Eligible candidates for the School of Public Service should be rising high school seniors at the time of the program (in some circumstances, we will also consider applications from students for the summer following their graduation from high school).  The School of Public Service admits students on the basis of academic achievement and promise, recommendations, and demonstrated interest in government, public policy, and/or public service.  SPS will admit approximately thirty-five students competitively chosen from across the country.  SPS encourages applications from students in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, who can attend SPS as residential or day students. 

We seek students who will not only perform at a high level in the classroom but who will also contribute positively to the life of SPS.  We strive for an atmosphere that embodies and respects many points of view, therefore we seek a broadly diverse student body.  We expect more applicants than we can admit, and considerable effort goes into giving each applicant full and serious consideration.  SPS considers the applicant's school transcript, extracurricular and community involvement, teacher recommendations, essays, and standardized test scores.

Every student applying to SPS must complete our application, which is available online on our website (click HERE for the online application).  (You may also download and print out a copy of the application, and mail it to SPS along with your application essay.  Click on this link for the hard copy application:  SPS Application - Hard Copy.)  If you are having difficulties with the online application, the best way to reach us is via email at sps@cathedral.org (you may also call the office at 202-537-5286).  Additional materials such as the high school transcript and teacher recommendation should be sent separately via regular mail to: St. Albans School of Public Service, Mount St. Alban, Washington D.C. 20016.

Once you have completed the online application, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application.  SPS will hold your application until we have received the rest of your materials (such as teacher recommendations), and then review your file once it is complete.  We make admissions decisions on a rolling basis, so the earlier we receive your application, the sooner you will hear back from SPS, and the better your chances of gaining a spot in the program.

At the end of this page, you will find a link which will take you to our online application form.  We began accepting applications for the 2011 SPS program on December 1, 2010, and will continue accepting applications on a rolling basis until the class is filled (usually in March/April; please contact our office if you are applying in the spring and wish to know if places in the class remain).   Applications are free before March 15, 2011; applications received after March 15, 2011 will be subject to an application fee of $25.00.  To hold a place in the class upon acceptance, a deposit is due: $1000.00 for students not applying for financial aid; $100.00 for students who are seeking financial aid.

*Students applying after March 15 will be charged a $25.00 application fee

**Deposit for students awaiting a financial aid decision will be $100.00

Both the cover letter and application essay are part of the online application (they should be typed separately and then cut-and-pasted into the appropriate field in the online application).

The cover letter should be no more than a paragraph or two and should tell the School of Public Service a little bit about yourself and your interest in public service and SPS.

Your application essay should be between 400-500  words and should address the following question:

Choose a single individual who has inspired you to become more public minded.  How has this person had an impact upon the way you think about public service or public policy?

The School of Public Service requires official high school transcripts and, to the extent available, standardized test scores (for example, SAT I, SAT II, PSAT, ACT, Advanced Placement).  If your school transcript does not include test scores, you may send us a photocopy of your test score report (i.e., we do NOT need to receive the score report directly from the College Board).  If you have only taken the PSAT, or you have not yet taken the PSAT or any of the other major standardized college admission tests, you are still eligible to apply.  (We may ask you to supplement your application with scores when they become available.)

Both transcript and scores should be sent under separate cover in a sealed and signed envelope.  They should be sent to the following address:

Both transcript and scores must be received before your application can be acted upon.

In order to be considered for the School of Public Service, applicants are required to submit at least one written recommendation from a teacher (preferably a history or social sciences instructor) who has taught the applicant in one or more classes, or a school principal or administrator who is familiar with the student and his/her record.  Recommendations may be mailed to the School of Public Service (see address above).   There is no set format for the letter; we would ask that the teacher assess the student's ability to function in a fast-paced, intellectually challenging program requiring critical thinking skills and the willingness to participate in discussion and debates on policy issues.

At the student's option, applicants may also submit an additional recommendation (for example, from a school principal or administrator if the main recommendation is from a teacher) in support of the application. 

SPS maintains a financial aid fund to assist students who could not attend SPS without financial assistance.  To be considered for financial aid, a student's parents or guardians must submit (1) the SPS financial aid form, which will be emailed or mailed upon request; and (2) a signed copy of their prior year's Form 1040 statement of federal income tax and all schedules, along with a copy of their W-2 form and/or 1099 form(s). In considering applications for financial assistance from separated or divorced parents, SPS considers the assets of both parents before making any award.  Financial aid funds are, unfortunately, not without limit, and chances of receiving an award are better earlier in the application process. 

The School of Public Service runs its own admissions program, independent of the St. Albans School and National Cathedral School admission processes.  Students are admitted into SPS on a rolling basis, and early applicants historically have stood a better chance of admission.

SPS begins accepting applications for the summer 2011 program on December 1, 2010.  While there is no set deadline by which to submit applications, most students submit their applications between January 1 and March 1.  For students who apply before March 15, 2010, the application fee is waived.  Students may still apply for any places still available after March 15, 2010, but must pay a $25.00 application fee.  (Although the class is generally complete by mid to late April, places do occasionally come available as the plans of admitted students change, so if you have a question about availability, please email us or call our office at (202) 537-5286.)

Application for the School of Public Service