Where do I mail my supplemental materials such as my unofficial transcripts and hard copy letters of recommendations?
You do not need to mail any materials for your application.  Princeton University's online application is fully electronic.  Unofficial transcripts and recommendations should be uploaded with your electronic application.  If you have concerns about this process please contact the Woodrow Wilson School Graduate Admissions Office (609-258-4836 or wwsadmit@princeton.edu) or the main Office of Graduate Admissions at Princeton University (609-258-3034 or gsadmit@princeton.edu) before mailing any supplemental materials.

Where can I upload my application requirements such as the course list, joint degree statement, and/or certificate memo?
You can use the Additional Information section to upload any additional documents. If you wish to upload more than three additional documents, you must combine some of them into one and separate them with page breaks before uploading it into the electronic application.  Please include headers and page numbers on each of your documents so they can be easily identified.

The Graduate School is not accepting revised documents, but my resume has changed.  How do I include that as part of my application?
The Graduate School is not accepting any revised documents, so please be sure to review your statement of purpose, writing samples, and other documents very carefully before submitting your application.  However, we understand that a resume can change, for example, as your job changes, or as you are awarded fellowships, or publish papers, etc.  You must indicate "REVISED" clearly on the updated resume and you may email it to us in the department at wwsadmit@princeton.edu.  We will confirm receipt and will have the date of that item on your checklist changed as soon as we are able.  You cannot upload new or revised documents once you submit your application.

I have been out of school for a while; do I still need to submit a course list?
The course list is required of all applicants to the MPA program. This supplemental document is in addition to your transcript and is a helpful tool for the admissions committee to assess what you covered in the areas of mathematics, economics, and politics. If you do not have access to the textbook information you may simply write a brief description of what was covered in the course. MPPs are encouraged but not required to submit a course list.

I received a double major.  How do I indicate that on my application?
There is an option to choose two majors in the electronic application.  If you have more than two majors clearly indicate your multiple majors in the education section of your resume.

What if my major(s) is not an option in the drop-down menu in the electronic application?
Choose the major(s) listed that is closest to your actual major(s).  In the education section of your resume, be very clear about the actual name of your major(s).  We will also cross-check the major(s) listed on your transcript(s).

What is a Policy Memo?
The Policy Memo is required of all applicants to our masters programs (PhD applicants do not need to write a Policy Memo but are required instead to submit a previously written writing sample). The format for the policy memo is approximately four pages, double-spaced.  We do not count the number of words.  The topic can be either a current issue or a past problem. You should find a topic that is of interest to you and is related to your intended field of study. The issues may also be drawn from current or previous work experiences. You should describe the issue or problem in detail and demonstrate your analytical reasoning skills by providing a definitive solution or proposal. We would recommend choosing a topic that is sufficiently narrow and well-defined so that your analysis of the problem goes into depth. The memo should be original for the application.  We do not provide sample policy memos.

How long should my statement of purpose be?
Approximately two- to four-pages double-spaced.  For further information about the statement of purpose please refer to the admissions requirements section of our website.

If I am a Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow, an IIPP Fellow or a PPIA Fellow, what should I upload in the "Additional Program Information" section as a "Participation Letter"?
The electronic application requires any applicant applying for a fee waiver because of their participation in one of these fellowship programs to upload "a letter of verification from the organization confirming your participation." Please note that if you do not have a formal letter from the oganization you may submit any sort of document indicating your participation. Some examples are financial award letters, acceptance letters, or evaluations.

Do you accept the GMAT or LSAT in place of the GRE?
No.

Do you have a minimum GRE score requirement?
No.  For applicants enrolling in the MPA program, the middle 50% for the verbal GRE is 620-720 and the median is 680; the middle 50% for the quantitative GRE is 660-760 and the median is 720; the analytical writing GRE is 4.5-5.5 and the median is 5.0.

Do you have a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score requirement?
The Woodrow Wilson School requires a minimum score of 100 IBT for the TOEFL; and 7.0 for the IELTS.

What is the last date I can take the GRE and/or TOEFL test?
Results of computer-based tests taken by the middle of November are guaranteed to arrive in time for the December 1st deadline. If you take the test after December 1st, you should let us know in the Additional Information section of the application so we can be on the lookout for those test scores. Historically we have received score reports in time to be considered as part of an application even for tests taken in December. However, your application will not be reviewed until your GREs have been received. 

Is there a different deadline for letters of recommendation?
All recommendations must be received within two weeks of the December 1st deadline (no later than December 15th).  We encourage you to touch base with your recommenders early so they can begin writing their letters and be ready to upload them when they receive their instructions. Incomplete applications will not receive full consideration.

What if my recommender insists on sending a hard copy letter of recommendation?
First try to encourage them to use the preferred electronic option.  You will be required to register three different recommenders within the application.  The second option is to have them email a scan of a signed letter on letterhead to gradapp@princeton.edu, please cc wwsadmit@princeton.edu.  Keep in mind, if they have the ability to send a letter via email they should be able to use the preferred electronic upload option.  Those recommenders who are submitting their recommendations online should NOT also send a hard copy.  Hard copy letters should be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Princeton University, One Clio Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544.  If a phone number is needed for Express Mail you should use 609-258-3034.  All hard copy letters of recommendation should arrive by the December 1st deadline so they can scanned and added to your online application.

Can I submit more than three letters of recommendation?
We recommend only three letters of recommendation in order to limit the amount of materials the admissions committee members must read, and your application should have three strong recommendations as opposed to additional recommendations.  More is usually not better when it comes to recommendations.

Will you accept recommendation letters from career services centers that keep recommendations on file?
We will accept academic recommendations that have been kept on file, but you should ask the recommender to update the letter so that it is as current as possible. The admissions committee prefers recommendations that attest to your interest in public policy or international affairs as well as public service, and specifically the Woodrow Wilson School.

Should transcripts be sent to Princeton directly from the school or can they come by way of the applicant?
Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded with your electronic application. All transcripts should show your name, the institution name, your major, degree awarded, and date degree was awarded.  Do not forget to scan and upload the explanation of the grading system which is usually included on the back of the transcript, as this is essential to our review. You will be required to submit a transcript for each institution you list in the Previous Education section. Candidates who are admitted to Princeton and choose to enroll will be required to have an official, hard copy transcript(s) mailed to us. 

Do I need to submit transcripts from my study abroad program or from institutions where I attended classes but did not pursue a degree?
The Princeton University application indicates they only require transcripts from every college or university where you have earned a degree or expect to earn a degree.  However, the Woodrow Wilson School requires transcripts from all institutions attended so those transcripts need to be submitted as well.  If those courses *and grades* are included on your main transcript you do not need to submit transcripts from the additional institutions.  You may submit extra transcripts in the Additional Information section of the application.

My transcripts are not in English; do I need to have them translated?
Yes.  Non-English transcripts should be officially translated.  Applicants choose many different means to get their transcripts translated; as long as they are officially translated and verified they will be considered.  Applicants cannot translate their own transcripts.  Official translations can be expensive so you should upload them along with your non-English transcripts.  You should hold on to the hard copy of the official translation because if you enroll you will be requested to send the original official documents through the mail.

My fall grades were not available when I submitted my electronic application.  How do I send those to you if you do not accept hard copy transcripts?
An unofficial copy of your midyear grades from the college or university you are currently attending should be submitted with your electronic application.  If you are unable to submit your grades at the time of applying please email an attachment of your midyear grades to gradapp@princeton.edu and the main Graduate Admission Office will update your application checklist when they are received.  In order for us to be notified of your midyear grades here in the department you must also copy wwsadmit@princeton.edu when you email the attachment to the Graduate School.

Do I need to fill in my parental information on the Statement of Financial Resources?
Some parents do help their children pay for some of their graduate education. Because we do not require any other forms besides the Statement of Financial Resources we ask for parental information to be provided on that form. If your parents will not be providing any financial support toward your degree at Princeton, please make sure you indicate that in one of the fields in that section of the electronic application, or submit a note in the additional information section, so we are aware that is the reason the information is being left blank.

Why can't I see the Statement of Financial Resources question section before I upload my supplemental materials?
We understand that most applicants prefer to wait until the last minute to upload their supplemental documents.  Not allowing you to move forward in the application until you finish each section prevents you from omitting any required information.  If you wish to see the final pages of the application before you upload your supplemental documents, you may upload "dummy," or blank documents into the required fields.  Be cautious doing this however, because you do not want to forget to go back and upload the official/final documents!

Do you require the FAFSA?
No.

Can you tell me if you have received all of my application materials?
Once you submit your electronic application you will have the ability to check on the status of your application, that is whether or not it is complete.  Please do not contact the WWS Graduate Admissions Office until the end of December regardless of when you submit your application.  We will not have access to that information until after the deadline.

I am a dual citizen.  How do I indicate that in the electronic application?
There is only one choice for citizenship within the electronic application.  If you have citizenship with more than one country, please clearly indicate that in your resume and in the Additional Information section of your application.

I speak more than three languages. How do I indicate this in my application?
The electronic application only allows for three languages in addition to your native language. If you have more language experience, please indicate it clearly on your resume or in the Additional Information section of your application.

What do I do if my contact information changes after I submit my application?
The Graduate School asks that you email your address, email, or phone number changes to gsadmit@princeton.edu.  Please also notify us in the department at wwsadmit@princeton.edu.  For security purposes we will not accept address changes over the phone.  Requests should be made in writing and preferably with a signature.

Do you accept transfer students?
No. 

I am interested in the Joint PhD Degree Program in Social Policy. How do I find more information?
For more information about the JDP and the admissions requirements, please visit their homepage.