The Texas MPA program decided to extend the Fall 2018 U. S. application deadline to March 31 to provide applicants with additional time to submit their application materials.

Keep in mind that we review applications on a continuous basis, in the order of file completion, and cannot guarantee space availability. As a result, I recommend that you submit all application materials as soon as possible rather than waiting until the final deadline.

As a reminder, you can track the status of your materials online in the application status check.

If you are a U.S. applicant, you may have noticed that the Texas MPA has two application deadlines:

December 1 – early deadline

March 1 – final deadline

Why are there two deadlines for U.S. applications? How does the MPA admissions process work?

The MPA admissions committee starts reviewing applications in December and then continues to review applications in the order of completion until March.

What does this mean for you?

We will review your application after all of the required materials have been received, as long as you submit the application by the final deadline. Of course, you will benefit by completing your application as soon as possible, as we have more spots in our incoming class and more scholarship funding available early in the admissions cycle.

What if you are not ready to submit all of your materials by December 1?

No worries! If you need additional time to prepare your application materials (to study for the GMAT or GRE, for example), be sure to take your time and submit the strongest application possible. In the meantime, you can start the process by submitting the online application.

*Application tip: you can skip past the test score section on the application if you haven’t taken or scheduled the test yet.

Should you submit your transcript by the December 1 early deadline or wait until your fall grades are posted? 

In most cases, I recommend completing your application by December 1 and including a transcript without fall grades. We will reach out to you if we need your fall grades before making a decision.

That said, I  recommend that you submit your transcript with your fall grades if:

1. (For non-accounting majors:) You are taking any of the pre-enrollment courses in the fall,
2. (For accounting majors:) You are enrolled in several upper-level accounting classes in the fall, or
3. Your upper-level GPA will be improved substantially with your fall grades.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact me!

 

1. I do not have an accounting background and need to start the MPA program in the summer. However, I cannot find a summer 2017 MPA application in ApplyTexas. What should I do?

You should complete a fall application, even if you are required to start in the summer. If you are accepted to the MPA program and decide to attend, we will backdate your admission to the summer so that you can enroll in summer courses.

2. Can I submit the application even if I haven’t taken the GMAT yet?

Yes, you can skip the GMAT section on the application. After you take the test, have the official  score report sent to UT-Austin, and the scores will be matched to your application.

3. What other application materials do I need to provide, and how do I submit them?

A comprehensive checklist and instructions are available in the MPA admissions packet. Before preparing your application materials, I recommend reviewing the tips to make your application stand out, the MPA class profile, and admissions FAQs.

4. I am a U.S. applicant. Should I apply by the early deadline?

As a general rule, U.S. applicants benefit by submitting their application materials as early as possible in the admissions cycle. However, if you need additional time to prepare your application (to prepare for the GMAT, for example), it is to your advantage to take your time and present the strongest application possible. Keep in mind that we use a rolling admissions process for U.S. applications in which we review applications in the order of completion. Therefore, if you do not complete your application by the early December 1 deadline, you do not need to wait for another “round” on March 1… apply as soon as you are able!

5. I do not have U.S. permanent residency or citizenship status, but I will receive my undergraduate (or graduate) degree in the U.S. Can I apply as a U.S. applicant? Do I need to submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores?

Only U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents are eligible to apply as U.S. applicants. All international MPA applicants, except those from English-only speaking countries, must submit either an Internet-based TOEFL or IELTS official score report. Studying an undergraduate or graduate degree in an English-only speaking country will not waive the TOEFL/IELTS score requirement. However, if applicable, you may request that a copy of your expired Internet-based TOEFL or IELTS score report be used for your MPA application if the scores meet or exceed our preferred minimum requirements.  Please refer to the MPA admissions packet for additional information.

Have an additional question? Post it here!