Applying: Accelerated Master of Public Policy

1. ECON 2010 (or equivalent) with a C or higher AND
2. One of the following math courses with a C or higher
   • MATH 1190: A Survey of Calculus 1 with Algebra
   • MATH 1210: A Survey of Calculus I
   • MATH 1310: Calculus I
   • APMA 1090: Single Variable Calculus I
   • OR any more advanced calculus course

The math prerequisites can be fulfilled through either coursework or AP or transfer credit. 

Any prerequisite course taken during a semester in which the University has offered CR/GC/NC grading due to the global pandemic that receives CR will satisfy the requirement. Those who earned General Credit (GC) or No Credit (NC) in a prerequisite course will need to retake that course before their expected start term at Batten.

All supplemental materials (e.g. unofficial transcripts and recommendations) must be submitted by the date of the official deadline. Your application may be completed online and submitted electronically once you have answered all the required questions. You do not have to complete the online application in one sitting – you may access your application and change your answers as many times as you like. To do that, use the Username and Password that you created when you first completed the Interest Page and/or started your application.

You will be prompted to upload this document in the application system as either a Word document or a PDF. Please ensure that this document includes, but is not limited to, the following information: leadership roles held, employment history, your interest in one/more policy areas or societal issues, relevant internships and jobs and your role(s) in those positions, and roles in relevant school- and community-based organizations. If you have questions about crafting a resume, we recommend you utilize the UVA Career Center resume resources!

1. What is the motivation behind your decision to pursue public policy and leadership? Please indicate your interest in addressing one or more policy areas or societal issues. What work, activity, or educational experiences have best equipped you for graduate studies in this field? (500 words)​
2. One of our aims is to enhance students’ abilities to lead in a diverse and divided world. Tell us about a time you had to work across lines of difference to navigate a challenge or improve some outcome. What did you learn from the experience? How can those lessons inform your future success, especially professionally? (250 words)
3. What about your individual background, perspective, or experience will serve as a source of strength for you or those around you at the Batten School?  Feel free to write about any past experience or part of your background that has shaped your perspective and will be a source of strength, including but not limited to those related to your community, upbringing, educational environment, race, gender, or other aspects of your background that are important to you. (250 words)

Recommendations for the Accelerated MPP will be submitted using a form evaluating your candidacy along a set of criteria addressing your potential for success in the program.  If your recommender has prepared a traditional letter of recommendation, they will have the option to include it.

Consider asking for one academic reference at the collegiate level, and the other from an employer, mentor, research supervisor, coach, or other person who knows your work outside of the classroom.  If you ask for a recommendation from your time prior to UVA, be sure to balance that with information about your activities and aptitude now.

Your UVA coursework will be pulled directly from SIS into your application. Unofficial transcripts from any other post-secondary institution where you received college credit (including dual enrollment credits) can be uploaded directly to your online application. 

In evaluating your academic performance, you will not be penalized for a transcript with CR/GC/NC grades during a semester in which the University has offered CR/GC/NC grading due to the global pandemic. We encourage you to use the optional application addendum to provide some additional context and insight into your decision.

There is no penalty for not submitting an application addendum. However, some applicants may have additional information that would be useful for the admissions committee. Feel free to amplify positive dimensions of your background not covered elsewhere or give insight into seemingly negative information in your application (e.g. course withdrawals, light course loads, gaps in your academic record, etc.).  In particular, you should use this space to detail extenuating circumstances relating to the coronavirus pandemic, including things like your decision regarding pandemic grades (CR/NC vs. letter grades), reduced internship or extracurricular opportunities, or personal hardship. Please format your response as a letter to the admissions committee, not to exceed one page.