- For Students
- Degree Programs
- Focus Fields
- Faculty and Staff
- Research
- Public Service and Outreach
- Career Development
- For Alumni and Friends
- Calendar
- News
- Contact Us
- Sitemap
Admissions
La Follette Candidates
The La Follette Faculty is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the La Follette community through academic research and public service experience and contributions. Applications for admission are reviewed by an admission committee composed of faculty and an administrator. The committee makes decisions based on the applicant's ability to successfully complete the program and on their commitment to public affairs. Interviews are not conducted. See profile of incoming 2008 class.
Application Materials
Students submit an application, statement of purpose, and recommendations online. Two official transcripts and resumes are sent directly to La Follette Admissions, 1225 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706.
Students apply electronically through the Graduate School's application web site.Instructions can be found at the Graduate School web site.
Letters of Recommendation
3 letters of recommendation are required and submitted through the application. The letters should address the applicant's ability to handle the graduate public affairs program, their leadership potential, their analytical writing ability and public affairs employment capacity.
Education
The University of Wisconsin - Madison Graduate School requires a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 in all previous academic programs. Two copies of transcripts are sent directly to the La Follette School of Public Affairs. The admissions committee will pay more attention to grades in prerequisite courses. La Follette students have a variety of academic backgrounds including economics, political science, social work, education, law, business and other social science areas. The committee looks for overall ability to succeed in the program but also at a student's strength in statistics or calculus and economics courses.
Statement of Purpose
Students should submit a statement of purpose. This written piece gives the student the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and commitment to public service. Students can use this opportunity to explain how they might contribute to the diversity of the La Follette academic community. The admission committee pays close attention an applicant's ability to write clearly and coherently which is important in public policy analysis. The statement of purpose is submitted electronically with the application.
GRE
All students must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores before they can be considered for admission. Because it normally takes two to six weeks for the Educational Testing Service to process GRE scores, applicants should plan to take the GRE in October or early November so that results are received in time to be considered in January for admission to graduate study beginning in the fall semester. The University of Wisconsin-Madison institution code is 1846. The La Follette School of Public Affairs department code is 2204. The LSAT and MCAT can not be used in place of the GRE. The GRE score must have been taken within the past 5 years.
Résumé
Please send your résumé to the La Follette School Admissions Office at 1225 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53711.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must provide official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Applicants may take the TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS in their home country, in the United States or in Canada.
La Follette requires a TOEFL (paper-based) test score of 580, TOEFL computer-based test score of 237 or above, TOEFL internet-based test score of 92 or above, IELTS score of 7or above, or MELAB of 82 or above. The admissions committee may ask a student to take a University English assessment test upon arrival and the student must register for any recommended English-as-a-second-language course(s) in the first semester of graduate study.
Profile of fall 2008 class
Number of applicants: 257
Size of entering class:52
Number of women:26
Number of men: 26
Wisconsin residents: 30
Out-of-state: 20
International students: 2
Average years of work experience: 3
Average age:25
Average GRE Quanttitative
score: 692
Average GRE Verbal score: 586
Average Analytical Writing score: 4.5
Prerequisites
Students must complete the following prerequisites before they begin the La Follette graduate programs. In some circumstances, a student can be conditionally admitted to the program on the condition that all prerequisites are completed before the start of the fall program.
Admission to the Master of Public Affairs Program
At least one course in microeconomics
At least one course in statistics or calculus
At least one course in American government
Admission to the Master of International Public Affairs Program
At least one course in microeconomics
At least one course in macroeconomics
At least one course in statistics or calculus
At least one course in international relations or comparative politics
Four semesters in one foreign language, the equivalent, or demonstrated foreign language
competence
It is possible to receive a conditional acceptance if a student is missing one prerequisite course on the condition that the student complete the prerequisite before beginning the program.
Deadlines
Students who wish to receive first priority consideration for La Follette fellowships must apply by January 1st. Students who wish to be considered for the Advanced opportunity fellowships can apply anytime between January 1st and February 15th.
For additional information about regular admissions, please contact:
Admissions
La Follette School of Public Affairs
1225 Observatory Hill Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53706
608.262.9163
admissions@lafollette.wisc.edu