Political Science PhD
Yale University Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences · New Haven, CT
- Field: Political Science & International Relations
- Degrees: PhD
- Application fee: $105
- GRE: Required
- Letters: 3 (recommendations)
Deadlines
- PhD application, fall 2027: Dec. 15, 2026
- Final day to submit a GSAS fee waiver request: Jan. 2, 2027
Essays
Personal statement (No more than 1,000 words)
(1) discuss their motivation for conducting research, (2) provide a detailed summary of their research experience and training and how it prepares them for doctoral study in their proposed program, (3) the topic(s) they plan to study in graduate school and how they would approach those questions, and (4) why Yale is a good fit given their interests.
Writing sample (No page limit; need not be a political science paper)
Résumé/CV
Editor's notes
- Yale's 1,000-word personal statement has four parts: why you want to do research, a detailed account of your research experience and training, the topics you plan to study and how, and why Yale fits. Give each part real space rather than spending most of the words on motivation. The writing sample has no page limit and need not be political science, so choose the piece that best shows how you think. You must also pick one of eight primary subfields, the GRE is required, and the department does not schedule pre-admission meetings, though you may contact faculty yourself if you plan to visit.
