Second-round application deadline for Fall 2020 entry is March 15

Our second application deadline for the 2020–21 academic year is March 15.

There's still plenty of time to apply — join the LBJ tradition of bold and fearless action, and build your future in public service.

As you go through the application process, remember a couple of things:

1. Consider everything a writing sample. All of your written communications with us — your application, your resume, your personal statement and even your emails with questions — give you a chance to practice writing. The more thought and effort you put into even your casual communications, the more it will become second nature to apply that kind of care and attention to everything you write. View it all as an opportunity.
2. Therefore, be careful in crafting your personal statement of purpose. Have more than one other person read it, checking for style, grammar, punctuation and those missing words that your eye might skip over. This is your chance to show us who you are, and our chance to learn about you. Make sure nothing — especially minor, preventable errors, distracts from that.
3. Finally, if you've been out of the academic world and in the workforce for a while, use a work reference who can speak to your abilities — particularly as they relate to you as a student and how you would do in the program.

Application checklist:

• Create an account and complete the ApplyTexas application
• Application fee
• Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions
• GRE scores
• TOEFL scores (for international applicants)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Current résumé
• Personal statement of purpose

Questions?

We have answers. First, here's an overview of the LBJ School's programs and application requirements.

Second, the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions (OSAA) hosted webinar sessions throughout the fall 2019 semester for prospective students seeking answers to questions about all aspects of the application process, the culture of the LBJ School and what it has to offer. The sessions also introduced some of our outstanding faculty and offered perspective on the search for internships during the program and jobs after graduation. 

OSAA Webinar Archive

Fall 2019

• Oct. 14, 2019: Get to Know LBJ: Meet the Associate Dean for Students and Current LBJ Students
  
  Topics: Program overview; customizing your degree; experiential opportunities; centers/research and faculty; alumni network; student services

• Oct. 23, 2019: LBJ School DC Concentration — Program Overview
  
  Topics: Program description; logistics; course overview; application tips and tricks

• Oct. 29, 2019: All about the LBJ Ph.D. in Public Policy, with Dr. Kate Weaver, assistant dean for students, and Ph.D. Graduate Adviser Chandler Stolp
  
  Topics: Program description and structure; course requirements; application information

• Oct. 30, 2019: Admissions Fellowships at the LBJ School of Public Affairs
  
  Topics: LBJ fellowships overview; types of fellowships; deadlines; how to apply

• Nov. 6, 2019: LBJ School — Application Tips and Tricks
  
  Topics: Introduction and OSAA overview; LBJ program overview; application deadlines; application procedures overview; tips and tricks/helpful suggestions

Fall 2018

• Dec. 13, 2018: Meet the Dean
  
  Topic: Dean Angela Evans shared thoughts on a public affairs education and her vision for the LBJ School.

• Nov. 26, 2018: Applying from the military: Veterans, active-duty, Hazelwood benefit and more
  
  Topics: The experience of LBJ students affiliated with the military; the application process; curricular details; school-military balance and more. Current LBJ students Brandon Podojil, Nathan Bumagny and Christopher Piskai talked about their experience.

• Nov. 19, 2018: Spotlight on the Strauss Center and the Clements Center
  
  Topics: Two of the research centers at the LBJ School — the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law and the Clements Center for National Security. Professors William Inboden, Robert Chesney, Stephen Slick and Kate Weaver joined to offer background and discuss their research and opportunities for LBJ students.

• Nov. 5, 2018: LBJ Admissions Fellowships Overview with LBJ Chief Business Officer Amy Miller
  
  Topics: Fellowships available to prospective students; how they are allocated in the admissions process.

• Oct. 31, 2018: Career Management with Career Resource Specialists Lauren Berryhill and Nikesha Rollack
  
  Topic: Services at the LBJ School that can help you land that required internship and find the job you've been looking for after graduation.

• Oct. 29: Program Deep Dive — MPAff and MGPS with Professors Sherri Greenberg, the faculty adviser for the MPAff program, and Lorinc Redei, the faculty adviser for MGPS
  
  Topic: The way each program combines the academic theory of the classroom with practical, hands-on experience; requirements; getting the most out of your master's program.

• Oct. 24, 2018: DC Concentration with Washington Center Director Tom O'Donnell and Deputy Director Robin Boone
  
  Topics: The specifics of the DC Concentration and all that the LBJ Washington Center has to offer in terms of Policy Apprenticeships and hands-on policy experience.

• Oct. 18, 2018: Ph.D. in Public Policy program with Professor Victoria E. Rodríguez
  
  Topics: An overview of the Ph.D. program, from its core requirements to research and dissertation.

• Oct. 11, 2018: Virtual Information Session with Graduate Program Coordinators Amy Pakes and Laura Roach, Graduate Admissions and Program Coordinator Gwen Kelso, and Career Resource Specialists Lauren Berryhill and Nikesha Rollack
  
  Topics: The LBJ School's degree programs and career assistance.

• Oct. 8, 2018: The LBJ School Culture: A Faculty Perspective, with Professor Kate Weaver and MPAff student Wayne Holstine
  
  Topics: The culture of the LBJ School — particularly the opportunities for students and faculty to work together.

• Oct. 8, 2018: The LBJ School Culture: A Student Perspective, with Graduate Admissions and Program Coordinator Gwen Kelso joined Master of Global Policy Study (MGPS) student Holly Buttrey and Master of Public Affairs (MPAff) student Laura Harbison
  
  Topics: What it's like to attend the LBJ School, from classes and student groups to going to grad school in Austin and what makes our school like no other.

Good luck!