FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions are for the Department of Government’s application procedures. Please refer to the Graduate and International Admissions (GIAC) website for university admission requirements.

•    What is the best way to contact the department?

Contact the Department of Government Admissions Coordinator by e-mail for the fastest response at gov-gac@austin.utexas.edu.

•    I would like to visit UT and the Department of Government, can I?

Yes. Feel free to contact individual professors to set up appointments to meet with them. Our Government faculty profiles provide contact and background information. You can also make appointments with the Department of Government Graduate Admissions Coordinator.

The Admissions Office offers tours of the campus. For dates and times of tours, please see their schedule on the Admissions website.

After admission offers have been made, we hold a Prospective Student Visiting Day (usually in the month of March) in order to assist people in making their final decision to attend. Some travel funds may be available at that time.

•    What is the application deadline?

We offer admission once a year for entry in the fall semester. The deadline to apply for Fall 2010 is December 1st, 2009. All application materials, including GRE scores, must be submitted by the deadline.

•    What qualifies me to apply to your graduate program and what degrees can I earn?

Our department’s graduate program is designed more for the person seeking to earn a PhD.

In order to be eligible to apply to our program, you must have earned a Bachelor’s degree or will have earned it by the start of the fall semester.

Students can earn an MA, a PhD, or both: (when admitted to earn a PhD, a student can also earn an MA along the way).

We also have a special Combined PhD/JD program. For more information about the program, go to the department PhD/JD webpage.

•    What do I need to send and where?

For application directions, please go to the department admissions webpage. Your on-line application and required materials can be submitted at different times although we prefer that you submit your departmental application materials all at once if possible. If you have any questions/concerns about our directions you will need to email our graduate admissions coordinator, Meagan Mulligan.

•    What type of writing sample does the department require?

Submit a sample that shows your analytical writing skills (e.g., a selection of your senior or master's degree thesis, term paper).

The maximum allowed is 35 pages typed, not including bibliography or notes.

Please, no bound or spiral samples. We do not accept writing samples on computer disc.  

You are welcome to submit 2-3 shorter writing samples as long as the total number of pages for all writing samples does not exceed the maximum of 35 pages typed.

•    What fields of study do you offer?

You will find the Field descriptions on the Government website.

•    How long does it take to complete the degree(s)?

Earning the PhD (with or without earning the Master’s along the way) will take approximately six to seven years. This time frame is for all students regardless of the degree level you are at upon entering the program.

If you are obtaining only a Master’s degree, it can take approximately two to three years.

•    What is most important to the Admissions Committee?

There is no one part of the application considered more important than any other part. Applications are reviewed by a faculty committee. In making its decisions, the committee considers five primary factors:

o    academic transcripts (undergraduate and graduate),

o    Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores,

o    letters of recommendation,

o    statement of purpose,

o    and writing sample.

The Department is seeking students with exceptional academic ability whose letters of recommendation, academic profile, and writing sample indicate a capacity for sustained scholarly effort. It wants to encourage a stimulating learning environment and a vigorous exchange of ideas by admitting a student body that is intellectually and socially diverse.

•    What are the codes ETS uses to report GRE and TOEFL scores?

University code is 6882

GRE department code is 1902

TOEFL departmental code is 92

•    Can the GRE be waived?

No, the Graduate School requires official GRE scores for admission and so does the Department of Government

•    What is the minimum required score?

There is no minimum score required.

•    Does UT accept old GRE scores?

Your scores must be less than 5 years old to be considered official by both the Graduate School and the department.

•    I'm taking the GRE a few weeks before/after the application deadline. Will my application still be considered?

No, if you plan to take the GRE on or after December 1st, 2009

If you take the GRE test in mid to late November, please notify the Department of Government Coordinator of Admissions by email in advance of the deadline.

Acceptance of late GRE scores does not guarantee consideration of your application or admission to the graduate program.

•    Can the TOEFL be waived?

Depends -

If you hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution where English is an official language, you will receive a TOEFL waiver.

If you hold a master’s degree from an institution where English is an official language you will not receive a TOEFL waiver.  This new rule will be enforced even if you were granted a TOEFL waiver for previous applications.

From the Graduate School website on TOEFL scores (http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/admissions/test_scores.html):

If you hold a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution or from an institution in another English-only speaking country, you will receive a waiver of the TOEFL or IELTS. We will not waive the requirement for the TOEFL or IELTS if you earned only a master's degree from a U.S institution or from an institution in another English-only speaking country.

 TOEFL scores submitted by ETS can be no older than 2 years old.

•    I have submitted my application materials, why does the online status check continue to state that my materials (or some of my materials) have not been received?

The online status check is controlled by the Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) part of the Graduate School.  Only certain items will update automatically:

o    GRE/TOEFL scores

o    official transcripts

o    online application

Other items may or may not update dependent upon the method used to submit the documents:

o    letters of recommendation, if submitted via the online application

o    personal statement, if submitted via the online application

o    list of classes taken/awards received

Materials submitted directly to the department will not be updated via the online status check.  Instead an e-mail receipt acknowledging the acceptance of the materials will be sent to the e-mail address provided by the online application.  The e-mail will also contain the status of materials sent to the Graduate School’s Graduate and International Admissions Center.

•    When should I expect to hear back from the department?

With the huge volume of application materials, it is impossible to know what is in or missing until all application materials have been opened and processed. You are welcome to email the Department of Government Coordinator of Admissions if you are concerned but keep in mind how busy she will be.

•    Can I call or email to get my application decision?

No. You will receive an email/hard copy letter with your admission decision. This email/mail usually goes out during the months of February and March. Any emails received asking if the decision has been made (prior to the admissions decisions being e-mailed) will go unanswered.

•    What is the Average GPA/GRE/TOEFL of your incoming class?

GPA: We do not average the GPA due to the various scoring systems used.

GRE: Average score is usually around 1200

TOEFL: The minimum acceptable scores for admission to the University of Texas at Austin are:

550 paper-based test

213 computer-based test

79 internet-based test

OR

an overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Meeting the minimum score requirement does not guarantee admission to the Department of Government graduate program.

•    My previous degree is not in Government/Political Science. Can I still be admitted into your program?

Yes.

•    Is there a separate application for Financial Aid?

No.

•    Who do you award financial aid to and what types of aid are available?

All applicants are reviewed at the same time for both admission and financial aid awards. Our committee will offer departmental financial aid (usually a TA position and a few University Fellowships) based on merit.  If you receive financial aid, your admissions letter will outline what type and the monetary amounts. More financial aid information is available on the department financial aid webpage.

Our department usually does not award aid to those applying to the Master’s Program.

•    Can I defer/get a waiver for payment of the application fee until admission or entrance into the program?

Maybe. You must contact GIAC (graduate admissions) to ask for a waiver/deferment.

•    What percentage of applicants gets admitted?

Roughly 20%.