Interviews are required for admission into both the Master of Public Service and Administration (MPSA) and Master of International Affairs (MIA). After the fall 2023 final application deadlines have passed, the two Admissions Committees meet to review completed applications and invite the most promising candidates to interview, preferably at Interview Conference Weekend (ICW). However, interviews are available via Zoom for those unable to attend ICW and are typically scheduled in February.
ICW Dates in 2023
MPSA – February 17-18, 2023
MIA – February 24-25, 2023
What is ICW and why should I attend?
Interview Conference Weekend (ICW) is a 2-day event held on the Bush School campus at Texas A&M University where candidates interview in person and participate in a variety of activities designed to help candidates assess if the Bush School is right for them. Additionally, because interviews are required in the admissions process, the ICW gives applicants a chance to interact with faculty (in their interest areas) face-to-face.
Attending ICW is highly encouraged so candidates can…
- See the Texas A&M and Bush School campuses in person to get a feel for the school dynamic
- Interview with faculty face-to-face to connect with their future professors
- Participate in Q&A Panel Discussions hosted by current students and alumni
- Learn about Student Support Services we offer via presentations from Career Services and our leadership and writing staff.
- Interact with other candidates and future classmates
- Attend the occasional special presentation or speaking event
- Connect with student organizations and resources
- And so much more.
Year after year, students tell us that their experience while attending ICW is what sealed the deal in accepting their Bush School offer. During this visit they met their fellow classmates and future faculty, caught their enthusiasm, and felt deeply that this is the place that would support and expand their educational and career goals. Trust us! You do not want to miss this opportunity if possible!
When will invitations to ICW be issued?
Invitations to the ICW are issued via email starting in late January up to a week before the event. Candidates will register for an interview by selecting either they will attend ICW or need at alternate time.
If we decide to accept late applications, qualified applicants will be contacted to interview on a rolling basis.
Will the Bush School help with travel expenses? What about meals?
While candidates 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 with another attendee.
Meals are provided for Friday evening and all day Saturday at ICW. Meals are NOT reimbursed at your hotel or during travel.
How should candidates dress?
Dress is business formal (dress to impress), but be comfortable in what you wear all day.
When will an agenda be sent to those who plan to attend ICW?
An agenda will be sent to all candidates who have registered to attend ICW about a week before ICW, which typically starts on Friday afternoon at about 3 PM CT and ends on Saturday night between 6-7 PM CT. Candidates will receive their interview times when they check-in on Friday.
How should candidates prepare for their interview?
While we cannot provide specific questions, candidates can expect to engage for about 15 minutes per interviewer in person. Faculty want to get a better feel for candidates’ fit and personality, so may ask them to clarify elements of their statement or resume, elaborate on their goals and interests in the field, explain how they work with others and/or in challenging situations, express their reading interests, and more. We expect candidates to have a question or two for us as well.
Once candidates know their faculty interviewer(s), they can review their online bios here:
How many candidates are invited to ICW?
We interview about double our class goal. So currently, we invite between 160-185 candidates to each ICW. However, those who have schedule conflicts or live abroad interview at an alternate time, usually via Zoom preceding the ICW. Attendance to the ICW ranges between 60-120 attendees each year.
Of those invited to interview, how many are admitted?
We offer admission to over two-thirds of the candidates we interview. We know candidates are applying to multiple schools, so we over-admit to accommodate for this. We also create a robust waitlist of promising candidates that we can admit into the summer if we fall short of enrollment goals.
How soon after ICW will final admission decisions be made?
The Admissions Committees convene in late February to early March to make final decisions. Communication of those decisions to candidates follows shortly after, usually by mid-March.
