Master's application checklist

Academic Statement of Purpose 

In 500 words or fewer, tell us about your professional goals and the specific public policy challenges you want to address. Why is the Ford School the right place to pursue those goals? Focus on your future aspirations and the practical ways you plan to use a Ford School education to make an impact after graduation. 

Personal Statement 

In 500 words or fewer, how have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan?

For example, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.

Do not repeat your Academic Statement of Purpose. 

Demonstration of Quantitative Readiness: GRE or Statement of Quantitative Preparation

Success in the Ford School’s MPP requires a foundation in quantitative reasoning upon which our courses can enhance your skills. Our core curriculum includes training in economics, statistics, and program evaluation which provides essential expertise for evidence-based policymaking. 

Why we encourage GRE scores

The GRE’s Quantitative Reasoning section measures skills in foundational math and aptitude for using mathematical models to solve problems, all of which are used in our program. We view the GRE as one way to demonstrate your readiness for our quantitative coursework -- not as a tool to deter or limit applicants. We do not expect perfect scores but do find that GRE scores are effective in helping us to assess students’ ability to learn and succeed within Ford School coursework. The Ford School prides itself on turning capable students into expert policymakers, especially given the additional support provided by our innovative Policy Analysis Learning Lab.

Not submitting GRE scores? Submit a Statement of Quantitative Preparation

Applicants who do not submit GRE scores must submit a Statement of Quantitative Preparation (up to 250 words) explaining how your experiences have prepared you to succeed in our quantitatively rigorous curriculum. 

Your statement should: 

• Identify:
  • what you learned, including any mathematics, programs (Excel, Stata, R), or research tools you may have used in your college-level coursework (e.g., statistics, economics, quantitative methods, etc.); and/or
  • professional or research experiences that involved data analysis or applied quantitative work, being specific about your personal contributions where you did the analysis/work personally; and
• Reflect on why you believe you are ready for graduate-level quantitative training given these experiences.

We accept either the GRE or the Statement of Quantitative Preparation, but not both. While we encourage the GRE, you may select the option that you believe best demonstrates your readiness for our program. Our goal is not to exclude applicants, but to ensure that all students entering the program have the requisite foundation for success. 
 

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.

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. 

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."

Two letters of recommendation are required (one academic* and one professional) but students may request up to three letters of recommendation as part of the application. Letters of recommendation 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].

*We understand that some applicants may have been out of school for an extended period and may not have close connections with former professors. In such cases, applicants are welcome to substitute the academic letter of recommendation with an additional professional letter of recommendation

All applicants should upload an official or unofficial transcript through ApplyWeb. You should 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. You can also send transcripts to [email protected]. 

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.