Frequently Asked Questions
Political Science
How does the Admissions Committee evaluate an application?
The Admissions Committee carefully considers all parts of the application. They pay particular attention to your past academic performance, rigor of the course selection, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, professional goals statement, writing sample, and professional experience.
Do I have to take the GRE, and if so, what score is required for admission?
All applicants must take the GRE. It provides us with a standard measurement for all applicants. Typically, admitted students have an 1100 combined GRE verbal and quantitative score or better for the master’s program and a 1200 combined GRE verbal and quantitative score for the PhD program.
Whom should I ask to write my letters of recommendation? Is there a particular form or format for the letters of recommendation?
If possible, you should request academic letters of recommendation from past professors. If this is not possible, then letters from supervisors or from individuals that can assess your intellectual aptitude for a graduate program will be sufficient.
The application includes a recommendation form that you may provide to the individuals who will be writing recommendations. Although the form is not required, we do recommend that the form be used. Most frequently the form is completed and the recommendation writer attaches a personal letter to the form.
After you complete the top segment of each of the three recommendation forms, please give them to the individuals writing letters of recommendation for you. As a part of the self-managed application process, please ask them to place their recommendations in envelopes addressed to you, and you will forward them to the Office of Graduate Admission, unopened, with the rest of your supporting application documents. If letters are sent without the recommendation form, be certain that your recommendation writers identify you and the program for which you are applying clearly in the letter.
What is the Admissions Committee looking for in a professional goals statement?
The goals statement should be 750 to 1,000 words. Please print your name and birth date on the goals statement if it is sent in separately from the application so that we will be able to link this to your on-line application.
For Master’s and Doctoral Students: Please include in the goals statement a description of your personal qualities and development and how they have influenced your career choice; discuss your reasons for considering this particular degree program in relation to your academic background, professional work experience, and career goals; and tell us your reasons for selecting this program at George Mason University.
Doctoral Applicants Only: In the goals statement above, tell us the fields in which you expect to do doctoral study and research, describe how these interests have been influenced by your prior education, research, or work experience, let us know why you are considering a career in an academic, or research setting, and include any other information that will be relevant for evaluating your motivation to study and conduct research at the doctoral level.
What about a writing sample?
Applicants to the master’s program are strongly encouraged to submit a writing sample in addition to the professional goals statement. PhD applicants are required to submit a writing sample in addition to the professional goals statement.
The writing samples may be in the form of a sole-authored academic paper, published article, professional proposal, evaluation, or report. The ideal writing sample would demonstrate both your writing and analytical abilities. It should have a clearly articulated thesis statement and make an argument that analyzes the topic, rather than just describing it. There is not a required length for the writing sample.
How do I apply and where do I send my application materials?
We recommend that you apply electronically by using the online application form. You may access the online form at http://admissions.gmu.edu/. The paper application form may also be downloaded from the same web site.
If you apply using the online application, your application will be sent electronically to the Office of Graduate Admissions for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS).
We highly recommend that you apply online and follow the self-managed application process to submit all other application support materials. The self-managed application process requires applicants to collect and submit in a standard 9-by-12-inch envelope all supporting documents, e.g.: official transcripts (in official sealed envelopes), letters of recommendation (in sealed-envelopes), goals statement, writing sample, and resume. Please contact ETS to request that GRE scores be sent electronically to George Mason University.
Alternately, if you apply using the paper application, please submit the paper application and all supporting documents in a standard 9-by-12-inch envelope to the address below. In the return address field on the envelope, please print your name, address, program, and term for which you are applying.
Office of Graduate Admissions
College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)
George Mason University
4400 University Dr., MS: 2D2
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Please note: the Mail Stop Number (MS: 2D2) is a crucial piece of information in the address of the graduate admissions office for the college. If any of your support documents are sent separately to the university, make sure that the Mail Stop Number is included in the address. Failure to follow this procedure will result in processing delays or lost documents.
How can I check to be sure all of my application materials have been received?
Given the number of applications and support documentation the admissions office receives, we ask that you wait at least three weeks to check the status of your application. Once we have processed your application, you may check your admissions status online at http://admissions.gmu.edu/apps/appstatus.htm.
Alternately, you may reach the CHSS Graduate Admissions Office at chssgrad@gmu.edu, or 703-993-3699.
May I attend as a part-time student? May I change my status from full-time to part-time or from part-time to full time?
Yes, you may attend as a part-time student. You may also change your status as a part-time or full-time status at any time, and no paperwork is required for change of status.
How many classes/credits are considered full-time?
A full-time course load is three classes (nine credits). We recommend that a student not take more than 4 classes (12 credits) per semester.
If a student holds a full-time assistantship (20 hours a week), two classes (six credits) is considered full-time.
Graduate students who are enrolled in dissertation credits (either 998 or 999) are considered full-time, if they are enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester, regardless of whether they hold an assistantship.
How long does it take to complete the masters program?
How fast a student completes the program depends on how many classes a student takes per semester. However, master’s degree students have six years to complete their degree from the time of first enrollment as a degree-seeking student. Failure to complete the degree within the time limit, or to secure approval of an extension, may result in termination from the program.
If a student fails to enroll in at least 1 credit of course work for two or more consecutive semesters at Mason, the student will have to obtain permission to re-enroll in the program.
How long does it take to complete the PhD program?
How fast a student completes the PhD program depends on how many courses are taken per semester, if the student has received a course reduction based on an earned master’s degree, and how long it takes to write the dissertation. Doctoral students have six years from the time of first enrollment as a degree-seeking student to advance to candidacy. Students have five years from the time of advancement to candidacy to meet graduation requirements. Failure to meet the time limits, or to secure approval of an extension, may result in termination from the program.
What kind of financial aid is available to me?
The department offers a few, very competitive teaching and research assistantships. An applicant applies to be considered for an assistantship in the application (paper or online).
Other opportunities for financial aid may be found through on the college website at http://chss.gmu.edu/grad/funding.php or through the George Mason Office of Financial Aid at http://financialaid.gmu.edu (you may call them at 703-993-2353).
Do you offer political science courses in the summer?
There are a limited number of political science courses offered in the summer. You also have the opportunity to take courses outside the department for your electives during the summer months or to do an independent study. Please contact your academic advisor with any questions about course selection.
