How to Apply | MAIS

1. Name: Please list your full legal name. 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. Citizens of Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao must apply to the Hopkins-Nanjing Center through Nanjing University. Click here for information on the admissions process for Chinese students.
    
6. Social Security Number: This is required if you have a US Social Security Number at the time of application.
    
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 in International Studies” as your program of choice.
    
3. Location: Please select "Hopkins-Nanjing Center" as your location of study.
    
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.

Early Notification: Please note, for your application to be considered for Early Notification, all supporting documents (as listed in the application instructions) must be received by the Office of Admissions no later than November 1. If any supporting documents are received after November 1, the application will be reviewed during the Regular Decision process.

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 Washington, DC:

1. Chinese Proficiency Results: To apply for any HNC program, you must provide Chinese reading and listening proficiency test results from one of the following language assessments: STAMP, HSK, ACTFL, CEFR, or ILR. Writing and speaking assessments may be taken into consideration, but reading and listening proficiency results are still required. Test results must be from within the last 12 months, and available for review before the application deadline. If you have not yet taken any of these tests, you can request to take the STAMP test via the online application. 
   
   
   

2. GRE or GMAT scores: 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.
    
3. 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.

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: The Office of Admissions offers application fee waivers to participants or alumni affiliated with the professional development programs listed in the 'Application Fee' section below.
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.
    
8. Financial Aid: Indicate in this section if you wish to be considered for need and merit-based aid for Johns Hopkins SAIS scholarships. Financial aid decision letters for both early notification and regular decision are sent via email to admitted students in mid-March.

Please note: in order to be considered for scholarship funding, you must answer “yes” to the question in this section. Applicants who answer “no” will not be considered for any scholarship funding.

For more information on financial aid eligibility and forms, visit Financial Aid.

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. Personal Statement: Tell us why you want to study at the Hopkins-Nanjing Center and how studying at the HNC would contribute to your academic and professional goals. Please submit your essay in English only. Chinese characters do not display correctly. (600-800 words).
3. MAIS Thesis Essay: Please discuss in detail your proposed thesis topic. (Approximately 600 words. Please note your proposed thesis topic may be altered once studying at the HNC.)
4. (Optional) Essay: Reflect on a personal, academic, or professional challenge that you have encountered in your journey towards pursuing a journey 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 on the world? (600 words)

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." 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.

The $85 USD application fee is payable through the application system via credit card, debit card, or e-check.  

To receive a fee waiver, please upload official documentation confirming your participation in the selected program. On the "Review" page, select "Finalize Application and Pay," however do not complete payment.

The following participants or alumni affiliated with the following professional development programs are eligible for an application fee waiver:
 

• AmeriCorps Volunteer 
• Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Program Finalist or Fellow
• Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Scholars Program Participant 
• Congressional Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Alumni
• Donald M. Payne International Development Finalist or Fellow
• Fulbright (for those currently on fellowship) 
• Graduates of Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs)
• Graduates of Hispanic Serving Institutions
• Graduates of Tribal Colleges
• McNair Scholar 
• Peace Corps 
• Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Program Fellow
• SAIS Europe Applicants
• Teach for All (including Teach for America)
• Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Finalist or Fellow  
• US Active Duty Military 
• US Military Veteran 

Unfortunately, we do not grant fee waivers for financial hardship.

• Online application form
• Application fee, $85 USD
• Updated résumé/CV
• Chinese Language Proficiency Test Results from within the last 12 months
• Re-applicant essay: In 600 words or less please tell us what you have done both professionally and academically over the past year to change your application and fit for Johns Hopkins SAIS.
• Thesis Essay: Please discuss in detail your proposed thesis topic. (Approximately 600 words. Please note your proposed thesis topic may be altered once studying at the HNC.)
• New transcripts: Transcript(s) of any additional courses you have taken since you last applied (include grades not finalized at the time of your last application).
• Recommendation letter: 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.
• Interview (optional)