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Application Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING AN APPLICATION

UPEACE accepts applications in electronic format. This means that applicants are able to scan and upload required supporting documents through the on-line application form. Applicants are therefore advised to first collect all supporting documents and required information before submitting the form. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

The documentation and information provided in an application reflects on the quality of the applicant. Please be sure that it is complete and accurate; and that all essays and supplementary materials are representative of the applicant’s work.

It is not acceptable to misrepresent accomplishments; borrow from the works of others without proper acknowledgment; or to submit material that has been written, re-written or heavily edited by others as your own. Breaches of these protocols will result in immediate rejection of the application.

Information Regarding the Application Process

The on-line application can be accessed as many times as needed with a login and password provided the first time an applicant enters the system. The form has a “save” button that allows the applicant to save the information and go back to the form as many times as needed. It is important to collect all of the data and supporting documents before clicking the submit button.
On-line application form

Required supporting documents to be uploaded:

Should admission be granted, some of the documents as noted above will be required in hard copy. These include:

• English Proficiency Test Scores Report (TOEFL, IELTS)
• Official Undergraduate Transcripts and Copy of Diploma
• Six passport size photos

Upon submission of the on-line application form and supporting uploaded documents, the UPEACE Admissions system will send an automatic confirmation email. The date and time of submission will be noted in the system. Applications received after the established relevant deadline will be transferred for the subsequent academic year.

Each application received by the established relevant deadline will be reviewed for completeness. A second acknowledgment will be sent to the applicant by the Admissions Officer informing whether or not the application is complete and able to be passed on for academic review.

We are not able to provide any information about the status of applicants over the phone or to third parties. Information will only be provided using the email entered by the applicant in the on-line application form. Please address any email inquiries to admissions@upeace.org

Process for confirming enrollment at UPEACE

1. Print, sign, scan and email the Financial Terms and Conditions that will be sent as an attachment to the admissions acceptance letter by email.
2. Make the first payment as indicated in the Financial Terms and Conditions document.
3. Fill out the Confirmation of Enrollment Form through the link provide in the Admissions Letter.
4. Send the following required documents as outlined in the admissions requirements:
   • English Proficiency Test Scores Report (TOEFL, IELTS)
   • Official Undergraduate Transcripts and Copy of Diploma
   • Six passport size photos

These should be sent by a secure mail to the following addresses:

For courier services such as DHL and FEDEX please use the following 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

For certified mail the following address should be used:

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

Applicants, especially if mailing from Asia, Africa or the Middle East, are advised to use certified mail or courier services like DHL, UPS or FEDEX, as regular does not have a tracking system, it takes months to arrive, often gets lost and deadlines cannot accommodate these circumstances.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST SCORES REPORT (TOEFL, IELTS)

English Proficiency Test Results

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 are not accepted

Notes:

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.

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

1. Undergraduate Degree from an English Speaking Country or English Speaking University.
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.
3. Exceptionally, when the hard copy version of the TOEFL Test Scores Report will not be available by the established deadline; the ETS electronic Test Scores Report will be accepted on a temporary basis.

Should the applicant be admitted, original hard copy English Proficiency test scores will be required upon confirmation of acceptance. If the applicant will be providing one of the documents required for a waiver, they will need to provide a copy that is certified, authenticated or with “Apostille” upon confirmation of acceptance.

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STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The statement of purpose must be between 500 and 1000 words, must clearly state the name of the applicant, the programme to which they are applying and must respond to the following questions:

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

After writing the Statement, it must be uploaded to the on-line application form.

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Two letters of recommendation or reference letters must be uploaded to the on-line application form. These must be from faculty or other individuals qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study and must be included in the application package.

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.

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OFFICIAL UNDERGRADUATE TRANSCRIPTS AND COPY OF DIPLOMA

1. Transcripts:
   
   • Official undergraduate transcripts bearing the signature of the Registrar and the school seal must be uploaded to the on-line application form. Please include 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.

   Should the applicant be admitted, official transcripts that are original and stamped with the official seal of the Institutions will be required upon confirmation of acceptance.

   For exceptional cases where original transcripts are not available, a certified, authenticated or with “Apostille” copy will be required upon confirmation of acceptance.
   
   Transcripts of records of MA programmes are not accepted

2. Undergraduate Bachelor's Degree: Copy of a Bachelor's Degree (Diploma) in the original language and its official English translation must be uploaded to the on-line application form. Should the applicant be admitted, a certified, authenticated or with “Apostille” copy of the Diploma will be required upon confirmation of acceptance.

   If unable to obtain an original and/or certified copy of Bachelor's Degree at the time of application to UPEACE, requesting an official letter from the university's registrar's office is permitted. The official letter must include the student's graduation date when it is to be awarded; and the student must then bring with them the original copy of their degree upon arrival to Costa Rica in order to complete this part of the application process. The Admission Officer will make a copy of the Diploma, certify it and return the original to the student.

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CURRICULUM VITAE OR RÉSUMÉ

The Curriculum Vitae or Résumé for UPEACE application 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
• Additional relevant experience
• Multicultural exchanges
• Any other relevant information

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FINANCIAL FORM (financial form)

Applicants must download the UPEACE Financial Information Form, read it carefully and understand the financial costs of attending UPEACE. Print and sign to acknowledge the implications outlined in this form and upload it to the on-line application form.

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COPY OF PASSPORT

All applicants must upload to the on-line application form a clear photocopy of their passport pages showing the following information:

• Name
• Photo
• Birth date and place
• Issuance and expiration date. This date must be 6 months after the ending of the academic programme at UPEACE (end of January of the year that follows completion of programme). This is needed to start the Costa Rican Immigration processes for the Student Temporary Residency.

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

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PASSPORT SIZE PHOTO

A passport size photo must be uploaded to the on-line application form with the following characteristics:

• In color
• 35 by 45 mm (1.37in by 1.77in)
• Frontal view from head to shoulders
• Single colour background, preferably white.

Should the applicant be admitted, six passport size photos printed on photo paper will be required upon confirmation of admission.

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