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Apply to Our Program

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Political Science at Purdue University. We admit students to begin in the Fall semester each year. The Application deadline for entry in Fall 2025 is December 15, 2024.  

Please follow the guidelines listed below for the fastest, most accurate way to apply to the Purdue Political Science Graduate Program.     For questions about the admissions process, please contact polgradcoordinator@purdue.edu. 

 

Steps to submit an application

When applying, the following items should be submitted through the Purdue University Graduate School website.

1. Application

2. Application fee

3. An Academic Statement of Purpose and a Personal History Statement. Click for full instructions for the two statements. 

  • The Academic Statement of Purpose is an opportunity for you to share information that will help reviewers understand your academic interests and objectives, assess your academic background, preparation and training, and determine if you are a good match to the program to which you are applying.
  • The Personal History Statement helps reviewers learn more about you as a whole person and as a potential graduate student. This may include relevant details on community service, leadership roles, participation in diverse teams, and significant barriers that you overcame to attend graduate school.  

4. An academic writing sample 

  • The writing sample should be an academic paper or research report that displays the your writing and analytical skills.

5. Three letters of recommendation from those able to comment on your preparation for PhD level work. 

6. Official GRE/TOEFL scores

The GRE is recommended, although the requirement has been waived by the department for the Fall 2023 admissions cycle.  Please be aware that some competitive fellowship programs in the College and University require GRE scores as part of the nomination materials, including the newly established College of Liberal Arts Dean's Graduate Fellowship program. 

Purdue's GRE code is 1631.

International students are required to submit English proficiency scores. Minimum scores for the internet-based TOEFL exam include an overall score of 100 or greater with minimums in each component of 22 (writing), 27 (speaking), 22 (listening), and 22 (reading).  Minimums for the Duolingo scores are 130 overall, with a subscore minimum of 120 in each component of Comprehension, Production, Conversation, and Literacy. The minimum for TOEFL Essentials is an overall score of 11 with a minimum of 11 in each of the components.

Please submit official transcripts to the address listed below:

Purdue University
Office of Graduate Admissions
Purdue University Graduate School
155 South Grant Street, YONG 170
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Phone: (765) 494-2600
Fax: (765) 494-0136
Email submission: gradadm@purdue.edu  

Detailed instructions for submitting transcripts can be found on the Graduate school page by following this link:  www.purdue.edu/gradschool/admissions/how-to-apply/apply-transcripts.html  

Thank you for your interest. We look forward to receiving your application.