Application Instructions

IMPORTANT DATES

Applications for the following academic year are due on 15 March 2010; however, we may accept applications until 30 June 2010, provided that no financial assistance is requested.

Admitted applicants will be notified through e-mail.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING AN APPLICATION

Your application represents you, so be sure it that is complete, accurate and all essays and supplementary materials represent your own work. It is not acceptable to misrepresent one's accomplishments, to borrow from the works of others without proper acknowledgment, or to submit as one's own, material that has been written, re-written or heavily edited by others. Breaches of these protocols will result in rejection of the application.

YOU MUST SUBMIT THE COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE CONTAINING ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS. If you do not submit a complete application package, (on-line application form and supporting documents in hard copies) the application will not be reviewed.

ALL APPLICATION PIECES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN A SINGLE PACKAGE

Detailed instructions for completing the documents and forms that make up the application package are provided in the sections below. Please read the guidelines carefully to determine which forms and documentation are needed.

PART 1: Online Application

The application form must be filled out on-line. A printed hard-copy of the on-line application form is not required. ON-LINE application form here>>

PART 2: Application Package

Applicants are responsible for gathering hard copies (i.e. printed paper) of all relevant materials and supporting documents and submitting them in one package to the UPEACE Department of Academic Administration (DAA) by the application deadline.

A complete hard-copy application package consists of ALL the following relevant materials (click to review):

Letters of recommendation must be in sealed envelopes.

Please, send all materials to the following address by the Application Deadline:

University for Peace
Department of Academic Administration
Application package
P.O. Box 138-6100
San José, Costa Rica

We will confirm receipt of application materials, once, by e-mail. No information will be provided by telephone or to third parties.

Applicants, especially if mailing from Asia, Africa or the Middle East, are advised to use registered mail or courier services like DHL, UPS or FEDEX, as regular mail takes months to arrive, often gets lost and deadlines cannot accommodate these circumstances. You should send them using the courier address:

University for Peace
Department of Academic Administration
Application package
El Rodeo de Mora, Ciudad Colón
San José, Costa Rica
Tel: (506) 22-05-90-00

PROFICIENCY TEST SCORES REPORT

An English Language Proficiency Test Report is required for all applicants from non-English-speaking countries. The following English Proficiency Tests are accepted:

UPEACE TOEFL Code: 7180

TOEIC and TOEFL-ITP will no longer be accepted starting with the call for application for the 2010-2011 Academic Year

Notes:

1. Tests of more than two years old are not valid. Applicants who took the English Test more than two years ago must repeat the test.
2. If an original "Applicant's Score Confirmation Report" is available, you may send it with your application package; copies are not valid, the official institutional score report must then be sent by ETS

To waive the English Language Proficiency Test Report, applicants from non-English speaking countries may present the following documents:

1. Certified, authenticated or notarized true copy of Undergraduate Degree from an English Speaking Country or English Speaking University. This degree must have been issued within the last two years.
2. Letter from a higher education institution certifying enrollment or completion of a programme by the applicant, and stating that the medium of instruction was English.

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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The statement of purpose must be between 500 and 1000 words, and must respond the following questions:

• Why have you decided to apply to this programme?
• What are your expectations from this programme?
• What are your career prospects after completing this programme?
• What type of multicultural exchanges have you had that would inform your academic experience in this programme?

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Two letters of recommendation or reference letters must be included in the application package.

These must be from faculty or other individuals qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study and must be included in the application package.

Each letter must be attached to the Letter of Recommendation Form

Some Valid referees or recommenders are:

• Faculty Deans or professors
• Academic Advisors
• Immediate supervisors
• Research Project Managers
• Mentors

Letters from family members or close friends are not accepted.

• Download the Letter of Recommendation Form here
• Forward Letter of recommendation form to recommenders
• Have recommenders attach the form to the letter of recommendation.
• Recommenders may:
• Post recommendation letter in a sealed envelope back to applicant
• Post recommendation letter directly to UPEACE
• Email recommendations directly to admissions@upeace.org as pdf attachments, NOT IN-LINE emails.

Note:
Letters of Recommendation are confidential.
Letters of recommendation must be in sealed envelopes if sent with application packages

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TRANSCRIPTS AND DIPLOMAS

1. Transcript:
   
   • An original transcript of an undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree bearing the signature of the Registrar and the school seal.
   OR
   • A certified (authenticated) photocopy of the Bachelor's degree bearing the signature of the Registrar and the school seal.

Please attach the official grading system used by the University or country, if this is not clearly explained on the flip side of the transcript.

If the original transcript is not in English, an official copy in the original language and an official English translation must be sent.

Transcripts of records of MA programmes are not accepted

2. Diploma:
   
   An original or certified (authenticated) copy of graduation Diploma in the original language and its official English translation must be sent.

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CURRICULUM VITAE OR RÉSUMÉ

The Curriculum Vitae or Résumé must clearly state the following information:

• Name and birth date of applicant
• E-mail address and phone number
• Postal address
• Academic background (including institution name, graduation year and degree obtained)
• Working experience (including name of the institution, date of beginning, ending date and position
• Multicultural exchanges
• Any other relevant information

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FINANCIAL FORM

All applicants must fill out the Financial Form to demonstrate their financial means of support while studying at UPEACE. Print instructions

UPEACE does not require documentation to support the information provided in this form, instead, it relies on the applicant's sense of honour. Please do not leave blanks in the financial form.

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COPY OF PASSPORT

All applicants must provide a clear photocopy of their passport pages showing the following information:

• Name
• Photo
• Birth date and place
• Issuance and expiration date that must expire 6 months after the ending of the academic programme (ALP, April 2012 and regular programmes, December 2011)

Note: It is unnecessary to attach blank pages or previous visas.

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VISA FORM

All applicants must fill out the Visa Form, which can be downloaded here: Visa Form

Information about Costa Rican Consulates is available here>>

Questions about visas should be directed to: visas@upeace.org

PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOS

Photos must have the following characteristics:

• Six photographs
• In color and identical
• 35 by 45 mm (1.37in by 1.77in
• Frontal view from head to shoulders
• Single colour background, preferably white
• Printed on photographic paper

Note:

• E-mailed photos are not valid
• Non passport size photos will not be accepted
• Album photo pictures are not valid either

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