Ford School masters program applications opened back in September, and if you’re considering applying for our Master of Public Policy or Master of Public Affairs degree programs in the next two months, here are some things that might be helpful need to know.

WHICH PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR ME?

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program is a two-year, 48 credit program that trains students with a broad range of policy interests for a wide set of jobs – providing a toolbox of research, analytical, and management skills that are highly transferable across sectors and issue areas. And starting in Fall 2019, MPP students will have the option to declare concentrations in five areas: public policy and analysis methods; public & nonprofit management; social policy;  international policy; and international economic development. This program is great for prospective students looking to begin a career in policy or public service.

The Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program is a mid-career program being launched in Fall 2019 for applicants with substantial work experience in the public policy realm. MPA students will take some courses with our MPP students, and will also have several unique learning experiences tailored to their small cohort of accomplished professionals. The 33-credit degree program can be completed in 9 months with a full course of study and is a great option for prospective students with at least five years of experience in government, military, private sector government affairs, or the nonprofit sector looking to continue or advance their career in policy or public service.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

Applications for both degrees opened on September 6th and are open until 11:59PM EST on January 15, 2019. Applicants will then be notified of admissions decisions by mid-March 2019.

WHERE DO I APPLY?

Applications to the Ford School go through the Rackham Graduate School application!

WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY?

Here’s a checklist of the documents and information you will need to submit for the Ford School masters program applications:

1. Essays: The Ford School requires two, 500-word essays – the Academic Statement of Purpose and a Personal Statement. Both essays can convey to the Admissions Committee information that cannot be found in transcripts, letters of recommendation, test scores, or resumes. They explain the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue a Master in Public Policy or Public Affairs at the Ford School. Applicants should be mindful that the statements are also an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to communicate succinctly and clearly.
2. Test scores: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) aptitude test is required for MPP applications only. Students considering dual degree programs may be able to substitute GRE scores with those from another test. Applicants to the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program may submit GRE, GMAT or LSAT scores if they want (Note: When registering for the GRE or sending additional score reports, applicants should use the University of Michigan code #1839).
3. Resume or curriculum vitae: We need a current resume or c.v., not to be confused with your personal statement!
4. Letters of recommendation: The Ford School requires three letters of recommendation that reflect your academic and, if relevant, job capabilities and experiences. We encourage applicants to submit letters of recommendation electronically— please see the online application for instructions.
5. Transcripts: All applicants should upload an official or unofficial transcript with your online application in ApplyWeb. You may also upload additional transcripts from any other institution you attended.

If you have questions or encounter difficulty with the application process, please contact our staff in Student and Academic Services Office by calling 734-764-0453 or by emailing fspp-admissions@umich.edu. We’re happy to help however we can before January 15th!

Every year, the Ford School’s Students of Color in Public Policy (SCPP) organization coordinates a Pipeline Initiative to assist applicants in completing applications for the Ford School’s graduate programs. While the first round has passed, the second round applications for the Pipeline are open until the end of the week!

As you continue your application process, we decided to talk to two former Pipeline Applicants who are now Ford School masters students and current Pipeline Mentors. Check out our conversation with Alex Weaver and Emma Dolce! And at the bottom, check out our instructions for participating in the Pipeline Initiative.

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Why did you sign up for Pipeline when you were applying to Ford?

Alex: While I felt I knew the rules of the road for my MBA application, I was relatively lost on how to compose an Academic Statement of Purpose, or a Personal Statement. Good thing I asked for guidance too, because after submitting my draft of my Personal Statement to Pipeline, my mentor (very politely) told me that what I had written sounded like an Academic Statement!

Emma: I signed up for the Pipeline Initiative because it seemed like a good way to get insider help on my application and connect with a current Ford student. Visit days are great but if you can’t make it to campus it can be hard to get “face time” with actual students. My mentor was super helpful in explaining the ins and outs of the program and also giving me and a better picture of the Ford School and greater UM community.

 

What made you decide to volunteer to be a Pipeline mentor?

Emma: I signed up to be a Pipeline mentor because I wanted to give back and help other students with the application process and share what I love about the Ford community. Applying to any kind of grad program is daunting and exhausting and overwhelming and I hope that by being a mentor I can make things just that much easier for another student.

Alex: Paying it forward. I might not be here without the wise guidance of my Pipeline mentor.

 

What do you think makes the Pipeline Initiative important?

Alex: All applicants deserve equality of opportunity, in terms of being armed with the insight to be able to put their best Ford application forward. Pipeline helps with that.

Emma: The Pipeline Initiative is important because it can help people who might not be very familiar with the grad school application process make the most of it. Like I said, applying to grad school is a big undertaking and I think it’s important for programs to make the process as accessible and equitable for everyone as they possibly can. The Pipeline Initiative is just one small piece of that accessibility.

 

What advice would you give to someone who’s applying for a graduate program at the Ford School (or anywhere else)?

Emma: Make a plan and stick to it. I wrote out a little post-it note what I was going to do and when (July- research programs and start studying for the GRE, September- contact references, October- take the GRE, November- write essays etc.) and I stuck it next to my bed so I would see it all of the time (yes, this is super nerd status but I stand by it!). This helped me stay on task and see the bigger picture. I also think keeping your self-confidence high is really important. The application process can be really draining especially when you’re working or also still in school. It’s important to remind yourself you are talented and accomplished and you totally got this!

Alex: If possible, based on your circumstances, visit, sit in on a class, and meet or talk with current students and admissions staff. For any graduate program, online research can only take you so far.

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What is SCPP Pipeline?

The goal of the Pipeline Initiative is to help prospective students navigate the application process and to provide the student perspective on being a member of the Ford School community. We particularly welcome inquiries from students of color to help increase the diversity in our programs.

How does it work?

This outreach program pairs a prospective student, like yourself, with a current graduate student who will act as a mentor and provide guidance on the application process. For example, mentors can read through your personal statement and provide feedback on your resume. Current students will be paired with applicants based on a variety of factors, i.e. policy interests, undergraduate institution, career goals, etc.

What’s the timeframe?

Mentors will be provided to prospective students during two submission rounds. All application materials must be received by the application deadlines to be paired with a mentor on the corresponding Match Date. We will do our best to match prospective students who submit their application after the application date.

Pipeline Application Deadline:	Mentor Match Date:
Round 1: Friday, November 2, 2018	Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Round 2: Friday, November 30, 2018	Wednesday, December 5, 2018

How do I Register for Pipeline?

1. Complete the following survey to help us pair you with a student mentor:

2018 Pipeline Initiative Registration Form

2. For feedback purposes, submit your personal statement draft as a word document, saved as “FullName_Pipeline_PPS.doc”, to amricha@umich.edu with the subject line: “Pipeline Personal Statement: FullName”.

If you have any questions, please email SCPP’s Pipeline Chair, Audrey Richardson, at amricha@umich.edu.

Please note: The Pipeline Initiative is a voluntary program under the leadership of the Students of Color in Public Policy (SCPP). Participation in the Pipeline Initiative does not guarantee admission into the MPP or MPA programs.

Every year, the Ford School’s Students of Color in Public Policy (SCPP) organization coordinates a Pipeline Initiative to assist applicants in completing applications for the Ford School’s graduate programs. Post below is this year’s Pipeline Initiative announcement; interested students can apply for the first round by the end of this week or the second round at the end of November!

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Under the leadership of Students of Color in Public Policy (SCPP), we are excited to launch this year’s Pipeline Initiative!

What is SCPP Pipeline?

The goal of the Pipeline Initiative is to help prospective students navigate the application process and to provide the student perspective on being a member of the Ford School community. We particularly welcome inquiries from students of color to help increase the diversity in our programs.

How does it work?

This outreach program pairs a prospective student, like yourself, with a current graduate student who will act as a mentor and provide guidance on the application process. For example, mentors can read through your personal statement and provide feedback on your resume. Current students will be paired with applicants based on a variety of factors, i.e. policy interests, undergraduate institution, career goals, etc.

What’s the timeframe?

Mentors will be provided to prospective students during two submission rounds. All application materials must be received by the application deadlines to be paired with a mentor on the corresponding Match Date. We will do our best to match prospective students who submit their application after the application date.

Pipeline Application Deadline:	Mentor Match Date:
Round 1: Friday, November 2, 2018	Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Round 2: Friday, November 30, 2018	Wednesday, December 5, 2018

How do I Register for Pipeline?

1. Complete the following survey to help us pair you with a student mentor:

2018 Pipeline Initiative Registration Form

2. For feedback purposes, submit your personal statement draft as a word document, saved as “FullName_Pipeline_PPS.doc”, to amricha@umich.edu with the subject line: “Pipeline Personal Statement: FullName”.

If you have any questions, please email SCPP’s Pipeline Chair, Audrey Richardson, at amricha@umich.edu.

Please note: The Pipeline Initiative is a voluntary program under the leadership of the Students of Color in Public Policy (SCPP). Participation in the Pipeline Initiative does not guarantee admission into the MPP or MPA programs.

Each year, the Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program seeks out high-potential undergraduate students from universities across the country to participate in an intensive seven-week Junior Summer Institute (JSI) before their senior year. During their program, fellows are equipped with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in graduate school and ultimately, in influential roles serving the public good. With an alumni network of 4000 individuals who share similar interests, PPIA is a great opportunity for undergraduates who want careers in public service.

For more than three decades, the Ford School has been proud to host a PPIA JSI, where we provide the following:

• A $1,000 stipend during the seven-week program (increasing to $1,500 for 2019)
• Cost of travel expenses
• Housing and meals
• Books and related course supplies
• Library and computer access
• Training in statistics, microeconomics, policy, and writing
• Opportunity to participate in policy modules led by Ford School faculty
• Enrichment and professional development activities with PPIA alumni and supporters of the program and the Ford School

The Fellowship is open to all undergraduates who expect to graduate between December of 2019 and August of 2020. If you are interested in applying for the 2019 Fellowship, go to the website and submit your application by November 1, 2018: http://www.ppiaprogram.org/ppia/

If you would like to learn more about PPIA at the Ford School, please contact us by calling 734-764-0453 or by emailing fspp-admissions@umich.edu.

We are pleased to see applications from prospective students for our masters’ programs for the Fall 2018 semester beginning to arrive. If you are currently working on your application, we wanted to provide some information and direction that may be helpful.

Submission Deadline
The deadline to apply for one of our masters’ programs is Monday, January 15, 2018 by 11:59 p.m. EST.  We understand that sometimes letters of recommendation, transcripts, test scores, etc. may be a little late. We will be as flexible as possible, but you must ensure that your application is submitted by January 15, 2018. Our team is in the process of reviewing submitted applications to ensure that they are complete and updating the status of the application.

The application is available online through the Rackham Graduate School website.

Transcripts
For the purpose of the admission review, you may upload unofficial copies of transcripts from your degree-granting institution(s) with your online application for the admissions committee to review. You are also welcome to upload unofficial transcripts from any other institutions you may have attended, but you are not required to do so. All transcripts need to be uploaded as one document. We do ask that you provide it in a format that is easy to understand. Some applicants have used advising report formats that are difficult to follow.

Friend Account
When you begin your application, you are prompted to create a friend account, which enables you to access your application. Applicants sometimes get locked out of this account and need to have it reset. If you experience this situation, you should contact the Rackham Admissions office. You can either email rackadmis@umich.edu or you can call 734-764-8129. We are unable to unlock friend accounts, so you must contact Rackham directly.

Application Fee Waivers
The Ford School is able to provide application fee waivers to individuals who have participated in the following programs:

– Teach For America
– Peace Corps (at least three months removed from their service)
– AmeriCorps (at least three months removed from their service)
– Active U.S. Military
– U.S. Military Veterans

To request these fee waivers, complete the Ford School’s volunteer service form. After requests are submitted, applicants receive an email from fspp-admissions@umich.edu asking for a Letter of Verification from their organization (Letters of Verification must include dates of service). Upon receipt of the Letter of Verification and subsequent approval of the request for fee waiver, applicants will receive their fee waiver code via email with additional instructions. If you are applying for a fee waiver from either Rackham or the Ford School, please allow at least a week for processing.

The Rackham Graduate School offers fee waivers to graduate students with financial need, Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) alumni, and current AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and Vista volunteers. To receive your Rackham fee waiver approval in a timely manner, please follow Rackham’s Instructions for fee waiver requests.

Detailed information about necessary application materials can be found on our application checklist page, as well as information for International Applicants. As always, please be sure to contact us with any questions at fspp-admissions@umich.edu or by calling 734-764-0453.

It is hard to believe that January 15th is nearly upon us. I hope 2017 has been treating you well thus far. Our office has received a number of questions multiple times so I thought we could provide some guidance here that might be helpful.

Transcripts

A number of students have had some confusion over submitting transcripts. For the purpose of the admission review:

• We are happy to have you upload unofficial copies of transcripts from your degree-granting institution(s) with your online application for the admissions committee to review.
• You are also welcome to upload unofficial transcripts from any other institutions you may have attended, but you are not required to do so.
• All transcripts need to be uploaded as one document.
• We do ask that you provide it in a format that is easy to understand. Some applicants have used advising report formats that are difficult to follow.
• You will need to ensure that an official copy of your transcript is submitted to the Rackham School of Graduate Studies.
• Here is further detail from Rackham as to the documentation they require.
• Please note, this applies to institutions on a comparable grading scale. If your institution is not on a comparable grading scale, an official transcript will need to be submitted to Rackham.

Friend Account

When you begin your application, you are prompted to create a friend account, which enables you to access your application. Applicants sometimes get locked out of this account and need to have it reset. If you experience this situation, you should contact the Rackham Admissions office. You can either email rackadmis@umich.edu or you can call 734-764-8129. We are unable to unlock friend accounts so you must contact Rackham directly.

Submission Deadline

We have received numerous inquiries about accepting materials after the January 15th deadline. While it is our strong preference to receive all materials by that date, we understand that sometimes letters of recommendation, transcripts, test scores, etc. may be a little late. We will be as flexible as possible but you must ensure that your application is submitted by January 15th.

We greatly look forward to reviewing applications and learning more about our prospective students!

Thanks, Beth