The most important thing for all of our new students to do in these next 2 weeks is to make sure you are registered for orientation, submit your official final transcript, and register for your courses! These three items are important to start off the year strong and to make sure you are set up for success before you even get to campus.

Once you have completed these items, you can sit back, relax, and look forward to your first few days at Fletcher! Our orientation team has set up tours, ice cream socials, information sessions, scavenger hunts, and more!!

See you all soon

It’s hard to believe, but this is my final post for the Fletcher Admissions Blog. As I look back on this journey that began in 2017, I’m filled with gratitude—for the opportunity to share glimpses of life as both a Fletcher PhD student and an active-duty Marine Corps officer, and for the unique academic community that helped shape my thinking in profound ways. In this final entry, I’ll revisit a few highlights, reflect on where the road is taking me next, and offer a parting thought or two for those still on the path. 

“Greatest Hits” Recap

The Long Road to Fletcher (and the PhD)
When I first considered Fletcher in 2012, it felt like a distant goal—something perhaps out of reach for a Marine officer navigating a dynamic career. I’ll never forget where I was when the email arrived confirming my admission: serving in Okinawa in the middle of an international military exercise. Fletcher reminded me that perseverance pays off—and that distant dreams are worth chasing.

A Distinctive Learning Environment
At Fletcher, education extended well beyond the classroom. From PhD colloquia and dissertation boot camps to digging through archives in Ginn Library, or learning from my mentors among the faculty, the experience was immersive. Fletcher’s interdisciplinary and international ethos expanded my thinking and deepened my understanding of global affairs.

Bridging Two Worlds
My time at Fletcher uniquely connected the military and academic realms. Hosting senior military leaders like General (and Fletcher alumnus) Joe Dunford and General Robert Neller on campus highlighted just how essential scholarly insights can be for strategic decision-making. Lessons learned at Fletcher informed my later roles on the Joint Staff, in the OSD Red Team, and at Headquarters Marine Corps.

Balance, Beyond the Books
One of the enduring lessons Fletcher reinforced was the importance of balance. Amid the academic rigor, my family and I made time to enjoy our life in New England—road-tripping to see Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, attending Boston’s literary events, or taking bike rides on the Minuteman Bikeway. Fletcher reminded me that growth happens inside and outside the classroom.

What Comes Next

I’m approaching several major milestones. In April 2025, I successfully defended my dissertation—a deep dive into China’s alliance management with North Korea during moments of nuclear crisis. The sense of relief, reflection, and quiet pride that followed is hard to capture in words. On May 18, I’ll join fellow classmates at Commencement, feeling an overwhelming mix of joy, closure, and gratitude.

At the same time, I’m turning the page on another chapter: retirement from the U.S. Marine Corps after more than 25 years of service. Fletcher helped prepare me for this next transition, not only by sharpening my analytical skills but by broadening my sense of what’s possible. I’m exploring roles in the China-policy community, on Capitol Hill, and in academia—possibilities made more tangible thanks to the relationships and perspective I gained here.

In many ways, Fletcher reminded me of my time studying abroad: intellectually diverse, globally engaged, and filled with people who challenged and inspired me.

Final Thoughts for Future PhD Students
If you’re just beginning your  PhD journey—or thinking about it—allow me to share two pieces of advice, both centered on your dissertation committee:

First, choose your committee with care. These individuals will shape your work and, at times, sustain your momentum. Chemistry, trust, and shared intellectual vision matter a great deal.

Second, embrace your agency. There will be long stretches with little feedback. You’ll have to generate your own energy, structure, and belief. In those moments, remember: this is your project. Own it. Move forward even when the way ahead isn’t fully clear.

Soon, my dissertation will join others—famous and forgotten alike—on Ginn Library’s “other Green Monster” shelves. That thought alone fills me with quiet pride.

Until We Meet Again, Fletcher
Thank you for everything. This community has shaped me more than I could have imagined. I leave with a deeper understanding of the world, a more nuanced perspective on power and partnership, and a deep appreciation for the people who made it all possible.

Semper Fi—and onward.

Feel free to reach out or connect—Fletcher’s spirit of curiosity and community continues beyond graduation.

For those of you who received admissions offers, congratulations! We are honored to welcome you, and are excited to see how you will contribute to Fletcher’s community.

To those who may have received disappointing news, please know that our doors remain open. Fletcher welcomes reapplications and encourages requests for feedback. Many of our current students and alumni have navigated similar paths, and we are here to support you on your journey.

Although the hard part is over, you may be wondering what to do in the time between receiving your decision and coming to campus. We have many opportunities to interact with the community in order to ask questions, see the campus, and meet fellow students!

One of our favorite spring time programs is Coffee with a Current Student, where you can join a Zoom call with one of our Admissions Graduate Assistants and other admitted students to learn more about Fletcher in an informal and relaxed setting with a current student during the academic year. This is a good opportunity to hear more about extracurriculars, classes, and the Fletcher student experience.

Of course the biggest opportunity for accepted students are our Open Houses, taking place on March 24th and April 7th this year. Join us for the opportunity to meet current students, faculty, Career Services staff, and Admissions Officers, as well as the opportunity to sit in on classes and tour the Fletcher building. The open house will take place beginning Sunday evening with an alumni panel and networking reception with current Fletcher students and other members of the community. The following Monday morning, beginning at 8:00am, we commence with a breakfast and welcome from Fletcher’s leadership, followed by a packed day of panel discussions designed to get you to better know Fletcher from all perspectives.

Congratulations again to everyone you received an admissions offer – we are so excited for you to join us in the fall!

Day 1, students participated in site visits around DC at notable organizations such as The World Bank, Congressional Research Service, Department of the Treasury, and the Council on Foreign Relations as well as a Fireside Chat with Dean Gallagher at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Following this programming, on Thursday evening, ODAE hosted a student/alumni reception at the Fairmont Washington D.C. Georgetown for students and alumni to come together to eat, network, and share their experiences.

Day 2 included Panel Speaker Sessions on Friday at the National Press Club in DC that included speakers representing various backgrounds, sectors, and industries. The panel sessions allowed speakers to share their career guidance, expertise, and experiences with current students. Each panel session concluded with a networking session that allowed students the chance to connect with speakers who participated in the panels.

The DC trip is something we as staff and faculty look forward to every year, and are so happy that this year’s group of students had such a good time!

While I was born in the United States, I have lived in New Delhi, India for most of my life. I know Delhi like the back of my hand, and, over the past two decades, have developed an intuition for navigating life in the city. As a result, when the time came to start my life at Fletcher, I was nervous to start over in the Greater Boston area.

To my surprise, adjusting to this new environment was not as trying as I had feared – indeed, it was challenging as I was pushed out of my comfort zone, but the challenge came with a welcoming community who I could connect with through this exciting opportunity. My seniors at Fletcher have always been kind, making a conscious effort to give me tips to balance a social life and academic life. My batchmates have been stellar friends and companions both within the Fletcher building and off-campus. The sense of camaraderie at events such as ice-skating, ski trips, hikes, performances by The Fletcheros (our in-house band!) and dinner parties have helped me feel connected with people across different ages, cultural backgrounds, and areas of interest. The warmth of the Fletcher community is also prominent in interactions with the faculty and staff – the professors regard students with compassion and respect (always ensuring to pronounce our names correctly) and the various offices provide us with support without fail.

Paired with the vibrant, dynamic area that Greater Boston is, Fletcher has helped me explore fun places with wonderful people. I did not think I could feel as confident in a city as I did in Delhi, where I can understand almost all the languages spoken, but I was proven wrong by the friendliness of people in Medford, Somerville, Cambridge, and Boston. I am lucky to have a community of intelligent, gracious, and talented people surrounding me and I am glad I chose Fletcher!

Hi! I am Stuti, a first-year MALD student interested in human security and global governance within the context of South Asia. I was born in the United States, but have spent most of my life in New Delhi, India. Prior to starting my masters degree, I interned with a gender justice organization called the Martha Farrell Foundation, focused on eliminating gender-based violence.

Studying at Fletcher has been a wonderful experience – I have made so many friends from across the world with different perspectives, worldviews and sets of expertise that have enhanced my understanding of global politics. My favorite thing about being here is how seamless it is to find community. In my time here, I have worked closely with the 2024 Decolonizing International Relations Conference which was aimed at critically analyzing the colonial origins of specific narratives in the discipline.

In my free time, I love exploring new places, trying out new recipes and occasionally dabble in photography!

I am a Product Management specialist with extensive experience in business operations, project management, and risk management, particularly within the financial sector. I hold a Master of Project Management and am about to graduate from the Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (MALD) program at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, specializing in International Business.

I am fluent in English, Setswana, and Sesotho and am a proud Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) alumna. I was honored to be selected for the 2024 Summer ISSP Fellowship and to participate in the prestigious 2025 Harvard Law School Negotiation Workshop. I also serve as an executive member of the Africana Club and work as a Graduate Assistant for the Admissions and Alumni Engagement Offices at The Fletcher School.

As a woman from Botswana, a country deeply impacted by climate change, I am passionate about addressing challenges in climate change mitigation and development aid. I am particularly focused on advancing sustainable economic development and driving innovative solutions for emerging markets.

First up is current MALD student and 4x admissions GA, Rebecca Kelly!

My name is Rebecca, and I’m originally from Chicago. I’m a second-year MALD student studying gender and human security with a focus on inclusive peacebuilding, gender-based violence, and migration. This past summer, I had internships with the Asia Foundation’s Women Empowerment Program and a peacebuilding organization in Northern Ireland called Corrymeela. My capstone centers on inclusive peacebuilding in Northern Ireland 25 years after the peace agreement, inspired by my time there.

Outside of class, I was the co-chair of the 10th annual Conference on Gender and International Affairs (CGIA) this past fall. I also run the Creative Writing Club and co-lead Club CGIA. I am an Events Research Assistant for the Leir Institute and am currently a TA for Professor Fakhoury. Of course, I’m also a GA in Fletcher’s Office of Admissions. Lastly, I like to read, watch documentaries, and ice skate for fun.

We are so excited to welcome this year’s cohort of Januarians to Fletcher! This past week was filled with all things orientation, and it was a blast to meet the newest members of the Fletcher community.

One of the more exciting days at the beginning of the semester is of course shopping day. Shopping day allows all students to visit classes they are interested in to finalize their schedules. As of yesterday, classes are in full swing, and the Hall of Flags is once again a bustling atmosphere of students socializing, working on coursework, and planning events for the semester.

The scholarship priority application came and went last Friday, but there is still time to apply for Summer and Fall 2025 start dates! The next GMAP deadline is this Monday, January 20, and the next general deadline isn’t until February 20. Our admissions committee is excited to review this year’s applicants, and we in the Admissions Office are eagerly planning some open house events. Stay tuned for more info on that coming soon…

Wishing students the best of luck this semester!

’til next time!

Emma Stevens

When applying to Fletcher, your resume should first and foremost highlight your professional experience. We look for professional experience in all of our applicants, whether they have just graduated from undergrad or are mid-career. Your professional experience provides a path through the flexible curriculums here at Fletcher, giving a better sense of what knowledge gaps need to be filled in order to participate in classroom discussions from both an academic and real-world point of view. When listing these experiences on your resume, make sure to focus on how you applied your academic knowledge in a real-world setting. If your experiences are not directly related to the program you are applying for, focus on the transferable skills that align with the career path you are choosing.

Your academic qualifications are also a major part of your application. While we do ask for transcripts, it is important to include academic awards, honors, Dean’s List recognition, scholarships, and more on your resume as well. Research is a critical component of many programs, so be sure to emphasize any projects you have worked on, and include the scope and skills you developed in the process. If you have authored or co-authored any research papers or have presented your findings at conferences, be sure to include these in your resume. We want to know what you have done up until now so that we can understand what kind of student you will be here at Fletcher.

Lastly, make sure to keep your resume concise and well-formatted. It should be easy to read and appealing to look at. Keeping your resume to one or two pages allows you to focus on your most impactful experiences and gives the admissions committee an idea of what you believe to be your most important achievements. Be consistent in your formatting, such as use of bullet points, headings, dates, and fonts. Avoid using too many different fonts and colors; at most you should use 3 colors (color, black, and another neutral like gray), and 3 fonts (serif, sans serif, and heading). Most importantly, check your resume for spelling or grammatical errors before submitting.

The freedom of creating a resume in addition to adding employment and academic history in the application allows you to show yourself authentically. We want to know how you view your achievements and experiences and get a brief understanding of the skills you took from them. While we don’t want you to put together a document that checks off the boxes of what you think our requirements are, you should tailor your resume to the program in which you are applying to show your academic potential and readiness for advanced studies. With a well-crafted resume, you can make a lasting impression on the admissions committee and improve your chances of securing a spot here at Fletcher.

’til next time!

Emma Stevens