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Application Requirements

In addition to the electronic application, the following information is required for an application file:
  • Personal Statement: A brief statement responding to the following with roughly a paragraph each.

    • Purdue focuses on seven areas of concentration in sociology: family; health, aging, and the life course; law and society; social inequality: class, gender, race/ethnicity, and sexuality; social movements and political sociology; sociology of religion; and work and organizations. In which area(s) are you most interested and what draws you to these areas?

    • Our program emphasizes training for academic positions and non-academic positions involving social science research. Describe how this training fits with your career goals.

    • Describe any skills you have developed or experiences you have had that have helped you prepare for graduate study in sociology.

    • [optional] Provide any additional information that you feel would help us in evaluating your application.

  • Writing Sample: A sample of written work in English (e.g., a senior thesis, term paper, or published paper) providing evidence of potential independent research and writing.

  • Grades: You must upload a transcript(s) and/or academic document(s) for every institution of higher education you attended regardless of whether or not a degree was received. The uploaded transcript and/or academic document must be from the official version of the document, i.e. it must bear the original signature of the registrar and/or the original seal of the issuing institution. For tips about uploading your transcripts click here. A minimum of 3.0 ("B") undergraduate cumulative GPA is required for admission.

  • Letters: Three letters of recommendation are required. The letters should be from persons who can assess your academic and scholarly potential.

  • CV: A current curriculum vitae.

  • International applications only - English Proficiency Scores: International applicants are required to submit proof of English proficiency.  We accept the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum TOELFiBIT English Speaking score is 25 and the minimum IELTS score is 6.5, though exceptions may be made in special cases. For more information see this page.

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores: GRE scores are not required for an application submission but are required to be considered for some fellowships.