FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Application process
What undergraduate GPA do I need to be considered for admission?
- The University of Minnesota Graduate School prefers an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Average GPA for MPP, MURP and MS students is 3.5
- Average GPA for MPA is 3.2
How long should my statement of purpose be?
- Approximately 500 words (two typed, double spaced pages)
- Though the University Of Minnesota Graduate School application “requires” three statements, you do not have to write four different statements (one Humphrey, three grad school). First, write your statement for your Humphrey Institute application and email it to HHHadmit@umn.edu (do not break it up into three pieces for the grad school statement). Then upload that statement into the academic statement (statement 1) of the Graduate School application. If you feel that your Humphrey statement also addresses the diversity and motivation statements (this is the case for most of our applicants), you can simply upload a “statement” into those sections that says “See Humphrey Statement.” If you would like to expand on the diversity or motivation statements, you may upload additional information into one or both of those sections. Please upload additional information only, and do not repeat large sections of your Humphrey statement.
Whom should I ask to write a letter of recommendation for me?
- Preferred
at least one professor with whom you studied
work supervisor
director or board members of organizations you volunteer or have volunteered for
- Avoid
Family Members
Personal Friends
People who have not directly supervised your professional or academic work
Do I need to submit letters of recommendation to both the Graduate School and the Humphrey Institute?
- No.
submit them online using the Graduate School application for your recommenders to upload the letters online
or
Have your recommenders send a hard copy using these guidelines
letter of recommendation form.
When are the application deadlines?
- January 5 is the postmarked deadline for MPP, MURP, and MS applicants who wish to be considered for merit-based financial aid.
- All application materials postmarked by January 5 must be received in the Humphrey Institute admissions office no later than January 10.
- If you choose to bring your application to the admissions office in person, you must do so no later 4:30 on January 5th
- April 1 is the deadline for MPP, MURP, and MS applicants who do not wish to be considered for merit-based financial aid.
- April 1 is the admission and financial aid deadline for MPA applicants.
- October 15 is the admission deadline for MPA applicants for spring semester.
What GRE scores do I need to be considered for admission?
- We do not require a minimum score
- the averages for our incoming students are:
- 550 verbal
- 630 quantitative
- 5.2 analytical writing
- GRE test scores must be less than 5 years old
- Other test scores (LSAT, GMAT) cannot be substituted for the GRE
- Applicants to the MPA degree program are not required to take the GRE unless their undergraduate institutions did not report letter grades.
Do I need to take the TOEFL or an equivalent?
Is there an economics prerequisite?
- Yes, MPP and MS students are required to complete an introductory Microeconomics class with a grade of B or better
- Microeconomics is strongly recommended for MURP students
- The course may be taken at any accredited college or university, including correspondence courses, before beginning courses at the Humphrey
When should I take the GRE or the TOEFL?
- Four weeks before you want the scores to arrive in our office (12/5 for the 1/5 deadline, 3/1 for the 4/1 deadline)
Can I apply for admission to the spring semester or summer session?
- Only MPA students are admitted to start in spring semester
- Merit-based financial aid is not available for spring semester enrollment.
- MPA spring semester application deadline is 10/15
- no degree is allowed to start in summer session
If I am admitted, can I defer my enrollment at the Humphrey Institute?
- Yes, for one academic year
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What types of financial aid are available?
- Merit-based scholarships, fellowships, and graduate assistantships
- MPP, MURP, and MS students must submit their applications before 1/5 to be considered
- MPA students must submit their applications before 4/1 to be considered
- The Graduate School has information about other scholarship/fellowship opportunities.
What about need-based financial aid?
- Submit a FAFSA
- Graduate students are not eligible for federal grants
- for more information contact OneStop 612-624-1111, helpingu@umn.edu or 1-800-400-8636,
Is there any financial aid for international applicants?
Are graduate assistantships available?
- Yes, you can see what is available at the following sites
What are the benefits of finding an assistantship?
- Research experience
- tuition benefits (include a non-resident tuition waiver for out of state students)
- Competitive wage
- partial health insurance
- visit http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/gae/benefits for a more complete list
How easy is it to find an assistantship?
- Assistantships are very competitive. You should not plan on having an assistantship to fund your education especially in your first year.
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Academics
Can I transfer credits from another college or university toward a degree program at the Humphrey Institute?
- Yes, 40% of your degree can be transfer credits
if they were taken at the graduate level and have not been applied toward the completion of a different degree
- MPP- 18 credits
- MURP - 19 credits
- MPA - 12 credits
- MS - 16 credits
- Graduate courses taken before receiving your bachelor's degree cannot be applied toward a graduate degree at the University of Minnesota.
If I decide to apply to a dual degree program, do I have to submit both applications at the same time?
- No, Even if you are admitted to both programs in the same year, it is recommended that you complete your first year in one program before taking courses in the other.
Is it possible to take Humphrey Institute classes before I apply to a degree program?
- Yes these credits must be taken A-F for graduate credit (and graduate tuition rates which is higher than undergraduate tuition rates)
- visit our website for more information.
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Student life
If I applied to the Humphrey Institute as a full-time student, can I switch to part-time status?
- Yes, you can switch between full and part time status as needed to complete your degree
Can I complete my degree by attending part-time?
- Yes, but it will significantly increase the time it takes to complete your degree
Are there resources at the Humphrey Institute to help me find an internship or a job?
- Yes, our Career Services staff offers many different services including:
- General Career Consultation
- Internship Consultation
- Job search consultation
- Networking Consultation
- Resume/Cover Letter Review
- Interview coaching
- Mock Interview
- MBTI Interpretation
- Visit their site for more information
How accessible are computers for students?
- The Humphrey has 3 private computer labs
- The University of Minnesota is a wireless campus with a connection available in most places on campus
- Humphrey Students may use any of the University of Minnesota computer labs
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Visiting and recruitment
How can I sit in on a class?
- send an email to HHHadmit@umn.edu with the courses you are interested in attending 1-2 weeks in advance of your visit
- The course schedule is available here
How can I find out the Humphrey Institute’s recruitment schedule?
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