FAQs

View these FAQ's and if the question you have is not listed, please email IR/PS Admissions at irps-apply@ucsd.edu.

General Questions

1. What are the application deadlines?
2. What is the difference between the early admissions deadline and the regular admissions 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. What are the average or minimum GRE scores and GPA requirements?
6. How many students apply each year? How many do you accept?
7. Is a formal interview part of the application process?
8. I wasn't accepted or declined my offer of admission. Can I reapply?
9. Do you accept transfer students?
10. Do I have to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
11. Do I need to submit translations of my official documents?
12. Can I get an application fee waiver?
13. How do I pay the application fee?
14. Can I substitute the GMAT for the GRE?
15. I have taken several courses at a variety of universities. Do I need to submit official transcripts for all of them?
16. Whom should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?
17. Can I have my recommendations sent by my college's letter file service?
18. How can my recommenders submit their letters of recommendation?

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 request an early decision?
4. How do I accept my offer?
5. Can I defer my admission?
6. I was admitted "provisionally" - what does this mean?
7. What is prep and why might I have to take it?
8. What is an Admit Packet and when will I receive mine?
9. What is the waitlist, and when will I get a final answer?
10. I wasn't admitted and would like some feedback. How can I obtain that?

Financial and Fellowship Information

1. How much does it cost to attend IR/PS?
2. Which fellowships will I be considered for if I fill in the Fellowship Statement?
3. Is it possible to receive a full fellowship for my first year?
4. How do I apply for Federal Student Aid?
5. In addition to Fellowships, are there opportunities at IR/PS or UCSD to reduce the financial burden of my education?

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. Can I take courses at other departments within UCSD?
8. What is the difference between the MPIA, MAS-IA, and the GLI programs?
9. What does APSIA stand for and what does it do?

General Questions about Applying:

1. What are the application deadlines?

The priority MPIA admissions deadline is December 4, and the round two MPIA admissions deadline is January 15. Decision notification for the early deadline can be expected by the first week in February. Decision notification for the round two deadline can be expected by the first week of April.

After January 15, MPIA applications are reviewed in order received on a rolling admissions basis. Students will be notified within 4 - 6 weeks of receipt of entire application.

2. What is the difference between the early admissions deadline and the regular admissions deadline?

The early admissions deadline allows you to receive notification of your admissions status earlier. This is not a binding admissions process, meaning you are not required to attend IR/PS if you are admitted. You have more time to make your final decision.

3. Do the application materials need to be postmarked with the date of the deadline? What is the deadline to submit my application materials?

All materials must be received or postmarked by the deadline date of which you are applying.

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. If you can collect the items that you know you'll be sending in (statement of purpose, C.V., letters of recommendation, for example), and send those in together, it would be much appreciated. However, we realize that your test scores and transcripts will arrive separately from your other materials. As long as we receive everything by the deadline, you will be fine.

5. What are the average or minimum GRE scores and GPA requirements?

The University of California requires an overall 3.0 upper division GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Some exceptions can be made for applicants who are close to the 3.0. However, these exceptions are extremely rare and typically require that the rest of the applicant's application packet is stellar in all other areas.

Statistics for the class entering September 2012:

Keep in mind that there are a variety of factors that influence the admissions process. Grade point average and test scores are important, but not decisive. Each year, the applicant pool changes and admissions decisions are made based on comparing each applicant against his/her peers. We look at GPA and test scores, the type of program and university the applicant attended, relevant work experience, the statement of purpose and the letters of recommendation all play a deciding role.

6. How many students apply each year? How many do you accept?

We generally receive around 500 complete applications for the MPIA program each year. There are 130 students accepted into the incoming class of 2012.

7. Is an interview part of the application process?

The admissions committee does not interview all applicants. If an interview is needed, we will contact you directly. Interviews are required for international applicants requesting a waiver of the English language exam (TOEFL or IELTS).

8. I wasn't accepted or declined my offer of admission. Can I reapply?

Applicants who were not offered admission to IR/PS may reapply in subsequent years. Applicant files are kept for one year. Please contact IR/PS Office of Admissions to notify us of your intent to reapply and to confirm your application materials are still on file.

All individuals reapplying to IR/PS must submit a new application, pay the application fee, and adhere to any new application requirements. Certain materials, such as test scores, transcripts, and letters of reference may be used again. Please keep in mind it is the responsibility of the applicant to verify test scores have not expired and that letters of reference are up-to-date. Notify the IR/PS Office of Admissions in writing and indicate which documents, if any, you wish to reuse.

9. Do you accept transfer students?

Yes, we will admit students transferring from another program. If admitted, you might be able to waive some of the courses but you will still be responsible for completing 98 units of graduate coursework for the MPIA. The application process and requirements are the same as for other candidates. Please contact us at should you have further interest in transferring.

10. Do I have to take the TOEFL or IELTS?

All international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied for one uninterrupted year at a university-level institution in a country where English is the official language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS and submit their official test scores to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Arrangements for taking the TOEFL may be made through the nearest United States Embassy or the Educational Testing Services at http://www.ets.org/toefl/. Consult the TOEFL website for further information. The minimum TOEFL score required is a 90. The minimum IELTS band score is 7.0.

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

Yes. All foreign documents, such as official transcripts and letters of recommendation must be translated by an official translator and notarized as authentic translations by a notary public. Documents should be submitted with an official translation, but do not need to be converted to a US grading scale.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Can I substitute the GMAT for the GRE?

Yes. We will accept only the GMAT or GRE examination.

15. 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 a degree or not.

16. 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 a high ranking official who does not know you personally.

17. 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.

18. How can my recommenders submit their letters of recommendation?

As part of the online application, you will provide your recommenders' contact information. An email with instructions will be sent to your recommenders so that they can upload their recommendations. Alternatively, recommenders can submit their recommendations in writing on their official company or university letterheads. If submitting by mail, recommenders must sign the flap of the envelope and send the letter directly to IR/PS. 

Waiting for the Decision and Responding:

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

We understand that you are eager to obtain a decision on your application and we 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.

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 address thoroughly, including junk folders.

3. Can I request an early decision?

The only way to get an earlier decision is to apply by December 4.

4. How do I accept my offer?

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

5. Can I defer my admission?

You must submit a request for deferral to the Admissions office. If deferral is granted, you must submit your seat deposit and a $1000 deferral fee. Both will be credited to your account upon enrollment to IR/PS.

6. I was admitted "provisionally" - what does this mean?

Provisional admission can mean one of two things. First, the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) may not have your official transcripts. While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the purpose of IR/PS admission, OGS requires hard copies of your official transcripts prior to your matriculation. OGS will be in touch with you regarding the missing documents. Please be aware that official transcripts are not needed until September 2013, if you choose to enroll. Second, your provisional admission may be due to pre-term prep class requirements.

7. What is prep and why might I have to take it?

Prep classes are offered from mid-August to mid-September and are designed to prepare students for the rigorous graduate level coursework at IR/PS. Depending on your academic background you may be either required to take prep or recommended to take prep. If you lack quantitative or economics coursework from your undergrad, or you did less than average on any of the sections on the GRE or GMAT, you may be required/recommended to take a prep class. If you are required to take prep, you must complete the class(es) at IR/PS prior to the beginning of your first quarter. Three prep classes are offered: Quantitative Methods, Economics, and Analytical Writing. If you are required to take prep, you will receive a letter explaining this in your Admit Packet.

8. What is an Admit Packet and when will I receive mine?

We send every admitted student an Admit Packet that contains a welcome letter from the Dean and information about curriculum, student organizations, important dates, prep courses, and much more. If admitted, you should receive your Admit Packet within a few weeks of receiving your official admissions email from the Office of Graduate Studies.

9. What is the waitlist, and when will I get a final answer?

Given the limited number of new student seats each year, we often have more qualified students than we can admit. This often results in some of our applicants being waitlisted. As we get a clearer picture of how many new students confirm their acceptance to the program, we are able to determine if there will be additional openings for students on the waitlist. If you are on the waitlist you are not automatically guaranteed admission, nor does it mean that you have to accept our offer of admission, should we extend it.

We will let you know if you are on the waitlist and request that you inform us of whether or not you wish to continue to be on this list. By notifying us of your desire to either remain on the waitlist or be removed from it, you will inform us of your level of interest and also give another student a chance if you are not interested. We will notify all waitlisted students by early May of their status.

10. 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 process is over. Please submit your request via email. Please note that we will respond to such requests as soon as we are able.

Financial and Fellowship Information:

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

Click here for the latest cost estimates.

2. Which fellowships will I be considered for if I fill in the Fellowship Statement?

All of our applicants are considered for fellowships. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you may also apply for the San Diego Fellowship. This fellowship program provides two awards: The San Diego Fellowship and the Eugene Cota-Robles Fellowship. Both provide fellowship support to those students who merit admission into graduate programs at UCSD and whose presence would enhance diversity to the benefit of the entire campus community. Two of the Cota-Robles Fellowships are designated as McNair Fellowships and awarded to nominees who participated in the Ronald McNair Program as undergraduates. An American Indian recipient, if any, of the Cota-Robles Fellowship will be awarded the Irene McFarland Trust Fellowship, which will be substituted for part of the Cota-Robles Fellowship. Although the university seeks racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, California law prohibits preferential treatment of individuals or groups on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consequently, selection of award recipients may not be based on these criteria.

3. Is it possible to receive a full fellowship for my first year?

Typically 25 percent of our incoming class will receive IR/PS fellowships of varying amounts. However, most award recipients are responsible for part of the cost of their graduate education.

4. How do I apply for Federal Student Aid?

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens and residents complete the FAFSA shortly after January 1 and submit by March 2. This will make you eligible not only for loans but also for some of the grants that are available to graduate students.

5. In addition to Fellowships, are there opportunities at IR/PS or UCSD to reduce the financial burden of my education?

Many IR/PS students find a job on campus as interns, teaching assistants, tutors, or readers. While first year students are discouraged from working during their first quarter at IR/PS so that they can adjust to graduate school life, interested parties are encouraged to meet with IR/PS Student Affairs staff after completing one quarter of graduate study. During any given quarter, approximately 35% of IR/PS students hold teaching assistant or graduate student research positions throughout a variety of campus departments. Paid internships are also available with the Career Services, External Relations, and Admissions departments at IR/PS.

Additionally, all US citizens and US permanent residents not currently considered to be a California resident are strongly encouraged to establish California residency for their second year of study at IR/PS. Students who establish residency will receive a waiver of out of state tuition -- a savings approximately $12,000. IR/PS Student Affairs offers a variety of information workshops to help students establish residency.

Questions about the Program:

1. How long are the programs?

The MPIA program is a two-year, full-time program consisting of 98 quarter units.

2. What courses are required?

Click here for a list of the core curriculum; for a complete list of course offerings please review the UC San Diego online catalog.

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 MPIA program is full-time. IR/PS also offers an executive degree program called the Master of International Affairs (MAS-IA) which can be completed full-time in nine months, or part-time in eighteen months. Click here for more information about the MAS-IA. Additionally, IR/PS offers classes through the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), which is a great alternative for executives looking to sharpen their tools. Click here for more information about GLI.

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. Can I take courses at other departments within UCSD?

With prior permission by both departments, some of your electives may be taken at other departments.

8. What is the difference between the MPIA, MAS-IA, and the GLI programs?

The MAS-IA program is an executive degree program for applicants possessing a minimum of five years of professional experience and relevant international experience. The program can be completed full-time in nine months or part-time in eighteen months. Click here for more information about MAS-IA. GLI is designed for working professionals seeking additional exposure to the various areas of international management, international relations and comparative public policy. The program's duration ranges from ten weeks to two years. Upon completion, the participant receives a certificate of study. Click here for more information about GLI. The MPIA program is a two-year, full-time program which leads to a Masters degree.

9. 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.

• Prospective Students Overview
• Master of Pacific International Affairs (MPIA)
  • Connect with Admissions
  • Curriculum
  • Tuition Fees and Financing
  • Admissions Information
  • Study Abroad
  • MPIA Frequently Asked Questions
  
  
  
• Master of Advanced Studies in International Affairs (MAS-IA)
• Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Master of International Affairs (BA/MIA)
• PhD in Political Science and International Affairs (PhD)
• Executive Education (GLI)