Application Instructions

Master of International Affairs 5-year (3+2) Degree with the Texas A&M Departments of International Studies and Economics

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The Bush School Admissions Office works with the International Studies and Economics Departments at Texas A&M University to process all applications for the Bush School’s 5-year (3+2) Master of International Affairs (MIA) degree.

For application instructions and a checklist in PDF format, click the links below:

• Fall 2023 3+2 MIA Application Instructions
• Fall 2023 3+2 MIA Application Checklist

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Application Deadlines

We admit students into the 3+2 MIA program once per year, for fall entry only. Applications and all supporting materials (including recommendations) must be submitted/received by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed or considered for admission.

The application for Fall 2023 entry will open in early August with application deadlines as follows:

• Priority Funding Application Deadline – December 15, 2022
  Applicants are strongly advised to submit all supporting documents and their application by the priority deadline to ensure their file is confirmed to be complete in time to be considered for all available Bush School funding.

• Final Application Deadline* – February 15, 2023
  Applications received after the priority funding deadline, but on or before the final application deadline, will still receive a competitive Bush School Scholarship. However, nomination-based opportunities may no longer be available.
  
  

The closer we are to the final deadline date, the busier the Bush School Admissions Office gets. Applicants may experience longer response times, which can be frustrating. We value an applicant’s time and want to ensure all documents are accounted for, questions can be answered, and issues can be dealt with before the submission window closes. Aim for the priority deadline if possible. 

*Should the need arise and if space allows, we might extend the deadline to consider late applicants. However, this will not be determined until on or after the final application deadline.

The Bush School Admissions Office makes the final determination of when an application is complete. We will notify applicants of any missing materials and/or when an application is complete via the email address entered on an application. Please be patient and allow us at least 7-10 business days to process a submitted application and all support materials.

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Eligibility Requirements

Current Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) undergraduate students may apply for admission into the 3+2 MIA program during the fall of their junior year (or in the fall when they are classified as a U3) as long as the student:

• is classified as a U3 (or junior) majoring in one of the following at the time of their application, and
  • Economics
  • International Studies (specifically in the emphasis track of International Politics & Diplomacy) 
• has (or will have) a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25 if majoring in Economics or 3.5 if majoring in International Studies by the start of the fall semester in which they will enter the 3+2 program, and
• has worked with their undergrad advisor to map out undergrad courses the student must complete prior to and after entry into the 3+2 program (if admitted), and
• has (or will have) approximately 66-78 credit hours of their undergrad degree completed by the start of the fall semester of their junior year (when they begin the 3+2 application process), and
• is predicted to have at least 102 credit hours of their undergrad degree completed by the start of the fall semester in which they will enter the 3+2 program, and
• has (or will have) completed their required study abroad trip prior to the start of the fall semester in which they will enter the 3+2 program, (only applicable to INTS majors) , and
• is in good academic standing with their undergrad department,and
• is not expected to graduate or complete their undergrad degree during the academic year in which they are applying*, and
• understands that failure to satisfy ALL of these requirements will result in admission (if offered) being revoked to the 3+2 program.

*For example: A Texas A&M Undergrad student majoring in Economics who is expected to graduate from their undergrad degree in May 2023 is ineligible to apply for fall 2023 admission into the 3+2 program. The student would need to submit a GradCAS application for the 2-year MIA degree instead.

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Overview of the Application Process

Current Texas A&M undergraduate students who meet the eligibility requirements above may apply by filling out, uploading support materials, and submitting a 3+2 MIA Internal Application. Applicants are required to submit all of the following materials to complete their application by the application deadline (preferably the priority deadline, but no later than the final deadline). Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed or considered for admission.

1. 3+2 MIA Internal Application
2. Résumé
3. Personal Statement
4. International Experience Essay
5. Recommendations (3)
6. Transcripts
7. GRE/GMAT Scores (optional)
8. Undergrad Advisor Approval

For a detailed timeline of the admissions process, visit our Admissions Timeline page. To summarize:

• Late January – Completed applications are reviewed by the MIA Admissions Committee to determine who will be invited to interview during the next step in the admissions process.
• End of January through early February – App status updates and interview invitations are sent via email.
• February – Interviews completed.
• February 24-25 – Those invited to interview are also encouraged/invited to attend the Bush School MIA Campus Visit Weekend.
• Early March – The Admissions and Scholarship Committees meet to make final admissions and scholarship decisions.
• By March 15 – Admissions decisions and scholarship offers are emailed to applicants.
• April 15 – Deadline to accept or decline offer.

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3+2 MIA Internal Application 

To apply, submit the 3+2 MIA Internal Application by filling out the application and uploading a personal statement, international experience essay, and GRE/GMAT test scores (if desired). There is no application fee. Three recommendations are required, but are to be submitted by your recommenders via email. Refer to the Recommendations section below for instructions.

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Résumé

Upload a current résumé (max of two pages) that includes activities after high school to the internal application.  A Résumé Template is available for reference:

• Name and Contact Information
• Education
  • Undergraduate Institution; include month/year completed (or to complete)
  • Degree earned, with major(s), minor(s)
  • Cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale (if it helps, consider adding a last 60 hour or major GPA)
  • List all additional bachelor/master/PhD degrees and certificates you have completed or are in-progress to complete
  • Academic honors and awards
• Work/Internship Experience
  • List all professional work or internship experiences (full-time, part-time, and internships)
  • Include military services and duties
• International Experience (if applicable)
• Related/Highlighted Coursework(optional)
• Applied Class Projects/Activities(optional)
• Skills and Certifications (optional)
  • Language: List the language and current speaking level (beginner, intermediate, advanced, fluent). Optional for reading, writing levels
  • Computer: List relevant software by name
  • Security Clearance: Highlight any relevant clearances
• Leadership, Service, Organizations, and Honors
  • Indicate the organization, position/role assumed, the duration/dates involved, and the time involved per week/month/semester

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Personal Statement

In an effort learn more about an applicant, applicants are asked to write a personal statement addressing the following prompt. Statements should be typed in 11 pt font, spaced 1.5”, and answer the following prompt. Include your name, the title “Personal Statement”, and page number on each page. Upload to your 3+2 MIA Internal Application.

• Your personal and professional goals for a career in international affairs,
• What (including people, places, internships, or events) inspired you to pursue a career in this field,
• How obtaining the MIA from the Bush School will help you achieve your goals, and
• What value you bring to the program; this may be knowledge gained from meaningful experiences, education, or jobs you have held in the past.

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International Experience Essay

In addition to the Personal Statement, applicants are required to write an international experience essay to convey their unique international experiences and influences. The essay should be typed in 11 pt font, spaced 1.5”, and include the applicant’s name, the title “International Experience Essay,” and page number on each page. Upload to your 3+2 MIA Internal Application.

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Recommendations (3)

Three recommendations (consisting of a letter and brief evaluation) are required and must be received by the application deadline, preferably the priority application deadline, but no later than the final application deadline. Applications with fewer than three recommendations will NOT be reviewing for admission. Recommendations can be from:

• (preferred) a higher education academic reference, particularly from a course instructor who can attest to an applicant’s capability to pursue graduate school.

• a professional reference as needed, particularly for those who worked before or during their undergrad degree. A professional reference should speak to the applicant’s leadership, character, public service, military or work experience, but should also provide specific anecdotes as to why the applicant is prepared for graduate school.

To request a recommendation, applicants should discuss the program and recommendation requirements with their recommender well in advance of the application deadline. If the recommender agrees to submit a recommendation on the applicant’s behalf, the applicant should fill out the top portion of the Recommendation Form with their information and email it to their recommenders with instructions for the recommender to do the following:

1. Write a letter of recommendation (preferably on official letterhead),
2. Fill out the bottom evaluation portion of the recommendation form,
3. Email the completed recommendation form and letter to the Bush School Admissions Office at bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu. We will not accept recommendations submitted from an applicant; recommendations must be emailed directly from the recommender.

The Bush School Admissions Office will send the applicant an email notification each time a recommendation has been received on their behalf. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to follow-up with any recommenders who have not yet submitted a recommendation to ensure they do so by the deadline the applicant set with them, but no later than the final application deadline.

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Transcripts

We have access to Texas A&M student records and will download a current transcript for 3+2 applicants at the time of the application, after fall grades are posted, and prior to fall entry (if admitted) to ensure the applicant meets all requirements, including GPA.

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GRE/GMAT (optional)

The MIA program requires applicants with a cumulative GPA below a 3.2 to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Since minimum GPA requirements for the MIA 3+2 program are above 3.25, scores are optional (unless an applicant applies with a GPA below 3.2 in anticipation of meeting that GPA requirement by enrollment).

Scores are encouraged for anyone who feels they can complement a strong file or offset concerns such as a lack of experience in the field. When deciding if scores will help or hinder your application, consider our previous years’ averages (308). We prefer the GRE over GMAT. Scores must be within five years of the date the application is submitted.

Applicants who decide to submit test scores should upload a copy of their Test Score Report to their Internal Application. Official scores are not needed, but can be sent to Texas A&M University using the following codes. (GRE Code: 6003 / GMAT Code: 7B7-K9-57)

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Undergrad Advisor Approval

Please visit with your undergrad advisor to discuss applying to the 3+2 MIA program. It is imperative students meet with their advisor to ensure they are on track to complete all requirements for their undergrad degree except for the courses that double count toward both their undergrad and MIA degree. Submit the following via the 3+2 MIA Internal Application:

• INTS majors: Work with your undergrad advisor on filling out an INTS/MIA 5-Year Course Planner and upload to your internal application when complete.
• Econ majors: Work with your undergrad advisor on filling out a B.A. ECON/MIA or B.S. ECON/MIA 5-Year Course Planner and upload to your internal application when complete.

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Contact Information: Bush School Admissions

Questions about the application or application process should be directed to Ashlee Treadway or Kathryn Meyer in the Bush School Admissions Office. Our contact information:

Phone: 979-862-3476
Email: bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu

 All documents on this page are in PDF format. To view documents, you must have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.