The School's Ph.D. program is interdisciplinary in its approach. The program is organized into two clusters. Each cluster requires exceptional quantitative skills, which should be demonstrated by completion of advanced-level mathematics courses such as single and multivariable calculus, linear algebra, advanced statistics, and econometrics. In addition, the admissions committee expects candidates to perform well on the quantitative section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as further evidence of mathematical ability. Both clusters expect a strong social science preparation and evidence of successful performance in political science, economics, or sociology. The Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy cluster requires a strong background in science or another undergraduate major with a minor in a scientific field. Although not required, most successful applicants have completed a master's degree program in a field related to their research interests.

The factors that most influence the decision to admit candidates to the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Affairs program are:

• Candidates' previous academic preparation for the program.
• Candidates' evidence of ability to conduct and sustain original research.
• The availability of WWS faculty members to advise doctoral candidates.
• Whether the applicant's research goals fit areas of research expertise of WWS faculty.

• Security Studies
• Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy
   

The application. Submit the application electronically on or before December 1st.

Availability of faculty. Although Ph.D. applicants are not required to indicate the faculty with whom they hope to study, the applicant's career statement should show sufficient familiarity with the WWS doctoral program to enable the Ph.D. committee to understand the likely match between a candidate's research interests and faculty with whom those interests would be best supervised. Woodrow Wilson School faculty hold joint academic appointments with the School and other academic departments, and advise Ph.D. students in both capacities. Faculty are usually on sabbatical leave every third year and some may leave for longer periods when affiliated with research organizations or while employed by government or nongovernmental agencies. Each year, strong candidates are not selected to the Ph.D. program simply because faculty are committed to other enrolled Ph.D. candidates or to other projects that do not allow them to advise another Ph.D. student. 

Academic background. Since the School's Ph.D. program requires strong quantitative skills and previous coursework in social sciences or science, applicants first should determine whether they have the academic background to be a successful candidate. Each year, almost half of all Ph.D. candidates have not taken the advanced math courses or sufficient social science or science courses to qualify for the doctoral program.

Résumé. Résumés should be presented in sufficient detail so that the admissions committee has an accurate picture of applicant interests and activities as an undergraduate, any internships during school or during the summer, and subsequent professional employment. If applicants have published or co-authored papers as an undergraduate or graduate student or as a professional, they should list those accomplishments and any academic honors. There is no minimum or maximum length, but usually one or two pages will suffice.

Ph.D. career statement. The career statement is a critical piece of information in the admissions process. Most applicants do not provide the depth of information we seek. The admissions committee wants to know the motivation for applying to the Ph.D. program -- what factors in the applicant's previous academic, personal, and professional background are leading him or her toward the doctoral degree. Applicants should also identify the kinds of courses and curriculum they want to take as doctoral students. These courses will be likely to include selections in politics, economics, sociology, psychology, or other social science and science departments depending on the academic cluster chosen. The Woodrow Wilson School's Ph.D. program relies more on the Ph.D. curriculum of affiliated academic departments than on the master's degree curriculum for the M.P.A. and M.P.P. programs. The career statement should also identify the applicant's professional aspirations following completion of the Ph.D. program.

Research paper. Faculty will assess the quality of writing and the promise for original research based on the submission of a 20- to 25-page paper from a previous course or professional assignment. The length of the paper is not as important as the quality of the work. Students applying to the STEP cluster should submit examples that verify their writing skills and scientific knowledge.

References. As a general rule, the more selective the admission process becomes, the more weight letters of reference carry in the evaluation. Applicants should select faculty who are willing to describe the applicant's academic skills and research abilities in depth and can make the strongest possible recommendation. Professional references should be able to evaluate past accomplishments within that organization and to estimate the applicant's future contributions to the profession.

GRE. All applicants must take the GRE. The admissions committee evaluates first and foremost academic transcripts and whether the applicants have challenged themselves and excelled in their studies. GRE scores supplement this evaluation and usually confirm all other evidence that indicates a high level of scholarship and competency. Princeton's GRE code is 2672; no departmental code is needed. To register for the GRE, contact ETS at 1-800-GRE-CALL or www.gre.org. Applicants should take the GRE before the application deadline, but historically we have received score reports in time to be considered as part of an application even for tests taken in December.

TOEFL/IELTS. English language test scores are required for all international application whose native language is not English. Additional information about these tests is available on this site.