Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is the relationship between The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS)?
The Columbian College oversees The Trachtenberg School. You can think of The Trachtenberg School as a unit within the Columbian College.
Where are classes held? Do you have online courses?
TSPPPA classes are held on the Main Campus at Foggy Bottom, in Washington, DC. We do not offer online courses, nor do we offer courses at GW's other campuses.
When are classes held?
Many classes are held in the evenings (starting at 5:10pm or later) to accommodate students concurrently pursuing full time jobs, or internships. Classes held during the day either have multiple sections, including an evening section, or are held in the evening during another semester. See GW's Schedule of Classes.
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Common Admissions Questions
To what address should I mail my application materials?
Please send them to the CCAS Admissions office:
Graduate Admissions Office
Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
801 22nd Street, NW, Suite 107
Washington, DC 20052
What are your application deadlines?
Fall admission:
PhD
To be considered for fellowships: January 15
International students requiring a student visa: January 15
Regular admission: January 15
MPP and MPA
To be considered for fellowships: January 15
International students requiring a student visa: January 15
Regular admission: April 1
Nonprofit Management Certificate
International students requiring a student visa: January 15
Regular admission: April 1
Spring admission:
PhD, MPP, MPA, Certificate
International students requiring a student visa: September 1
Regular admission: October 1
The Trachtenberg School does not have rolling admissions.
Do you have paper applications?
No. Our application can be accessed here. You can also download and print application forms here.
Do I have a better chance of gaining admission if I apply early in the process?
Applying early does not increase an applicant's chances of gaining admission. We make admissions decisions very carefully through a thorough review process. It is not our goal to fill the entering class in the early months of the admissions cycle. Rather, we are looking to admit the strongest of our applicant pool. Therefore, even if you submit your application ahead of the deadline, you may not have a final decision until after the application deadline.
Are my chances of gaining admission better if I apply to start in the spring than in the fall?
There is greater demand for seats for entry starting in the fall semester. However, entry into the spring semester depends in part on the number of students who started in the fall.
Are my chances better as a part-time student, rather than full-time?
Our admission standards are the same for both full-time and part-time applicants.
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Application Materials
How much weight is given to the GPA and GRE scores in the application review?
The GREs and GPA, relative to the application overall, are weighted fairly heavily as they are strong predictors of future academic success. We do consider the courses you have taken, your work experience (including recommendations), and your personal statement to gain a more holistic view of each applicant.
What if my GPA or GRE scores are below your averages?
The average GRE scores and GPAs are not a complete representation of the range of GPAs and GRE scores of admitted students. Admission is competitive.
Applicants with undergraduate grade point averages lower than a "B" may be offered admission provided that other aspects of their application show evidence of special promise. For instance, a strong performance in the GRE may compensate for a lower than average GPA. Strong letters of recommendation, proper fit with the program, professional experience, and exposure to the field of interest are also taken into consideration.
Please note: Meeting the minimum requirements for admission does not guarantee that you will be admitted.
I already have a graduate degree; do I have to submit GRE scores?
Yes, the GRE can only be waived with an already held JD or MD.
I already have taken the GRE once and did very poorly. Should I take it again?
If you have very weak GRE scores and believe you can do better, you may want to consider retaking the test. Raising a low GRE score will do a great deal to strengthen your application. While there is always the risk that you will score lower if you take the test again, we will take the best of your scores. Still, you should consider this carefully.
I just do not do well on standardized tests. Should I explain this in my personal statement?
We do not recommend that you use your personal statement to explain a poor GRE score (or a weak undergraduate GPA, for that matter). Your personal statement should not focus on making excuses or providing explanations for weaknesses in your record. Rather, your personal statement should be positive and should provide information that will help our admissions committee to understand what you will bring to our community and to the field of public service.
Who should I ask to write my letter(s) of recommendation?
It depends somewhat on your individual situation as to who to ask for recommendations. As this is an academic program, academic references are preferred over professional ones (all other things being equal). If you have been in the workforce for some time, recommendations from supervisors or other employees are acceptable as well.
I completed a degree at GW, do I need to submit an official transcript?
No. The Admissions office pulls transcripts for current students and GW alumni; you do not need to furnish an official one.
I didn't major in political science or economics, is that a problem?
Many applicants have an undergraduate degree in the social sciences, such as political science and economics, but we welcome applicants with a wide variety of majors. See MPA, MPP, and PhD pages for a breakdown of student academic background.
Additional Items
Writing samples and other additional items are not necessary.
More detailed information about the application requirements is available through CCAS Admissions and their Frequently Asked Questions.
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Admissions Decisions
We do our best to help each admitted applicant learn as much about The Trachtenberg School as possible and to feel good about their decision to join us. Each spring we host one or more events for newly-admitted students. You should be sure that all of your questions are answered and that you receive whatever assistance you need as you begin to prepare your studies at The Trachtenberg School. The Program Coordinator is Catherine Johnston Matto; she can be reached at caj@gwu.edu and 202-994-6662.
If I submit a deposit and change my mind, will my deposit be refunded?
No. All deposits are completely non-refundable.
Are deposits credited toward tuition?
Yes. Deposits are credited to the first semester tuition. Students applying to the dual-degree programs who are currently attending GW do not need to submit a deposit; they should identify their dual-degree on the student reply form.
I was admitted but would like to start next year/semester instead. Is this possible?
Yes. You can request that your admission be deferred to a future semester within one calendar year. As long as your request for deferment is for a semester within one calendar year of your original application, you will not be required to pay an additional application fee. A request for deferment does not automatically guarantee that you will be admitted again. While most applicants are readmitted, your application must be re-reviewed within the applicant pool for that semester.
I didn't get in. Can my application be reconsidered for a future semester?
Yes. The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences keeps application materials on file for one calendar year; any new or updated materials will be added to the application file. To do this, please email the CCAS (askccas@gwu.edu) with your formal request.
What if I am on The Trachtenberg School's wait list? What can I do to increase my chances of gaining admission?
Each year we invite a number of strong applicants to be on our wait list. We do not rank our wait list. If and when we are able to make offers of admission to wait-listed applicants, we will review the entire list before making any final decisions.
If you are on our wait list and would like to add something to your file you certainly may do so. These items may include your last semester college grades, an additional recommendation, etc. We will consider all information in your file when the time comes for us to review our wait list. Please send these materials to the CCAS Admissions Office directly (askccas@gwu.edu).
If I am on the wait list, when can I expect to receive a final decision?
We do our best to make decisions on wait-listed applicants as soon as we can. However, you should understand that some wait-listed candidates may not receive a final decision until July.
Financial Aid
How competitive is the Trachtenberg School in terms of funding?
Trachtenberg School funding is quite competitive. For these merit-based awards we review the full application, not just the GRE scores and GPA. We consider your grades, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. Many students have some work experience, but it is not a requirement.
Those who typically receive awards have GRE scores above the 80 th percentile, and a GPA of at least 3.8. But, these numbers are not absolute and depend on the qualifications of the other applicants for that year.
Note: School funding is separate from student financial assistance. See the Fellowships website for more information on types of funding available.
AmeriCorps & Teach For America Alumni
I am an AmeriCorps or Teach for America member or alum. How do I get the application fee waived? Can I be considered for financial aid?
You will need to provide the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences proof of your status with the AmeriCorps program; generally, a letter from them verifying your employment & duration suffices. You would also need to include a brief note requesting the fee waiver, and proceed through the payment section as though you were paying by check.
Please send both to:
Graduate Admissions Office
Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
801 22nd Street, NW, Suite 107
Washington, DC 20052
AmeriCorps alumni are eligible to receive a $5,000 financial aid award for the MPA or MPP program. Alumni should submit an addendum with their application stating their alumni status and requesting financial aid consideration.
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Tuition
How much is tuition? Where are tuition and fees posted?
Tuition is posted in two places: the University Bulletin and Colonial Central
When will I be billed for classes? Where do I pay?
Billing and payment information is available at Colonial Central.
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Full-time vs. Part-time
Do you have a part time program?
Our MPP, MPA, and Ph.D. programs can be completed full-time or part-time, as the majority of our courses are in the evenings. This enables students to maintain/acquire a full time job or internship. We do not have a separate part-time program for each degree, rather, we offer degrees that can be pursued part-time or full-time.
Do you make a distinction between full time and part time?
Neither the MPP nor the MPA program makes a sharp distinction between full- time and part-time students. Application and program requirements are the same. Many courses contain a mixture of full-time and part-time students. Full-time students normally take three courses per semester and work at a part-time (up to 20 hours per week) policy-related job or internship. Part-time students normally take two courses per semester and work at a full-time job. Students often switch between full-time and part-time status during the program. However, there are some cases in which full-time status is important including (1) foreign students must maintain full-time status to fulfill student visa requirements and (2) TSPPPA fellowships and assistantships are normally granted only to full-time students. Please note that the "repayment status" of student loans often is affected by whether a student is enrolled part-time or full-time, and it is the responsibility of individual students to be aware of this when they consider how many courses to take.
What is considered full time status? What is considered part time status?
According to the University Bulletin: for the purpose of defining student status, graduate students taking 9 or more credit hours per semester (6 credits in the summer) are considered to be full time, those taking 5 to 8 credits per semester are considered to be half time, and all others are considered to be part time. Columbian College requires all master's candidates, both full-time and part-time, to complete all academic requirements within a maximum of four calendar years from admission to candidacy.
Graduate students who have completed all course and credit requirements for the degree except dissertation or thesis research may be certified as full-time students provided they are registered for at least 3 credits of dissertation or thesis research, are actively engaged in dissertation or thesis research and writing, and are not employed more than 20 hours per week. Graduate students who have completed all credit requirements for the degree, including dissertation or thesis research, but have not completed all degree requirements, may be certified as full-time students provided they have not exceeded the established time limits for degree completion, are registered for Continuous Research, and are not employed more than 20 hours per week. Those who meet all conditions stated above but are employed more than 20 hours per week may be certified as half-time students.
Course Registration
Are PAD 202 and PPOL 202 the same? What about PAD 206 and PPOL 206?
These classes are crosslisted classes, meaning they are the same class, but listed under multiple programs. Courses with section numbers in the 80s are crosslisted courses. (Also see PPOL 204 and ECON 221.)
What is the deadline for adding classes?
During the registration period (before the end of the second week of classes) students may add or drop courses using GWeb. After the second week of classes, students who wish to add or drop a course must complete a Registration Transaction Form and submit the form to the office of their dean; forms are available on line, at deans' offices, and in the Office of the Registrar. Adding a course after the second week requires a signature of the instructor or other authorized member of the department.
Starting on the first day of classes, to avoid financial penalties, students switching classes (swapping one 3 credit class for another 3 credit class) should use the hard copy registration transaction form. Students should complete and submit the form to the program coordinator.
What is the deadline for dropping classes?
A course dropped during the first four weeks of classes will not appear on the student's transcript. A course dropped after the fourth week but before the end of the eighth week will be assigned a notation of W (Authorized Withdrawal).
The deadline for dropping a course without academic penalty is the end of the eighth week of classes in the fall and spring semesters. After the end of the eighth week of classes, dropping a course without academic penalty is only possible after the student presents a petition to the dean and receives written permission.
What is the refund policy for dropping courses?
All charges for courses from which the student withdraws are subject to the refund policy listed under Fees and Financial Regulations. Failure to withdraw by these procedures can result in an extended financial obligation and the recording of a grade of F (Failure) or a notation of Z (Unauthorized Withdrawal).
The refund schedule is posted on the Office of the Registrar's Registration page, for each semester (look for "printable pdf version").
How do I switch classes after classes have started?
Students must complete a registration transaction form to simultaneously add and drop classes of equal or lesser credits. Students should then return the form to the TSPPPA office for approval and forwarding to the appropriate office. Students should not attempt to do this through GWeb.
Students should not follow up with the same actions on GWeb; GWeb does not process an add/drop as a transfer (single action), but as an add/drop (two unrelated actions). This means that if you try to switch classes online, after the first day of classes, financial penalties will be assessed to your account.
Where do I register for classes?
Course registration is online.
When I registered, I received an error message. What does it mean?
Registration error message information is online.
Non-Degree Students
I am not a TSPPPA student, how do I register for your classes?
Many of our courses are coded such that TSPPPA students receive priority registration. Registration requests depend on availability of space in courses as well as a variety of factors, including year of study and degree/concentration. (Selection of students to be promoted from the waitlist is not always simply a first-come, first-served process.)
If you are a non-degree student: Start with the Office of University Students. Once you have identified which course you would like to take, complete a registration transaction form. Then return the form to the TSPPPA office. You will be notified the week before classes start whether (or not) we will be able to add you. This will depend on available space. At that time, the School will sign off on the request and forward it to the Columbian College office for their signature; they will forward it to the Registrar's Office where they will make the actual change in Banner.
If you are a GW student: once you have identified which course you would like to take, complete a registration transaction form. Then return the form to the TSPPPA office. You will be notified the week before classes start whether (or not) we will be able to add you. This will depend on available space. At that time, the School will sign off on the request and forward it to the Columbian College office for their signature; they will forward it to the Registrar's Office where they will make the actual change in Banner.
See also Non-Degree Students.
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Leave of Absence
How do I take a leave of absence?
Students must complete and submit a registration transaction form to the program coordinator. The course information should be left blank.
For their third of leave, students must submit a petition to their advisor. This form must be signed by the student's advisor. The program coordinator will then submit the request to the CCAS Dean's Office for review.
Students can register for classes as usual for the semester of their return.
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Advisors
How do I change advisors?
Depending on your academic and professional interests (or simply your personal preference), you may change advisors at any time. Students who want to change their advisor should first make sure that the faculty member agrees to act as their advisor. Students then need to inform the program coordinator of the change in advisor.
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Fields of Study
When should I declare a field of study?
It is not necessary to declare a field early in the program, especially since you may take mainly the core courses during your early semesters. You should choose your field of study before you begin taking field courses.
How do I declare a field of study?
Students can use their program of study form to declare their field of study. This form needs to be submitted at the beginning of the student's last semester.
Can I change my field of study?
You can change your field of study by submitting a new program of study form to the program coordinator.
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Consortium Classes
What is the Consortium?
The George Washington University is a member of the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Eleven universities in the Washington area-- American University, Catholic University of America, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, Marymount University, South-eastern University, the University of the District of Columbia, and the University of Maryland--are associated in a Consortium through which they coordinate the use of their respective facilities. Students in approved programs leading to degrees in any one of these institutions have the opportunity to select from the combined offerings the particular courses that best meet their needs. This privilege is subject to regulations of the school in which the student is enrolled. Participation is limited to degree candidates. For specific regulations and further information, please see the University Bulletin.
How do I register for classes through the Consortium?
Students must complete and submit the Consortium Registration Form to their advisor for signature; the form will be routed to the Registrar's Office through the CCAS Office.
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Graduation
What forms do I need to submit to graduate?
MPA, MPP, and PhD students must submit the Application for Graduation to the program coordinator by the appropriate deadline. Certificate students must submit the Certificate Completion form.
MPA and MPP students need to submit their program of study form, if not already on file, along with their Application for Graduation.
PhD students should review the information contained on the CCAS Theses and Dissertations and W Electronic Theses and Dissertations pages, and contact the program coordinator or their advisor with any questions.
When is graduation?
GW has one graduation activity-filled weekend each year, the weekend following Mother's Day (typically on/around May 20). There are four major events:
- GWU Commencement: located on the Mall, this event features all GW graduates and a major speaker. (Sunday, tickets required)
- PhD Hooding Ceremony (Friday, tickets required)
- CCAS Celebration: located at the Smith Center, this event features graduates walking across the stage. (Saturday, tickets required)
- TSPPPA Reception: this reception celebrates our graduates. (Saturday)
Information about these events is available online.
When are degrees conferred?
Degrees are conferred for spring, summer, and fall semesters. The dates of graduated are posted on the Registrar's Office.
How and when will I receive my diploma?
Diplomas are mailed, typically 8-12 weeks after your graduation date. More information about diplomas is available from the Office of the Registrar.
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