI 'Grok'. Kamala Harris on Instagram: "I am proud to announce that I've asked 1M likes, 32K comments - kamalaharris on August 6, 2024: "I am proud to announce that I've asked @timwalz to be my running mate. One of the things that stood out to me about Tim is how his convictions on fighting for middle class families run deep. It's personal. He grew up in a small town in Nebraska, spending summers working on his family's farm. 4D hybrid model interrogates agent-level rules and parameters driving Iterating between data-driven research and generative computational models is a powerful approach for emulating biological systems, testing hypotheses, and gaining a deeper understanding of these systems. We developed a hybrid agent-based model (ABM) that integrates a Cellular Potts Model (CPM) designed to investigate cell shape and colony dynamics in human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPS ... Jurors to hear opening statements in trial of ex-politician accused of Jurors are set to hear opening statements Wednesday in the murder trial of a Las Vegas-area politician accused of killing investigative reporter Jeff German. 3x NBA All-Star, Ex-Grizzlies Guard Makes Controversial Jayson Tatum Former NBA All-Star and Memphis Grizzlies guard Gilbert Arenas had a controversial statement about the Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA Finals series Sifan Hassan Wins Olympic Marathon, Testing Limits of Endurance The Dutch Olympian added a victory in the longest race of the Games to her bronze medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. "What was I thinking?" she said afterward. assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis