Jump to Navigation

FAQs

If the question you have is not listed, please email IR/PS Admissions at irps-apply@ucsd.edu.

General Questions

  1. How do I obtain a paper application?
  2. What is the application deadline?
  3. Do the application materials need to be postmarked with the date of the deadline?
  4. What do I need to submit and must everything be submitted at once?
  5. How many students do you accept?
  6. Do you accept transfer students?
  7. Do I need to submit translations of my official documents?
  8. Can I request an application fee waiver?
  9. How do I pay the application fee?
  10. Is a standardized test, such as the GRE or GMAT, required for admission into the BA/MIA program?
  11. I have taken several courses at a variety of universities. Do I need to submit official transcripts for all of them?
  12. Whom should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?
  13. Can I have my recommendations sent by my college's letter file service?
  14. How much does it cost to attend IR/PS?

Waiting for the Decision and Responding

  1. I have submitted everything . . . now what?
  2. When will I find out if I have been admitted and how will I be notified?
  3. Can I get an early decision?
  4. How do I accept my offer?
  5. I wasn't admitted and would like some feedback. How can I obtain that?
  6. Once I've accepted my offer to the BA/MIA will I need to pay a deposit?

Questions about the Program

  1. How long are the programs?
  2. What courses are required?
  3. Do you have a Ph.D. program?
  4. Can I study part-time?
  5. Do you offer evening courses?
  6. Do you have an online/distance learning program?
  7. What does APSIA stand for and what does it do?

General Questions about Applying:

1. How do I obtain a paper application?

Regrettably, we no longer have printed versions of our applications. You may access the online application here: http://graduateapp.ucsd.edu.

2. What is the application deadline?

The BA/MIA admissions deadline is April 22. Students will be notified within 4 - 6 weeks of receipt of entire application.

3. Do the application materials need to be postmarked with the date of the deadline?

For BA/MIA program applicants, any paper documents should be post-marked on or before April 22.

4. What do I need to submit and must everything be submitted at once?

Click here for an application overview.

While we prefer to receive all application materials together, it is not required. We realize that your test scores and transcripts will arrive separately from your other materials.

5. How many students do you accept?

The program is open only to selected majors in International Studies at UC San Diego. We seek to enroll eight to twelve students each year.

6. Do you accept transfer students?

No, not directly to the BA/MIA. The program is open only to selected majors in International Studies at UC San Diego. Many of our applicants, however, are UC San Diego students who have transferred to the ISP major after being admitted to UCSD, or have transferred into UCSD from a community college.

7. Do I need to submit translations of my official documents?

Yes. All foreign documents, such as official transcripts and letters of recommendation originally written in another language must be translated by an official translator and notarized as authentic translations by a notary public.

8. Can I request an application fee waiver?

Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents may request a waiver of the application fee. Waivers are provided to applicants who are: 1) currently receiving need-based financial assistance from an undergraduate or graduate institution; or 2) claiming financial hardship based on current federal tax return income data; or 3) participating in selected federal, state and private graduate school preparation programs. You must have the name and e-mail of the program director. All fee waivers are granted provisionally and applicants are required to provide supporting information and documentation to finalize the waiver. The fee waiver request is done online with the online graduate application. Click here for directions for submitting fee waiver documentation.

9. How do I pay the application fee?

You must use an acceptable credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, JCB) or check card (Visa, Master Card) to submit an electronic application. The company that provides the online application service won't forward your application to UCSD until you pay the fee. Just because you received a PIN number does not mean that your application was processed or received by UCSD. Anyone who begins the application process receives a PIN. If your application is submitted online you will receive a confirmation number after your payment is cleared.

10. Is a standardized test, such as the GRE or GMAT, required for admission into the BA/MIA program?

No standardized tests are required for admission into this program.

11. I have taken several courses at a variety of universities. Do I need to submit official transcripts for all of them?

Yes, please submit transcripts for all colleges or universities that you attended as part of your post-secondary education, whether you recieved degrees from these institutions or not.

12. Whom should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?

We prefer to have at least one letter from a direct supervisor who can comment on your skills as an employee. We also request that at least one of your letters comes from a professor who can comment on your academic performance and potential. The third letter can be from either of those areas or perhaps from a volunteer supervisor, if applicable. We discourage you from submitting letters of recommendation from a family member or high ranking official who does not know you personally.

14. Can I have my recommendations sent by my college's letter file service?

Yes, these letters are fine. Please keep in mind, however, that we would like to see at least one letter from an employer. If letters are sent directly to the admissions office by your college, you will not be required to send UCSD's letter of recommendation forms.

14. How much does it cost to attend IR/PS?

Click here for the latest cost estimates.

 

Waiting for the Decision and Responding:

1. I have submitted everything . . . now what?

We understand that you are eager to obtain the decision on your application and will work diligently to get decisions out as quickly as possible. We will send you notification when your file is complete and being sent to the admissions committee for review. Please limit your questions about whether or not your file is complete; the fewer interruptions we have, the faster we can process all applications.

2. When will I find out if I have been admitted and how will I be notified?

All students are notified via E-MAIL, with the email address provided on your online application to IR/PS. Please make sure that you check your e-mail inboxes thoroughly, including junk folders.

3. Can I get an early decision?

The only way to get a timely decision is to apply by April 22.

4. How do I accept my offer?

You can accept your offer online. Further communication will be provided by the Admissions and ISP team, as needed.

5. I wasn't admitted and would like some feedback. How can I obtain that?

We'll be happy to give you feedback on your application after the admissions cycle ends. Please submit your request via email. Please note that we will respond to such requests in June or as soon as we are able.

6. Once I've accepted my offer to the BA/MIA will I need to pay a deposit?

Applicants accepted to the BA/MIA program are not required to submit a seat deposit.

 

Questions about the Program:

1. How long are the programs?

The BA/MIA is a five-year degree program offered by IR/PS along with the International Studies Program (ISP). The one-of-a-kind program is open only to selected majors in International Studies at UC San Diego.

2. What courses are required?

Click here for a list of the core curriculum.

3. Do you have a Ph.D. program?

IR/PS offers a joint Ph.D. degree with the Department of Political Science. This department also has their own Ph.D. degree program. The program is extremely competitive and purposely kept small. We typically are able to accept one to two new students each year.

4. Can I study part-time?

The BA/MIA program is full-time study only. 

5. Do you offer evening courses?

While there may be some courses in the early evening hours, most of the classes are during the day.

6. Do you have an online/distance learning program?

No, IR/PS does not currently offer online or distance learning courses or programs.

7. What does APSIA stand for and what does it do?

Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.

The Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) comprises member schools in the United States, Asia and Europe dedicated to the improvement of professional education in international affairs and the advancement thereby of international understanding, prosperity, peace and security.

APSIA members work to promote excellence in professional, international affairs education worldwide by sharing information and ideas among member schools and with other higher education institutions, the international affairs community and the general public.

APSIA.org serves as a clearinghouse of information for prospective students and employers. For more information, please click here.

 

For more information on admission to the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies please contact the Office of Admissions or call (858) 534-5914.

Back to Top