Trachtenberg Admitted Student Events
Congratulations on your acceptance to GW's Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration! We hope you can attend some of our admitted student events.
We look forward to connecting with you!
Please note all event times are listed in Eastern Standard Time.
Upcoming Events:
Student Services and Career Advancement Virtual Orientations (Virtual)
To support your transition into the program, all incoming graduate students are required to attend one of our three virtual Student Services and Career Advancement Orientation sessions. These sessions will introduce you to essential academic resources, career development tools, and support services to help you succeed both in and out of the classroom.
- Monday, June 15 from 12 - 1pm, Virtual | RSVP
- Wednesday, July 15 from 5 - 6pm, Virtual | RSVP
- Thursday, August 6 from 7:30 - 8:30pm, Virtual | RSVP
Jumpstart Your Success: Summer Career Advancement Series (Virtual)
Get a head start on your professional journey this summer through our Career Lab Drop-ins, designed to polish your resume and LinkedIn profile in just 30 minutes, or join our Speed Mentoring night to connect virtually with impactful alumni across the globe. For immediate support, we are also hosting Virtual Drop-In Hours to answer your time-sensitive questions and help you navigate your early career strategy.
Find the dates & times for each session under the drop down.
- Speed Mentoring (Virtual)
During the summer, we offer this program in a fast-paced VIRTUAL format to give students an opportunity to meet with alumni from within and outside the DMV! Learn from TSPPPA alumni who have paved diverse and impactful paths in the realms of governance, administration, advocacy, research, and more.
Wednesday, June 10 from 7:30 - 9pm, Virtual
RSVP- Virtual Drop-In Hours for Fall Cohort (Virtual)
(15-20 min meetings; Available on a first-come, first-serve basis) are available weekly to address time sensitive, quick career questions and support. These dates are specifically for our Fall Cohort before they gain access to Handshake for regular advising sessions.
30-Minute Career Lab Drop-Ins: Ask, Act, & Finish (Virtual)
Maximize your summer with high-impact, low-stress career prep drop-in sessions designed to check one item off your professional to-do list in 30- minutes - designed to support a head start for new students, momentum for current students, and lifelong advancement for our alumni. Each topic has a day and evening virtual option.
No need to register in advance - just log into Zoom and be ready to take action!
Find the dates & times for each session under the drop down.
- Resume: Match It to the Role (Virtual)
Bring your master resume and a role you’re eyeing to learn how to use AI to analyze the position and align your resume's language with an employer's top internship or job requirements.
- LinkedIn: Headline & About Section (Virtual)
Come ready to update your LinkedIn headline and About Section to highlight your professional identity and tell a more compelling story.
- LinkedIn: Networking & Market Mapping (Virtual)
Come prepared with 2-3 specific areas of interest to learn how to map out your field, uncover hidden roles, and build a professional community across sectors.
- High ROI Search: Target Employer & Networking Lists (Virtual)
Work directly with your target fields to build a strategic employer and networking list that includes high-potential organizations and people you may not have discovered yet.
- Outreach: Connect with Purpose (Virtual)
Bring a list of 2-3 professionals and learn how to locate professional emails, write authentic messages to request informational interviews and draft insightful questions for meaningful career conversations.
Building Your Trachtenberg Community This Summer
Join us for a summer series to build your Trachtenberg community with fun, interactive sessions including hearing from alumni, getting to know student-friendly neighborhoods in the DMV and chatting with fellow admitted students and Trachtenberg faculty members.
Find the dates & times for each session under the drop down.
- Coffee Conversation with Alumni (Virtual)
Join us for an informal virtual conversation with accomplished Trachtenberg alumni.
Hear firsthand about:- Their academic and social experiences at Trachtenberg
- How they navigated graduate school and built community
- The career paths they have pursued and how their degrees helped them succeed
This is a great opportunity to gain insights, ask questions, and explore where your Trachtenberg degree can take you!Thursday, May 28 from 12 - 12:30pm- Get to Know GW Student Neighborhoods (Virtual)
Curious where your classmates will be living? In this interactive webinar, current students will share insights about their neighborhoods - why they chose them, what they love, and how they commute to campus. You’ll also have time to meet other incoming students who may be looking for roommates or hoping to connect before the fall.
- Wednesday, June 10 at 6pm
- Thursday, July 9 at 6pm
- Drink and Spill the Tea with School Director Kathy Newcomer (Virtual)
Join Director Kathy Newcomer for a lively conversation about the Trachtenberg School’s history, values, and future. These sessions offer a relaxed space to learn more about the School and get to know your incoming cohort.
- Coffee with Trachtenberg (Virtual)
Every other week, drop in for an informal coffee chat with fellow admitted students and members of the Trachtenberg community. Each session features different guests, giving you a chance to meet a variety of students, staff, and faculty throughout the summer.
- Friday, June 12 at 8:30am
- Friday, June 26 at 12pm
- Friday, July 31 at 12pm
- Friday, August 14 at 12pm
- Afterwork Mixer (In-Person)
Unwind after your day with a casual rooftop gathering. Connect with students, alumni, and faculty over conversation, networking, and refreshments - all with a beautiful view of campus.
Friday, July 17 at 6pm
RSVP- Admitted Students Orientation (In-Person)
Master’s Programs:
- Thursday, August 20 – Required
- Friday, August 21 – Highly recommended
PhD Program:
- Thursday, August 20
Location Soon To-Be-Announced
Venue details are provided in your official invitation email.
Past Events:
Check out our past admitted students events this year!
- Trachtenberg School Capstone Event
Join our Capstone Event featuring pro bono projects by our graduating students. Enjoy food, drinks, and inspiring presentations that showcase the real-world impact of our students’ work. You will have the opportunity to meet your future classmates, and connect with faculty and staff. We can’t wait to celebrate with you and officially welcome you to the Trachtenberg School!
- Admitted Student Coffee on Campus and Q&A with TSPPPA Career Advancement Team
Join us for an informative coffee chat at 8:30am alongside other admitted students. Representatives from Admissions, Student Services, and Career Advancement will be on hand to help with any questions you have. At 9:30am, we’ll pivot to a focused career Q&A session where our staff will answer questions about how we support your professional success from day one.
- Admitted Students Day
Join the Trachtenberg Community for Admitted Students Day! The day will begin with registration, coffee, and a light breakfast at 9:30am, followed by an alumni panel and a conversation with our Career Advancement team about professional pathways and career support. You will also have the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions with program directors and attend sessions highlighting different areas of policy and public administration that you may wish to pursue. The formal program will conclude at 2:30pm, with tours available afterward for those who would like to explore campus. We look forward to meeting you!
Impactful Careers: How an MPP, MPA, or ESP Degree Opens Doors- Virtual Q&A with Career DirectorAttendees met with our Career Advancement Director to ask questions about turning your TSPPPA degree into an impactful career and how our specific support services, including employment outcome data, one-on-one career advising, and our highly engaged alumni network can support you along the way.
If you are interested in visiting a class on-campus, please email tsadmit
gwu [dot] edu (subject: Re%3A%20Admitted%20Student%20Events%20Page) (tsadmit[at]gwu[dot]edu)!
Questions? Contact tsadmitgwu [dot] edu (subject: Re%3A%20Admitted%20Student%20Events%20Page) (tsadmit[at]gwu[dot]edu)