political science phd statement of purpose

Chris Blattman

Phd applicants: writing your statement of purpose.

• January 11, 2022

I’ve read a lot of personal statements for PhD applications. I sat on admissions at UChicago, Columbia, and Yale, mostly in economics, political science, and public policy. Here’s the advice I’ve given my own students and research assistants to craft their statements. I give it because, sadly, I don’t find most statements helpful. This means they are not helping you, the applicant.

As with all my advice posts, it’s important that students outside elite colleges get this information, so here are some personal thoughts.

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First, let’s clarify your number one job as an applicant: Send the best, clearest signal of your abilities as a future researcher, and minimize the noise around that signal. I explain why in a longer post on whether and how you should apply to PhD programs (including the other elements of an application packet):

the fundamental problems in graduate admissions are “information overload” and “noise”. For every slot in a PhD program, there are probably 30 to 50 applicants. A department that plans to have a class of 20 students may receive 1000 applications. Meanwhile, most departments delegate admissions to a small committee of two to six faculty. They don’t have time to read 1000 applications in detail. And the committee may change every year. Thus, their experience may be limited. And you never know who will be on the committee or what they care about. This adds further randomness. These faculty want to admit the most talented and creative young researchers who will push the field ahead. And they also want you to pass all the most technical classes, because they hate kicking students out. So the admissions committee are looking for strong signals of intelligence, creativity, determination, and other proclivities for research. But this is hard . There are too many applications. Applicants don’t have many good ways to signal quality. All applicants are trying to send the same signals. And there is a ton of uncertainty around each signal. Hence: Information overload and noise.

Yet most schools as for a written statement of some kind. Sometimes they ask for both a biographical statement and a research statement. What do they want and what should you write?

• Don’t tell your life story. This statement is not an undergrad entry essay where you describe your life’s trials and tribulations, or your journey to wanting to do a PhD. It’s not that we don’t care. It’s just that it’s probably not relevant to judging your ability as a researcher. If it is, then weave that into the narrative around your research interests and plans. We have hundreds of these things to read and so you only want to focus on the most important information.
• Don’t be cliché. Do not start your with your epiphany—the day the scales fell from your eyes and you realized you wanted to be a professor, or were inspired tackle big questions and social issues. Especially if it involves a child in a poor country. This approach is overused and unoriginal, and the information does not help us judge whether you will be a great researcher (see point 1).
• Platitudes about wanting to be a professor or researcher
• Generic or flattering statements about being excited to join a program, your admiration for the faculty, etc.
• Unspecific interests in a research subject or field
• Routine information such as “I am graduating in May…”
• Filler sentences like “Please find enclosed…”
• Start with your broad fields of interest (e.g. “I am principally interested in labor and development economics” or “I want to work at the intersection of comparative politics and international relations”)
• Then give 2-3 examples of broad topics and questions that interest you. (“I’m interested in studying inefficiencies in labor markets, especially market power and monopsony. I’m also interested in…”)
• Are tenure or tenure-track faculty
• Have their primary appointment in the department you are applying to
• Are actually there and take students (i.e. they didn’t retire last year, etc.)
• You could discuss two ideas in moderate depth, or one idea in greater depth. Either way, I recommend this research discussion be 40-60% of your entire statement.
• Ideally this is a question or topic of current interest in the field. One thing I often see is that students are focussed on the research frontier 10 years ago (because those are the papers they read in their classes) and are not clued in to some of the current puzzled and priorities. This is hard to avoid, but some reading and your advisors should be able to help you avoid this.
• The best discussions will (if empirical) identify interesting data and discuss plausible empirical strategies. This is difficult, which is why it is a good signal if you do it well.
• It’s important to locate your question in the literature without overdoing that discussion. Try to motivate the question with reference to recent and recognizable research papers and agendas. If you are mainly citing articles with few citations, in lower-ranked journals, this is a sign that you need to link your idea to bigger debates in the field, or perhaps rethink the question you are proposing.
• This is (in my experience) the most crucial section for most social science departments. Except possibly economics. It’s not clear how seriously many departments take your statement in economics, and some of my colleagues profess to never look at the statement. That may be true, but some will look, and you have to have a statement, so I suggest following this advice to make it a research proposal.
• Why you studied physics but now are doing political science
• What happened in that single bad semester on your transcript
• How to interpret your foreign GPA, and where you ranked in your class
• Clarify your classes if they have off names (e.g. “My class called XX was a Real Analysis class using textbook X, and so I have all the mathematical requirements for entry.”
• Get help. Your letter writers, professors you work for, or PhD student you know can read and give feedback on your statements. Ask them for their advice. Do this early–a couple months before the application, ideally. they can help you frame your question in a more interesting way, decide what papers to mention, or what is or is not frontier.
• Don’t be repetitive. This is not the place to restate your CV (“First I worked for Professor… and then I worked for…”). They have your CV. Use this document to do something no other in your application can do. Only mention work or other experience if you can add essential, high-density information the reader cannot get elsewhere in the application packet. Maybe you picked up specific technical skills working on a project that relate to the research proposal you just described? If not, you don’t have to say anything at all about your past. Just let the research proposal speak for itself.
• I recommend using the Hemingway Editor as a tool to write more clearly. Some long and complex sentences are ok, but sparingly. And they can often be improved. Aim for a grade 10 reading level.
• Use active voice
• Omit needless material and words (see points 3 and 9)
• Limit jargon
• Each paragraph should be a distinct idea
• Paragraphs should have a hierarchical structure, with the big idea or general point as the first topic sentence, and the rest of the paragraph elaborates. Someone should be able to get an “executive summary” but simply reading the first line in every paragraph. they should make sense as a story/summary.
• Use subheadings if possible, to delineate sections such as your broad fields of interest (point 4), your research proposal (point 5), and other key information (point 6)

This is just my view. Other professors will have different preferences and advice here. So ask them. Get more opinions. Or put your advice in the comments below.

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The University of Michigan Political Science department is one of the premier political science programs in the country and welcomes applicants from all institutions and backgrounds. We strive for a diverse student body, value applications from various groups of prospective students and employ a holistic approach when reviewing applications.

Each fall, the Department of Political Science accepts applications for admission to our doctoral program. Applications become available in September and are accepted until December 15 for admission the following fall. The required method for submission of applications is via the Rackham Graduate School online application .

The Department does not offer a terminal master's program; students seeking a master's degree in Political Science will not be able to apply to our program.

Listed below are all of the required materials for a complete application to the Department of Political Science and the most Frequesntly Asked Questions .

Application

Applications to the graduate program in Political Science at the University of Michigan are submitted online through the Rackham Graduate School . Access to the online application will end at 11:59 pm EST on December 15.

Academic Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should be a concise statement about the applicant's academic and research background, career goals, and how the University of Michigan's Department of Political Science will help him/her to meet their career and educational objectives. Applicants should speak specifically to how their research interests align with those of the faculty in the Department.

We encourage applicants to write about their specific area of research and discuss how this research fits into the larger department as a whole. Although you are welcome to reference faculty members with whom you share research interests, we strongly discourage you from giving superficial reviews of their work. “Fit” is an important criterion when reviewing applications so we encourage you to focus on your own personal academic “fit” and strengths.

There is no specific limit to the statement; most are 2-4 pages (500-1,000 words) in length.

Personal Statement

Applicants should use the personal statement to address how their background and life experiences (including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges) motivated their decision to pursue a graduate degree in Political Science. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to the decision to seek a graduate degree.

The personal statement is not the same as the academic statement of purpose. Please do not repeat your academic statement of purpose.

Transcripts

Upload an electronic version of your transcript(s) for each Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, or Doctoral degree earned or in progress through your ApplyWeb application account. If you are recommended for admission , the Rackham Graduate School will require official transcript(s). Recommended applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcript(s) are required for submission. More information about uploading and sending transcripts is HERE .  

If an applicant is not able to scan a transcript and upload it with their application, then an official transcript should be sent to:

Rackham Graduate School Attn: Transcripts/UMID# (if known) or Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy) 915 E. Washington Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070 USA

Note: The Rackham Graduate School requires the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor's degree.  Information about required academic credentials from non-U.S. institutions can be found HERE .

Standardized Tests

All applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency, unless they meet one of the criteria for an exemption.  Our department follows requirements set by the Rackham Graduate School.  Information about language test scores and language exemptions can be found HERE .

To ensure that test scores reach the Department before the December 15 deadline, it is recommended that applicants take the exam no later than mid-November.

GRE general test scores are no longer included in the admissions process for Rackham’s doctoral programs as of the 2022–2023 admissions cycle. ( More information available )

Writing Sample

The writing sample should be a good representation of original research/work by the applicant. The writing sample should reflect the same area of interest expressed in your Statement of Purpose or, if not available, strongly reflect your academic skills as a whole. The writing sample should not exceed 20 pages in length.

Letters of Recommendation

All applicants are required to submit three (3) letters of recommendation. The letters of recommendation should be submitted through the online application system. Instructions for submission can be found HERE . At this time we are not able to accept letters from letter services such as Interfolio.

Letters of recommendation should be from a person who is familiar with an applicant's research ability, writing ability, work ethic, and ability to be successful in a doctoral program. We strongly encourage applicants to have letters of recommendation submitted by political scientists, academics in related fields, or other academics who would be able to able to effectively gauge your success in a rigorous political science PhD program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the application process to the graduate program in Political Science. Click on a question to see the answer. If your question is unanswered here, please contact Megan Gosling, graduate program coordinator, at  [email protected] .

When will graduate program admission decisions be made?

Applications are accepted beginning in September. The last day that we will accept an application is December 15. The Admissions Committee reviews applications in January, intending to make decisions by the first week of February. Everyone is notified via e-mail.

How competitive is admission to your program?

The department usually receives between 320 and 375 applications for the graduate program each year. We generally admit between 5-10% of those who apply.

Do you accept students for the winter term?

No. The department accepts students starting in the fall term only.

Can I apply for a master's degree in Political Science at Michigan?

No. The Department only admits students for doctoral study. Students admitted to the doctoral program may receive a master's degree from us as part of their doctoral study.

Does the program offer any financial aid?

Yes! All applicants admitted to the graduate program will receive a 5-year funding package. This package will include a mix of fellowship and teaching. The minimum package will consist of a fellowship in year one and graduate student assistantships (teaching assistant, research assistant, etc.) in the following years. This should be regarded as the minimum package; many of our students successfully secure fellowships in the program's later years.

Fellowships and graduate student assistantships include a stipend (or salary), a full tuition waiver, and health insurance.

What are the main criteria for selection?

First and foremost, our department strongly emphasizes the overall ‘fit’ with our program. We are interested in how an applicant’s specific area of research would connect with the department as a whole. In addition, we look at the overall strength of an application. We consider all aspects of a prospective student’s application and do not prioritize one criterion over another. Our program employs a holistic approach to application review, so an applicant’s essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and application are all important to the admissions committee.

If my undergraduate institution is not as prestigious as U-M, should I apply?

Absolutely! Our department has a historic commitment to all types of diversity, including diversity of institutions. We encourage applicants who perceive their complete application as competitive to consider applying to our program.

If my GPA is not the strongest, should I still apply?

Yes. Our department reviews all aspects of an applicant’s file, and no piece of the application is weighed more heavily than another. We view an applicant’s transcript more as an intellectual biography than a measurement of the likelihood of success in our program.

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The prompt for the Statement of Academic Purpose for applicants to Political Science is as follows:  In a succinct statement of no more than 1,000 words, please (1) discuss your motivation for conducting research, (2) provide a detailed summary of your research experience and training and how it prepares you for doctoral study in your proposed program (the standalone Ph.D. in Political Science), (3) the topic(s) you plan to study in graduate school and how you would approach those questions, and (4) why Yale is a good fit given your interests.

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TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic is required of most applicants whose native language is not English.

You may be exempt from this requirement if you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years.

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*The deadline to submit an application to a combined program is always the earlier deadline of the two individual programs, or December 15, whichever comes first.

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• December 15, 2023 (Ph.D. program, Open)
• January 15, 2024 (M.A. programs)

Application Requirements

Please be sure to review the Graduate School Admissions  Application Procedures  page and the  Admissions Requirements Checklist .

Program Admission Requirements

Application Materials required:

• Application Form
• The department grants a limited number of application fee waivers each cycle. The fee waivers for the Fall 2023 application cycle are now closed.

Statement of Purpose

• Unofficial Transcripts (all prior institutions)
• Official Recommendations (3)
• TOEFL/IELTS Score (please see below)
• Writing Sample

Please review the program websites for additional information on program-specific admissions requirements (these are listed under the program descriptions below).

Although it is desirable that applicants have completed 18 undergraduate semester hours in political science, the admissions committee does not apply this credit requirement rigidly. It may accept related courses or recommend that the applicant complete courses beyond the minimum degree requirements. The Department will consider individuals from a wide diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and careers. Its key criterion for admission remains strong scholarly promise.

A statement of purpose should discuss the following: your reasons for wanting to study in the Government Department at Georgetown University; how your research interests fit with those of the various faculty members in the Department of Government; and your long-term academic and/or professional goals. The statement of purpose should be a 500 word (approximately) essay.

Academic Writing Sample

The Department of Government requires that all applicants submit an academic writing sample. There is no minimum or maximum length to the writing sample. The average length of samples received by the Department of Government is 15 – 20 pages. This sample should be scholarly, academic in nature and perhaps of a level that is publishable. It is not mandatory but it is preferable that the writing sample be on a topic you wish to study here at Georgetown. The academic writing sample should be a single-authored work.

Transcripts

Applicants are required to upload to the application system unofficial transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.  Do not send electronic or paper copies of your transcripts before receiving an offer of admission .

Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required at that time to submit official transcripts for verification prior to enrolling.

English Proficiency: TOEFL / IELTS

All applicants are required to demonstrate a level of proficiency in the English language sufficient to meet the admission requirement of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Proficiency can be demonstrated by the receipt of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction (please note that applicants receiving degrees at universities in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, are required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS unless the primary language of instruction at the institution is English).

All other applicants must achieve at least a minimum score on either the TOEFL or IELTS test. Test scores must be received by the application deadline date. Applicants should allow six to eight weeks from the test date for the reporting of scores to the institution. Applications will not be considered without TOEFL/IELTS scores.

• TOEFL : A minimum score of  550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based tests)  or  80 (iBT test)  on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Georgetown University’s score reporting code is: 5244. TOEFL information .
• IELTS : A minimum score of  7.0  from the International English Language Testing System. IELTS Information .

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination in Education

Georgetown University provides educational opportunities without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, age, color, disability, family responsibilities, familial status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, personal appearance, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, veteran’s status or any other factor prohibited by law in its educational programs and activities.

Inquiries regarding Georgetown University’s non-discrimination policy may be addressed to Institutional Diversity, Equity & Affirmative Action, 37th and O Sts., N.W., Suite M36, Darnall Hall, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 20057

Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Political Science

As part of the social and behavioral sciences discipline in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the PhD in political science examines politics on a national and international scale, with emphasis on American politics, comparative politics, and international relations. The nationally recognized program offers graduate students an opportunity to work with prominent scholars in a wide range of fields and to take advantage of the resources and opportunities of the nation’s capital.

The program trains students broadly, with emphasis on mastering a variety of research methods. Students have won prestigious dissertation and post-doctoral awards and are active in all aspects of the profession. Students are able to construct a program consisting of a major and minor field of study. The three major fields are American politics, international relations, and comparative politics. The PhD program allows students to construct a program consisting of a major and a minor field of study. The three major fields are American politics, international relations and comparative politics. Any of the major fields—plus public policy, political theory, or research methodology—is an option for a minor. In addition, the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration and the Department of Political Science offer a dual master of public policy (MPP) and doctor of philosophy in political science (PhD) degree program.

Program graduates have secured tenure-track positions at such schools as William & Mary, DePaul University, University of Indiana, University of Toronto, Colorado State University, Occidental College, SOAS/University of London, and University of Oregon. Graduates seeking positions outside of a university setting have found positions at the Congressional Research Service, the World Bank, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, among others.

Visit the program website for additional information.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies The George Washington University 801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107 Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College  of Arts and Sciences  Frequently Asked Questions  page.

[email protected] 202-994-6210 (phone)

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Students of outstanding ability are admitted to the doctoral program upon recommendation of a departmental graduate committee and the concurrence of Columbian College.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under  Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs .

The requirements for the  Doctor of Philosophy Program .

Additional requirements

In addition to required coursework, program requirements consists of two comprehensive examinations covering a primary and supporting field, an original research paper, and a dissertation demonstrating the capacity to undertake original and significant research. The research paper, to be completed by the second year in the program, must reflect the student's ability to conduct original research. Students prepare for the comprehensive exams by taking at least five courses in their primary field and at least four courses in their supporting field, selected according to departmental guidelines. Three primary fields are available: American politics, international relations, and comparative politics. In addition, political theory, public policy, and research methodology are available as supporting fields. Petitions for a self-designed minor field (e.g., political communications) composed primarily of courses not offered by the established fields can be jointly proposed by students and faculty. All students must complete a sequence of courses in research methodology comprising PSC 8101 , PSC 8108 , and PSC 8109 . 

A recommendation to the Dean for Admissions to candidacy, or the dissertation research stage, will be considered upon satisfactory completion of all coursework, research paper, field examinations, and successful defense of the dissertation prospectus. Students must pass their primary field examination with a satisfactory pass or above and must pass their supporting field examination with a bare pass or above in order to be considered eligible for promotion to candidacy. Admission to candidacy is permitted only if the student’s performance on the examinations and in the coursework gives a good indication of success in the second unit. Passing the field examinations does not in itself ensure admission to candidacy.

The dissertation prospectus must outline the central research question(s), relate the proposed research to the existing literature, detail a research methodology, and explain the nature of the original contribution that the completed project will provide. The prospectus must be presented and defended in an open forum, which all faculty and doctoral students are invited to attend. The full dissertation must be similarly defended. A dual degree program enables students to earn the master of public policy along with the PhD in the field of political science.

Combined program

• Dual Master of Public Policy and Doctor of Philosophy in the field of political science

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Application Requirements

Application process, application form, application fee, letters of recommendation, transcripts, statement of purpose.

• TOEFL Requirements

Begin the application process early. To insure that scores are available when admission decisions are normally made, you should take the GRE and TOEFL (if required) no later than the December before the fall for which you are applying. Requests for transcripts and letters of recommendation should also be made no later than December in order to give the senders time to get the documents to Rice before the deadline.

The deadline for receipt of completed applications for the fall semester is January 5.

Late applications may be considered until April 1. However, candidates who miss the deadline place themselves in a less competitive position.

Use our online application process to submit your application.

The normal application fee of $85.00 is currently waived for all applicants.

Three letters of recommendation are required. They should be written by individuals, usually professors or instructors, familiar with your work, and thus best qualified to testify to your capacity for graduate study. These letters must be sent directly to us by the person writing the recommendation, preferably electronically through our application website. You will have the opportunity to enter the email addresses of your references, and they will receive a prompt to upload a letter. If one of your references can not submit a letter through the online system, he or she may email the letter to [email protected] or mail it directly to the department of political science.

We require one copy of the official, confidential transcript from each institution (undergraduate and graduate) that you have attended. These transcripts are essential parts of your application. Send transcripts from any institution where you earned (or will earn) a degree, studied for one year or more, or took classes that relate to your current application for graduate study. The transcripts should provide a listing, year-by-year, of all courses taken and the grade or marks received for each one. It is helpful to have the grading scale of the institution and the student's rank in class included when such information is available. Do not submit secondary school records.

While official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to Rice are preferred, digital copies submitted by applicants themselves will be acceptable for the application process. However, all offers of admission extended to applicants without official transcripts on file will be conditional upon the receipt of official transcripts within 30 days of the offer being made.

Your statement of purpose should tell us about your plans and goals. We find the following information particularly useful in a statement of purpose: (1) What experiences prepare you to succeed in our Ph.D. program? (2) What are your research interests, substantively and methodologically? (3) Why is the Rice Ph.D. program in political science a good fit for you? (4) What are your goals when you finish your Ph.D.? There is no minimum or maximum required length for the Statement of Purpose.

For admission in fall 2025, recent GRE scores are required. This test should be taken no earlier than three years prior to the date of application and no later than the December prior to the desired fall entry. For further information on the GRE, contact the Educational Testing Service, Rosedale Road, Princeton, NJ 08541 USA. ETS can be reached by telephone at(609) 921-9000, by email at [email protected] or on the web at http://www.ets.org .

• School Code - 6609
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English Language Proficiency Requirements

Applicants who are foreign nationals or whose native language is not English must meet one of the following standards to meet Rice’s English Language Proficiency standard:

• At least a 90 on the iBT TOEFL.
• At least 7 on the IELTS.
• At least 115 on the Duolingo test of English proficiency.
• The applicant has completed or is expected to complete, a post-secondary degree from an institution in which English is the official language of communication or instruction. Please see the English Language Proficiency Requirements website for a list of the countries and institutions identified by Rice to meet this requirement.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is administered through the Educational Testing Service, Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151 USA. They can be reached by telephone at (609) 771-7100), by email at [email protected] or on the web at http://www.ets.org . Be sure to take this test in time for the scores to reach us by the January 5 deadline. An official copy of your scores must be sent to the Department of Political Science directly from ETS. A photocopy is not acceptable.

For 2024 admission, we also accept the IELTS or Duolingo English Test. Rice will not accept the ITP Plus test to evaluate English language proficiency, but scores/interviews are able to be reported to Rice as a supplemental material via Vericant.

Graduate Program

Frequently asked questions.

Click on a category below to go directly to that section of the FAQ page, or scroll down to browse through all sections.

A: No, we only offer the PhD in Political Science. You will earn a Master's degree on your way to receiving the PhD, but we do not offer the MA for non-PhD students.

A: You can reasonably expect to finish the program in 5-6 years. Political Science PhD students typically spend at least one year in the field conducting research, which is why it may take longer than for other social science doctorates.

A: Currently, the Political Science PhD program does not offer any formal dual degrees.

A: You must fill out all sections of the online Graduate Division Application. Please view the  application requirements page for additional details.

A: You can find helpful resources, links, and tools for successfully completing the graduate application via the Graduate Diversity Program or the  Social Sciences Diversity Office.

A: If you are a U.S. citizen or current permanent resident, the application fee is $135; for all others, the fee is $155.

• Fee Waiver (through the Graduate Division):  U.S. citizens or permanent residents who can demonstrate financial need are eligible to apply for a waiver of the application fee.   See guidelines for waivers.
• Fee waiver information is also available on our application check list  .

A: An application checklist for Admissions 2024 is available  here . 

A: Not unless you are admitted to the program and decide to enroll. However, in order to be considered for admission, we must have a digital copy of your unofficial transcripts for ALL courses that you received academic credit for toward a degree. All transcripts should be uploaded to your Graduate Division Online Application

A: An official transcript is issued directly by your registrar's office in a sealed envelope either to you or mailed directly to us. You are not permitted to see an official transcript. An unofficial transcript is one that you have seen, usually issued on paper or online from your school's registrar's office. You should upload your unofficial transcripts to your Graduate Division Online Application.

A: We need official transcripts for ALL courses that you received academic credit for toward a degree. A list of transferred courses on your degree transcript is not sufficient.

A: We must have a transcript on file by the deadline to review your application. Submit a current transcript by the deadline, and send us an updated transcript as soon as grades become available. Please be aware that review of applications begins very soon after the deadline, so we cannot guarantee review of any materials received after that date.

A: Ask your registrar's office to send us an official document verifying your enrollment and current course list, as well as a date when we can expect your official grades.

A: Please refer to the instructions given by the graduate division about degree requirements for international applicants at http://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/admis_require.shtml (external link) .

A: Ask your registrar's office if they have a standard format for changing your grades to a 4.0 GPA scale. If it is not a simple conversion, you may leave these sections in the online application blank.

A: UC Berkeley refers to advanced level undergraduate courses as "Upper Division." Generally, these are the courses that may require prerequisites, junior or senior status, and/or are restricted to students within the major. Talk to your undergraduate advisor for further assistance in deciding which courses fit into this group.

A: In the online Graduate Division Application, you will be asked to submit the names and email addresses of your letter writers. Fill out the names and email addresses for each of your three recommenders, choose whether you waive your right to access the letters, and whether the recommenders will use the online system to submit letters. Follow the directions in the system closely to ensure that your professors will receive the email with instructions on how to submit their letters online.

A: While we strongly prefer to receive letters online, we can accept letters by mail. Ask your recommender to mail the letter directly to the Department of Political Science at the address at the bottom of this page. There is no additional form your recommender needs to fill out. Please remind him or her of our deadline, and that we need to have the letter in our office by that date.

A: We are happy to accept recommendation letters from either your university's dossier service or Interfolio either as an online upload or by mail.

A: We require three letters of recommendation, though you are welcome to submit more if you wish. Please keep in mind that we cannot guarantee that the committee will read more than three letters, so we recommend that you only ask recommenders to submit their letters if you believe they have something substantial to say about your application.

A: We encourage you to select faculty and research mentors who can speak to your abilities to be a successful graduate student. The most informative letters tend to come from professors who you worked with closely and recently, though not all letters need to meet all of these criteria. As a general rule we suggest that at least one recommendation come from a faculty member of the last institution you attended as a full-time student. However, we recognize this may not be feasible if you have been out of school for a number of years.

A:  For the Fall 2024 application cycle, GRE scores are not required to apply, but are strongly recommended if feasible. Our committee evaluates applications holistically, and we do not use any threshold of GRE scores to be considered for admission. Ultimately 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 can use to make this determination. While we will give full consideration to applications with no GRE scores, in some cases this can make it harder for us to be confident enough to admit a student. GRE scores are most useful to the committee if you aim to do quantitative work, and have not taken much coursework or have other job experience which gives us alternative ways to evaluate your ability to develop these skills.  International students from countries where the official language is not English must also take the TOEFL or IELTS. Please refer to the graduate division's requirements for evidence of English language proficiency for exceptions to this requirement and more information at http://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/admis_require.shtml

A: UC Berkeley's institution code is 4833. Please DO NOT include a department code or choose the Political Science department when selecting to which schools you would like ETS to send your scores. UC Berkeley receives all ETS scores electronically, which will then be automatically matched with your application and sent on to the department. Help save a tree, and prevent a duplicate printed version from being sent to the department by NOT entering a department code when you request your official GRE scores for UC Berkeley, Political Science Department. Note, for the Fall 2024 application cycle,  GRE scores are not required to apply, but are strongly recommended if feasible. Our committee evaluates applications holistically, and we do not use any threshold of GRE scores to be considered for admission. Ultimately 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 can use to make this determination. While we will give full consideration to applications with no GRE scores, in some cases this can make it harder for us to be confident enough to admit a student. GRE scores are most useful to the committee if you aim to do quantitative work, and have not taken much coursework or have other job experience which gives us alternative ways to evaluate your ability to develop these skills. 

A: We do not have minimum score requirements for the GRE. However, due to the highly competitive applicant pool we receive each year, the average scores of admitted students are typically in the 80th percentile or higher on each of the three sections of the GRE General Test. For the IELTS and TOEFL, please refer to the graduate division website at http://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/admis_require.shtml (external link) .  Note, for the Fall 2024 application cycle, GRE scores are not required to apply, but are strongly recommended if feasible. Our committee evaluates applications holistically, and we do not use any threshold of GRE scores to be considered for admission. Ultimately 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 can use to make this determination. While we will give full consideration to applications with no GRE scores, in some cases this can make it harder for us to be confident enough to admit a student. GRE scores are most useful to the committee if you aim to do quantitative work, and have not taken much coursework or have other job experience which gives us alternative ways to evaluate your ability to develop these skills. 

A: Immediately after you complete the computer based GRE test, you will receive your quantitative and verbal scores. Include these unofficial scores in the online application before you submit it by the deadline, and we will wait for your official scores from ETS. Note, for the Fall 2024 application cycle,  GRE scores are not required to apply, but are strongly recommended if feasible. Our committee evaluates applications holistically, and we do not use any threshold of GRE scores to be considered for admission. Ultimately 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 can use to make this determination. While we will give full consideration to applications with no GRE scores, in some cases this can make it harder for us to be confident enough to admit a student. GRE scores are most useful to the committee if you aim to do quantitative work, and have not taken much coursework or have other job experience which gives us alternative ways to evaluate your ability to develop these skills.  . 

A: While the relative need for strong math skills for theory students is taken into consideration during the admissions review process, the admissions committee holds all applicants to extremely high academic achievement standards. We recommend you spend time mastering all skills tested in the GRE exam. Note, for the Fall 2024 application cycle,  GRE scores are not required to apply, but are strongly recommended if feasible. Our committee evaluates applications holistically, and we do not use any threshold of GRE scores to be considered for admission. Ultimately 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 can use to make this determination. While we will give full consideration to applications with no GRE scores, in some cases this can make it harder for us to be confident enough to admit a student. GRE scores are most useful to the committee if you aim to do quantitative work, and have not taken much coursework or have other job experience which gives us alternative ways to evaluate your ability to develop these skills. 

A: The Personal History Statement is where you can inform the committee of your background, what makes you unique, and how you came to apply to a PhD program in Political Science. The Statement of Purpose is where you should focus more on your research interests and how you are a good fit with our department. Be sure to read the directions for each essay and answer the questions completely.

A: We do not have a minimum or maximum length for the essays. Focus on answering the questions completely in a concise, well-written manner.

A: Yes! You must submit a previously written political science or other social science research paper you have written, including a 250 word abstract on the paper. We also recommend that you submit a CV or resume. You can upload both of these document to the Graduate Division Online Application.

A: Please do not submit any materials by paper except recommendation letters if necessary. We do NOT accept printed writing samples. We have limited resources and space, and cannot accommodate additional printed materials from applicants. You should follow the directions in the Graduate Division Online Application to submit your documents electronically.

A: The department requires GRE scores from within the past five years, but does not have a minimum score requirement. Also, the university requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. However, due to the highly competitive applicant pool we receive each year, our admitted students typically far exceed the minimum requirements. For more information, please visit the Admission Requirements section on the Graduate Division website at http://grad.berkeley.edu/admissions/admis_require.shtml (external link)  Click here for an application checklist. ( Note, for the Fall 2024 application cycle,  GRE scores are not required to apply, but are strongly recommended if feasible. Our committee evaluates applications holistically, and we do not use any threshold of GRE scores to be considered for admission. Ultimately 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 can use to make this determination. While we will give full consideration to applications with no GRE scores, in some cases this can make it harder for us to be confident enough to admit a student. GRE scores are most useful to the committee if you aim to do quantitative work, and have not taken much coursework or have other job experience which gives us alternative ways to evaluate your ability to develop these skills.) 

A: A confidential committee of faculty reviews files beginning shortly after our application deadline. Decisions are made within the department and applicants are notified of the department's decision by email and/or phone. The Graduate Division Dean's office then reviews the department recommendations for admission, and notifies those applicants of their official admission by email.

A: No. Students will spend the first three years in the program establishing relationships with faculty to eventually ask them to serve on their dissertation committee, and it is not necessary that you contact potential advisors prior to applying. However, it is required that you name faculty members who you would be interested in working with on your application. Please review  faculty pages  on our website to determine whose areas of expertise best match your interests. You can also browse our  subfield pages  and view a list of faculty members associated with each subfield. Ideally, you should be able to identify three or more faculty members with whom you would like to work. Should you have specific questions about their research, you may contact them directly.

A: The department will contact you by email no later than March 1, usually by mid-February. The department is authorized only to recommend admission decisions to the Graduate Division Dean, but you will receive a final decision from the Dean's office if you are admitted shortly after you hear from the department.

Thank you for taking the time to consider our graduate program. Applications for Fall 2024 will open September 13th of 2023.

A: The deadline for Fall 2024 admissions will likely close December 4, 2023 at 8:59pm PST. We do not offer spring or summer admissions. 

A: Yes! The committee begins the review process shortly after the deadline, so your application must be complete--including a complete application, GRE scores (unofficial scores are OK while we wait for the official scores from ETS), transcripts, and recommendation letters--by the deadline. We may accept transcripts which include Fall 2023 grades after the deadline, but you must send them as soon as possible once your grades are posted. We cannot guarantee that application materials received after the deadline will be reviewed by the admissions committee. Click here for an application checklist. ( Note, for the Fall 2024 application cycle,  GRE scores are not required to apply, but are strongly recommended if feasible. Our committee evaluates applications holistically, and we do not use any threshold of GRE scores to be considered for admission. Ultimately 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 can use to make this determination. While we will give full consideration to applications with no GRE scores, in some cases this can make it harder for us to be confident enough to admit a student. GRE scores are most useful to the committee if you aim to do quantitative work, and have not taken much coursework or have other job experience which gives us alternative ways to evaluate your ability to develop these skills.)

A: Don't worry about it! All we need to begin reviewing your application is your unofficial scores. As long as we have those by the application deadline, we are happy for wait for your official scores from ETS. Official scores received after the deadline will not affect the status of your application review as long as we have your unofficial scores by the deadline.

For the Fall 2024 application cycle,  GRE scores are not required to apply, but are strongly recommended if feasible. Our committee evaluates applications holistically, and we do not use any threshold of GRE scores to be considered for admission. Ultimately 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 can use to make this determination. While we will give full consideration to applications with no GRE scores, in some cases this can make it harder for us to be confident enough to admit a student. GRE scores are most useful to the committee if you aim to do quantitative work, and have not taken much coursework or have other job experience which gives us alternative ways to evaluate your ability to develop these skills. 

A: Yes. Due to the huge volume of application materials we receive during the four weeks surrounding the application deadline, we may not be able to provide you with a status update on your application during this busy time. Therefore, it is in your best interest to submit your application and supplemental materials a few weeks early so you will have time to make sure your application is complete by the deadline. Submitting your application early does not improve your chances for admission, except by ensuring your complete application can be reviewed by the committee.

A:  For the 2024 application cycle, if you plan on taking the GRE, your test date must be no later than December 1, 2023, NO EXCEPTIONS! Be sure to include your unofficial verbal and quantitative test scores in your online application by the deadline, and we will wait for your official scores from ETS. ( Note, for the Fall 2024 application cycle,  GRE scores are not required to apply, but are strongly recommended if feasible. Our committee evaluates applications holistically, and we do not use any threshold of GRE scores to be considered for admission. Ultimately 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 can use to make this determination. While we will give full consideration to applications with no GRE scores, in some cases this can make it harder for us to be confident enough to admit a student. GRE scores are most useful to the committee if you aim to do quantitative work, and have not taken much coursework or have other job experience which gives us alternative ways to evaluate your ability to develop these skills.)

If you have any further questions, please contact us at [email protected] .

FAQ for Prospective Ph.D. Students

What is your department's philosophy, what graduate degrees does the department of political science offer, how long is your program, what are the requirements for the ph.d. degree, how is your placement record, where can i get more information on life at stanford, housing, financial aid or being an international student, can i complete the program via distance learning, online or on a part time basis.

• Can you tell me more about the JD/PhD program? How do I apply for it? How long does it take? How much does it cost? 

Can you provide any advice on applying for graduate school, how to prepare myself for graduate school or how to prepare and strengthen my application?

Financial support, what is the annual cost of attending your program, what type of financial support do you offer, do you offer support for the summer months, is there support available for field work, how do i apply to the knight-hennessy scholars program, what are your research areas.

• How can I find out if any of your faculty members does research in my area of interest?

Preparing for Admission

Am i required to secure an advisor before applying to your graduate program.

• Is Political Science a required major to apply to your graduate programs?
• Is a master's degree required for admissions?

Are applicants expected to have taken advanced coursework in mathematics and statistics?

If admitted, can i obtain credit for previous work.

• Can you provide some guidelines for preparation? How are applications evaluated? 

What are the admissions committee's expectations of prospective students?

Do you have a minimum gre score or gpa requirement, if admitted, may i defer my offer until a later year, application procedures, how do i apply, what is the application deadline, are applications reviewed and admissions decisions made on a rolling basis, how can i check the status of my application can you tell me if you received my application/transcripts/test scores/letters of recommendation, when will admission decisions be announced, when will the application for the 2024-25 academic year be available, can i apply for winter, spring, or summer quarter admission, what are the application requirements, do i need to submit a separate application for departmental fellowships or assistantships, what is a statement of purpose, can i submit a cv as part of my application, can i apply for an application fee waiver, can i update my application materials (cv, writing sample, statement of purpose or unofficial transcripts) after i submit my application.

• Does the 20-35 page writing sample page limit include the bibliography?

I am having technical problems with my online application. What do I do?

Gre and toefl, are gre scores required for the political science phd program, do i have to submit gre scores if i already have a master's degree, i sent my official gre or toefl scores but it still says they haven’t been received on my application status page. should i resend them.

• Will my application be reviewed if my official GRE/TOEFL scores arrive after the deadline?
• I asked ETS to send my GRE scores in a previous year. Do I need to resubmit my GRE scores?

My GRE/TOEFL scores are not recent. Will you accept them?

Can i list multiple sets of gre/toefl scores on my application , letters of recommendation, some of my letters of recommendation might arrive after the deadline. is this okay.

• One of my letter writers is having technical issues submitting their letters of recommendation. Who should they contact?

Will you accept letters of recommendation mailed from Interfolio or my university's career center or letter service? Can my letter writers submit letters via email, mail, or fax?

I'd like to make changes to my letters of recommendation writers after i submitted my application or sent the letter of recommendation request. how can i do that, may i submit more than three letters of recommendation, and will they all be included in the review process, can you provide guidance on who i should ask for a letter of recommendation, do my recommenders need to wait for me to submit my application in order to submit their letters, do i need to wait for my recommenders to submit their letters in order to submit my application, transcripts.

• Do I need to send official transcripts at the time of application? 

Does Stanford want an updated transcript with my fall quarter/semester grades?

Do i need to list schools i attended for less than one year or on a part-time basis, i just started a graduate program and will not have any grades at the time i apply to stanford. do i need to upload a transcript, my transcripts are not in english. will you accept them, my school’s grading system does not use a 4-point scale. how do i enter my grade point average in the online application, international students, are there any special application requirements for international applicants, does my foreign degree qualify me for graduate study at stanford.

• Do I need to submit TOEFL scores?
• Am I exempt from submitting TOEFL scores?

Can I request a TOEFL waiver? 

My toefl scores are not recent. will you accept them , may i submit ielts scores instead of toefl scores, my school's grading system does not use a 1-4 scale. how do i enter my grade point average in the online application, as an international student, am i eligible for funding, i went to school outside of the united states. do i have to use certifile/chesicc/the collegenet document service to submit my official transcripts, can i contact the admissions committee to inquire about my preparation in advance of my application, should i contact stanford faculty to discuss my interest in the program, will i have a chance to talk to someone before i decide to accept an offer of admission, master's degree for doctoral students, can i get a master’s degree from the department of political science.

The Department of Political Science does not embrace any particular philosophy or approach to the study of political science. We offer courses and research opportunities in a wide variety of fields in the discipline (see  Research Areas  below). Our principal goal is the training of scholars. The small size of our student body allows more individual work with members of the faculty than most graduate programs. It also makes possible financial assistance in one form or another to most students admitted to the Ph.D. program.

Our graduate program is built around small seminars that analyze critically the literature of a field or focus on a research problem. These courses prepare students for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam requirement within a two-year period and for work on the doctoral dissertation.

We offer a PhD in Political Science. The Department does not offer a master’s degree for external applicants. Only students currently enrolled in a PhD or professional school program at Stanford University may apply for a Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science.

The Ph.D. program is designed to be completed in five years of full-time study. Actual time depends on students' progress, research and travel requirements, and fields of study. The minimum residence requirement for the Ph.D. degree is 135 units of completed coursework, which takes approximately four years.  The fifth year is typically spent writing the dissertation.

Requirements vary depending on which fields a student elects to study. The minimum residence requirement for the Ph.D. degree is 135 units of completed coursework, which takes approximately four years.  The fifth year is typically spent writing the dissertation. All students must complete five units of graduate instruction in Political Theory unless previously taken as an undergraduate, and take a two-quarter sequence in quantitative methods. A language might also be required if the student and advisor think it appropriate for dissertation research. Beginning in their second year, students serve as teaching assistants in undergraduate courses for a minimum of three quarters, but most will serve as many as five quarters.

Students are required to satisfy the Ph.D. comprehensive examination requirements in one field as well as take coursework and fulfill any additional requirements in a second and third field and write at least one research paper. Upon completion of these three requirements, the student is eligible to be recommended for Ph.D. candidacy. It is expected that students will attain candidacy by the end of the second year. In their third year, students are asked to submit a formal dissertation proposal for approval. Doctoral candidates form a Dissertation Reading Committee in the fourth year and take the University Oral Examination after they have made substantial progress on their dissertations. Students must finish all requirements and file a thesis to receive their Ph.D. degree.

See the  requirements page  for more details.

Most students who receive doctorates in the program do research and teach at colleges or universities. In recent years, they have obtained positions in political science departments at such institutions as the University of California at Berkeley, UCLA, Harvard, NYU, M.I.T., Princeton, Yale, Southern California, Virginia, and Wellesley. Others have positions in research organizations like RAND, and still others have positions in university administration and government. Click to see the  list of recent placements .

Visit the  Graduate Student Gateway .

No. The Ph.D. program requires students to be present on campus and in-person for each quarter enrolled. The Ph.D. program is a full-time program and may not be completed on a part time basis. 

Can you tell me more about the JD/PhD program? How do I apply for it? How long does it take? How much does it cost?

Information on the JD/PhD program is available  here . 

Please review the information on the ‘ Guide on Getting Into Grad School .’ We are not able to speculate on an applicant's chances of admission, or review application materials prior to application, or provide guidance on individual applications beyond what is provided on the Political Science department website and the Guide to Getting Into Grad School.

The costs of pursuing graduate study at Stanford depend on various factors, including student's housing preferences and family circumstances, among other factors. Information about financing graduate study and typical expenses for graduate students can be found through  Graduate Admissions.  Information about our financial support, which usually covers tuition and living expenses, follows below.

The Department intends that all graduate students (both domestic and international) should have adequate support to enable them to complete their studies while enrolled full-time.  The standard financial package offered to admitted students covers the full cost of tuition and an additional amount for living expenses . The latter amount comes in the form of a stipend during the first year and a combination of teaching and research assistantships during years 2-5.  The Department also provides students with annual funds for professional development and health insurance fees. The Department provides five years of support for Ph.D. students who are making sufficient progress towards degree.   Current information regarding tuition, fees, and living expenses .

Funded PhD students in good standing are eligible to receive 12 months of funding each year, for as long as five years.

In addition to providing the standard package described above, the Department will provide each student $1,500 in discretionary funds every year in year 1-5.  Most students use this money to fund professional development expenses, including language study, faculty guided research and field work. In addition, funded PhD students in good standing are eligible to receive 12 months of funding each year for as long as five years, which provides students with the possibility of conducting field work during the summer. It is also possible to use pre-doc fellowship funds to support field work during the later years of the program. There are also numerous opportunities to supplement the funding by the department with grants and stipends from university research centers, such as the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies , the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS), and the Stanford King Center on Global Development . 

Join dozens of Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS).   KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford.   Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment.   If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about KHS admission .

The department offers teaching and research opportunities in  five major research areas : American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Methodology, and Political Theory. In addition, there are ample opportunities for graduate study in related departments at the university.

How can I find out if your faculty does research in my area of interest?

You can access more specific information about particular faculty members by going to the  faculty page.

No. It is not necessary or possible to secure an advisor before admission to the program. Offers of admission are made to the program, not to work with particular advisors. Applicants are encouraged to read the  Admissions FAQ  and contact politicalscience [at] stanford.edu (subject: Admissions%20Enquiries) (politicalscience[at]stanford[dot]edu) with any general admissions questions before contacting faculty.

Is Political Science a required major to apply to your graduate program?

No, the department does not require that prospective students be political science majors. On the other hand, the department does expect that prospective students have had sufficient exposure to the field for them to develop a clear statement of purpose for attending our graduate program. In addition, as part of the application materials, applicants are required to submit a written sample that will certainly justify students having previously studied political science.

Is a master’s degree required for admission?

No, a master’s degree is not required for admission, although roughly one-third of our applicants have completed a graduate degree prior to application to the PhD program.

No, students are not required to have taken advanced courses in quantitative methods as a prerequisite for admission. In fact, the department offers a four quarter sequence in quantitative methods that introduces first and second year students to methodological tools that they can later use in their chosen fields of study. This sequence does not assume that students have had prior exposure to statistics or advanced mathematics. In addition to the sequence, the department offers a math refresher course for three weeks prior to the start of classes in the fall for all students. Note, however, that there are certain areas of study (such as American politics and political behavior) that will require more training in quantitative methods beyond the first-year sequence. Opportunities to pursue advanced work in quantitative methods exist both within and outside the department (e.g., taking courses in the economics and statistics departments).

The Department rarely accepts the transfer of previous graduate work toward fulfilling pre-candidacy course requirements. However, students with previous graduate work may be able to count some of their previous course credits toward the university residency requirement, thus reducing the time required for the Ph.D. degree. The university may allow a maximum of 45 units for work done elsewhere in another graduate program. Transfer credit is subject to the approval of the Office of the University Registrar, and there is no guarantee that transfer credit will be awarded. Students cannot apply for transfer credit until they have completed at least one quarter of study at Stanford. 

Can you provide some guidelines for preparation? How are applications evaluated? 

Admission to our program is highly competitive. The selection of PhD students admitted to the Department of Political Science is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including (but not limited to) the applicant’s academic record, the letters of recommendation, the scores on the General GRE (Graduate Record Examination), the statement of purpose, and the writing sample. About 12-15 students, chosen from a large pool of applicants, enter the program every year. These students are chosen on the basis of a strong academic background as evidenced by previous study, test results, writing sample, and letters of recommendation. Although we have no official score requirement, admitted students typically have GRE scores of 166+ verbal, 163+ quantitative, and a score of 5.5 in the analytical section.  Admitted students typically have a GPA of at least 3.8 in their previous studies. Please be assured that the department reviews each application very carefully and makes decisions on an individual basis.

The Political Science department recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Regrettably, we are not able to speculate on an applicant's chances of admission, or review application materials prior to application, or provide guidance on individual applications beyond what is provided on this website. 

Admission committees follow guidelines established by the university and the department to ensure a fair review of application materials and the selection of a high quality pool of incoming students. An  overview of graduate admission  and study at Stanford is available.

The Political Science department recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.  

No, all applications will be considered. However, admission to our program is highly competitive. Admitted students typically have very high GRE scores (approximately 166+ verbal, 163+ quantitative, and a score of 5.5 in the Analytical section).  Admitted students typically have a GPA of at least 3.8 in their previous studies.

One year deferrals are granted only for serious and unforeseen circumstances that occur after the time of application. The one exception to that policy is that one year deferrals are allowed for students who will spend the next academic year at Stanford Law School as part of the Stanford joint JD/PhD program. Deferral requests to allow students to attend another university for a different degree program (such as a JD) are highly unlikely to be granted. Deferrals for longer than one academic year are not possible. Students should only apply during this admissions cycle if they intend to be at Stanford for the next academic year.

You must apply online via the  Graduate Admissions  web site. Note that online applications require the use of a credit card.

The deadline to apply for admission for the 2024-25 academic year is 11:59pm (Pacific time) on December 5, 2023. Regrettably, we are unable to accept  late applications.

No. We begin reviewing all applications after the application deadline and make all admissions decisions by the end of February. There is no advantage to applying early.

To check your application status, click the Visit Your Status Page button here . Due to the number of applications that we receive we cannot confirm receipt of any application documents or tell you if your application is complete. 

Letters of recommendation: Your Status Page will update automatically when letters of recommendation are received. Contact your recommendation writers (not the department) if you are missing letters of recommendation. Additional information about letters of recommendation is below in the Letter of Recommendation section of the FAQ's. 

Transcripts:  Official transcripts are not required at the time of application. If you are offered admission to Stanford and accept the offer, you will be required to submit official transcripts that show your degree conferral. Please do not send official transcripts with your application.  

All applications, even those marked as "awaiting materials," will be considered by the committee.  

Offers of admission will be made in late February. Admitted applicants will be invited to attend our Ph.D. Admit Visit to be held in early April.

September 15, 2023

No, students may only enter the program during the fall quarter.

A complete application consists of the following documentation:

• Stanford online application including  statement of purpose
• At least three  letters of recommendation
• Unofficial transcripts from each institution you attended for at least one year (Official transcripts are not required at the time of application. If you are offered admission to Stanford and accept the offer, you will be required to submit official transcripts that show your degree conferral.) 
• General  GRE and TOEFL scores  reported directly to Stanford (code 4704) - Learn more about these  test requirements .  GRE scores are required for the Fall 2023 admissions cycle.  We will accept results from the ETS home tests.
• Writing Sample : a recent scholarly or critical paper (20-35 pages, double-spaced). Applicants may submit two or three shorter samples if they do not have a long one. Writing samples must be written in English. 
• Application fee of $125. Information on Graduate Fee Waivers is available  here . 

Please refer to the  Office of Graduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions  for additional information on the application process and requirements.

In general, no. In most cases, you will be considered for any available departmental funding awards when you apply for graduate study, and a separate application is not necessary. Note that in order to be considered for Knight-Hennessy Scholars , you must submit a separate application.

The Statement of Purpose should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at Stanford, your preparation for this field of study, research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. The Statement of Purpose should not exceed two single spaced pages (this is approximately 1,000 words). Additional information on crafting your statement of purpose is available here . 

Yes, submitting a CV is required. Applications may upload a CV under "Experience" in the application. 

Fee waivers are available for some applicants. Please visit Graduate Admissions for information on applying for an  Application Fee Waiver . Please do not contact the Department to request a fee waiver as unfortunately, we are unable to grant them. 

Be sure to submit your fee waiver request at least 10 business days (two weeks) before the application deadline to ensure a timely decision.

Join dozens of Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS).    KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford.    Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment.    If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about KHS admission .

Applying to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars is not required in order to be admitted to the Political Science PhD program or to receive a funding package from the department. 

You may update your application on your status page after submitting your application as follows:

• Recommenders, Test Scores and Contact Information (email, phone, address) may be updated anytime before or after the application deadline. However, after December 15 there is no guarantee the Admissions Committee will see the updates as they will have already begun reviewing applications.
• Statement of Purpose
• Writing Sample
• Unofficial transcripts
• The application system will allow you to update items in Additional Information anytime before or after the deadline.  However, after December 15 there is no guarantee the Admissions Committee will review the updates as they will have already begun reviewing applications. In addition, the Committee will still see the original versions of your documents if you submit new versions under Additional Information. 

Does the 20-35 page writing sample page limit include the table of contents, bibliography, and appendices?

No. The table of contents, bibliography, and appendices are not included in the 20-35 page writing sample.

Submit a request to Graduate Admissions (application login required).

Yes, GRE scores are required for all applicants. We are not able to grant waivers or make exceptions to the GRE requirement. We will accept test results from Educational Testing Service (ETS) home tests. If you are unable to take the GRE either at a testing center or via the at-home testing service by the application deadline, unfortunately you will need to wait until the next application cycle to apply. 

No other exams (including the LSAT or GMAT) are accepted in lieu of the GRE. 

Yes, all applicants must submit GRE scores, even if they have completed an advanced degree.

If you instructed ETS to send your test scores Stanford more than two weeks ago and your GRE or TOEFL scores are still shown as "Awaiting" on your Status Page, please  submit a help request  to Graduate Admissions. 

Important: it may take up to two weeks from the date you you asked ETS to send the scores for test scores to be "Received" on your Status Page.  Please do not request that ETS send scores again or contact Graduate Admissions to ask why your scores are listed as "Awaiting" if it has been less than two weeks since you submitted your application to Stanford. For example, if you sent your scores on December 1st, you can expect your test scores to appear as "Received" on your status page by December 15th.

If we haven't received official scores by the time the admissions committee begins review, we will consider your application with unofficial scores. This will not harm your chances of admission. We will, however, need to receive official scores from ETS before making an offer of admission.

Will my application be reviewed if my official GRE/TOEFL scores arrive after the deadline?

Yes. Any scores you self-report on the application are considered unofficial but sufficient for the initial review process. If we haven't received official scores for all sections by the time the admissions committee begins review, we will consider your application with the unofficial scores submitted in your online application. We will need to receive official scores for all sections of the GRE from ETS before making an official offer of admission. 

However, your unofficial GRE/TOEFL scores for all sections of the tests must be included in your application by the application deadline. This means that you must have taken the GRE/TOEFL prior to the application deadline. If you are unable to submit unofficial test scores for all sections of the test by the application deadline, we recommend that you wait to apply until the next application cycle.   

I asked ETS to send my GRE scores in a previous year. Do I need to resubmit my GRE scores?

If you had ETS send scores to Stanford prior to June 1, 2022 you will need to resubmit them.  

We follow ETS policies on score validity (five years for GRE scores, two years for TOEFL scores). Refer to Test Scores for the earliest test date Stanford considers to be valid for the current application cycle.

Yes. List all GRE tests you took within the past five years that you wish to be considered by the admission committee. Do not enter “superscores” (a single entry that includes your highest section scores from multiple test dates). The application system will automatically display to the admission committee the highest score you earned in each section as well as all reported scores.

Please ask your letter writers to upload their letters no later than December 15th. If you do not have three letters of recommendation by then, your file will still be passed to the faculty committee for consideration.  While recommenders may upload outstanding letters after December 15th, there's no guarantee they will be read as the committee will have already begun its work.  

One of my letter writers is having technical issues submitting their letters of recommendation. Who should they contact?

They should use the link in the recommendation request email they received when you registered them as a recommendation writer to request technical support.  Please do not instruct letter writers to contact the department for help with technical issues. Additional information for recommendation writers is available  here .  

Letters of recommendation can technically be submitted via interfolio; however, recommenders are required to respond to specific evaluation questions that are only available when letters are submitted directly using the online application system. Please ask your recommenders to submit their letters directly using the online application system. Please remember that letters written specifically for your Stanford graduate program tend to be stronger than letters written for general use purposes. 

You may manage your recommenders on the same Recommendations page where you registered them. This includes sending reminder emails and changing recommenders. You continue to have access to this page after you submit your application.

To change one of your recommenders: on the Recommendations page of the application, click on the recommender’s name you wish to replace, then click Exclude at the bottom of the resulting popup window. You then will see the option to add a new recommender. The recommender you exclude will not receive an email notification.  

The department expects to see three letters of recommendation per application. Applicants may enter up to four recommenders and all letters of recommendation submitted by the December 15th deadline will be considered in the review process. However, there is no automatic advantage or disadvantage to submitting more than three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation will be evaluated solely on what they say about an applicant’s academic potential for graduate work, not on how many are submitted. 

Letters of recommendation should come from academic or professional references who know you well and are qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. It is strongly recommended that at least one of these letters be from a university professor familiar with your academic work. Please see here for additional information.  

No. Your recommenders may submit their letters before or after you submit your application.

Do I need to submit official transcripts at the time of application?  

No. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application. You must list and provide your unofficial transcript for every post-secondary institution where you were enrolled — or are currently enrolled — in an undergraduate or graduate degree program.

If you are offered admission to Stanford and accept the offer, you will be required to submit official transcripts that show your degree conferral.

No, this is not necessary. Applicants may upload updated transcripts via their Status Page until the application deadline. 

If you were enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at that school, then yes. If you are offered admission to Stanford and accept the offer, you will not be required to submit official transcripts for schools you attended for less than one academic year or on a part-time basis.

In lieu of a transcript, please upload a document that includes the courses that are in progress.  

Yes, as long as you must submit original language records with official English translations. We accept translations issued by the institution or a professional translating service. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.  

You are asked to enter both GPA and GPA scale for each institution you list on the application. Enter your GPA as it appears on your transcript. Do not convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale if it's reported on a different scale.

Information for international applicants  is available from Graduate Admissions.

Stanford’s assessment of a post-secondary degree is based on the characteristics of a national educational system, the type of institution you attended, and the level of studies you completed. Refer to the Eligibility page to view the minimum level of study you should have achieved from a recognized academic institution to enroll in graduate study at Stanford. Contact  Stanford’s Office of Graduate Admissions  (not the Department of Political Science) with any further questions.

Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) to be eligible for admission, unless you are exempt or successfully apply for a waiver (see below). 

Applicants must score at least 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL in order to be eligible for admission, though admitted applicants typically score at least 115. 

We accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition if you are unable to take the traditional TOEFL iBT test in a test center. If you take the Home Edition or Paper Edition, you may be required to complete additional English placement testing prior to enrollment.

Am I exempt from submitting TOEFL scores? 

You are automatically exempt from submitting a TOEFL score if you meet one the following criteria:

     A. You (will) have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a regionally- accredited college or university in the United States (territories and possessions excluded).

     B. You (will) have an equivalent degree from an English-language university in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

If you are offered admission, the official transcript must be received showing conferral of the degree from the qualifying institution or TOEFL exam scores will be required to enroll. 

You may request a TOEFL waiver in the online application if you (will) have a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a recognized institution in a country other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom in which English was the language of instruction.

• You will be asked to provide the URL for the page on your institution's official website stating the language of instruction.
• If your institution offers instruction in languages other than English, you must upload an official statement from your institution certifying that your program was taught exclusively in English.

Your waiver request will be routed to Graduate Admissions after you submit your application. Allow up to 15 business days after submitting your application for a response. This will not delay the receipt of your application by your graduate program.

Please note that the department of Political Science does not evaluate TOEFL waiver requests. Direct all questions to Stanford's Office of Graduate Admissions. 

For the current application cycle, TOEFL scores from tests taken on or after September 1, 2021 are valid.  

No. We do not accept TOEFL Essentials scores or any other English proficiency test (e.g., IELTS, PTE) or coursework in lieu of the TOEFL. 

Yes, both international and domestic students receive the same funding package from the department. See  here for further information .

No, the use of these services is encouraged but not required. See here for more information on submitting transcripts.

No, the admissions committee is not available for consultation. We are not able to speculate on an applicant's chances of admission, or review application materials prior to application, or provide guidance on individual applications beyond what is provided on this website. 

Applicants may try to contact faculty before applying to discuss their interest in the PhD program, though it is not required nor expected. It is not necessary or possible to secure an advisor before admission to the program. Applicants are admitted to the program, not to work with particular faculty. Applicants are encouraged to read the  Admissions FAQ  and contact  politicalscience [at] stanford.edu (politicalscience[at]stanford[dot]edu)  with any admissions questions prior to contacting faculty.

Yes. The department invites admitted students to campus for a visit in April. This event is an excellent opportunity to talk to faculty and students about specific concerns or questions a prospective student may have.

The Department does not offer a master’s degree for external applicants. Applicants interested in a master’s degree should look into the  Ford Dorsey Masters in International Policy . Current doctoral students from within the Stanford Political Science department or in another Stanford University department may apply for a Master of Arts in Political Science during the course of their Ph.D. program. Master's candidates must take 45 units of course work, and 25 of those units must be in graduate seminars. There is no examination or thesis requirement.

Department of Political Science

Graduate studies (ph.d.), political science (ph.d.) | graduate, the study of political science at howard transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries found at most other institutions. we train students in the empirical analysis of political processes, systems, and behavior, and center the study of african american and black diaspora politics from the study of global liberation movements to an examination of black political sphere..

The Ph.D. in Political Science at Howard’s Graduate School prepares students for careers in academia, public affairs, policy, law, and foreign affairs as well as for senior-level research and consulting positions. You will benefit from Howard's premier location at the nexus of American politics and policymaking in Washington, D.C., and have access to a network of top-ranked and nationally recognized research institutions, consulting firms, think tanks, and government agencies. As a doctoral student in the Political Science program, you may choose from four distinct fields of specialization: American politics, Black politics, comparative politics, and international relations. You will have the opportunity to shape your course of study in two major subfields and one minor subfield and pursue significant original research tailored to your individualized program of study. The Department of Political Science aims to retain and expand its position as a major source of political scientists concerned with issues impacting the lives of people of African descent. Our graduate students benefit from the close mentorship of graduate faculty notable for its political commentary across major media outlets and for its wide-ranging research, including empirically grounded comparative analysis of state and non-state political phenomena; the study of electoral politics within Black communities; and the examination of political change, nationalist ideology, and global liberation movements.

Program Snapshot

• Degree: Ph.D.
• 72-credit hours
• On-campus format
• Transfer credits accepted upon review.
• GRE not required.
• Deadline: April 15 for Fall admissions (with rolling admission decisions)

Robinson Woodward-Burns, Ph.D. Director of Graduate Studies [email protected]

Daryl Harris, Ph.D. Interim Chair [email protected]

Elizabeth Coates Administrative Officer [email protected]

Degree Requirements

Ph.D. students must select two majors and one minor course area. The major course areas will be the ones in which you will sit for a comprehensive exam. Students must take four courses in that field, which will include the core course for that area (as listed above). For the minor concentration area, students must take three courses in that field, but there is no comprehensive exam.

Course Courses (15 CR)

• POLS 232    Nature & Uses of Political Theory
• POLS 292    Seminar in American Politics
• POLS 227    Introduction to Black Politics 
• POLS 204    Approaches to Comparative Politics 
• POLS 287    Theories of International Relations

Major and Minor Field Courses (27 CR)

• 18 credits in two chosen major subfields (9 credits for each major subfield)
• 9 credits in a chosen minor subfield

Research Tools (9 CR)

• POLS 217    Methods of Political Science
• POLS 254    Behavioral Research Methods 
• POLS 257 / POLS 279   Multivariate Statistics; or Survey Research Method; or a graduate research methods course; or proficiency in a foreign language that a student will use in their scholarly research

Elective Courses (9 CR)

Dissertation (12 cr), admission to candidacy .

Students are admitted to formal candidacy by the Graduate School when they have completed the required coursework, passed the qualifying examination, submitted an approved topic for research, and been recommended by the Department. Candidates must also have satisfied the Graduate School writing proficiency requirement and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) requirement.

Graduate Funding 

Admitted students are eligible to compete for Graduate School competitive awards. Graduate research or teaching assistantships may be available at the department level that provide tuition remission and/or a stipend during the academic year. Research assistants and teaching assistants work no more than 20 hours a week under the program's direction, usually in support of faculty research (research assistants) or in support of assigned courses (teaching assistants). Please see the Funding website for more detailed information.

Admissions Application Requirements

Online  gradcas   application.

• Official transcripts sent to GradCAS
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest ( 500-1,000 words )
• Critical writing sample of academic research on a political or public policy topic
• Autobiographical statement ( 500-750 words )
• GRE scores  not required 

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.5
• Undergraduate GPA minimum: 3.5

Recommendation Requirements

Recommendation types accepted:

• Professor ( required )
• Supervisor or Manager

Recommendation types not accepted:

• Friends or Family

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Part I: Apply to the UGA Graduate School

For detailed information, please see the Graduate School Admissions Requirements .

1. Online Graduate School Application and fee ($75 domestic / $100 international)

2. One unofficial transcript from each institution of higher education attended, except the University of Georgia. University of Georgia transcripts are on file. You may upload transcripts through the application portal or mail them directly to the UGA Graduate School.

3. Official GRE general test score report. The UGA institutional code for ETS reporting is 5813 .  No departmental code is required.

4. International applicants please see additional requirements .

Send these materials to: Office of Graduate Admissions The University of Georgia Graduate School Terrell Hall 210 South Jackson Street Athens, Georgia 30602 Fax: (706) 425-3095

Part II: Apply to the Departmental Graduate Office

1. Personal objective form

2. Statement of Purpose*

3. Curriculum vita*

*If you prefer, you may upload and submit your Statement of Purpose and Curriculum vita when you submit your online application through the UGA Graduate School.

4. Three academic letters of recommendation. The most convenient way for recommenders to submit letters of recommendation is through the online application process. List the names and email addresses of your recommenders on page three of the online application. They will be sent a link to access a secure page where they can submit your recommendation online. If your recommender prefers to send the letter as a hard copy or an email, it should be sent directly to the Departmental Graduate Office.

5. Graduate assistantship application , if desired.

6. PhD and Fast Track PhD applicants only : Submit a copy of an original research paper as a writing sample.

Send these materials to: Graduate Office Attn: Megan Morgan 180D Baldwin Hall The University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602 Fax: (706) 542-4421

Departmental application materials can also be emailed as attachments to [email protected] .

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How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School

Congrats! You’ve chosen a graduate program , read up on tips for applying to grad school , and even wrote a focused grad school resumé . But if you’re like many students, you’ve left the most daunting part of the application process for last—writing a statement of purpose. The good news is, the task doesn’t have to feel so overwhelming, as long as you break the process down into simple, actionable steps. Below, learn how to write a strong, unique statement of purpose that will impress admissions committees and increase your chances of getting into your dream school.

What is a statement of purpose?

A statement of purpose (SOP), sometimes referred to as a personal statement, is a critical piece of a graduate school application that tells admissions committees who you are, what your academic and professional interests are, and how you’ll add value to the graduate program you’re applying to.

Jared Pierce, associate director of enrollment services at Northeastern University, says a strong statement of purpose can be the deciding factor in a graduate student’s admission.  

“Your statement of purpose is where you tell your story about who you are and why you deserve to be a part of the [university’s] community. It gives the admissions committee the chance to get to know you and understand how you’ll add value to the classroom,” he says.

How long should a statement of purpose be?

“A statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words,” Pierce says, noting that it should typically not exceed a single page. He advises that students use a traditional font at a readable size (11- or 12-pt) and leave enough whitespace in the margins to make the statement easy-to-read. Make sure to double-space the statement if the university has requested it, he adds. 

Interested in learning more about Northeastern’s graduate programs?

Get your questions answered by our enrollment team.

REQUEST INFORMATION

How to Write a Statement of Purpose: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand how to format a statement of purpose, you can begin drafting your own. Getting started can feel daunting, but Pierce suggests making the process more manageable by breaking down the writing process into four easy steps.

1. Brainstorm your ideas.

First, he says, try to reframe the task at hand and get excited for the opportunity to write your statement of purpose. He explains:

“Throughout the application process, you’re afforded few opportunities to address the committee directly. Here is your chance to truly speak directly to them. Each student arrives at this process with a unique story, including prior jobs, volunteer experience, or undergraduate studies. Think about what makes you you and start outlining.”

When writing your statement of purpose, he suggests asking yourself these key questions:

• Why do I want this degree?
• What are my expectations for this degree?
• What courses or program features excite me the most?
• Where do I want this degree to take me, professionally and personally?
• How will my unique professional and personal experiences add value to the program?

Jot these responses down to get your initial thoughts on paper. This will act as your starting point that you’ll use to create an outline and your first draft.

2. Develop an outline.

Next, you’ll want to take the ideas that you’ve identified during the brainstorming process and plug them into an outline that will guide your writing. 

An effective outline for your statement of purpose might look something like this:

• An attention-grabbing hook
• A brief introduction of yourself and your background as it relates to your motivation behind applying to graduate school 
• Your professional goals as they relate to the program you’re applying to
• Why you’re interested in the specific school and what you can bring to the table
• A brief summary of the information presented in the body that emphasizes your qualifications and compatibility with the school

An outline like the one above will give you a roadmap to follow so that your statement of purpose is well-organized and concise. 

3. Write the first draft.

Your statement of purpose should communicate who you are and why you are interested in a particular program, but it also needs to be positioned in a way that differentiates you from other applicants. 

Admissions professionals already have your transcripts, resumé, and test scores; the statement of purpose is your chance to tell your story in your own words.

When you begin drafting content, make sure to:

• Provide insight into what drives you , whether that’s professional advancement, personal growth, or both.
• Demonstrate your interest in the school by addressing the unique features of the program that interest you most. For Northeastern, he says, maybe it’s experiential learning; you’re excited to tackle real-world projects in your desired industry. Or perhaps it’s learning from faculty who are experts in your field of study.
• Be yourself. It helps to keep your audience in mind while writing, but don’t forget to let your personality shine through. It’s important to be authentic when writing your statement to show the admissions committee who you are and why your unique perspective will add value to the program.

4. Edit and refine your work.

Before you submit your statement of purpose:

• Make sure you’ve followed all directions thoroughly , including requirements about margins, spacing, and font size.
• Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Remember that a statement of purpose should be between 500 and 1,000 words. If you’ve written far more than this, read through your statement again and edit for clarity and conciseness. Less is often more; articulate your main points strongly and get rid of any “clutter.”
• Walk away and come back later with a fresh set of eyes. Sometimes your best ideas come when you’re not sitting and staring at your computer.
• Ask someone you trust to read your statement before you submit it.

Making a Lasting Impression

Your statement of purpose can leave a lasting impression if done well, Pierce says. It provides you with the opportunity to highlight your unique background and skills so that admissions professionals understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the program that you’re applying to. If nothing else, stay focused on what you uniquely bring to the classroom, the program, and the campus community. If you do that, you’ll excel.

To learn more tricks and tips for submitting an impressive graduate school application, explore our related Grad School Success articles .

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in March 2017. It has since been updated for thoroughness and accuracy.

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DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

• Information for Prospective Students

Application Materials

For your application to be given full consideration, you must submit all materials by   December 21, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (Central U.S. time).

If you have any questions please consult our   FAQs   page.

Required materials:

Application form.

The Graduate School accepts   online applications  through CollegeNet .

• You do not need to complete the online application in one sitting. You may save your application and return to it later before you SUBMIT; be sure to record your user ID (email) and password. 
• Answer all of the required questions, upload required documents, and submit the application fee (by credit card only).
• C hanges to the application cannot be made after you SUBMIT .
• You may apply to only one program at Northwestern. The Graduate School only allows students to submit one application per year. Additional applications will not be reviewed and application fee refunds will not be provided.

Admission decisions will be conveyed via CollegeNet. You may access the online application as many times as you wish to check if a decision has been rendered on your file. If a decision is available, a "view decision" link will appear. If a decision has not yet been rendered, no link will be present.

APPLICATION FEE

The online application will prompt you to pay the application fee after all required questions have been answered. The application fee is $95 and must be paid via credit card at the time of application submission. Your application can not be processed without payment of the fee. 

To review the criteria for a fee waiver, click  here .  If you are eligible for a fee waiver, a message will appear at the end of your application, in lieu of a payment entry page. 

We are unable to provide fee waivers beyond the criteria listed.  If you think you may qualify for a fee waiver, please submit your application at least three days before the application deadline to allow time for review and final submission.

TRANSCRIPTS

An unofficial transcript from each post-secondary institution attended, including records from courses in any university-level institution attended abroad, must be uploaded to your application.   Official transcripts are only required for applicants that have been admitted and have chosen to enroll at Northwestern.  Official transcripts received before an offer of admission has been made will be discarded.

• Your fall term grades may not be posted at the time the application is due ; please submit your transcript as it stands, and if we require an update we will request it from you.
• Transcripts should show all the coursework taken, whether or not within a degree program, the grades received and the degrees earned.
• Certification of degrees received, including the date each degree was awarded are required. This information may be included on the final transcript or on the diploma. Final credentials must be submitted as soon as they become available. 

NOTE TO INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:

The academic records we refer to as transcripts should provide a listing, year-by-year, of all courses taken and the grade or marks received for each one. It is helpful to have the grading scale of the institution and the student's rank in class included when such information is available.

If your college or university will not mail original official academic documents to you, you may send exact copies that have been verified as "Certified True Copies" by the appropriate institutional official of each institution you have attended. Uncertified photocopies are not acceptable. To be considered, all documents not in English must be accompanied by official English translations which adhere to the following guidelines:

• If an institution's transcripts are only available in a foreign language, please include an English translation completed by a verifiable, neutral third party (i.e.  ATA translators , a transcript evaluation service, etc.) in addition to the original copy.  

The Graduate School will accept applications from international students earning three-year bachelor's degrees.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Letters of recommendation are very important so choose your writers carefully. The Admissions Committee is most interested in recommendation letters from those who are able to assess your academic and research abilities in areas related to your field of study.

• The Department of Political Science requires a minimum of   three   letters to accompany your application.
• Please note, you will not be able to edit an email address or change a recommender after you have submitted the application.  Should you need to make a change, please contact   [email protected] . 
• There is no required or expected format for recommendation letters.
• Please give your recommender enough time ahead of the application deadline to submit your letter; we begin review of applications immediately, and late letters may not be considered.  We recommend contacting your letter writing at least two weeks  before you submit the application to give them time to prepare a letter.
• Letters of recommendation are due December 30th, 2023 at 11:59 pm Central Time

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Write a statement that addresses the following prompt (500 words max):

• The Graduate School values diverse backgrounds, approaches, and perspectives, understanding them as essential ingredients for true academic excellence. As a Northwestern graduate student, how could you contribute to an intellectual community that prioritizes equity, inclusion, belonging, and cultural humility? Your answer may draw upon past or present experiences, whether in academic work, extracurricular or community activities, or everyday life.

ACADEMIC STATEMENT

• What are your academic interests, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in this specific program?
• How has your academic and professional background prepared you for graduate study? (Please include any research, training, or educational experiences that align with the program you are applying to.)
• How will our program help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals?
• (For research-focused programs) Please make sure to address any scholarly questions you wish to explore in the program and name any specific faculty members in this program whose research interests align with your own.  

WRITING SAMPLE

There are no firm requirements for the writing sample. It should be academic, best demonstrating your abilities and potential. 

• We recommend between 10 and 30 pages in length, but we intend this as a guideline to help you think about the type of sample you should send. 
• Don't focus on the exact page number, focus on sending your best work! 
• Your writing sample does not have to pertain to your intended area of study.  It can be a term paper, a chapter from a thesis, a series of published articles, etc.
• Once submitted, writing samples cannot be updated or edited, even in the case of typos.  Be aware that some graphs or images may become distorted when the PDF uploads to CollegeNet; this is not a problem, the Committee understands this and we will request an updated copy if we need it. 

GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE)

For the 2023-24 application cycle (Fall 2024 start), submission of GRE scores is NOT REQUIRED.  

Should you choose to submit scores, please review the information below:

Official scores must be taken no more than  five years  before the intended quarter of entry and must come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Personal copies are not considered official, nor are "attested" or notarized copies.

• Do not plan to take or retake the test on or after the deadline.   No new scores will be added after the deadline .
• You may submit your application before or after your official scores arrive from ETS.  CollegeNet will connect the scores automatically.
• The institutional code assigned to The Graduate School at Northwestern by ETS is 1565. There is not a designated department code for the GRE, you may enter Undecided. 

ETS will offer you the option to send us scores from every test you've ever taken, or to select the scores you want to send.  We recommend that you send us ALL scores; we will look for your highest score in each section. 

CERTIFYING ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (TOEFL, IELTS)

Much of your success in graduate study will rely on your ability to understand, read, write and speak English. If your native language is not English, you must certify your proficiency in the English language by one of the following:

• Providing official scores for either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The test must be taken no more than  two years  before the intended quarter of entry (for entry in Fall 2023, please ensure your TOEFL was taken no earlier than September 2021).
• On the TOEFL, you must score 600 or higher on the paper-based test, 250 or higher on the computer-based test, 100 or higher on the internet based test. On the IELTS, you must receive a score of 7.0 or higher.
• Providing official transcripts verifying an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution or equivalent, where the language of instruction is English.
• Providing official transcripts verifying a graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English.
• Personal copies are not considered official, nor are "attested" or notarized copies. However, it is to your advantage to include a scanned copy of your score report in Supplemental Information. 

The Graduate School's school code for TOEFL is 1565. Students taking the TOEFL should also reference department code 01. This will ensure that the TOEFL scores are sent to The Graduate School and not the undergraduate college.

More information regarding the   TOEFL

More information regarding   IELTS

All materials should be submitted by December 21, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (Central U.S. time), via CollegeNet.

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PhD applicants: Writing your statement of purpose (social science and humanities)

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In this blog post, Chris Blattman gives advice on how to write a compelling statement of purpose for PhD applicants in the social science and humanities. Excerpt: I’ve read a lot of personal statements for PhD applications. I sat on admissions at UChicago, Columbia, and Yale, mostly in economics, political science, and public policy. Here’s the advice I’ve given my own students and research assistants to craft their statements. I give it because, sadly, I don’t find most statements helpful. This means they are not helping you, the applicant. Read the full article here.

Jump to Content Jump to Resources

• Three Columns

Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose is one of the most important parts of your application.  

Length:    

500-700 words (1-2 pages)   

Aim of the statement of purpose:  

To convince the reader, a committee of professors in the political science department at CSULB, that you have what it takes to do well in a rigorous MA program. This is your opportunity to have us understand your academic trajectory and objectives.  

Tips for writing a statement of purpose:  

• Indicate the kind of issues, problems, or questions, that ground your interest in political science. This may be done by asking a central question or posing a problem. Steer clear of statement such as “I want to change the world,” and instead convince the faculty that you understand, and are interested in, important issues in political science and politics.  
• Discuss the highlights of your undergraduate career, in academic terms. Mention any research you conducted, or any papers you are particularly proud of. Discuss your work experience if it is relevant to your academic interests.  
• Don’t spend a great deal of time on your autobiography unless you are able to tie it back to your interests in political science. Life experiences certainly matter, but remember to link any details about your life to a narrative about your academic interests. If there is something important that happened to you that affected your grades, explain it.   
• If you would like to incorporate relevant issues of equity and diversity, please do so.  
• If you graduated and worked prior to applying to graduate school, indicate what you have been doing, what you learned, and how this helped you focus your academic interests.  
• Look on our website for information about our program, our faculty, and our research. If you find a professor (or two) whose research interests match yours, mention that.  
• Make sure the statement is well written. Proofread your work with care! We suggest that, before applying to our program, you show your statement of purpose to at least one faculty member writing you a recommendation letter.  

Politics and Government

Phd in political science.

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Key Dates and Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Spring 2024 Priority Deadline – November 1, 2023 Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2023 Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2023 Classes begin – January 16, 2024

Fall 2024 Priority Deadline – February 1, 2024 Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2024 Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2024 Classes begin – August 26, 2024

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Application Checklist

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For priority admission and fellowship consideration, applications should be submitted by the priority deadlines.

All supporting documents should be sent to Claremont Graduate University at the following address:

CGU Office of Admissions 150 E. 10th Street Claremont, CA 91711

Application materials, including electronic transcripts, can also be sent via email to [email protected] .  

University Application Requirements

The Claremont Graduate University online application is hosted online by Slate Technolutions via a secure web server. You will create a username and password so that you can return to continue your application over several sessions and check your status after submission. After you submit your application, it is made available for review by our faculty and staff.

Begin your application

The application fee is non-refundable.

Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to [email protected] are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.

Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.

International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.

Applicants must submit a copy of their resume.

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE scores is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:

• Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
• Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
• Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.

CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053 .

International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.

Program-specific Application requirements

For applicants applying to begin in a 2024 term, standardized test scores are not required for this program. Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test are invited to submit scores but are not required to do so.

Applicants who feel that their Grade Point Averages do not adequately represent their ability to succeed in a graduate program may find it helpful to submit GRE scores for consideration.

CGU’s school code: ETS (GRE and TOEFL) 4053

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.

When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references.

You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.

Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at [email protected] .

Download the Recommendation Form

Request information about the Politics and Policy program

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Sample Personal Statement for Political Science

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

The following personal statement is written by an applicant who got accepted to several top graduate schools in political science. Variations of this PS got accepted at Duke, UCLA, and NYU. Read this essay to understand what a top personal statement in political science should look like.

Sample Personal Statement for Graduate School in PoliSci

It was not until I studied the introductory “Political Thought” course during my undergrad that I discovered my passion for political philosophy. Studying ancient and modern political thought allowed me to get introduced to the thought experiments of political thinkers to construct novel political concepts. This enabled me to relate the theory to other branches of political science. However, the courses I studied at the undergrad level were introductory, hence, not enough to quench my thirst for philosophical thinking.  

The best thing that happened to me because of studying these courses was that I started thinking along the lines of philosophy. After my undergrad, I engaged in various endeavors, which also included working as an HR Manager. However, the intrigue that originated after studying the Political Thought courses kept pushing me towards further academic pursuits. I applied to the program of MA Political Science at Central European University and got in. It was here that I discovered that I needed to cover immense ground in Political Theory. The fortunate thing was that I was not confused about the line I was supposed to tread, which was political theory.

Therefore, I opted for the same line and selected electives accordingly. In the mandatory course of Political Theory, I got introduced to more profound philosophies, particularly related to liberal egalitarianism. I hadn’t read those theories before, and the start of the course was not as rosy as it was in the courses of Political Thoughts back in my bachelor’s. However, my professor, Dr. Moles, encouraged all students to participate in the rigorous debates surrounding those philosophies.

The whole process happened to be very enriching. My brain started working in that direction, and I kept philosophizing about different political ideas even during my leisure time. The unfortunate thing that happened during this course was the aggravated anxiety I was going through. The condition took a toll on my studies, and I had to seek help from the medical center at my university. There was a time when I thought I would not be able to complete my master’s. However, thanks to the encouragement of my professors and peers, I was soon back on track amid psychological challenges. After studying political theory courses from Moles, Miklosi, and Kis, I concluded that I wanted to conceptualize responsibility in egalitarian distributive justice. It was mainly due to my reading of luck egalitarianism. Under the guidance of Professor Moles, I completed my thesis on the topic of “Individual Choice and Responsibility in the Backdrop of Just Institutions.”

After my master’s, teaching was the first option that occurred to me. Therefore, I sought employment in higher-education-teaching and got employed as a lecturer. It has been a challenging yet enriching experience. I am still teaching in the same organization. I teach courses ranging from qualitative research methods to International Relations (IR). I enjoy teaching IR courses, and the most exciting thing about them is that my knowledge of political theory helps me have a profound understanding of global political issues.  

In addition to the intrigue of engaging in different philosophical debates, teaching various courses and applying my theoretical knowledge galvanize me to further advance my understanding. The important thing is that I want to produce coherent research along the lines of political and social theory. For this to happen, it is imperative to pursue a doctorate. If I get the chance to enter a doctorate, I shall research along the lines of the Theory of Justice, Liberal Rights, Marxist critique on liberal rights, etc. I am also writing a research paper on “The Moral Status of Potential Immigrants from the Rawlsian Original Position.” The topic has the potential to be converted into comprehensive doctorate research.

Numerous universities in the USA have excellent political theory faculty, and many are working in my area of interest. If I get the opportunity, I shall be able to pursue my interest in becoming a teacher and researcher. I have survived the events which could have instilled hopelessness in me. However, on the contrary, my determination shows that I have cultivated enough resilience to tread the trajectory toward my passion.

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Phd political science, iranian applicant, focus on persion gulf.

I want to devote my life to the cause of managing and preventing conflicts in the Middle East - and subsequently the world. While born in Iran, I had the privilege of living in Canada, and had the opportunity to attend a boarding school in Switzerland for my secondary education, helping to lay a foundation for a truly international consciousness through constant travel and interaction with people from around the world. Thereafter, I moved to the United States, attending universities at three cities across the country, further paving the way for the development of my identity as a global citizen.

Hassan Rouhani’s victory in the 2013 presidential elections in Iran brought unexpected hope and altered the trajectory of my life. While I intended to manage our family business in the area of international trade, the new era impelled me to seek a future in academia and politics. Ever since, I became deeply involved in research about Iran and focused my studies on Iranian foreign policy, nominally, the nuclear negotiation between Iran and the world powers, different facets of the relationship between Iran and the United States, as well as United States foreign policy towards the Middle East.

Following the completion of the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, regional tensions unexpectedly grew to a level rarely seen in the past. As my research was mainly focused on Iran’s foreign policy towards the West, in January 2016 I felt an urge to refocus my studies on the Persian Gulf and the Middle East region. My Master’s thesis, titled “Effectuating A Cooperative Future Between Iran and the Arab States of the Persian Gulf,” focused on fining ways to inhibit the escalation of current conflicts to perpetual ones, while at the same time, aims for more robust economic, social, and religious collaborations between Iran and its Arab neighbors. To broaden my audience, I translated the complete thesis in Farsi, and the Arabic version will be available early 2018.

I felt a gap in the productive analysis of the future of the Persian Gulf. The majority of the existing literature on the Persian Gulf region have focused on the importance of oil, the religious dimensions, and the proxy wars that have embroiled the Middle East as a whole. There has rarely been an analysis that differentiates Iran’s relations with its Arab neighbors, and subsequently, no blueprint exists for moving forward. I relied on the importance of understanding the merits of each bilateral relationship to better identify the past grievances, as well as the potential areas for greater cooperation.

Having heavily invested the past two years in the study of the Persian Gulf region, I feel it is only the beginning of my research in to this ever-important region, and I hope to pursue my PhD degree with a focus on Iran’s relationships with the Arab countries in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East as a whole. Furthermore, the principal question my research intends to answer is how to best formulate a regional architecture based on qualitative and quantitative methods in which the regional actors can address past grievances, and build on the cultural, religious, and economic ties that have existed for centuries. I now seek a much deeper understanding of the Persian Gulf Region from a broad variety of interdisciplinary perspective, in the ongoing search for trends in foreign policy decision makings and the opportunities that exist for dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences, and ways to secure a more cooperative future amongst countries in the region.

I feel that I am the best fit with the PhD Program at XXXX University because of both the focus and the flexibility of your program in addition to your world-class faculty. I have special admiration for the publications of Professor Daniel Corstange and it would be a special honor to learn directly from him given the fact that his main focus is on the Arab world which strongly complements my research. I also pay close attention to the research of Professor Robert Jervis who represents another potentially important resource for my dissertation.

In addition to the great faculty of the Political Science Department, it would be beneficial to take advantage of the distinguished professors at the School of International and Public Affairs. I have closely followed the efforts of Ambassador Luers to establish better relations between Iran and the United States, working through the Iran Project and its collaboration with the Atlantic Council’s Future of Iran Initiative. Additionally, it would be an especially great honor for me to develop a professional relationship with Professor Lawrence Potter whose research and practical experience dovetails nicely with my own research focus.

While I will always be Iranian, I seek to professionally serve the international community, as an academic, diplomat, peacemaker, and someone who builds bridges to the Middle East and helps to maintain them. Based on my past experiences and the need for peace in the most unstable region of the world, I feel called to build a career in the area of international relations and diplomacy, at least in part as a result of the great need that exists for negotiating and peace building between Iran and its neighbors. My sense of global citizenship and appreciation for the vast diversity of cultural and political expression has been enhanced by the fact that I have spent my life aiming for a better Iran, and subsequently its relations with the world.

During the first semester of my Master’s Program at XXXX University, I happily registered for a course titled “United States and Iran, from Conflict to Reconciliation”; and I developed a superb relationship with Professor XXXX, going on to become her Teaching Assistant for the same course as well as an undergraduate course titled “Iran and Middle East Conflicts.” I enjoy teaching and I could not be more committed to my goal of serving as a professor following the completion of my PhD program.

I feel strongly that my studies towards the Master’s Degree in International Affairs that I recently completed at American University, coupled with my experience at the Atlantic Council in Washington, as well as my work in Tehran, will help me to hit the ground running and excel in your rigorous PhD Program.

I have fresh, highly relevant professional experience that will help me to excel at Columbia University. At the Atlantic Council’s Future of Iran Initiative in Washington, where I started as an intern and was later promoted to Project Assistant, I

Ever since graduation in May 2017, I have assisted and advised several Iranian diplomats and I am currently a project assistant at the Foreign Ministry’s Institute for Political and International Studies in Tehran. Furthermore, I assisted my father in revamping our family business to better address the economic needs of Iran in the new era following the lifting of sanctions. At MehrIran International in Tehran, I serve as co-founder and Vice President. We collaborate with numerous domestic services in Iran, including foreign investment facilitation, international trade process, and other matters. I am personally responsible for conducting political risk analyses by effectively coordinating with foreign embassies in Tehran, as well as other international organizations based in places such as Qatar, Switzerland, Netherlands, Bulgaria, and Brazil. I have a long list of contacts most of which I established during my time in Washington that I have effectively used to broaden my impact.

I have been asked to publish a chapter on Iran’s foreign policy determinants for an upcoming book being published by the University of Leitz, Poland, in addition to publishing several chapters of my translated thesis in the Journal of International and Political Studies in Iran. Furthermore, I regularly write opinion pieces for the Atlantic Council website which are sometimes republished and translated to different languages by various sources around the world.  Furthermore, I was invited to present my research on “Barriers To A Cooperative Future Between Iran and the Arab States of the Persian Gulf” at the Tehran Security Conference in December 2017.

Another asset that I hope to bring to your program was the invaluable experience in the summer of last year in Geneva, Switzerland as a participant in the International Affairs and Multilateral Governance Summer Program. Peacemaking through diplomacy has always been my central focus, which is why I earned dual degrees as an undergraduate student, in Peace Studies as well as Political Science. For this reason, I am very keen on taking full advantage of the Center for International Conflict Resolution and Columbia.

I was highly active in Southern California with the United Nations Association which I co-founded a chapter in Orange and won a “Head Delegate Award” for my efforts, in addition to an Outstanding Delegate Award from the UNA Conference in Boston in November of 2011.

I thank you for considering my application for Phd in Political Science at XXXX University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

World Humanitarian Day 2016

Margo Conry Mckenzie,   Port St. Lucie, Florida 34986, USA

Statements of Excellence for Graduate School in Political Science

Sample Statement of Purpose for the MA in Political Science, Colombian, US Military Experience

I visit Colombia almost every year and like to think of myself as something of a Colombian expert in training. As both a Colombian, a member of the US Armed Forces, and an avid student of political conflict, I have long studied the civil war in Colombia with a profound sense of fascination driven by my concern for the very high levels of violence to which my people have been subjected for more than a half century. I have also closely followed the long and drawn out - but apparently, finally, more or less successful - peace process. I hope to continue to do so as a graduate student in your program, writing term papers on conflict in Colombia, as well as a host of other subjects that are related to this central interest. At the University of XXXX, I hope to better understand my land of origin and the challenges that it continues to face by learning as much as I can about political science and its relevance for our troubled times.

I will probably choose to pursue a career somewhere in the justice system. I treasure diversity and have strong feelings about equality, particularly with respect to employment at the federal level and the Armed Forces in particular. I am deeply troubled by the way in which minorities are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. While I understand the complexity of the underlying issues and the entrenched nature of the challenges involved, I still aspire to become part of a search for a sustainable solution to this great challenge. Now 28, my 10 years in the Navy enabled me to become fully American, a citizen, and a devoted public servant, with respect to both the US and my native Colombia. Nearly half of the sailors with whom I served had been born somewhere other than in the USA and I enjoyed this diversity enormously, learning about different cultures, peoples, and languages on a daily basis. Earning my Associates Degree in Sociology in May of 2013 and a Bachelors in Political Science in December of last year, 2016, I am eager to return to study and look forward to doing so full time.  I want to learn as much as I can about international politics and international conflict generally speaking.

At some point, I look forward to serving an organization that helps the disenfranchised, the at-risk. I could be a natural to help young Latino men avoid the criminal justice system, and/or helping those already caught up in the system to survive the experience. I look forward to continuing to return to Colombia on an annual basis and to furthering my engagement with social justice and peace building issues in my native land. In Colombia, the justice system is clearly divided along class lines and I look forward to paying special attention to social class and economic factors as they tend to play themselves out in a variety of conflictive parts of the world. Drug trafficking, kidnappings, and terrorism also top my list as intellectual interests. I could conceivably end up returning to law enforcement or even the US Armed Forces. For the moment, I look forward to playing with my little sister and studying full time for the next 2 years at the University of XXXX. I look forward to the time to devote myself to finding out who I am and locating myself in a complex web of issues and opportunities wherein I hope to someday make my maximum contribution to society, the United States, Colombia, and the world.  I thank you for considering my application.

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If your goal is to find employment as an academic once you graduate, the reputation and quality of your program and chosen supervisor matter A LOT. Research grad schools; indeed, treat this as your most important research task. Use the web, reference libraries, journals, and discussions with different professors and mentors. Your decision about where to apply and where to go really matter; contact the ones you're interested in. Grad schools compete for the best students, and will likely be eager to sell themselves to you. I suggest that you visit campuses; the wealthier schools may even pay your expenses for a visit.

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You will also need a highly eloquent Statement that portrays you as someone with enormous potential to contribute to the advance of Physics over the long term. After you fill out my  Online Interview Form , I will ask you some specific questions by email if I need any further information. Please also send your resume/CV and or rough draft if you have one.

The Humanitarian Side of Political Science

Helen Joanne "Jo" Cox was a  British Labour Party  politician that passed away in June 2016.

Cox was the  Member of Parliament  (MP) for the  Batley and Spen  constituency from May 2015 until  her death  13 months later in June 2016. She won the seat with an increased majority for Labour in the  2015 general election .

Cox was born in  Batley , West Yorkshire and studied  Social and Political Sciences  at Cambridge University. Working first as a political assistant, she then joined the international  humanitarian charity   Oxfam . There, she rose to become head of policy and advocacy at  Oxfam GB . She was selected to contest the Batley and Spen parliamentary seat after the previous incumbent decided not to stand during 2015.

After having held the seat for Labour, she became a campaigner on issues relating to the  Syrian Civil War . She founded and chaired the  all-party parliamentary group  Friends of Syria. An obituary appearing in  The Independent  on the day of her death described her as having "campaigned tirelessly for refugees".

On the 16 th of June 2016, Cox  died shortly after being shot and stabbed multiple times in  Birstall , where she had been due to hold a constituency surgery . A 52-year-old man was charged with her murder. He will stand trial under the  Terrorism Acts .

Hours after Labour MP Jo Cox was killed her husband Brendan made a statement saying that she had fought for "a better world".

She met her husband while working for Oxfam - where she met her husband. She was there for eight years, and it enabled her to show inspiring leadership and political intelligence, despite her remarkably young age, according to her former colleagues.

Cox's charity work took her around the world to tackle issues like poverty and maternal mortality—issues she previously helped put on the European Parliament, as a researcher for Glenys (now Baroness) Kinnock, who was an MEP during that time.

It was around 1997, when Ed Cairns, Oxfam's senior policy advisor, first met Cox—quickly coming to regard her as a "key contact" for the charity.

"She was about the greatest person I ever met, combining a humanitarian passion with political nous," he said. "It is very rare to have someone with as much political intelligence as Jo actually show you how you can achieve things in the real world."

Together, they worked to convince the EU to establish a new code of conduct in the arms trade, which was successfully adopted in 1998. In 2001, Cox started working for Oxfam. She quickly became head of the charity's Brussels office, where Mr Cairns said she dealt with "one humanitarian crisis after another".

Talking to the Huffington Post last year, Cox herself said: "I would jump on a plane and be in Kabul one week and then Darfur the next."

Oxfam's Max Lawson described her campaigning to end the conflict in Darfur as "particularly brilliant". "She was as a ball of energy, always smiling, full of new ideas, of idealism, of passion."

Together with Amnesty International, Cox also pushed for a global arms trade treaty, which was eventually adopted in 2014 after a decades-long campaign.

At the 2005 World Summit, she argued for the international community to agree a "responsibility to protect" and intervene when governments fail to stop crimes against their citizens and was successful.

Mr Cairns said no matter how many setbacks the charity encountered, Cox would always stay positive. "She was always the first to get over the dejection of a setback, and in about half a second she would say 'right, we are going to do something else', said Cairns. "She was completely committed to achieving something tangible rather than just saying the right things."

Cox herself told the BBC: "I've been in some horrific situations - where women have been raped repeatedly in Darfur, I've been with child soldiers who have been given a Kalashnikov and kill members of their own family in Uganda.

"That's the thing that all of that experience gave me - if you ignore a problem, it gets worse," she said.

In 2007, she moved to Oxfam's New York office and became head of humanitarian campaigning around the world until around 2009.

Cairns said she was instrumental in the publication of a "landmark book" called For a Safer Tomorrow, which analyzed how the world's humanitarian policies were changing. "She was remarkably young for such a senior position," said Cairns.

"But she had a brilliant touch with everybody that she managed, she really encouraged people and was a great, motivating people manager.”

Cox left Oxfam in 2009 and became the director of ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown's wife Sarah's Maternal Mortality Campaign, which campaigns for women's right in the developing world. Even when she moved into politics, she continued to work as a strategy consultant for Save the Children and then the NSPCC.

Such an inspiring career, but such a tragic ending. Will you have a story like this to tell when you retire? We want you to do yourself proud. To fight for your passions and be brilliant. That´s why we support people as they express themselves during the admissions process. We wouldn´t want someone amazing to fall through the cracks. Get in touch if you´d like our support.

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