Tuesday, January 31, 2012

What's challenging about applying to SAIS Bologna?

We have the results of our latest poll. But first a few reminders.
  • If you are having difficulties uploading documents to the online application system, please send us an email at admissions@jhubc.it and we'll help you out.
  • The online system will not shut down at midnight February 1. But if you are not able to complete your application by midnight your time, please send us an email at admissions@jhubc.it explaining.
  • Our mailing address for transcripts and other hard copies is:
                 Johns Hopkins SAIS Bologna Center
                 via Belmeloro, 11
                 40126 Bologna
                 Italy
Now for the results of the poll. The question was: What have you found most challenging in applying to SAIS Bologna?

Here is the breakdown of answers:

Statement of purpose 27%
Analytical essay 25%
Managing the financial commitment 22%
Lining up referees to write letters of recommendation 9%
Comparing SAIS Bologna to other schools 5%
English-language requirement 5%
Understanding the application process 3%
Understanding the academic requirements 3%
Dealing with the Admissions team 2%

We are not surprised the statement of purpose and the analytical essay are the biggest challenges. They form a core section of any candidacy, and applicants do well to pay close attention to these elements.

We hope our posts on the analytical essay and the statement of purpose have been helpful. They have been far and away the most popular posts since we launched this journal 14 months ago.

Managing the financial commitment is a key challenge, too. This is the way it should be. As we have written before here, graduate school is a major investment for anyone, and it's important to weigh the costs and the benefits, both of which can be significant. We think the benefits of a SAIS education are very significant, and our more than 6,500 alumni around the world would attest to that.

Finally, we are certainly glad that the Admissions team did not pose the biggest challenge!

Nelson Graves

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