Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants to M.A. Programs

1. Can I apply to a master’s program while I am in the last year of my bachelor’s degree?

Yes. In this case, admission will be based on your most up to date bachelor’s transcript. Should you be accepted to the master’s program, your acceptance will be conditional upon submission of a final and official bachelor’s transcript and diploma by the start of your master’s program in October. 

2. Can I apply to a master’s program if my GPA is slightly lower than what is required for admission?

If your GPA is a bit lower than what we usually require but you still feel you’d be a strong candidate for our program, you may apply. In this case, our Admission Committee will be looking more closely at your statement of purpose, academic recommendations, and any relevant extra-curricular, professional, or volunteer experience you have (depending on which program you are applying for).

 3. What should I write about in my statement of purpose and how long should it be?

Your statement of purpose is your chance to present yourself to our Admission Committee and should include information about your academic background, why you are interested in our program, what you plan to do in the future, and anything else you think we should know about you. Your statement of purpose should be 1-2 pages long.

4. Can I submit professional recommendations instead of academic recommendations?

You can submit one professional recommendation if you feel it would be more reflective of your abilities, however it is important to submit at least one recommendation by someone who has taught you in an academic setting. If you have been out of school for over five years and are no longer in touch with any of your professors, you can submit two professional recommendations.

 5. I studied abroad in English for a semester – may I be exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement?

No. Only students who have completed full academic degrees at accredited universities at which English is the sole language of instruction may request exemption. Students who completed degrees in English Language and Literature may also request exemption.

 6. Do I need to submit official transcripts and what is meant by official?

We accept scanned copies of transcripts during the admission process. Should you be accepted to a program, your acceptance will be conditional upon submission of original paper transcripts issued by your university, or notarized copies. We also accept e-transcripts sent by your university to gradmiss@savion.huji.ac.il as official.

7. I have transfer credits applied towards my bachelor’s degree. Will I need to submit transfer transcripts as well?

Students with a year’s worth or more of transfer credits must submit transcripts from their transfer institution/s, even if those credits are also listed on their regular bachelor’s transcripts.

8. Do I need to be accepted to a master’s program before applying for scholarships?

No. You can apply for scholarships before you are accepted, but only after you’ve submitted your application to a master’s program. Scholarship applications of students who have not submitted master’s program applications will be discarded.

9. When will I know if I was accepted to a graduate program?

Admissions is rolling and you can expect to receive an admission decision via email within about two weeks of applying to a program and submitting the required supplementary documents.

 10. What are the next steps after I have been accepted to a graduate program?

 Please see our FAQ for Accepted Graduate Students for more information.