How to Apply

Your essay should be a one-page, single-spaced statement. These questions can be answered separately or in a combined essay.

• What motivates you to work in public policy? Please tell us about a personal, professional or academic experience that fueled your passion for public policy and how this informs your commitment to pursue a career in this field. 
• Why McCourt? How will the MPP degree enable you to achieve your career goals in public policy?

Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended are required. Review the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Transcript FAQs for more information.

Academic transcript submissions

Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended are required. Review the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Transcript FAQs for more information.

• Step 1: Request a copy of your official transcript from your institution(s).
• Step 2: Upload the transcript to your application.

An acceptable transcript is a copy of an official transcript produced by the institution, including:

• Scanned copies of paper transcripts issued by the institution.
• Electronic transcripts issued by the institution (not a download from your institution’s web portal).

We do not accept screenshots, photos or downloads of the “student’s view” from your institution’s website.

Non-U.S. college or university academic transcripts

Applicants who have attended institutions outside of the United States are strongly encouraged to upload their transcripts through the World Education Service (course-by-course ICAP evaluation), The Evaluation Company (course analysis), or other credential evaluation services that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. If the evaluation does not include a copy of the evaluated transcripts, you must upload both the transcripts from the institution and the credential evaluation as one document to the application.

• Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by an English language version provided by the academic institution. If your institution does not provide English language copies, you must provide a certified or notarized translation with a copy of the original transcripts. You may upload an evaluation from a credential evaluation service that must include course and grade information. Both the evaluation and original transcript should be submitted in the application as one document.
• If you have study abroad and/or transfer coursework listed on your undergraduate transcripts with the grades earned, you do NOT need to list these institutions separately or upload transcripts. If courses are not listed on your primary institution’s transcript or the transfer courses do not show course grades, please list the institution(s) separately and upload the transcript(s).

Admitted students

If you receive an offer of admission, you will be required to submit official transcripts, which are transcripts submitted directly to Georgetown University by the institution you attended, for verification before enrolling. Do not send electronic or paper copies of your official transcripts before receiving an offer of admission. Georgetown reserves the right to request any missing transcripts or an official copy of a transcript at any point during the application and/or admission process. Georgetown also reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission already made if there is any discrepancy between a transcript uploaded in the application and the final official transcript received.

Starting with the Fall 2027 admissions cycle, GRE scores are no longer required but are still strongly recommended. Please read the following to understand the important role GRE scores play in the admissions and scholarship process.

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Why the McCourt School considers GRE scores:

Quantitative policy analysis is an integral part of the core curriculum and is the foundation of evidence-based policy making. Our MPP, MIDP, and DSPP programs are certified STEM by the U.S. Department of Education. Public Policy is also an interdisciplinary field that requires critical thinking, analysis of written text, and the ability to communicate effectively.

For these reasons, we find that GRE scores help us to assess students’ readiness to learn and succeed at the McCourt School. We will also accept results from the GMAT exam. Please note there is no minimum score requirement for either exam. The standardized test is just one part of a holistic review that involves all of the different components of our application.

We will also accept LSAT scores in lieu of the GRE or GMAT. However, if you choose to submit the LSAT, you will be asked additional questions about your quantitative background since the LSAT does not have a quantitative section.

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Why we strongly recommend that you take the test:

• Scholarship decisions are entirely based on merit, so candidates who choose not to submit GRE scores may receive lower levels of funding than if they had submitted scores. Those who submit scores provide an extra data point on which we can make scholarship awards.
  • o   Candidates with strong math skills should take the test to provide reviewers with a standardized assessment of their ability.
  • o   Candidates concerned with the cost of the test should consider that not taking the test may lead to a lower scholarship award.
  • o   Candidates who feel their test scores do not accurately reflect their actual skills have the opportunity in the application to explain any extenuating circumstances, and the Admissions Committee takes into account such factors that might affect scores.
• The GRE can serve as evidence of quantitative aptitude not otherwise demonstrated on transcripts or in any work or research experience.
• The GRE is helpful as a standard measure which can help the committee understand an applicant’s academic preparedness in an environment where people apply to us from different countries, institutions, and grading scales.

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If you cannot take the test:

We recognize that some individuals may be unable to take these tests due to individual cases of hardship. If you do not submit a standardized test score, you will be asked additional questions about your quantitative background.

Please note that ETS offers a GRE Fee Reduction Program, which reduces the cost of taking the GRE by 50%. The program is available to US citizens and resident aliens who can demonstrate financial need or are unemployed and receiving unemployment compensation.

ETS also hosts Virtual Events to help applicants better prepare for applying to graduate schools and taking the GRE.

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Submitting your scores

• Our GRE code is 5244. We do not have a specific department code. 
• The GRE at-home test is acceptable for Fall 2027 admissions.
• Our GMAT code is JT7-D8-97.

To have your LSAT scores released from Georgetown Law to McCourt, please complete this Joint Degree LSAT Release Form (PDF) and email it to lawadmis@georgetown.edu.

Three letters of recommendation are required. Typically, applicants submit at least one from an academic source and one from a professional, work-related source. Individual circumstances vary, so use your best judgment when choosing references. Each letter of recommendation should be submitted from your recommender’s professional email address and be on official letterhead.

The online application utilizes a secure online recommendation system which will:

• Automatically email each recommender with instructions for online submission of the recommendation;
• Allow applicants to track recommendations received or not received and follow up with recommenders who still need to submit their appraisals;
• Expedite the processing of the recommendations, which will be included in the online application once submitted.

If your reference cannot access the online recommendation, please contact McCourt School Admissions staff at mccourtadmissions@georgetown.edu for instructions.

All applicants to the McCourt School are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of Georgetown University’s Graduate Studies. Proficiency can be demonstrated by:

• Receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction for the entire institution.
• Submission of an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report with a minimum score of 100 (original TOEFL iBT score scale) or 5 (new TOEFL iBT score scale beginning January 21, 2026).
• Submission of an official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic Module score report with a minimum overall band score of 7.0 (this is a strict requirement).

The TOEFL Special Home Edition and the IELTS Online version may be accepted for Fall 2026 admissions..

Submitting Your TOEFL or IELTS Scores 

The TOEFL and IELTS must be received directly from the appropriate testing organization. Photocopied or faxed documents will not fulfill this requirement. 

• Send your official TOEFL score through ETS to institution code 5244. Please note that the McCourt School does not have a specific department code. 
• Send your IELTS score electronically to Georgetown University Graduate Studies.

Please contact mccourtadmissions@georgetown.edu if you have questions.