M.A.S. FAQs
Admission Decisions
How will I receive an official decision notification about my application for admission?
You will receive a notification email when a decision is ready,, typically in mid-March. The email will instruct you to check your Application Status Portal.
What is the process for re-applicants?
We may retain your application year to year, but you will nevertheless need to submit a new application each time, including all required materials and the application fee.
Can I defer an offer of admission?
Jackson will consider deferral requests only in cases of extreme hardship or illness, military deployment, or inability to travel to the U.S. due to visa restrictions or complications. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and should be addressed to Assistant Dean Jared Liu.
When are admission decisions announced?
Jackson announces M.A.S. decisions usually the second or third week of March.
Application Questions
Can I apply to more than one program at Jackson?
No. You can apply to only one degree program per academic year.
Who can I reach out to regarding technical difficulties with the application?
How can I check on the status of my application materials or make updates to my application?
Before you submit your application, you will see the status of your materials within the “Test Scores” or “Recommendations” tab of your application. After you submit your application, you will use your Application Status Portal to check for the receipt of official test scores or letters of recommendation.
You may upload an updated resume or supplemental materials via your Status Portal. Please note that if you are uploading materials after the deadline, there is no guarantee these materials will be seen by the Admissions Committee. Uploading items via your status portal does not overwrite existing application materials.
Are there core courses for the M.A.S. program?
There are no required courses for the M.A.S. Students work closely with the Assistant Dean for Graduate Education at Jackson to determine what courses best suit their interests, and will form an individualized concentration.
Is distance or Internet-learning an option?
No, Jackson does not offer any part of its program online. The M.A.S. is a one-year, full-time residential program.
What is the possibility of receiving a scholarship?
M.A.S. candidates are not eligible for Jackson Fellowships. The Graduate School Financial Aid Office administers student loan programs for both U.S. citizens and international students.
Do I have to speak a second language to apply?
No, the M.A.S. does not have a foreign language proficiency requirement.
Letters of Recommendation
How many letters of recommendation should I submit?
We recommend three letters of recommendation: one academic, one professional, and one of your choice. Candidates who choose to request any other combination or number of letters are encouraged to provide an explanation in the Optional Information section of the application.
Can I add a recommender after I submit my application?
From your Application Status Portal, you will be able to remind, add, or exclude a recommender. This feature is no longer available once the minimum required number of recommendations (3) has been received.
Can I delete a recommender?
Yes, you may “Exclude” a recommender from within your application or on your Application Status Portal, as long as they have not started or submitted their recommendation.
One of my recommenders did not receive an email or is having trouble accessing the online recommendation system. What should they do?
Once you enter your recommender’s information (including email address) and select “Send to Recommender,” an email is automatically generated and sent to them. If your recommender does not receive the email, it is possible that their email provider is blocking the email. Make sure they check their junk/spam folders. You may try resending the email or excluding the recommender and adding them again with a different email address.
Can recommendations arrive after the deadline?
Yes, but the admissions committee begins reviewing applications immediately following the program deadline. Recommendations should be submitted by the materials deadline listed in the application instructions.
Testing Requirements
Why are my official test scores missing from my application checklist?
First, confirm that you have asked the test agency to send your official scores to the Yale University Jackson School of Global Affairs using the following institutional codes/name:
GRE: 3388
Cambridge English: Jackson School of Global Affairs
Duolingo: Yale University Jackson School of Global Affairs
IELTS: Yale University Jackson School of Global Affairs
TOEFL: D100
If you sent your scores more than 7-10 business days prior, please double check that your scores were not sent to a different code or a different professional school at Yale. We are unable to transfer scores across schools at Yale, so you must use the correct code.
If you have confirmed that your scores were sent to the correct code at least 7-10 business days prior, but your scores still have not been marked as “received” in your application status portal, please email us with the following information:
- The name and email address you used to register for the test
- The name and email address used on your application
- A screenshot or other documentation from the test score service that your scores were sent to Yale University Jackson School of Global Affairs
May I submit my application before I have taken the required tests?
Yes, but when you fill out an application for admission, you must self-report your required test results in the Test Score section of the application. Scores must still be officially sent to the Jackson Admissions office. You may also input any future test dates as well. If you have not taken a required test yet, inputting a future test date will allow you to submit the application. Official scores may be sent to Admissions after the deadline but should be sent as soon as possible in order to ensure that your application can be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
Even though it is optional, I have decided to submit my GRE scores. Will I be asked to submit official test results?
Yes. If you choose to self-report your GRE scores in the application, you will be required to also submit official test results for verification purposes. Please be sure to submit your official scores before they expire, since you will not be able to submit them after expiration.
Does Jackson require the GRE for the M.A.S. program?
No. The GRE test is optional for the M.A.S. mid-career program.
Transcripts
My institution does not issue a traditional transcript or a record of my academic performance reflecting courses, credits, and grades. What should I do?
You should upload the academic performance document that your institution typically issues.
If my transcript has been evaluated by a credential evaluation service, can that evaluation be uploaded in lieu of my transcript?
Yes. The evaluation must contain course and grade information, however. Please note, that if you are offered admission and accept that offer, an original transcript will be required directly from the issuing institution.
Do I need to provide international transcript credential evaluations for my application?
International credential evaluations are not required for admission, but applicants completing their undergraduate and/or graduate degree(s) outside of the United States or Canada are encouraged to submit a transcript evaluation from World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, or similar (transcripts from the People's Republic of China should be verified by China Credentials Verification). All verification reports and any academic records should be issued in the English language. Applicants are responsible for any fees associated with these evaluations. Those who are admitted and accept our offer of admission and decide to matriculate at the Jackson School of Global Affairs will be required to have their international credential evaluations sent directly to Jackson to fulfill the official transcript requirement for enrollment. Admitted students will receive those instructions at a later date. Official transcripts and credential evaluations should not be sent to Jackson during the application process; unofficial copies must be uploaded with your application.