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Graduate Program

FAQs

Graduate Program Admissions Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: How competitive is admission and what are the admission criteria?

Historically, the size of the entering class has ranged between 15-20 students per year. In our admissions process, the department considers the entire application: the letters of recommendation, academic background, GRE scores, writing sample, any work experience, and the fit of the candidate with the strengths of the program. In addition to the University of Chicago's standard application form, all applicants (including international students) must submit scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). LSAT or GMAT scores are not acceptable. The GRE score is only one of a number of criteria that the department considers when evaluating applicants; we do not use strict score cutoffs in our evaluation. The average GRE scores for those admitted last year were 666 Verbal, 732 Quantitative, and 5.3 Analytic. Applicants must also submit a 10-20-page writing sample, perhaps from a seminar paper, senior thesis or M.A. thesis. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must also submit TOEFL scores of a minimum of 60 on each section and a recommended overall score of 600, on the paper version, and a minimum of 25 in each section and an overall score of 250 for the computer version. Our students also generally have an undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.6 (on a 4.0-point scale) and above.

Q: How much does it cost to apply?

The fee for 2007-2008 is $55.00. The only exemption from the application fee is for alumni and current students of the University of Chicago.

Q: Is it possible for foreign applicants to obtain an application fee waiver?

No, this is not possible. All applicants, regardless of nationality, must pay the University's application fee. The fee for 2007-2008 is $55.00.

Q: What is the deadline for applying to the program?

December 15. 

Q: Is an interview required?

No. However, if you are in Chicago (or plan to be) and wish to visit the department, please contact Kathy Anderson to arrange an appointment. You may also contact pertinent faculty members directly.

Q: How long should my personal statement be?

We strongly recommend limiting your essay to 2500 words or less, which should be enough to explain your motivations and interests in the program. Your personal statement should highlight your academic and research interests.

Q: What are the code numbers I should use in order to send my GRE or TOEFL scores to the department?

Please select "1832" for the University of Chicago and "2299" for the department/program for the GREs. For TOEFL, please select "1832" for the University of Chicago and leave the department code blank.

Q: I am an international applicant. Does my undergraduate degree satisfy the minimum requirements for admission to the program?

There are university-wide policies which govern the minimum entry requirements for international applicants. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, on the basis of your undergraduate degree, please contact the Admissions Office in the Social Sciences Dean of Students Office (773-702-8415) or by e-mail at ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu.

Q: Is it possible to get a joint degree with the Graduate School of Business, or the Law School, for example?

No. However, some students do go to Law School at some point during their time in the department. Some choose to go to Law School after the first two years in the department. Some choose to do the Law degree after the Ph.D.

Q: Does the Department of Political Science have an M.A. Program?

No. If you are interested in working toward an M.A. degree only, you need to apply to the Committee on International Relations or the Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences. Students in the Department can and do receive the M.A. degree along the way toward the Ph.D.

Q: May I pursue the Ph.D. degree part-time?

No, the program requires a full-time commitment.

Q: Does Political Science offer a distance-learning degree?

No. The program is only available as a full-time, on-campus degree program.

Q: Does Political Science accept transfer credits from another university?

No. However, if you have written a Master's paper elsewhere, it is possible to revise it to meet the requirements of our M.A. paper. It is also possible to move through the program at a much quicker pace if your prior work has prepared you to take the exams earlier than a student coming in without prior graduate work.

Q: Is it possible to begin the program in Winter, Spring, or Summer quarters?

No. We have only one admissions selection, and this is for fall quarter.

Q: If for whatever reason it is impossible for me to matriculate in Political Science next fall, may I defer my admission?

We do not "defer" admissions to Political Science, thus there is no 100 percent guarantee that you will be admitted again the following year (or that an aid offer would remain the same). However, we do allow you to request that your file be "reactivated" the following year. The procedure is as follows: you should decline our offer of admissions for next autumn, while indicating by letter to the Dean of Students Office your intention to "reactivate" (our trigger-word) your application for the following year. This will keep your file available and current, allowing you to supplement it for the next admissions cycle with a new statement of purpose and any other new supporting materials you care to supply.

Q: How do I apply for financial aid?

Check the "yes" box where the application asks if you wish to apply for aid.

Q: How are financial aid decisions made? Are international students eligible for financial aid?

All graduate student aid is merit-based and international students are eligible. The department makes financial aid and admission decisions at the same time.

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