NYU Wagner

APPLYING TO WAGNER

Masters Programs

Admissions Criteria

The mission of the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is to educate people to be leaders in the field of public service. During the admissions review process we look to identify individuals we believe will make contributions to the leadership of domestic and international nonprofit, health, urban planning, and public organizations.

The admissions process is designed to review the overall potential of applicants in order to determine which students will succeed in their studies and their careers. Decisions are not based on one single indicator. An admission decision will include the following criteria:

• prior academic performance where a measure is grades
• relevant course work completed
• work experience (professional, internships, or volunteer)
• statement of purpose
• recommendations
• standardized test scores (GRE or GMAT scores are strongly recommended, but not required)
• personal interview, if requested by the Admissions Committee
• TOEFL and TWE scores for applicants whose undergraduate education was not in English

Standardized Test Scores

GRE or GMAT test scores are strongly recommended for applicants who have performed at or below the suggested minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, for applicants who may have not taken or performed poorly in previous quantitative courses, for applicants with no prior background in social science or other relevant courses, or for applicants who have been away from academic study for ten years or more. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to request scores from any applicant.

GRE and GMAT scores may be no more than 5 years old at the application deadline. TOEFL scores may be no more than 2 years old at the application deadline.

Review Process

Admissions review is conducted on a modified rolling basis. Once an application is completed, it will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. An application is considered complete and ready for review when all required materials are received in the admissions office. The Admissions Committee begins reviewing fall applications in October of the prior year. Spring application review begins in September of the prior fall. Master's applicants should receive a decision by mail in roughly six to twelve weeks from the date the application is completed. Please see the Notification Timetable for details.

While admissions is conducted on a rolling basis, financial aid decision-making is not. Students seeking merit-based financial aid consideration should complete the application process as early as possible. Students whose applications are completed after the scholarship deadline will not be considered for merit based aid.