How to Apply

MALD, MGA, MA/GMAP, MIB/GBA, and MATA candidates must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Successful Fletcher candidates come from a wide range of undergraduate majors, including international relations and other social sciences, the humanities, business and physical sciences and engineering. 

LLM candidates must hold one of the following: a JD degree from an ABA approved law school in the United States, or have completed the academic legal education required to take the bar examination in a foreign country, or be qualified to practice law in a foreign country.

MIB:QM candidates should have demonstrated academic quantitative capacity. Specifically, all admitted applicants should have completed college-level courses in Statistics and Microeconomics with a minimum grade of B- (or equivalent). These need not be part of a college degree and can be taken for credit and a grade, independently. In addition, other quantitative coursework, research, and professional experience will add to a candidate’s quantitative profile. Other economics, data analysis, and calculus classes are particularly relevant, though students with engineering, pre-med, and other science backgrounds may be considered a strong fit as well.

All Fletcher students must have proven English language proficiency. Students who believe a second language will be beneficial to their studies and career path are encouraged to take the optional examinations in their chosen language. Passing results will be noted on their transcript.

MALD, MGA, and PhD: Microeconomics and macroeconomics are strongly encouraged prior to enrollment. 

LLM, MATA, and MA: Prior exposure is preferred if you intend to pursue quantitative coursework at Fletcher.

GMAP: No prior coursework is required. 

MIB: Students must be able to thrive in a rigorous academic environment that includes substantial quantitative coursework. This capacity can be demonstrated in several ways: an undergraduate academic record that shows success in quantitative coursework such as macroeconomics, microeconomics, calculus, statistics and/or econometrics; a strong quantitative GMAT or GRE score; or full-time work experience with significant and demonstrable quantitative responsibilities.

MALD, MATA, and PhD: Full-time work experience is not required, but is recommended. 

MGA: A minimum two years of relevant, full-time professional experience is required. 

MIB: Full-time work experience in the private sector or a job with business or management responsibilities such as corporate law, corporate research and analysis, an advisory position with a government or NGO, or as a military officer is strongly preferred. 

MA and GMAP: Eight or more years of professional experience is required. 

LLM: Three to five years of professional legal experience is preferred.

International experience is not required, but it is strongly recommended. There is no rigid requirement as to length or nature of international experience, but students should have a demonstrated interest in global issues. International experience includes time spent living, studying, working, volunteering or traveling outside of the applicant’s home country. The nature of each applicant’s international experience is assessed in the context of his or her individual application and professional goals. 

Submit an $85 application fee or request a fee waiver.

Fee waiver eligible groups. 

Applicants may submit either hard copies of official transcripts directly to the Admissions Office or scanned copies of official transcripts via the online application.

We accept both unofficial and official transcripts. Generally, your application will be processed sooner if you upload unofficial transcripts; this is also our preference. However, please note that:

• If you decide to matriculate, you will be required to provide a final official transcript from the institution which awarded you your bachelor's degree, with a date of undergraduate degree conferral. Students without a final official transcript on file by the end of business on orientation day will not be allowed to enroll in the program.

We prefer one letter each from an academic and professional reference, however we recognize that not all applicants will have access to both categories based on their professional timeline. Prioritize choosing recommenders who know you and can write about you well. You may submit a third letter of recommendation, though this is optional. 

It may be helpful for your recommenders to review your resume and read your statement of purpose. A typical letter of recommendation to Fletcher is between one and two pages in length.

We also have some tips for you to share with your recommenders: 

• Explain why a student succeeded (or failed) in a class. Even if it seems obvious that an "A" grade demonstrates the student's strength, the context for the grade is useful. 
• Note if a student took the time to get to know you outside of class (e.g., through research, office hours, etc.).
• If you are writing about the applicant's professional experience, describe the applicant's progress in and contributions to your organization.
• If the applicant performed any functions that are relevant to academic work (e.g., research, writing, data collection or analysis, work within a team), bring them to our attention. 
• Assess the applicant's professional potential: will the applicant be able to achieve their career goals? 

Please tell us about your goals for graduate study at Fletcher and for your career. Describe the elements of your personal, professional, and/or academic background that have prepared you for your chosen career path. Why is The Fletcher School the right place to pursue your academic objectives and to prepare you to meet your professional goals? What global and/or social contributions do you hope to make after completing your studies? Why have you selected the degree program to which you are applying? If you are planning to pursue a dual degree, please be sure to address this interest in essay one.

Please tell us how your professional background, academic interests, and future goals align with the MGA program in particular?  What are your goals for graduate study at Fletcher and for your career? Describe the elements of your personal, professional, and/or academic background that have prepared you for your chosen career path.  Why is Fletcher the right place to pursue your graduate studies?

Please select and answer one of the following prompts:

• Please share how your background, worldview, or perspective influenced your decision to study international affairs.
• We are shaped by the places we live. Tell us about the city, town, or region that you consider to be your “hometown,” – that place where you lived for most of your life or to which you feel most connected. What makes this place special and how has it contributed to who you are now?
• Describe an experience (academic, personal, or professional) that contributed to your interest in the study of international affairs or an international career.

What professional opportunities do you plan or hope to pursue during the next two years? What do you hope to learn and what skills do you hope to cultivate?

Please upload a current version of your professional resume.

• GMAT or GRE (optional)
• TOEFL/IELTS/Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency/Duolingo is required of international students whose native language is not English and who have not earned a university degree where English was the primary language of instruction (optional for GMAP applicants). Minimum acceptable scores for TOEFL are 100 (with sub-scores of 25 on each section). For IELTS, 7.0 (with sub-scores of 7 on each section) is the minimum score. 

An evaluative interview is a valuable way for you to share information about yourself and to learn how Fletcher will help meet your academic and professional goals. The evaluative interview is a recommended, but not a required, part of the admissions process. 

Interviews are conducted by current students, and occasionally, staff members. Interviews are evaluative, not informational, and a report of the interview will become part of the interviewee's application record. Interviews should be completed before an application has been submitted to Fletcher. We offer interviews both in-person and virtually.

Please submit if applying for aid.  If you do not submit a scholarship application at the time of applying to your program, you will forego scholarship consideration.