Application Materials

Applicants are notified of decisions via the online application system, so it is important to keep your contact information current.
Applicants to the Master of Public Affairs program must complete our online application and submit the following:

	U.S. Applicants	International Applicants	Brown University Seniors
Transcripts from all post-secondary education	required	required: see below for transcript verification requirement	required
Letters of recommendation	3 required	3 required	2 required
Resume	required	required	required
GRE scores Brown code: 3094 Department/major field code: 2204	required	required	not required
Personal statement	required	required	required
TOEFL or IELTS scores TOEFL institution code: 3094 More about TOEFL/IELTS on the  Brown Graduate School website	not required	required for applicants who earned a bachelor's degree at a non-English-speaking institution more information	not required

Deadlines

Regular Application Deadline – February 22, 2019

Decisions released late March 2019.
Note: Students who require a visa to study in the U.S. must apply no later than the regular application deadline.

Application Fee

The application fee is $75.

Personal Statement

Your statement should outline why you have decided to pursue graduate work. Discuss your past work (study and research) in your chosen field, your plans for study at Brown, including issues and problems you want to address, and your professional goals. Your statement should be 600-800 words in length.

Merit-Based Scholarships

For full consideration for merit-based financial awards, your application must be complete, including all supplemental materials (unofficial transcripts, GRE and TOEFL scores). There is no additional paperwork required. Most matriculated students receive some level of merit aid. Student loans are also available through our Office of Financial Aid to eligible applicants who submit the FAFSA by April 15. 

Transcript Verification for International Applicants

With the exception of applicants who have previously attended an institution in Canada, the UK, or Australia, all international applicants must provide verified transcripts before they can be offered admission by the Graduate School. Applicants must provide transcripts for all previous institutions attended, and those from institutions not in the countries listed above must be verified. Applicants may use CertiFile or WES for these reports. Please request the course-by-course report. Only after receipt of these materials can applicants be offered admission by the Graduate School.

Admissions Questions

See our frequently asked questions page.