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The Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy (MPP)

FAQ's

Question Areas:

General Program Questions
Scores
Program Prerequisites
Applications
Financial Aid
International Student
Joint Degrees
Tuition
How to apply

General Program Questions

• What is the average age of admitted students?
  26.
• How many incoming students have prior working experience?
  Typically, about 2/3.
• What is the average number of applicants per year?
  75  
• How many students enroll each year?
  We limit enrollments to 25 each year. 
• Can I start in the Spring semester?
  No.   The second-year courses are designed under the assumption that first year courses have been completed.
• Can I enroll part-time?
  No, this is a full-time program.
• What proportion of MPP recipients take government positions?
  Approximately 1/3-1/2 of our students have taken jobs in the private sector.

Scores

• What is the average GPA for admitted students?
  3.5
• What are the average GRE scores for admitted students?
  Verbal 580, Quant 690, Analytical Writing 4.8
• What are your Institution and Department codes for GRE scores?
  Institution code: 5115; Department code: 1903
• What are the average LSAT scores for admitted students?
  Average - 163 (120-180)
• What is the average TOEFL score for admitted students?
  630+ or 280 computer
• What is the minimum TOEFL score for admitted students?
  600 paper
• Can I use LSAT or GMAT scores in lieu of GRE's?
  To use LSAT/GMAT scores in lieu of GRE's, you must first be accepted at W&M's law/business school.
  

Program Prerequisites

• Courses
  1 year of economics. We also recommend intermediate microeconomics and introductory statistics.

Applications

• How many recommendations are required?
  Three.  We recommend a minimum of 2 academic references.
• What is the application deadline?
  Feb. 15th is the priority deadline for admission and financial aid, although we will continue to accept applications after this date if we have space available. 
• If I apply now and am accepted, could I defer my education until the following year?
  Yes, we can defer your admission but not financial offers. We can re-open your request for financial aid if you decide to defer.

Financial Aid

• How is financial aid determined?
  Most students receive merit based assistantships consisting of a mix of tuition credits and stipends.   In 2006, our largest tuition grant was $22,238, and our largest stipend payment was $5,000.  We anticipate stipend payments will be significantly larger for the 2007 entering class. 
• Will financial aid cover tuition fees and living expenses?
  Fees, yes. Living expenses, in part.
• Are there special forms for financial aid?
  No.  Just check the box on page two of the application, letting us know that you wish to be considered.
• Schroeder Health Policy Fellowships are available to first and second year students.

International Students

• Do you admit international students?
  Yes.
• If an international student has an undergraduate degree from an English language based institution, do they still need to provide us with TOEFL scores?
  The student can either provide a TOEFL score or include in his/her application materials a request for a waiver of the TOEFL requirement.
• What is your percentage of international students?
  Roughly 5%-15%.
• Are international students eligible for financial aid?
  Yes.  They receive the same consideration for merit-based aid as all MPP applicants do.
• Is it possible to have full financial aid which covers tuition, books, and living expenses?
  The largest assistantship/scholarship offers are $27,238, which (for a U.S. student) can cover tuition, books, and living expenses. However, this year immigration is requiring international students to come up with $36,964 per year (less any financial aid); so if you were to receive the largest amount that we offer ($27,238), you would still be required by immigration to come up with the remaining $9,726.
• Are you accepting computer-based GRE's from China this year?
  At the present time, our college has not made the decision on whether to allow the computer-based GRE exam from China. We are recommending that you take the paper exam when it becomes available in case the college decides not to accept the computer-based version.
• We must receive your final official transcript (showing your degree) by May 15 of the year you are applying to allow time for Visa processing.  If you will not be graduating until May or June, you should plan to apply the following year.

Joint Degrees

• If I apply for a joint degree, am I considered separately by each school?
  Yes.
• If I do a joint degree, with which program should I begin?
  While we recommend that you start with the Public Policy Program, it's your choice where you start. You may want to discuss this decision with the admissions officers or students who are currently in the joint degree programs.