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How to Apply | MEPP

Admission Requirements

All students with an accredited bachelor’s degree can apply to the MEPP program. Applicants will be invited to interview via Zoom, within two weeks (on average) of submission. Admitted students are required to submit a 500 USD matriculation fee and 3,000 USD deposit towards tuition within 30 days of acceptance to secure one’s place for summer admission. The admissions cycle for the MEPP is rolling, with the final deadline for submission being April 15, 2024. However, applicants are encouraged to apply before the deadline, as places are offered based on availability within the cohort.

Application Checklist:

  • Online application
  • Resume/CV
  • Statement of purpose
  • Essay
  • Transcripts for all university-level course work
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation
  • English Language Examination (non-native English speakers)
  • GRE or GMAT scores (optional)
  • Interview: All SAIS Europe candidates are required to interview as part of the application process. Upon submission, you will be contacted by the SAIS Europe Office of Admissions to schedule an interview. 

Application Instructions

1. Name: Please list your full legal name. Do not include any suffixes such as “Jr.,” “Sr.,” etc. If you have a maiden name or alternate name that you previously used legally, please list it in the "Other Last Names Used" section.

2. Addresses: Please list both your permanent and mailing addresses. If your mailing address expires before admissions decisions are rendered, then any posted correspondence will be sent to your permanent address. If your current mailing address changes at any time during the application process, please notify the Office of Admissions as soon as possible.

3. Email Address: Please provide an email address that will be valid throughout the entire application process. Take care to ensure that emails from Johns Hopkins SAIS are not filtered to a junk folder because we will communicate with you primarily through email.

4. Phone Number: When entering your phone number, if you are listing a non-US phone number, please include the country code when entering the number, leaving out any parenthesis, dashes, or other symbols.

5. Citizenship Information: Please select your citizenship. Dual citizens should select both nationalities. If you do not have a current Immigration Status, please select "OTH" from the drop down menu.

6. Social Security Number: This is required if you have a US Social Security Number at the time of application. OMIT if not applicable. 

7. Race/Ethnicity Optional: This data is collected as required by the US Federal Government and does not influence our admissions decisions. We encourage you to answer both questions. Ethnicity definitions are provided.

1. Degree Type: Please select “Full-time” as your degree type.

2. Program: Please select “Master of Arts European Public Policy” as your program of choice.

3. Location: SAIS Europe (Bologna, Italy) 

4. Anticipated Start Term: Please select your anticipated start term. If your term of interest is not visible, we are currently not accepting applications for that term.

All applications and supporting documentation become the confidential property of the Johns Hopkins SAIS Office of Admissions and cannot be returned.

Please use the "type ahead" option in the institution name to search for the College/University you have attended. Selecting your institution through this feature will automatically populate some of the fields below and ensure that the identifying information for this institution is formatted properly in our records. If your institution code is not available, please type the name in "Institution."

Submit Transcript: You must submit transcripts reflecting all university-level course work listed on the application. You may upload unofficial transcripts via the online application, or submit official transcripts via hard copy or electronic copy, either from the college/university directly or via a transcript clearinghouse.

You should not list: 1) institutions at which three or fewer courses were completed, or where courses were only audited or taken on a non-credit basis, 2) executive education programs, 3) non-credit language institutes, or 4) non-credit certificate programs.

Mailing Transcripts: Transcripts in hard copy should be sent to the Office of Admissions in Bologna, Italy:
Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe
Admissions and Recruitment Office
via Beniamino Andreatta, 3
40126 Bologna, Italy

Transcripts in electronic copy should be sent to [email protected]

Unofficial transcripts: Admitted applicants who submit unofficial transcripts as part of the application process will be required to submit official copies prior to enrollment.

Study abroad grades and transfer credit: Transcripts listing study abroad grades and/or transfer credits are required unless both the grades and credits are reflected on the primary undergraduate transcript.

Non-English-language transcripts: If your transcript is in a language other than English, you are asked to provide an official translation of the entire transcript and an explanation of the grading system of the university. You are strongly encouraged to use a credential evaluation service, particularly if you are not sure of how to obtain original transcripts or face difficulties obtaining them. See the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services for a list of providers. Transcripts and translations must be received by the Office of Admissions before the relevant deadline, so please make any requests well in advance.

Please list your official scores for the GRE and/or GMAT (optional) and if required, your official English competency exam scores. If you have completed an exam more than once, please list your most recent scores. In addition to listing the scores in the online application, applicants must also send official test scores via the appropriate testing services.

1. GRE or GMAT scores: GRE and GMAT scores are optional. If you decide to submit scores for either the GRE or the GMAT, Johns Hopkins SAIS will only accept scores directly from the testing service. Please arrange for all standardized test scores to be sent in advance of the application deadline. The GRE code for Johns Hopkins SAIS is 5610-0000; the GMAT code is KGB-GX-99.

2. English Language Examination: You must submit an official English competency score if (1) English is not your native language and (2) you do not hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in a country where English is an official language and where English is the language of instruction. Official test scores must be received for admissions consideration. For more information and instructions, please review our English language examination policy.

Please provide details of all of your professional positions.
 
Additional Questions:

1. City of Birth: Please type the name of the city where you were born.

2. US Military: Please indicate if you are an active duty or former member of the US Armed Forces in the space provided.

3. Current Residency: Please provide the country and city, where you currently reside.

4. Diversity: Johns Hopkins SAIS receives applications from a diverse pool of candidates. These questions ensure we have the clearest possible understanding of each candidate’s background. Your answers will be kept confidential.

5. Affiliations: Applicants to SAIS Europe do not pay an admissions fee to apply.

6. Languages: Please list your native language; bilingual applicants should list their dominant language. Your native/dominant language is the one that meets 2 out of 3 requirements: it is (a) the main language of communication between you and one of your parents or caregivers, (b) an official language in the community where you grew up, (c) the language of instruction in the high school you attended.

You should indicate levels of proficiency for up to two additional foreign languages in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension. Any language experience beyond these should be included on your resume.

7. Time Spent Abroad: You should use this section to indicate any time spent living, working and/or studying outside of your home country. Please list the most significant experience abroad first.

Although MEPP candidates are not required to take economics courses before starting their studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS, they should complete this section. Applicants should use this section to indicate their background in economics coursework. Please indicate the economics courses taken, first in the theory area, then the quantitative area, and then field courses. Please either check the appropriate box, or provide the course name, year the course was taken (as it appears on the transcript) and the grade received.  If a course was taken as a high school Advance Placement (AP) course, and university credit was received, please indicate by checking the AP credit question.  

Economics course work and grades listed in the application must be reflected on transcripts. If economics course work will be completed between the time of application and enrollment at Johns Hopkins SAIS, transcripts must be submitted as soon as the courses are completed and before an applicant’s first semester. 

Only list courses for which you received a grade of B- or better; do not list courses not taken for a grade.

Use this section to indicate your background in mathematics. Please begin by indicating the number of college level calculus courses taken followed by the course titles, grade received and year taken. If a course was taken as a high school Advance Placement (AP) course, and college credit was received, please indicate by including this information in the "Other" section. Also please list any mathematics courses taken beyond calculus along with the year and the grade received. Do not list courses not taken for a grade.

Upload the relevant required documents here for your program of interest.

  1. Résumé/CV: Provide a current résumé or curriculum vitae, which includes your education, employment history, awards and accolades, international exposure, publication credits, and leadership roles in any volunteer and/or extracurricular activities.
     
  2. Statement of Purpose: Discuss your goals for graduate study and for your professional career. What experiences have most contributed to your desire to study international relations? How will this degree program serve to meet your academic and professional goals? This essay should be no more than 600 words in length.
     
  3. Essay: Reflect on a personal, academic, or professional challenge that you have encountered in your journey towards pursuing a career in international relations. Describe the barriers you faced and how you overcame them. How has this experience shaped your passion for the field and reinforced your commitment to making a positive impact onthe world? This essay should be no more than 600 words in length.

You are required to submit two letters of recommendation and have the option of submitting a third. Recommendations should be written by individuals well placed to discuss your qualifications for graduate study and a career in international affairs.

Please note that Johns Hopkins SAIS will accept letters of recommendation only through our online application system or in hard copy directly from the recommender. Please list all your references in the "Recommendations" section, including recommenders who prefer to submit their letter in hard copy.

If your recommender prefers to submit a hard copy letter of recommendation, please advise them to mail to:

Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe
Admissions and Recruitment Office
via Beniamino Andreatta, 3
40126 Bologna, Italy

All required fields must be completed before your application can be submitted. Required fields are designated by an asterisk.

To submit your application, click the button that reads “Finalize Application and Pay" (no application fee will be charged to SAIS Europe applicants).

Please note that you must complete all required fields in order to submit your application. Any missing fields will appear on the "Review" section. Prior to submission, please review all application sections to check for any errors or incorrect data.

After you have submitted your application, confirmation of your application status as “submitted” will appear on the online application dashboard. A checklist of all application materials will also be visible in order for you to track the status of supporting documents.

Submission of Materials 

We encourage applicants to submit materials as early as possible before the applicable deadline. You are responsible for making sure all supporting documents, including letters of recommendation and academic transcripts, are submitted on time. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

All applications and supporting documentation become the confidential property of the Office of Admissions and cannot be returned.

Financial Aid

Scholarships are not available for students in the MEPP program. However, matching funds may be available for students financed by third-party institutions, subject to SAIS Europe’s approval. For more information, please contact us at [email protected].

Applicants seeking additional funding are encouraged to consult external sources of funding, as listed on our website. Applicants eligible to apply for US Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Direct Grad PLUS Loans or US Veteran benefits for education are encouraged to do so.