Masters of Arts


in International Affairs

How to Apply

Instructions

Candidates are able to apply using our online system. All materials, including statements of purpose and letters of recommendation, can be submitted online except for scores on standardized tests and academic transcripts. We ask that hard copies of these documents be sent to the Admissions Office in Washington, D.C. In addition, candidates applying for financial aid may have to submit hard copies of supporting documents.

All applications and application materials become the confidential property of the SAIS Office of Admissions and cannot be returned.

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Important Dates

  1. Open Day for prospective students in Bologna
    Dec7
  2. M.A.I.A. application deadline
    Jan7
  3. Financial Aid application deadline
    Feb15
  4. Admissions decisions released to M.A.I.A. applicant pool online
    Mar15
  5. Financial aid notifications released online
    Mar15
  6. Open House for admitted students in Washington, D.C.
    Apr10
  7. Open House for admitted students in Bologna
    Apr15
  8. Reply Deadline: Fellowship recipients
    Apr20
  9. Reply Deadline: Non-aid recipients
    May1

Application Checklist

Here is a checklist to help you meet the application deadline. (Candidates who are reapplying should refer to the “Reapplying to SAIS” instructions below.)
  • Online application form
  • Résumé/CV
  • Statement of purpose
  • Analytical essay
  • Official transcripts for all college-level course work
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation
  • GRE or GMAT score reports (where applicable)
  • TOEFL,IELTS or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) score reports (non-native English speakers)
  • Financial aid form (where applicable)
  • Interview

Mailing Address

Please send hard-copy application materials (e.g. transcripts, paper recommendations) to:

The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
The Johns Hopkins University
Office of Admissions
1740 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036

Note: Transcripts must be sealed to be considered official.  Letters of recommendations must still be sealed in their original envelope.

Reapplying to SAIS

To reapply to SAIS Bologna, read and follow these instructions. Reapplicants should indicate both their status as a reapplicant and their previous application dates. The Admissions Office keeps applications on file for one year after a decision is rendered. Candidates reapplying within this period should complete the items on the checklist below. Candidates reapplying after more than a year are considered new applicants and should resubmit all application materials. Reapplicants to SAIS must submit the following: 
  • Online application
  • Updated CV
  • Reapplicant essay: Explain how you have strengthened your candidacy since your previous application. This essay can be up to 1,000 words in length.
  • Transcript(s) of any additional courses you have taken since you last applied (include grades not finalized at the time of your last application)
  • One new recommendation letter, preferably from your current employer. If you have already used your current employer for a recommendation, choose someone else in a supervisory role or a client.
  • Interview and financial aid application (where applicable)

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