Admissions

Application Requirements

The application deadline for Autumn 2027 enrollment is 11:59 p.m. CT on December 1.

The Division of the Social Sciences website offers comprehensive information on how to apply and the application requirements. UChicagoGRAD also offers comprehensive information on admissions and the University of Chicago.

Application requirements include:

· A completed online application

· A candidate statement

· A writing sample

· Unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended

· Three reference letters from individuals who can speak to your academic, research, and writing ability

· Official GRE scores

· Official TOEFL or IELTS scores if required per University policy

We do not offer a standalone MA in this program. Please see the Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences or the Committee on International Relations for alternative options.

Questions regarding these programs should be directed to ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu.

Application Advice

Admissions Advice 2026-2027

The department receives hundreds of applications each year for a limited number of cohort spots. Due to the great deal of interest in the Political Science PhD program, the department plans to hold applicant interviews for the 26-27 admissions cycle. All applicants chosen for interviews will be contacted by a departmental representative; applicants not selected for an interview will be updated regarding the status of their application at the same time. Interviews will take place via Zoom in consideration of a candidate's time zone. There will be no in-person interviews. The faculty in the main subfield of your interest will be reviewing your application. Think deliberately about your strongest interests if you are planning on working in multiple subfields.

We now require GRE scores as part of our application for admission. We want to be confident that applicants will be able to develop the technical and communication skills to succeed at doing research, and GRE scores are one indicator among many that we use to make this determination. A faculty committee makes admission decisions based on a holistic assessment of all of the materials required in the University application: candidate statement, GRE scores, transcripts of grades, letters of recommendation, analytical preparation, and the writing sample. Committee members want to know what applicants find intellectually exciting and why they want to study at the University of Chicago.