"Speaking Truth to Power"

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Student Groups

Students of Color in Public Policy (SCIPP)

SCIPP's mission is to ensure serious consideration of issues of ethnic and racial diversity in policy design both within the School and in society at large. SCIPP provides a support network for students of color at GSPP and a forum for discussion of policy implications for people of color. The group holds conferences and invites guest speakers to the school. It also collaborates with the faculty to diversify the curriculum and to promote minority student/faculty retention at GSPP. The group is open to all GSPP students.

Graduate Peer Advisors (GPA)

The Goldman School of Public Policy and SCIPP are dedicated to increasing diversity within the program. As part of our mission, a group of graduate students in SCIPP is offering assistance to all prospective students in the application process.

This includes:

  • Answering questions about the curriculum and the Public Policy degree
  • Providing advice on final drafts of statements of purpose

Please contact us via email and follow the directions below.

  1. Send your Statement of Purpose (SOP) as a word attachment titled "your last name" and "SOP," (ex. SmithSOP.doc)
  2. If you have additional questions or concerns about the curriculum or the public policy degree, include it in the body of the email along with your attachment.
  3. Please email your SOP to .
  4. GPA will make every attempt to return your essay with feedback within one week.

We encourage individuals from underrepresented communities to utilize this service.

GPA has put together a tip sheet to assist you in writing your essay.

Note: Applications to the Goldman School must be postmarked December 1st. GPA will accept essays for review through November 16th. Essays submitted after November 16th will not be reviewed.

Contact Information

For more information on SCIPP, send an email to: