Application Information
Our PhD program accepts applications starting in September each year, with submissions made online through the Laney Graduate School. We are currently not offering an MS-only program.
The application deadline is 11:59 pm EST on December 1st.
The Laney Graduate School is offering an application fee waiver this year. The Laney Graduate School (LGS) will waive the $75 fee for all applicants.
What you need to apply
- Transcripts (unofficial can be used for our review processes)
- Recommenders Email Addresses: As part of the online application process, you’ll need to request three (3) letters of recommendation, which your recommenders will submit online. You can send these requests to your recommenders even before finalizing your application. If a recommender cannot use the online system, please reach out to the program for guidance.
- Faculty Interest: Applicants should clearly demonstrate their intellectual alignment with at least three graduate faculty members: at least two core graduate faculty in their chosen field and one or two affiliated faculty who can support their intellectual development and research project.
- Statement of Purpose: The Statement of Purpose provides an opportunity for you to convey to the admissions committee how your academic, professional and/or research experiences have motivated and prepared you for a multidisciplinary doctoral program. You should express why you have chosen your particular field(s) of interest, discuss your tentative plans for graduate research, as well as your intended career plans. Describe your involvement in relevant advanced courses and research projects or practical experience and describe the extent to which you were intellectually and independently involved in them. Keep in mind that this is not a test of your creative writing skills. Statements should contain substantive, applicable information that will assist the admissions committee in determining whether or not you are well-suited for doctoral study. Committees will be searching for students who demonstrate a firm commitment to research and who express a genuine interest in the proposed field of scientific study. There are no word or page limits, however, we recommend that the statement of purpose be no longer than two pages double-spaced. This is only a recommendation, and your statement of purpose can be longer, if needed. We discourage the use of any A.I platform to guide you in writing your statement.
- Writing Sample: A writing sample can take various forms, including published or unpublished academic articles, opinion pieces, and research projects completed for class. Any substantial piece that showcases the applicant's research skills and writing competence will be deemed acceptable. While applicants are encouraged to provide a writing sample that effectively demonstrates their proficiency in essential writing and scientific communication, there is no expectation for them to have previously published academic journal articles.
Your written work is an essential component of your application and will be closely evaluated by the Admissions Committee. We look forward to reading your submission and learning more about your intellectual journey and research ambitions.
Language Proficiency: In instances where English is not the first language and the primary language of instruction is other than English, TOEFL or IELTS scores are required. To submit TOEFL scores, our institution code is 5187 (no department code is needed). Many programs also accept the IELTS exam. If the student’s language of instruction is in English, the TOEFL or IELTS scores are not required.
Timeline for ESS PhD Admissions
Review of applications is integrative and focuses on multiple dimensions of applicants: from their research interests, personal path, academic achievements, and potential for scholarly contribution to the field. The PhD admissions timeline begins in the fall, with applications due between September to December 1st. The program will spend the early months of the year reviewing submissions, assessing fit between applicants and faculty mentors, and conducting interviews on a subset of suitable applicants. Offers are generally extended by late February through March. This process ensures a thorough evaluation of each candidate’s readiness for doctoral study.
Evaluation of Candidates
Our program takes a comprehensive approach to evaluating applicants, considering a range of criteria to identify individuals who will thrive in our program and contribute to their fields. Our evaluation process is designed to assess not only academic preparation but also an applicant's scholarly potential; alignment with program academic, scholarly, and research opportunities; non-traditional learning experiences; leadership or community involvement; and grit; resilience; self-awareness; and collaboration.