Admissions
Each applicant to the Technology and Policy Program must have a strong technical background, almost always including an undergraduate degree in engineering or science. Each must also be prepared to follow the curriculum of advanced subjects in economics, political science and management.
The criteria for admission are:
- Academic excellence,
- Interest in technology policy, and
- Desire for to take a leadership role at the interface of technology & policy.
The successful candidate will have good credentials in each category. Three-quarters of the current class has had one or more years of work experience after their undergraduate degree.
The goal of the program is to produce leaders who are engineers & scientists.
Academic Excellence
Academic excellence is demonstrated by university grades, as calibrated by the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) that establish a rough comparison between schools. The grades are examined in detail, giving preference to recent performance and subjects relevant to Technology and Policy.
For North American candidates, a minimum average of B plus is expected. This threshold may be different for other countries where the grading system is harder. For example, a B minus or C plus level from the major French Grandes Ecoles appears comparable. The faculty evaluates the record subjectively, recognizing the diversity of grading practices and personal experience.
Minimum GRE levels are 700 for the quantitative portion, 4.5 for the analytical portion and 550+ in verbal portion of the exam (450+ non-native English speakers). For applicants taking the new analytical writing exam, TPP seeks applicants scoring 4.5 or better.
Applicants who are not native speakers of English must also present the results of their test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL), taken within the last two years. The minimum TOEFL score is 255 for computer-based exam, 103 for Internet-based exam, or 610 for paper-based exam.
Profile for Technology and Policy
The Program looks for demonstrated interest in Technology and Policy. This is normally indicated by experience in the area, and by the students' stated objectives.
Experience: The Program has found that students who do not yet have experience in industry or government find it difficult to understand policy issues. We therefore give preference to candidates with one or more years of experience, all else being equal. North American students, who typically have substantial summer jobs during their university years, normally meet the minimum criteria for experience. Students who did not have a major work experience during their school years are expected to have had one before they apply.
Professional Objectives: The typical student in the Program wants to combine competence in a particular field of technological development (communications, energy, environment, computers, aerospace, etc.) with capabilities in applied social science (economics, politics, law, etc.) The faculty assesses the applicants' objectives both by what they have done (courses taken at the university and work experience) and what they propose to do, as presented in their statement of objectives.
In the past, half of the students have come from North America, and the rest about equally from Europe, Asia/Africa and Latin America.
Leadership
The Program recruits men and women who are prepared to work for the good of a larger community. We seek students who are effective in motivating concern about issues, capable of catalyzing coalitions to effect change, and able to manage implementation of new policies.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their experience and ambitions in this regard in their statement of objectives.
Admissions Process
Applications and inquiries should be sent directly to the Technology and Policy Program.
The application form can be downloaded or completed online at Graduate Admissions.
The normal starting date for the Program is September, when the whole entering class begins its orientation and professional development.
Applicants for admission are sent offers of admission as soon as possible, generally by mid-March.
The Program adheres strongly to the posted ESD deadline for application submission of January 10.
Limited offers of financial assistance are made once all available applications for September have been considered, normally by the end of March.
