Admissions

Applications for admission to the Sociology PhD program in Fall 2023 are now open, with the application deadline set for December 15th, 2022.  All application materials must be submitted via the online application portal, which can be accessed here:

       PhD Program Applications

New GRE Policy:  Please be aware that the department has decided that, beginning with the upcoming Fall 2023 admissions cycle, we will no longer require or accept GRE scores as part of the admissions application to our PhD program. Applicants will not have the option to submit GRE scores during the application process.  Complete details of the materials required (or optional) in the PhD program application can be found below.

Detailed information on Application Materials

All application materials are submitted through the online application portal, and must be received by the December 15th deadline.  Any materials submitted after the deadline may not be reviewed by the admissions committee. 

Required Application Materials:

• Application Fee (application fees are paid online via credit card only)
• Statement of Purpose
  • Typically 1 - 2 pages in length.
• Resume/CV
• Copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions are required.
  • The exception is if the class, and its grade, appear on another school’s transcript that is already being uploaded to your application.
  • This includes partial post-secondary education, where a degree was not completed.
  • Please do not send official transcripts to the Sociology Department, an 'unofficial' copy of your transcript is sufficient for the application process.
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
  • Applicants may submit a maximum of three (3) letters of recommendation.
  • Applicants will enter contact information for recommenders, recommenders will be sent a link that is used to upload their letter of recommendation.
  • If you intend to use Interfolio to submit letters of recommendation, please check with Interfolio as to how this process is managed (our department cannot assist with this).
  • Letters must be received by December 15^th deadline.
• One (1) Writing Sample
  • Social scientific papers are preferred, but not required.
  • Should be a maximum of 30 pages in length, including all appendices.
  • Applicant must be the sole-author of the writing sample.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required for all applicants who are not native English speakers (exception noted below).  Minimum score is 100 on the internet-based test (iBT). Official scores must be taken no more than two (2) years before the intended quarter of entry and must come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). While TOEFL is the preferred test, we do accept IELTS scores and require a minimum overall score of 7.0. Official IELTS scores must be no more than two (2) years before the intended quarter of entry and must come from IELTS directly.
  • We strongly recommend that you include a copy of your unofficial score report with your online application.  Applications are not marked complete until an official score has arrived from ETS/IELTS to the Graduate School.  All material must be received by the December 15th deadline to avoid delays with your application.
  • The Graduate School (TGS) will waive this English language testing requirement for applicants who have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction. These applicants do not need to submit TOEFL scores in their application.

Optional Application Materials

• Diversity Statement (for U.S. Citizens only)
• Cluster Statement
  • Upload statement under Cluster Statement.
• Quantitative Fellowship Statement*
  • Upload as Supplemental Document 1.
  • Must include "Quantitative Fellowship Statement" at the top of the page.
• Data Science Fellowship Statement* 
  • Upload as Supplemental Document 2.
  • Must include "Data Science Fellowship Statement" at the top of the page.