The application deadline for admission in Fall 2023 is December 15, 2022. Follow this link to apply.
A complete application consists of:
- An application form and fee.
- An academic statement of purpose (1,000 words) and a personal statement (500 words) responding to the prompts below.
- A sample of your written work, such as a paper you wrote for a political science course.
- Transcripts from every college or university you have attended, whether or not you earned a degree there.
- A minimum of three letters of reference.
- If English is not your first language, please submit your TOEFL score reports to the University of Illinois – institution code number 1836.
For applications due in December 2022, the Department of Political Science will not require GRE scores and will not consider GRE scores as part of an applicant's record.
Academic Statement of Purpose
Please use the Academic Statement of Purpose to describe (within 1000 words): (1) the substantive scholarly questions you are interested in exploring in graduate study, (2) your academic background, intellectual interests, and any training, research, or other experiences that have prepared you for graduate study, (3) how our program would help you achieve your intellectual goals, (4) any specific faculty members, if applicable, whose research interests align with your own interests, and (5) your professional goals.
Personal Statement
The University of Illinois strives to cultivate graduates and future alumni to be responsible citizens and leaders who value knowledge, creativity, global awareness, and social and cultural understanding. We invite applicants to describe their potential contribution to the institution and alignment with our strategic priorities to create “an institution committed to excellence in discovery, teaching, and research, and a climate where all can achieve their highest aspirations in a safe and welcoming environment.”
Please use the Personal Statement to describe (within 500 words) how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Provide insight on your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively together.
Please submit all your application materials through the UIUC Graduate College's online application process. Do not mail them to our department. Your references will be prompted by an automated email message to upload their letters. If they are unable to do so, they may send their letters to the address below:
Department of Political Science
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Attn. Graduate Admissions
420 David Kinley Hall MC-713
1407 W Gregory Dr
Urbana IL 61801
If you have questions about the graduate admissions process, please contact ps-gradoffice@illinois.edu.