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 2026 is December 7, 2025.  

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

Steps for submitting an application

Submit your application through the Purdue University Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars.  Click here to create your account and submit your application.

The materials you will need are: 

1. Application

2. Application fee

Application fee waivers are available for specific circumstances as explained here. Please note the Department of Political Science does not have the authority to waive the application fee.

3. An Academic Statement of Purpose and a Personal History Statement  

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. 

 Detailed instructions for the two statements can be found here. 

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

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

6.  English Proficiency for International Students  - International applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English proficiency as explained on this webpage. 

International students who are citizens of an English-speaking country, or have earned a recent degree from a school where English is the primary language of instruction in a country/location where English is the native language, may qualify for a waiver as per this website.

International students who do not qualify for a waiver are required to submit English proficiency scores.  Please note that the Political Science department's minimum score requirements are higher than those of the Graduate School.

7. Transcripts

Please submit transcripts to the following address:

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  

Official transcript(s), bearing the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution, are preferred.  An unofficial transcript can be accepted so long as it comes from the institution and was not printed from a student account.  If you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts and/or academic document(s) from every institution of higher education you attended (regardless of whether or not a degree was received) before you can register for your third session.

Detailed instructions for submitting transcripts can be found here. 

GRE: The GRE is not required by the Department of Political Science. Please be aware that some competitive fellowship programs in the College and University, including the newly established College of Liberal Arts Dean's Graduate Fellowship program strongly encourage GRE scores as part of the nomination materials.  Purdue's GRE code is 1631.

Questions?  Please review our Frequently Asked Questions. 

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

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