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Application Instructions

Master of International Policy (College Station, TX)

Admissions Info - Master of International Policy

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The Bush School Admissions Office works with the Office of Graduate Admissions at Texas A&M University to process all applications for the on-campus Master of International Policy (MIP) in College Station, TX.

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

Application Deadlines

We admit students into the MIP program every semester (spring, summer, and fall). Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed for considered for admission.

Application deadlines:

  • Spring 2023 Deadline: October 15, 2022
  • Summer 2023 Deadline: March 15, 2023 (App opens in August)
  • Fall 2023 Deadline: April 15, 2023 (App opens in August)
  • Spring 2024 Deadline: October 15, 2023 (App opens in May 2023)

Applications and all supporting materials (including recommendations) must be submitted/received by the application deadline. Those seeking early decisions may contact our office to work within a modified timeline. 

The Bush School Admissions Office makes the final determination when an application is complete. Even if the GradCAS portal says an application is complete, it may not be, as the system only checks for some of the required items. Look for email updates from The Bush School Admissions Office who will email applicants using the email address entered on their application to let them know of any missing materials or when an application is complete. Please be patient and allow us 7-10 business days to process a submitted application and all support materials.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four years of professional experience in the field of international affairs, broadly understood. (Such experience does NOT include educational experiences like semester abroad or undergraduate internships.)

Overview of the Application Process

Applicants apply to the program by uploading all supporting materials and submitting an application through the GradCAS application system. The exception to this is any continuing graduate student at Texas A&M who instead submits a Letter of Intent to move from another grad program to the MIP.

Applicants are required to submit the following materials through GradCAS to complete their application by the application deadline. Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed or considered for admission.

  1. Application
  2. Application Fee
  3. Résumé
  4. Personal Statement
  5. Recommendations (2)
  6. Transcripts
  7. GRE/GMAT Scores (optional)
  8. Proof of English Proficiency (for citizens from non-English speaking countries)

To avoid confusion or delay in processing an application, please use the same spelling and name on all correspondence. Also, notify the Bush School Admissions Office of any changes to address and/or name.

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

As soon as an applicant’s file is complete (all supporting materials are received, including test scores and recommendations), the application will be reviewed for admission. Please allow up to 10 business days for us to review and make a decision. Once made, an admissions decision will be emailed to the applicant with further instructions. Note: Processing and updating an applicant’s admission in the system can take up to 14 business days, so be prepared.

Application

Unless an applicant is a continuing Texas A&M graduate student, submission of an application and all supporting documents through GradCAS is required. To get started:

Continuing Texas A&M Graduate Students: If an applicant is currently completing a graduate degree at Texas A&M and wishes to pursue another, he/she should email a completed Letter of Intent form (instead of an application in GradCAS), along with all supporting materials, to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu.

Application Fee

Applicants pay a nonrefundable fee to submit their application in GradCAS*. Application fee costs:

  • $89 for domestic applicants*
  • $114 for international applicants

*Continuing Texas A&M Graduate Students: Applicants currently completing a grad degree at Texas A&M do NOT pay an application fee when submitting the Letter of Intent. 

Résumé

In the Supporting Information quadrant ➡ Documents section of GradCAS*, upload a current résumé (up to three pages max; shorten and highlight longer CVs) that should include the following:  

  • Name and Contact Information
  • Education
  • Work/Internship Experience and Military Service/Duties
  • International Experience
  • Skills and Certifications (language, software, clearance, etc.)
  • Leadership, Service, Organizations, and Honors

*Continuing Texas A&M Graduate Students: Email the résumé to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu

Personal Statement

In an effort to learn more about an applicant applicants upload their personal statement addressing the following prompt. Statements should be typed in 11 pt font, spaced 1.5”, and address the following prompt. Include applicant name, the title “Personal Statement,” and page number on each page. Upload to the Program Materials quadrant ➡ Documents tab in GradCAS*.

Prompt: In 750 words or less, please address the following topics in your personal statement:

  • Your personal and professional goals for a career in international policy,
  • Details about your professional experience in the field,
  • How will obtaining the MIP from the Bush School will help you achieve your goals.

*Continuing Texas A&M Graduate Students: Email the statement to bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu.

Recommendations (2)

Two recommendations (consisting of a letter and brief evaluation) are required and must be received by the application deadline. Applications with fewer than two recommendations will NOT be reviewed for admission. One or both recommendations can be from someone who:

  • can speak to the applicant’s leadership; public service, military, or work experience; and/or
  • is familiar with applicant’s academic performances.

Once you choose your recommenders, be sure to inform them of the process and that they will be completing their recommendation electronically*. We recommend you ask for their preferred email address and advise them to monitor that email inbox for your recommendation request (which will come from tamusupport@liaisoncas.com), including any junk or spam folder.

To request a recommendation in GradCAS:
Navigate to the Program Materials quadrant → Recommendations tab. Click on the “+Request Letter of Reference and Likert Scale Recommendation” hyperlink. Entering the following fields:

  • Name and email of your recommender
  • Personal message/note: Enter anything you feel is necessary for the recommender to know. The note you enter will display in the body of the email sent to the recommender.
  • Due Date: Enter a due date of at least one week prior to the application deadline; this deadline will display in the email sent to your recommender.
  • Waiver of Recommendation:
    • Selecting ‘Yes’ lets the recommender know you will not ask for a copy of their recommendation. This does NOT give you access to their recommendation in GradCAS. It simply means you’ve let your recommender know you might ask them for a copy.
    • Selecting ‘No’ lets the recommender know you may ask them to send you a copy of their recommendation at any time.
  • Permission to Contact Recommender: Checking this box gives the system permission to send an automated email to your recommender with instructions for submitting their recommendation. This does not mean the Bush School will email your recommender instructions. You are responsible for ensuring your recommender submits their recommendation by the deadline.
  • Permission for Schools to Contact Recommender: Check that you give permission for us to contact your recommender to verify any information and/or ask for further clarification on their recommendation, if needed.

Press the ‘Save This Recommendation Request’ button, which will send an automated email with instructions to your recommender. You can submit your application before or after all of your recommendations are received. However, an application must be submitted and all recommendations must be received by the application deadline.

To monitor the status of your recommendations: Log back into your application and navigate to the Program Materials quadrant → Recommendations tab. Recommendations will be in one of the following statuses:

  • Requested: An email was sent to the recommender, but he/she has not accepted or declined the request for a recommendation.
  • Accepted: The recommender has accepted the request for a recommendation and may have even started recommendation, but they have not submitted it quite yet.
  • Completed: Recommendation has been submitted. A completed date should be listed.

To resend a recommendation request: Log back into your application and navigate to the Program Materials quadrant → Recommendations tab. Press the ‘Edit’ icon’ next to the recommender, make any sort of change to the record (such as adding a note) and press the ‘Resend Recommendation Request’ button.

*Continuing TAMU Grad Students: Fill out the top portion of the Recommendation Form. Send to your recommender with instructions for them to fill out the rest of the form, write your letter of recommendation, and send both to the Bush School Admissions Office (bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu) by the application deadline.  Recommenders must submit to Bush School Admissions directly; recommendations emailed by the applicant are not accepted.

Transcripts

COPIES OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED TO APPLY

Copies of official transcripts from all 4-year colleges attended is required to apply and must be uploaded to the applicant’s GradCAS application via the Academic History quadrant → Colleges Attended section. While the application will prompt you to enter every college you’ve attended, you only need to upload a copy of the official transcript for the 4-year colleges you attended.

  • Texas A&M Current or Former Students: Please upload a copy of your Texas A&M transcript to GradCAS.
  • International (non-US) Transcripts: Applicants with a degree from a university from outside of the United States must have a degree equivalent to a 4-year bachelor’s degree in the United States. Visit the Texas A&M International Graduate Admissions website for a list of Bachelor’s Degree equivalencies.

For each 4-year college attended, please gather the following documents, save into one file (per college), and upload to the application.

  • a copy of your transcript containing all courses completed and grade earned
  • a copy of your diploma (or degree certificate) if a degree was awarded
  • an English translation for bot the transcript and diploma (or degree certificate)

Please note:

  • Transcripts from junior or community colleges are not needed.
  • For each degree earned, the corresponding transcript must be noted with the degree earned and the date the degree was awarded.
  • A copy of an official transcript containing courses that were taken at a 4-year college and transferred into another college are required, even if the courses are listed on the transcript of the college the courses were transferred to.
  • Transcripts uploaded to the application are considered “unofficial”, but will be used to review an application for admission.



OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED UPON ADMISSION TO ENROLL

Upon admission, students are required to submit official transcripts from all 4-year colleges attended before they are allowed to enroll in courses. A registration hold is placed on the student’s account until officials are on file. Official transcripts can take up to 10 business days to be received and processed, so plan accordingly.

  • Texas A&M (College Station, Galveston, or Qatar) Current or Former Students: DO NOT submit official Texas A&M transcripts, or any other transcript you previously submitted to Texas A&M, as we still have those on file.
  • International Transcripts: Applicants must submit their official transcript and diploma (or degree certificate) in its native language as well as an official English translation for both. They are to be signed by the registrar, controller of examinations, or president of the university issuing the document. Translations sent directly from the institution attended or from a recognized translator are considered official. Consolidated and provisional mark-sheets are NOT considered official. Please ask the registrar to send individual mark-sheets with the grades earned in each term. Photocopies or other duplications such as notarized copies and faxes are not official.

Instructions for submitting official transcripts:
For transcripts to be considered official, they must be submitted directly from the university to Texas A&M’s Office of Graduate Admissions (NOT the Bush School) in one of the following ways:

  • (PREFERRED) Electronically via SPEEDE, eSCRIPT-SAFE, PARCHMENT, or National Student Clearing House to admissions@tamu.edu. This method is the fastest.
  • Mailed to Texas A&M Graduate Admissions Processing (see address below) in a sealed envelope with the registrar’s signature or stamp across the seal. Please do not staple items or include items in folders or cover sheets; leave sheets and sealed documents loose.

Domestic Transcripts:
U.S. postal mail
Graduate Admissions Processing
Texas A&M University
PO Box 40001
College Station, TX 77842-4001

Express mail or courier (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.)
Graduate Admissions Processing
Texas A&M University
General Services Complex
750 Agronomy Rd, Suite 1601
College Station, TX 77843-0200

International Transcripts:
Postal Service
International Admissions Processing
Texas A&M University
PO Box 40002
College Station, TX 77842-4002

Overnight or Hand Delivery
Admissions Processing
Texas A&M University
General Services Complex
750 Agronomy Road, Suite 1601
0200 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-0200
(979) 845-1060

GRE/GMAT (optional)

GRE/GMAT scores are either optional or encouraged for the MIP depending on the cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) as listed on the transcript issuing the degree (bachelor, master, PhD). Applicants weighing the decision to submit scores should consider their testing ability, time to study, and whether scores will help or hinder their application (our a 308).We prefer the GRE over GMAT. Scores must be within five years of the date the GradCAS application is submitted.

  • Optional for those with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. We do NOT round up! (a 2.98 is below a 3.0)
  • Encouraged for those with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 or who feel their scores could offset concerns if their grades/experience do not reflect their current abilities.

If you choose to submit test scores, upload a copy of your Test Score Report to the Program Materials quadrant ➡ Documents tab of your application in GradCAS.   

Official scores are only needed for international applicants who wish to provide Proof of English Proficiency via their GRE/GMAT score. Official test scores should be sent directly from the Education Testing Service (ETS) to Texas A&M University and must be within five years of the date the GradCAS application is submitted.

(GRE Code: 6003 / GMAT Code: 7B7-K9-57)

Proof of English Proficiency

(for citizens from non-English speaking countries)

Official English language proficiency (ELP) test scores are required for most international applicants. Citizens of certain English speaking countries are exempt from this requirement. Refer to the list on the Texas A&M International Graduate Admissions website.

If an applicant’s country is not on the exempted list, they must submit test scores that meet the minimum ELP requirement or meet the Alternative Verification criteria. Acceptable options:

  • Score at least 146 on the GRE verbal section (or 22 on GMAT verbal) from a test date within five years of applying.
  • Earn a TOEFL score of at least 80 i-BT from a test date within two years of applying; the Bush School prefers a 100+ i-BT. MyBest TOEFL Scores are not accepted.
  • Score an IELTS Academic test score of 6.0 or higher overall band from a test date within two years of applying; the Bush School prefers an overall band score of at least 7.0.
  • Alternative Verification: Complete all years of a bachelor’s degree (equivalent to four years) or higher (masters is typically two years) at an accredited university located in the United States.

Applicants are advised to test at least two months before the application deadline. Test scores can take anywhere from two to six weeks to be processed, depending on the test. Applications missing the required proof of English proficiency will not be reviewed or considered for admission.

To report test scores: 

  • GRE: Use code 6003
  • GMAT: Use code 7B7-K9-57
  • TOEFL Scores should be sent directly from the testing service to Texas A&M University (Code 6003).
  • IELTS Scores should be submitted electronically from the IELTS test center to Texas A&M University (College Station and Galveston); no paper Test Report Forms accepted. An institution code is NOT required. Instead, use the address listed below.

Internal Admissions Processing
Texas A&M University
PO Box 40002
College Station, TX 77842-4002
admissions@tamu.edu

Contact Information: Bush School Admissions

Questions about the application or application process for the Master of International Policy in College Station, TX 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.