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APPLICATION PROCESS & OVERVIEW
The Bush School Admissions Office works with the Office of Graduate Admissions at Texas A&M University to process
applications for the on-campus Master of International Affairs (MIA).
Applicants* apply by uploading all supporting documents, requesting three recommendations, and submitting an
application through the GradCAS application system. *Continuing Texas A&M graduate students and TAMU 3+2
applicants DO NOT submit an application in GradCAS; see details below.
All supporting documents, including test scores (if applicable) and recommendations, must be received by the
application deadlines above. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered for admission. Use the same spelling
and name on all correspondence and documents to avoid confusion or delay in processing. Immediately notify the
Bush School of any changes to your address and/or name.
Note: The status of your application in GradCAS is NOT accurate, as the GradCAS system only checks the status of
some of the required materials for completing an application. The Bush School Admissions Office will notify
applicants by email of any missing items and/or when their application is complete using the email address on
their application.
In late January/early February, applicants selected for the interview round in the admissions process are invited
to interview during Interview Conference Weekend (Feb 24-25, 2023), with alternate (Zoom) interviews available for
those who cannot attend. Admissions and Scholarship Committees meet soon after, and applicants are notified of an
admission and scholarship decisions by mid-March. Applicants have until April 15 to accept or decline their offer.
MIA Application Instructions – Fall 2023
Welcome! This document provides instructions to apply for fall graduate admission into the on-campus
Master of International Affairs at the Bush School at Texas A&M University.
Fall 2023 application deadlines:
Priority Funding Application Deadline: December 15, 2022
Final Application Deadline: January 11, 2023
Late applications will be processed on a time and space-available basis. Check our website for updates.
Applications completed by the priority funding deadline of December 15 are considered for optimal funding
consideration. Applications completed after the priority deadline, but on or before the final deadline, will still receive
a competitive, merit-based scholarship. However, nomination-based opportunities may no longer be available.
* TEXAS A&M 3+2 APPLICANTS
* TEXAS A&M CONTINUING GRADUATE STUDENTS
Students completing a graduate degree at Texas A&M University and wish to continue for another
graduate degree should submit a Letter of Intent and all supporting documents to
bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu, instead of submitting an application in GradCAS.
DO NOT submit an application in GradCAS.
Application instructions for the 5 year/3+2 programs are located here:
https://bush.tamu.edu/admissions/degree/inta/5year/.
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Submit an application in GradCAS* and pay a non-refundable application fee: $89 for domestic applications or $114
for international applications. GradCAS Link:
https://TexasAM2023.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/deeplink/programSearch/organization/8718616508746933645
Application Fee Waivers:
⭐Need-based: The Bush School does not offer any waivers based on need, but Texas A&M might for qualified
domestic applicants. Visit
http://admissions.tamu.edu/graduate/apply for more information.
⭐McNair Scholars: Texas A&M pays McNair app fees. Visit http://admissions.tamu.edu/graduate/apply.
⭐Service Organization Members/Alumni and Fellowship Recipients: The Bush School has written agreements in
which we will pay the application fee for the groups listed below. If any of these apply to you, send an email to
bushschoolapplications@tamu.edu with the documentation requested. We will review, verify, pay the application
fee for you, and reply with instructions on how to submit your application. (Do NOT pay the application fee when
submitting your GradCAS application. We CANNOT issue refunds.)
• AmeriCorps, Teach For America, City Year, or Peace Corps Members/Alumni: Email us a letter confirming
your dates of service.
• PPIA JSI Participants: Email us a copy of your PPIA transcript.
• Pickering, Rangel, and Payne Fellows: Email us the fellowship you applied for and status.
Upload a current résumé to your GradCAS* application through the Supporting Information quadrant ➡ Documents
tab. Resumes should be a max of two pages and include activities since high school. A Résumé Template is available
for reference:
• Name and Contact Information
• Education
o Undergraduate Institution; include month/year completed (or to complete)
o Degree earned, with major(s), minor(s)
o Cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale (if it helps, consider adding a last 60 hour or major GPA)
o List any additional bachelor/master/PhD degrees and certificates you have completed or are in-
progress to complete
o Academic honors and awards
• Work/Internship Experience
o List all professional work or internship experiences (full-time, part-time and internships)
o Include military services and duties
• International Experience
• Related/Highlighted Coursework (optional)
• Applied Class Projects/Activities (optional)
• Skills and Certifications
o Language: List the language and current speaking level (beginner, intermediate, advanced, fluent).
Optional for reading, writing levels
o Computer: List relevant software by name
o Security Clearance: Highlight any relevant clearances
• Leadership, Service, Organizations, and Honors
o Indicate the organization, position/role assumed, the duration/dates involved, and the time involved
per week/month/semester
*Continuing Texas A&M Graduate Students: Email your résumé to [email protected].
APPLICATION
RÉSUMÉ
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Upload to the Program Materials quadrant ➡ Documents tab in GradCAS*. Statements should be typed in 11 pt font,
spaced 1.5”, and answer the following prompt. Include your name, the title “Personal Statement”, and page number
on each page.
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 affairs,
• What (including the people, places, internships, or events) inspired you to pursue a career in international
affairs,
• How obtaining the MIA degree from the Bush School will help you achieve your goals, and
• What value you bring to the program (including knowledge gained from meaningful experiences,
education, or jobs you have had in the past).
*Continuing Texas A&M Graduate Students: Email your personal statement to [email protected].
Upload to the Program Materials quadrant ➡ Documents tab in GradCAS*. Essays should be typed in 11 pt font,
spaced 1.5”, and answer the following prompt. Include your name, the title “International Experience Essay”, and
page number on each page.
Prompt: In 750 words or less, tell us about the experiences that have influenced your interest in international
affairs. We recognize that your experiences and opportunities may vary substantially from others, but we are
looking for aspects of study abroad, living abroad, influential courses or readings, language interests,
international news or events, cultural interactions, and more. Some repetition may occur from your statement,
but this essay should include new material.
*Continuing Texas A&M Graduate Students: Email the int’l experience essay to [email protected]du.
Three recommendations (consisting of a letter and evaluation) are required and must be received by the application
deadline. Applications with fewer than three recommendations will not be considered for admission.
Recommendations can be from:
• (preferred) a higher education academic reference, particularly from a course instructor who can attest to an
applicant’s capability to pursue graduate school.
• a professional reference as needed, particularly for those who graduated several years prior to applying.
Professional references can speak to the applicant’s leadership; character; public service, military, or work
experience, but should provide specific anecdotes as to why the applicant is qualified for graduate school.
Once you choose your recommenders, be sure to inform them about 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 inbox for your recommendation request (which will come from [email protected]),
including any junk or spam folders.
REQUESTING RECOMMENDATIONS IN GRADCAS*:
Navigate to the Program Materials quadrant ➡ Recommendations tab. Click on the “+Request Letter of Reference
and Likert Scale Recommendation” hyperlink. Enter the following:
• Name and email of your recommender
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE ESSAY
RECOMMENDATIONS (3)
PERSONAL STATEMENT
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• 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:
o 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.
o 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.
To resend a recommendation request: Press the ‘Edit’ icon’ next to the recommender, make any sort of
change to the record, 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.
In the Academic History quadrant
➡
Colleges Attended section of your GradCAS application, enter all of the colleges
you’ve attended. Then, upload a copy of your official transcript from all 4-year colleges you’ve attended by clicking on
the ‘Upload’ link next to the college(s) you just added.
You will be asked to enter every college/university attended, but you are only required to upload transcripts for the
4-year colleges/universities you attended. Transcripts from junior or community colleges are not needed. For each
degree earned, the corresponding transcript must indicate the name of the degree and date it was awarded.
o Texas A&M Current or Former Students: Please upload a copy of the Texas A&M transcript to GradCAS.
o International Transcripts: For colleges not located in the United States, save the transcript and diploma (or
degree certificate) in their native language along with an English translation for both (if applicable) into one
document per college, then upload to your application.
• For colleges in China: Transcripts must be verified by the China Higher Education Student Information
and Career Center (CHESICC) and degree certificates verified by the China Academic Degrees and
Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC). Include both verifications with your transcript,
degree certificate, and English translation in one document per college when uploading to your
application.
TRANSCRIPTS
(from all 4-year colleges attended)
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**OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED ONLY UPON ADMISSION**
Official transcripts should only be submitted if admitted into the program. Admitted students will have a
registration hold placed on their account and will not be able to register for courses until official transcripts from
all 4-year colleges/universities attended are received and processed by the Texas A&M Office of Graduate
Admissions. Registration typically opens in mid-April, so it is imperative for an admitted student to request official
transcripts be sent immediately upon admission.
HOW TO SUBMIT OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS:
For transcripts to be considered official, they must be sent directly from the university/college to Texas A&M’s
Office of Graduate Admissions (NOT the Bush School) in one of the following ways:
Electronically (preferred) via SPEEDE, eSCRIPT-SAFE, PARCHMENT, or National Student Clearing House to
admiss[email protected] .
Mailed to Texas A&M Graduate Admissions Processing in a sealed envelope with the registrar’s signature or
stamp across the seal.
International Official 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.
For colleges in China: Transcripts must be verified by the China Higher Education Student Information and Career
Center (CHESICC) and degree certificates verified by the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education
Development Center (CDGDC). Send verification reports to [email protected]u.
Texas A&M (College Station, Galveston, or Qatar) Current or Former Students: DO NOT submit your official Texas
A&M transcript, or any other transcript you may have already sent to Texas A&M for your previous program.
Using the cumulative GPA (out of 4.0) as listed on the transcript issuing the degree (bachelor, master, PhD),
GRE/GMAT scores are:
• Optional for those with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better. We do NOT round up! (3.18 is below 3.2)
• Encouraged for those who feel scores can complement a strong file or offset concerns such as a low GPA,
lack of experience in the field, or if grades/experience do not reflect current abilities. When deciding if scores
will help or hinder, consider our previous years’ averages (308).
• Required for those with a cumulative GPA below a 3.2.
Even if scores are not required, many still provide scores for the reasons stated above. Applicants weighing the
decision to submit scores should consider their testing ability, time to study, and whether scores will help or hinder
U.S. Postal Service
(International Applicants)
Overnight or Hand Delivery
Office of Admissions
Texas A&M University
P.O. Box 40001
College Station, TX 77842
International Admissions Processing
Texas A&M University
P.O. Box 40002
College Station, TX 77842
Admissions Processing
Texas A&M University
General Services Complex
750 Agronomy Rd, Suite 1601
0200 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843
GRE/GMAT Scores
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their application (our average GRE score is a 308). We prefer the GRE test over GMAT. Scores must be within five
years of the date the GradCAS application is submitted.
If you are required or wish to provide GRE/GMAT scores, upload a copy of your Test Score Report to the Program
Materials quadrant
➡ Documents tab of the application in GradCAS.
**OFFICIAL GRE/GMAT SCORES ARE ONLY NEEDED FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS who wish to provide Proof of
English Proficiency via their GRE/GMAT score. See instructions below for submitting official scores.**
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 TAMU International
Graduate Admissions website. If your country is not on the exempted list of countries, you must provide proof of
English proficiency in one of the following ways:
GRE: Verbal Score of 146 or above (or 22 on GMAT Verbal) from a test date within five years of applying.
TOEFL: i-BT score of 80 or above from a test date within two years of applying; the Bush School prefers a 100
i-BT. MyBest TOEFL Scores not accepted.
IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or higher 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 four years of a bachelor’s degree or higher (masters is typically two
years) at an accredited university located in the United States.
If providing test scores as proof of English proficiency:
Applicants are advised to test at least two months prior to 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.
o Upload a copy of your Test Score Report to your GradCAS application in the Program Materials quadrant ➡
Documents tab.
o Report official test scores to Texas A&M University (College Station/Galveston):
o GRE: Use code 6003
o GMAT: Use code 7B7-K9-57
o TOEFL Scores should be sent directly from the testing service to Texas A&M University (Code 6003).
o IELTS Scores should be submitted electronically from the IELTS test center to Texas A&M University
(College Station and Galveston). 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
admiss[email protected]
Questions about the program, application, or admissions process should be directed to:
Ashlee Treadway or Kathryn Meyer
Bush School Admissions Office
Texas A&M University
Phone: 979-862-3476
Email: bushschoolapplicatio[email protected]
PROOF OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (for citizens from non-English speaking countries)
CONTACT INFORMATION (Bush School Admissions)