Apply to MPA Evergreen

The application deadline for Fall 2008 admission is February 15, 2008. Note that we do not review any applications until after the February 15 deadline.

In the meantime, it's possible for an individual with a bachelor's degree to take our elective courses as a Special Student, and count them towards their MPA degree if they are later admitted to the program. For more information on Special Student requirements and registration procedures, contact Randee Gibbons, MPA Assistant Director at (360) 867-6554 or via email.

Thanks for your interest in the MPA program!

Application Checklist

Please send ALL admission materials directly to:

Office of Admissions
The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia, WA 98505
Attn: MPA applications

Please mail or hand-deliver all documents; faxed or emailed materials are not official documents and cannot be accepted.

1. Graduate admission application
   Submit the application form and the nonrefundable $50 application fee. 
   
   
2. Resume
   Please prepare a chronological resume listing all positions held in the past ten years. You may include any significant volunteer public or community service activities. Emphasize how each position relates to your proposed graduate work and any duties that you feel might fulfill the public sector internship requirement.
   
   
3. Official Transcripts
   In order to complete the application process we require official transcripts from every college or university attended-including Evergreen-regardless of credit earned, the nature of coursework, or whether you earned a degree. One transcript must verify the award of a bachelor's degree. A transcript is considered official if it bears the official seal and signature of the issuing institution and is sent directly by that institution to Evergreen's Office of Admissions, or is enclosed in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution and delivered by the applicant to the Office of Admissions. If the envelope is opened prior to receipt by the Office of Admissions, the transcript is no longer official and cannot be accepted.
   
   Note: Provisional admission can be granted on the basis of work in progress near the completion of a bachelor's degree. The applicant should submit an official transcript showing work completed to date at the time of application. Occasionally, we may need to request an updated transcript during the review process. A final transcript, showing completion of outstanding coursework and the conferring of the bachelor's degree, must be submitted to gain regular admission status.
   
   
4. A statement of purpose, no more than three typed, double-spaced pages
   Explain why you want to pursue graduate study in public administration, particularly at Evergreen. Describe in some detail your experiences in education, employment and public or community work and how those experiences influenced you to seek a graduate degree in public administration. This statement helps the admissions committee assess your interest and motivation for graduate study and helps the committee gauge the fit between what our program offers and what you hope to receive from it.
   
   
5. A public policy essay of no more than five typed, double-spaced pages regarding an issue of interest to you
   This essay should clearly explain the relevant issue(s), describe the major contending views, argue a position and defend it with relevant evidence. The essay will be evaluated on the quality of its analysis and writing, and the coherence of its argument. Include proper citations of all source material. The essay may follow any standard style format for a college paper.
   
   
6. Two letters of recommendation
   The letters must provide clear evidence that you are capable of doing graduate-level work. Letters less than a year old are preferable, and for applicants who have recently been enrolled in college-level coursework, at least one letter from a faculty member is requested. Emailed or FAXed letters cannot be accepted.
   
   
7. Candidate interviews
   Some candidates may be interviewed during the application review period. We will contact you if this will be necessary.

Be sure to make copies of your application materials for your files before submitting them. Applications materials become the property of The Evergreen State College and cannot be returned, forwarded, or copied after they are received.