Step 2

You will need to upload PDF copies of your official transcripts to make them available for processing by the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you are admitted and accept admission, you will need to provide official copies.

Transcripts are uploaded through the Office of Graduate Admissions’ Status Check website. Here is the information sheet on uploading transcripts.

Whether GRE scores are required or optional depends on your subfield of interest. Applicants interested in political theory are required to send their GRE scores to the Office of Graduate Admissions. For applicants interested in comparative politics, international relations, political methodology, or public law, we strongly recommend that they submit scores. Scores do not have to be official; they may be uploaded as “Miscellaneous Admissions Documents.” If you choose not to submit GRE scores, we do ask that you demonstrate the technical and communication skills necessary to succeed at doing research – e.g., transcripts showing quantitative-oriented courses, letters that speak to your abilities in this regard, and/or writing samples showing experience with research methods.

International students must have their TOEFL scores sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. International applicants who are from a qualifying country are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, applicants are exempt from the requirement if they possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or a qualifying country. Note that the requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master’s—but not a bachelor’s—degree from a similar institution.

We highly recommend that you complete the application, upload your transcripts and have your test scores sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions as early as possible.

Consult the Office of Graduate Admissions' admissions website for questions about transcripts or test scores.