This WeChat article mainly includes the following content:
1. Introduction to the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program in the US, how to choose a school, and exam preparation.
2. 2018 US News ranking table for Public Administration (MPA) programs (including rankings for 9 sub-specialties).
3. Complete admission requirements for MPA programs at universities in the US TOP 200 (including program names, undergraduate major requirements, deadlines, TOEFL/IELTS, GRE/GMAT, GPA requirements, and other important information).
4. Various application materials: PS/recommendation letters/resume writing tutorials and templates.
5. Summary of interview experiences from 4 US universities offering MPA programs.
Note:
1. Due to the vast amount of information, we strive to provide as much information as possible for reference, but there may inevitably be omissions or errors. Please select and refer based on your own situation.
2. Due to WeChat’s length limitations, some content is presented as Easter eggs. Please see the end of the article for how to access them.
Master of Public Administration (MPA) in the US:
MPA stands for Master of Public Administration or Master of Public Affairs. In countries with developed market economies, the Master of Public Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Law are referred to as the three pillars of high-level liberal arts graduate education.
The Public Affairs category for studying in the US can be subdivided into: Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Affairs (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), and Master of Public Management (MPM). Each school uses different naming conventions based on their teaching and research focus.
Since each school has different emphases within the same program, the employment outcomes for graduates also vary. MPA graduates generally work in administrative management, while MPP graduates typically engage in policy research and analysis, and MPM graduates tend to take on more comprehensive management roles.
Choosing an MPA program in the US:
You can consider the following dimensions when choosing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) program in the US:
1. Rankings
Generally, reference the US News graduate program rankings (which also includes 9 sub-specialty rankings).
2018 US rankings for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program and screenshots of the rankings for 9 popular sub-specialties:
Complete US News rankings for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program and the 9 sub-specialty rankings have been turned into Easter eggs. Please see the end of the article for how to access them.
2. GPA, GRE/GMAT, TOEFL/IELTS requirements
These three factors are the most critical in determining whether you will be admitted to your target school. If you are a freshman or sophomore, congratulations, you still have time to improve your GPA. If you are a junior, your opportunities to improve are limited. From these three hard scores, you can generally determine the schools you can apply to.
Professional Background: The Public Affairs program generally accepts students from a wide range of backgrounds, so you don’t need to worry about your major.
TOEFL: At least 80 points, but MPA programs have relatively high language proficiency requirements. If you want to apply to top schools, it’s best to score over 100.
GRE and GMAT: Students applying for MPA programs should note that many schools accept either GRE or GMAT scores, but most schools prefer GRE scores. GMAT scores are recognized by some MPA programs, but not all, while MPP programs almost always require GRE scores.
GPA: Most schools require a minimum of 3.0, although some schools have lower requirements, and a few do not require a minimum GPA. However, it’s best to maintain a GPA above 3.0 to enhance your competitiveness.
The table below lists the admission requirements for Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs at universities in the US TOP 200, including GPA, GRE/GMAT, TOEFL/IELTS score requirements, along with some screenshots:
Complete admission requirements for Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs at US TOP 200 universities have also been turned into Easter eggs. Please see the end of the article for how to access them.
3. Geographic Location
The geographic location has some correlation with employment opportunities, although this is not always the case. Additionally, consider living conditions and climate.
Related articles:
We have prepared the above materials as Easter eggs. Please see the end of the article for how to access them.
Exam Section:
After identifying your target school, taking the TOEFL/IELTS and GRE/GMAT according to school requirements is the only two things you need to do. Make sure to take the required tests before June of the application year. You can refer to the following links for information about these exams.
In just 60 days, I improved my TOEFL score from 92 to 115 (including tips from high scorers and selected study materials).
A sincere and complete experience of preparing for IELTS in 50 days to score over 7 (including a recommended package of materials for listening, speaking, reading, and writing).
【Three Attempts at GMAT】660-600-750, a story worth reading (includes a 25.8G high score study material package).
Not a top student, but with 26 days of preparation, I scored 330 on the GRE and share my experience (includes selected study materials).
Application Materials Section:
Written Materials:
1. PS/ESSAY
For how to prepare a PS, please see the following article:
Comprehensive analysis of PS writing for US graduate applications【20 prestigious schools’ official websites and professors’ preferences + 95 excellent sample essays】
We have prepared a sample PS for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program in the US, which has been turned into an Easter egg. Please see the end of the article for how to access it.
2. Recommendation Letters:
For how to prepare recommendation letters, please see the following article:
Guide to recommendation letters for US graduate applications (includes templates for 96 letters across 3 major categories).
We have prepared a sample recommendation letter for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program in the US, which has been turned into an Easter egg. Please see the end of the article for how to access it.
3. CV:
For how to prepare a CV, please see the following article:
Guide to writing resumes for US graduate applications (includes 125 resume templates).
The materials for the entire written section are summarized as follows, with access methods at the end of the article.
Application Submission:
Each university’s official website has detailed instructions on the application submission process. If you can’t manage this on your own, you might not be ready for DIY applications. However, please note that application deadlines vary across US universities, ranging from November 1 to February of the following year, with the majority closing by December 31. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline; the table below lists the deadlines for Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs at US TOP 200 universities. Some screenshots are provided below:
Complete deadlines for Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs at US TOP 200 universities have also been turned into Easter eggs. Please see the end of the article for how to access them.
Additionally, for online applications, we have prepared the following article:
Five major online application systems for US graduate applications【Illustrated guide + 36 essential questions】
Interview Experiences:
Some schools may have an interview stage during the application process, which can be conducted via phone, video, or video recording. We have prepared interview experiences from several schools for your reference, which have all been turned into Easter eggs. Please see the end of the article for how to access them.
Visa Information:
For visa-related information, please refer to the following article:
Essential guide | You won’t find a more comprehensive guide to US study visas.
Easter Eggs are here!
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This issue’s Easter Eggs include:
1.US News rankings for Public Administration (MPA) programs and the rankings for 9 sub-specialties.
2. Complete admission requirements for Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs at US TOP 200 universities (including program names, undergraduate major requirements, deadlines, TOEFL/IELTS, GRE/GMAT, GPA requirements, and other important information).
3. Various written material writing templates.
4. Summary of interview experiences from 4 US universities offering Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs.
5. Others
How to access the Easter eggs:
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