Admission FAQ's
1.
I'm interested in getting a Master's …
2. What is the average GRE score of your
applicants and of those admitted to the program? What
is the average GPA?
3: What is the cut-off point for GRE scores
and GPA?
4: How many are admitted to your program
each year?
5: How many apply?
6. Can I apply to start in the winter or
spring?
7: I was an econ (history, English, French,
biology, et. al.) major. Can I apply?
8: I am interested in … (fill in
the blank) … . Are any faculty studying that?
9: I will need financial aid. How does
that work?
10: How long does the program typically
take?
1. I'm interested in getting a Master's …
We do not offer a terminal Master’s Degree program.
2. What is the average GRE score of your
applicants and of those admitted to the program? What
is the average GPA?
Average GRE scores of all applicants in 2009 were: Verbal
710; Quantitative 620; and Analytical 5.5 for
tests taken after October 2008. The average scores for
those admitted on the University Fellowship were: Verbal
680; Quantitative 720; and Analytical 5.0 for
tests taken after June 2008. The average undergraduate
GPA of all applicants in 2009 was 3.7. The average of
those admitted was 3.8.
3: What is the cut-off point for GRE scores and GPA?
There is no cut-off point. Along with test scores and
GPA, the admissions committee will look closely at your
statement of purpose, writing sample, transcript, and
your letters of recommendation. Before making its admission
recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate School,
the committee considers carefully all pieces of each
applicant’s file. For international students whose
native language is not English, the TOEFL is required.
You must score at least 600 or higher on the paper-based test, 250 or higher on the computer-based test, 100 or higher on the internet based test. For the IELTS, you must receive a score of 7.0 or higher.
4: How many are admitted to your program each year?
We usually admit about 25 people each year. Our goal
is to have a cohort size of 13.
5: How many apply?
For Fall 2009 admission we had 232 applicants.
6. Can I apply to start in the winter or spring?
No. All applications must be for fall admission. The
application deadline is December 31 of the preceding
year.
7: I was an econ (history, English, French,
biology, et. al.) major. Can I apply?
Yes, although it helps if you have had sociology courses.
Our cohorts traditionally have diverse academic backgrounds.
What they share is a current passion for sociology.
8: I am interested in … (fill in
the blank) … . Are any faculty studying that?
Please review the list of faculty interests in our brochure
and on our Web site. If you find someone who seems to
have a similar interest, feel free to contact them for
more information. In general, the Department’s
strengths include sociology of culture, social organization,
social inequality, and comparative-historical sociology,
as explained in the brochure and on the Web site.
9: I will need financial aid. How does
that work?
The Graduate School offers full tuition and a stipend to all students accepted to the PhD program for the first several years. Please see Graduate School Financial Aid or contact the Graduate School (847-491-5279) for the most current information.
Some of our entering students have received fellowships
from the National Science Foundation, the Diversifying Faculty in Higher Education Fellowship, the Jacob K. Javits
Program, the American Sociological Association, or the
Ford Foundation, to name a few. In such an event, the
Department will take steps to ensure that the student
receives any supplemental support from Northwestern
necessary to make the outside award comparable to Northwestern’s
fellowship. The Department strongly encourages prospective
and current students to seek opportunities for outside
funding.
Minority students should either contact or peruse the
Web site of The Graduate School's office of Multicultural Affairs for funding opportunities.
10: How long does the program typically take?
The Graduate School requires doctoral students to be
admitted to candidacy prior to the beginning of the student's fourth year,
and to complete the PhD in eight years. Typically, our
students have taken seven to nine years to complete
the program. In an effort to shorten the time to degree,
in 2001 the Graduate School introduced summer funding
for graduate students. With that, we are hoping that
students will typically finish their degrees in five
to six years.
