Admissions Decision Making in Master of Public Administration Programs: Affirmative Inaction?

Abstract

Published admissions standards typically include factors such as test scores, grades, and letters of recommendation. Yet there is little direct evidence in the literature on how these criteria as well as race and sex are actually utilized in student selection. That is, what are the operative rules in admissions decisions? This study reports the results of a survey of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration principal representatives. Each respondent was presented an applicant profile booklet designed to estimate the impact of grades, GRE scores, references, race, and gender on admission decisions. In the findings we discuss how these variables are considered in the selection process. The analysis concludes with a commentary on the implications of the data for Master of Public Administration programs, and their admissions practices.