- When is the Admissions Office open?
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Our office is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm. We are closed on all University and U.S. national holidays.
- Can I visit Fletcher?
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Yes. Prospective students are highly encouraged to visit the School, sit in on classes, tour the campus, and meet with current students. Small group information sessions for prospective applicants conducted by current students are regularly scheduled on most Mondays and Fridays during the fall and spring semesters. Please check our
schedule to ensure an information session is scheduled on the day you want to visit.
- Do you give campus tours?
A Fletcher Information Session includes a tour of the Fletcher complex. We do not offer tours of Tufts University, though it is easy to make arrangements for a tour with the
undergraduate Office of Admissions.
- Are interviews required?
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The
interview is highly recommended, but is not a required component of the admissions process. Personal evaluative interviews are an excellent way for applicants to share information and to learn how The Fletcher School will help them meet their academic and professional goals.
- How do I set up an interview?
To arrange an interview, please contact the Office of Admissions (617-627-3040 or via email at
fletcheradmissions@tufts.edu). Because only a limited number of interviews can be accommodated each day, you should try to schedule your interview well in advance of the date you wish to visit. Evaluative interviews are generally conducted at Fletcher from September through early December, and on a more limited basis until January 15. When you request an interview, please note the degree program to which you are planning to apply.
- Do you do offsite or phone interviews?
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Generally, interviews are conducted only on campus between September and December, and on a limited basis until mid January. We are not able to conduct phone interviews.
- Do I schedule an interview before or after I submit my application?
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Interviews are generally offered only from September to December. Most applicants will participate in their evaluative interview before they apply to Fletcher. Occasionally, an applicant for January enrollment or for Early Notification for September enrollment will schedule an interview after the application deadline, though they should try to have the interview before submitting their application.
- Who conducts admissons interviews?
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Evaluative interviews are generally conducted by carefully selected and trained current Fletcher students, though members of the Admissions staff also conduct interviews when there is a large number of visiting applicants. The interviewer will ask about your goals and ability to succeed at Fletcher and the interviewer’s notes will become part of your application file.
- How should I prepare for my interview?
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We recommend that you research The Fletcher School and its programs prior to the interview. Please come prepared to discuss your past experiences, your career goals, and why you are interested in the Fletcher program. Please dress as you would for any job interview and bring a copy of your résumé or curriculum vitae.
- How do I request a Fletcher catalog and course bulletin?
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The easiest way is to submit a request from the Fletcher website. If you have difficulties accessing this form, please write to us at fletcheradmissions@tufts.edu or call us at 617-627-3040.
- Where do I find the application for admission?
- The application can be found on the "Apply to Fletcher” section of our website. We strongly prefer that applicants use our online application. If you are in an area with difficult computer connections, please email the Admissions Office, fletcheradmissions@tufts.edu.
- What materials will I need to submit my application?
Applicants to the MALD, MIB, LLM, MA, and PhD programs must submit the following materials:
- Application form
- Application fee of $70
- Academic transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Essay 1: Personal Statement
- Essay 2
- Essay 3 (for MIB and PhD applicants only)
- Official GRE or GMAT scores (if applicable)
- Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (if applicable)
- Financial Aid Application (if applicable)
PhD applicants must also submit:
- PhD dissertation proposal (two to five pages)
- Master's thesis or writing sample
- List of programs you are applying to
- Name(s) of Fletcher professor(s) you have had contact with
Please review the Application Requirements for more detailed information about the specific program to which you are applying.
- What is the deadline for applications?
Application deadlines vary slightly depending on the program. Please refer to the specific set of
deadlines for the degree program to which you are applying.
- What is the benefit of applying before the Early Notification deadline?
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By applying before the Early Notification deadline, applicants have the opportunity to receive an admissions decision by January 1 for enrollment the following September, giving admitted applicants extra time to plan for graduate study.
Through the Early Notification process, the Committee on Admissions may decide to make an offer of admission or to deny admission, or may defer the application for further review with Regular Deadline applicants. If an application is deferred, the applicant will be notified of an admission decision in late March. Students admitted through the Early Notification process, who have submitted a Fletcher Financial Aid Application, will be notified about their scholarship awards in late March.
Early Notification is available for September matriculation only. PhD candidates may not apply for Early Notification. Early Notification is not binding and Early Notification applicants may apply to other graduate programs. Early Notification applicants who are denied admission will not be eligible to reapply for the Regular or Final Deadline of the same year.
- Does applying early increase my chances of being admitted?
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The Admissions Committee uses the same criteria to evaluate applicants who meet the Early and Regular deadlines. The benefit of applying early is simply the possibility to receive an admissions decision by January 1. Additionally, if the Committee on Admissions defers making a final decision, the application will receive a second round of review with the Regular Deadline applications.
- What if some materials come in after the application deadline?
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Applicants are asked to note the relevant deadlines and to ensure that all required materials arrive before the deadline. The Committee on Admissions will not review an application file until it is complete.
Occasionally, because of a processing delay with the testing organizations or because a recommender submits a letter late, materials will arrive after the deadline. Provided that the applicant completes his/her portion of the application by the appropriate deadline, the Committee on Admissions will make every effort to read and review the file once the late material is received.
- Do you admit students to enroll for the spring semester?
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For the MALD program, a limited number of students are admitted for January enrollment each year. The vast majority of applications are for fall enrollment, and nearly all scholarship money is awarded for the fall semester. Students applying for spring admission and financial aid may be considered for scholarship awards when funds are available. There is no January enrollment offered for the MIB, LLM, MA, or PhD programs.
- Can I submit more than three letters of recommendation?
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Three letters of recommendation are required and normally sufficient. All applicants are strongly encouraged to include at least one academic recommendation and one professional recommendation. Applicants to the LLM program should include a recommendation from a law professor. If you feel that an additional letter would shed light on your credentials in a way not covered by the other three letters, you may submit it and it will be read by the Admissions Committee.
- Can I submit writing samples in addition to the essays?
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We do not accept additional writing samples for the MALD, MIB, LLM, or MA program. However, a writing sample is a required part of the PhD application.
- What transcripts do I need to submit with my application?
Please submit academic transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. If you participated in a study abroad program and those grades are not listed on your transcript, you must submit a transcript with grades from the host institution. If you are currently enrolled in an academic program, please submit a report of mid-year grades as soon as it becomes available. Do not postpone the submission of your application if mid-year grades are the only part of your application that remains incomplete. Send a transcript that is complete at the time you submit the application and send mid-year grades when they become available.
Please note that while unofficial transcripts will be accepted at the time of application, enrolling students are required to submit official transcripts.
- Can I have the application fee waived?
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The Fletcher School grants application fee waivers in extremely rare circumstances. Applicants requesting an application fee waiver must submit a letter outlining the reason for the fee waiver request with the application for admission.