ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES FOR NEW STUDENTS
updated November, 2007

Deadlines:

For applicants to the Ph.D Program:

• Fall 2010 admission without aid: February 1 , 2010
  
• Fall 2010 admission with financial aid: February 1, 2010
  
  Applicants seeking funding from the program should apply by February 1.
  All university-wide and most department awards are decided
  at this time.
  

For applicants to the M.A. Program:

• Fall 2010 admission: February 1, 2010
  
  Please note that M.A. students are not eligible for funding from the program.
  Applications to the M.A. Program will not be considered until after the March 15 deadline.

Those interested in applying to the Political Science Program may go to the Admissions Office webpage and either download the application or apply online.

In addition to meeting the general University requirements for admission, the applicant must present a minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate work in acceptable courses in Political Science, History, Economics, or related fields.

All applicants to the Program are required to take the General Test of  the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) . In addition, all students applying from countries in which English is not the primary language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) .

The PhD program accepts a maximum of 21 credits from other graduate programs, and the MA program accepts a maximum of 12 credits from other graduate programs.  Transfer credit evaluations are made during the student's first semester.

Those individuals who want to find out more about admission to the Program should contact Deputy Executive Officer Professor Eva Belling (email: ebellin@gc.cuny.edu).

Helpful Tips for Program Applicants from the Admissions Committee:

1. Please make sure that you provide two academic references from professors who can attest to your scholarly ability and performance.
2. GRE scores do matter. The Program never waives them, so arrange to take GREs in time to meet the application deadline.
3. Your statement of purpose should discuss your research interests and the work you would like to do as a political scientist. We are interested in how you view yourself as a future professional.
4. Carefully edit your statement of purpose. We are interested in your ability to write well and communicate ideas persuasively.
5. We will not review incomplete applications.  Make sure that all supporting materials are received in time to meet the application deadline.