The school reviews applications and makes decisions at the beginning of each month. The school grants about 65 research assistantships a year, but only about five are awarded to first-year students because of the tough workload. The school has been less successful on the minority front, but says it offers all qualified minority students some merit-based financial assistance.
Work experience is the most important criteria the admissions office uses to assess applicants.
The school is unlikely to waive its two-year minimum work experience requirement unless you are an exceptional student and had good internships during college. Personal interviews are mandatory. Rivera prefers that candidates come to campus, but if that's not possible, alums can interview the student and she can follow up with a phone interview.