Admissions

In the Division of the Social Sciences, admissions for the doctoral programs in Anthropology, Conceptual and Historical Studies of Science, Political Economy, and Social Thought are paused for the 2026-27 academic year. All other PhD programs and the MA programs will admit students to matriculate in 2026-27.

If you are a prospective applicant, we encourage you to stay connected with us and to explore other SSD degree programs that may match your graduate education interests. Questions and requests for additional information should be sent to ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu.

All existing commitments and support for current and incoming students remain in place. 

The PhD program in political economy welcomes applications from prospective students with an interest in using game theory and empirical methods for causal inference to study political institutions and behavior.

Prospective students submit a single application directly to the PhD program in political economy through the Division of the Social Sciences. A complete application consists of transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended, three letters of recommendation, a candidate statement, a writing sample, official GRE scores, and (where required to demonstrate English proficiency) official TOEFL or IELTS scores. An application fee is also required; a waiver is possible in some limited circumstances. The application deadline is December 5.

Information regarding PhD fellowships can be found on the Social Sciences Division website.

Questions regarding admissions requirements, policies, and procedures should be sent to ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu.