Applicant FAQs
Who should I ask for a reference? Can I use professional references?
Two references are required. Every effort should be made to obtain academic references, especially if you have completed any kind of studies (full degree/diploma, individual courses for interest or upgrading, etc.) within the last few years. Academic referees should be current or past instructors (not teaching assistants) who can attest to your research and writing abilities. Academic references are preferred by the Admissions Committee, so even if you can obtain one academic reference instead of two, this will help. If any academic references are not possible, use professional reference(s).
Do I need to contact a faculty member in advance or to find my own advisor?
It is not necessary to find a supervisor at the time of application. In Sociology, the Graduate Chair is the supervisor pro tem for all students. MA students select their supervisor at the end of their first term in the program; PhD students select their supervisor in their first year of study. To ensure that there is someone in the department suitable to supervise you, we encourage you to explore our Finding a Supervisor webpage and note your interest in particular faculty members in your statement.
What should I include in my statement?
How much are tuition and fees? How much funding can I expect to receive?
Do you have January admissions (or at any time other than September)?
I have missed the application deadline - can I still apply?
I forgot to include some information on my application/need to make a change. What should I do?
I have submitted my on-line application, including all supporting documents. What happens now?
Once you have completed the application, your admission average is calculated and the review process begins. Our Graduate Chair, Department Chair, and four additional tenured professors serve on our Admissions Committee.
PhD files are reviewed by faculty members whose area(s) of research interest match those of the applicant and then by the Admissions Committee; MA files are reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee considers all relevant and applicable information including, but not limited to, grades, references, statement, and compatibility with faculty research.
Results of admission decisions will be sent by email. Successful applicants will receive an Offer of Admission from the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies as well as a funding letter from the Program. Successful international students will also receive a Letter of Acceptance from the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
When can I expect to hear the decision on my application?
How will you communicate my decision/information to me?
How do I accept (or decline) my Offer of Admission?
Successful applicants must accept or decline their offer on-line. The web link and instructions will appear on your formal Offer of Admission from the School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies. Instructions are also available on the School of Graduate and Postodoctoral Studies web site (see 4. APPLY Passwords and Access). This step is important even if you are declining the offer as it allows us to extend offers of admission to applicants on waiting lists.
Once you click to accept or decline your offer of admission, a message will appear on your screen to indicate you have successfully accepted (or declined) and this is the only confirmation you will receive. If you are unsure whether you successfully accepted your offer of admission, you can go through the process again; once you have accepted your offer it no longer appears. Therefore, if your offer still appears you did not successfully accept or decline.