This year, we are excited to welcome 60 new students into our undergraduate Public Policy & Leadership minor program, including eight students who are pursuing this program in their final year of study at the University.

After major growth in the size of the pool, we received 154 total applications, up from the 120 total applicants we received last year. As a result, the admittance rate for applicants looking to complete the minor over the traditional two-year path was about 35%, a decline from last year’s 47% admittance rate and 70% admittance two years ago. This year, we brought in students from across the country, including Georgia, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana, as well as students with primary or dual citizenship to nine countries. First generation students make up 13% of our class. Minority students comprise over 40% the class, and women comprise 65% of the program.

We admitted students with GPAs that ranged from 3.0 to 4.0, with an average class GPA of 3.7. Students were active in a variety of CIOs and organizations (including Green Grounds, International Relations Organization, First-Generation Low-Income Partnership, undocUVA, Cavalier Daily, and Cavalier Marching Band), undergraduate research, and part-time positions across and off Grounds, including with the Legal Aid Justice Center and Charlottesville City Council. Students from the minor are majoring in the Engineering School, the McIntire School, the School of Education and Human Development, and the College, in majors ranging from Sociology to Cognitive Science to Global Studies.

Together, our differences make us stronger. Together, we are Batten. We look forward to bringing in the next group of committed policy leaders in the months to come!