Interview Conference Weekends – Online 2021
MPSA: February 18-20 | MIA: February 25-27
UPDATE January 12, 2021:
Interview Conference Weekends moving to online format
For the 2021 ICWs, the Bush School is moving to an online format and extending the Interview Weekend to include Thursday evening for more time to set interviews and host sessions. If you have availability these days, as indicated on your interview response after we send out invites, you’ll be assigned two faculty/staff interviews.
Additionally, please hold Thurs-Friday evening and all day Saturday for sessions and building tours, as outlined below.
MPSA – Thurs-Sat, February 18-20, 2021
MIA – Thurs-Sat, February 25-27, 2021
Thursday – Evening sessions 6:00-8:30 PM
Interview assigned to some candidates from 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
- 6:00-7:30 PM- Welcome and MPSA Program Intro
- 7:30-8:30 PM- Student Zoom Q&A available
Friday – Evening sessions 6:00-8:30 PM
Interview assigned to some candidates from 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
- 6:00-6:45 PM- Student Services: Leadership and Writing Intro
- 6:45-8:30 PM- Student Panel w/ Live Q&A
Saturday – Sessions all day 9:00 AM-7:30 PM w/ frequent breaks
Special Sessions to attend during day:
- 9:00-10:00 AM- TBD
- 12:00-1:00 PM- Alumni panel
- 3:00-4:00 PM- Student organization present in breakout rooms
- 6:00-7:30 PM- Faculty Q&A, language closing, aid and final wrap up
Interview times – attend only if/when assigned; break otherwise:
- 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
- 1:00-3:00 PM
- 4:00-6:00 PM
Student-led virtual building tours – attend one:
- 11:00-11:20 AM
- 2:00-2:20 PM
- 3:00-3:20 PM
MPSA and MIA Interview Conference Weekends
MPSA – February 19-20, 2021
MIA – February 26-27, 2021
Interviews are required for admission into both the Master of Public Service and Administration and Master of International Affairs. After the priority application deadline, the Admissions Committees review completed applications and invite the most promising candidates to interview. Candidates are encouraged to visit the campus over a Friday and Saturday during the Interview Conference Weekends (ICW), which is usually offered in late February or early March. Applicants who cannot attend the ICW will register for a Zoom interview with faculty or coordinate with the Admissions office for other options.
Attending the ICW is highly encouraged because it is a chance to see the campus in person and get a feel for our campus and school dynamic. During ICW, applicants participate in a variety of events:
- Face-to-face faculty interviews
- Q&A panel interactions with current students and alumni
- Student support services overviews
- Visiting with candidates and future classmates
- Special presentations
- Connecting with student organizations and resources
- And so much more.
Year after year students tell us that their attendance to the ICW is what sealed the deal in accepting their Bush School offer. During this visit they met their fellow classmates and future faculty, catching their enthusiasm, and could feel it in their bones that this is the place that would support and expand their educational and career goals.
Invitations to the ICW are issued via email from mid-January to a week before the event. While applicants are responsible for their lodging and travel expenses to and from the conference, we can reimburse between 25-33% of incurred travel expenses to those who travel over 80 miles roundtrip (receipts are required; $300 reimbursement max). Candidates can also cut costs by staying with a current student or sharing a hotel room. Meals are provided for Friday evening and all day Saturday.
Dress is business formal (dress to impress), but be comfortable in what you wear all day.
The Admissions Committees will convene in early March to make final decisions. Communication of those decisions to candidates is in mid-March.
Qualified applicants who are reviewed late will be contacted to interview on a rolling basis.
