How to Apply

Instructions

Candidates apply for all programs 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 official 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.

Download Instructions

Apply now

Important Dates

  1. Open Day for Prospective Students in Bologna
    Dec7
  2. M.A. application deadline
    Jan7
  3. Financial Aid application deadline
    Feb15
  4. Admissions decisions released to M.A. applicant pool
    Mar15
  5. Financial aid notifications released
    Mar15
  6. Open House for Admitted Students in Washington
    Apr10
  7. Open House for Admitted Students in Bologna
    Apr15
  8. Reply Deadline: Fellowship Recipients
    Apr20
  9. Reply Deadline: M.A.(non-aid recipients)
    May1

Application Checklist

All application materials must be received by the appropriate application deadline for consideration.  This checklist does not apply to re-applicants; reapplicants should refer to the “Reapplying to SAIS” instructions section.

  • Application fee ($85)
  • Online Application Form
  • Résumé
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Analytical Essay (M.A. applicants only)
  • Official transcripts for all college-level course work
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation
  • GRE or GMAT score reports
  • TOEFL or IELTS score reports (non-native English speakers only)
  • 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 Proficiency in English (CPE) score reports (where applicable)
  • 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

Please note transcripts must be sealed to be considered official.  Letters of recommendations must still be sealed in their original envelope.

Reapplying to SAIS

In order to reapply to SAIS, please read and follow these instructions carefully. Reapplicants must clearly indicate their status as a reapplicant and previous application dates on the application.

The SAIS Office of Admissions retains application files for one year after a decision is rendered; applicants within this time frame (i.e. applicants who previously applied for Fall 2011 entry) are required to complete only the items on the checklist below. Applicants who previously applied for Fall 2010 or earlier are considered new applicants and must re-submit all application materials.

Reapplicants to SAIS must submit the following:

  • Application fee ($85)
  • Online application
  • Updated Résumé/CV
  • Re-applicant Essay: Explain how you have improved your candidacy since your last application. This essay should be no more than 1000 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, please choose someone else in a supervisory role or a client

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

To reapply to SAIS Bologna, please read and follow these instructions. Re-applicants must indicate both their status as a re-applicant 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. Re-applicants to SAIS must submit the following:

  • Online application
  • Updated CV
  • Reapplicant Essay: How you have improved 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, please choose someone else in a supervisory role or a client.
  • Financial aid form (where applicable)
  • Interview

Additional Resources

Resources for How to Apply