Introductory Letter to Prospective Students

Department of Political Science
BOX 353530
Seattle, WA 98195-3530
Phone: (206) 543-1891
Email: polsgrad@u.washington.edu
Web Site: http://www.polisci.washington.edu

Dear Prospective Student,

Thank you for your interest in the University of Washington Department of Political Science. Because our focus at the graduate level is on preparation for professional teaching and research, we seek students who intend to complete the PhD and who will contribute to and benefit from our challenging program. To this end, we encourage applications from prospective students who hail from a wide diversity of personal backgrounds, academic disciplines, and intellectual experiences.

These web pages (and numerous downloadable versions of the same) provide you with essential details about the application process, including information on our admissions criteria, recent admittees, and tuition and fees. Be attentive and thoughtful in constructing your application. The materials you submit will significantly contribute to our knowledge of you as a potential graduate student and professional. In particular, I encourage you to provide us with as full a statement as possible concerning your academic background-including your particular intellectual interests, areas of specialized study, research experience, methodological skills, and the like-and plans or goals for study in the Department of Political Science at the University of Washington.

Please note that our application process requires that you take responsibility for submission of all application materials. Completed applications must be postmarked by December 15. Scores for the GRE and TOEFL (if required) must be sent directly by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the University of Washington Graduate Admissions Office and the Political Science Department. It is your responsibility to confirm that we have received your scores by the admission deadline. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

For further information or assistance with the completion of your application, contact Susanne Recordon, the Graduate Program Assistant, at (206) 543-1898 or via email at polsgrad@u.washington.edu. We look forward to receiving your application.

Sincerely,

Stephen J. Majeski
Professor and Chair