How to Apply to the CGES Transatlantic Master's Program

Updated

To apply to the Transatlantic Master's Program at Georgetown's BMW Center for German and European Studies (CGES), start at the CGES website (cges.georgetown.edu) and use the "Apply now!" link in the Transatlantic Master's Program section, or the "How to Apply" link in the site footer. The site presents the program as the entry point for prospective MAES students but does not publish the step-by-step requirements on the pages summarized here, so treat the application portal linked from those pages as the authoritative source for deadlines, materials, and eligibility.

Where the application lives

CGES is Georgetown University's BMW Center for German and European Studies. Its stated mission is to conduct research on Europe and train the next generation of transatlantic leaders, and the Transatlantic Master's Program is the degree path tied to that mission. The site's own calls to action are:

  • "Apply now!" — in the Transatlantic Master's Program section of the homepage, aimed at people interested in joining the MAES community.
  • "How to Apply" — in the footer navigation, alongside "Join Mailing List" and "Support CGES."

Both routes lead toward the same application process; the footer link is the more direct one if you already know you want to apply.

What to do before you apply

  1. Confirm the program fits your goals. The program is described as training transatlantic leaders with a European focus, based in Washington, DC. Student profiles on the site describe using it to prepare for a political science PhD on EU migration competencies, to build a broad background in transatlantic relations while specializing, and to gain skills through work on the Center's student-run podcast, The Europe Desk. If those trajectories match yours, the program is worth pursuing.
  2. Join the mailing list. The "Join Mailing List" link is the lowest-effort way to receive updates, including any application-cycle announcements, without committing to an application.
  3. Open the application page and read the requirements there. Because the site summary does not list transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, or deadlines, get these from the application page itself before you start gathering documents.

What the site does not tell you

The pages summarized here do not state application deadlines, required materials, fees, eligibility criteria, or whether the application is free or requires login. Do not assume any of these; check the application portal linked from "Apply now!" or "How to Apply" for the current cycle's specifics.

A reasonable sequence

  • Read the Transatlantic Master's Program section and a few student profiles to confirm interest.
  • Join the mailing list so you hear about info sessions and deadlines.
  • Go to "How to Apply," note every required document and date, and work backward from the deadline.
  • Use the events page ("Check out our upcoming events") to attend a CGES lecture or conference—useful context for your statement of purpose and a way to see the Center's work firsthand.

If your question is what CGES is rather than how to apply, the short answer: it is Georgetown's BMW Center for German and European Studies, home to the MAES Transatlantic Master's Program, a public event series, and the student-run The Europe Desk podcast.