THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
How to Apply
We are excited you are considering the University of Chicago Division of the Social Sciences for your graduate degree. Before beginning your application, please be sure to review our guidelines on application materials and deadlines, as well as the important policies below.
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Policies & Eligibility
Enrollment Quarter
All Division of the Social Sciences programs begin in Autumn Quarter each year. Enrolling students cannot begin their studies in any quarter other than Autumn. Enrolling PhD students cannot defer their offer, and must begin their studies in the year they were admitted.
Enrolling MA students can defer their enrollment one year to the following Autumn only. We do not permit two-year deferrals or non-Autumn quarter starts. The only exception is if an individual is active duty or reserve military and is unexpectedly deployed between the time they accepted their offer and their matriculation date; two year deferrals will be allowed in those instances.
Please note that MA and PhD students must complete at least one quarter of enrollment to be eligible for a Leave of Absence from the University.
Required Prior Degree
Applicants to the University of Chicago’s graduate and professional programs are required to have earned a bachelor's degree or its equivalent, or a more advanced degree, from an accredited college or university prior to matriculation. Applicants who are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program must earn a bachelor’s degree prior to the start of the term to which they are applying. Applicants from a three-year bachelor's program will be given due consideration.
Second PhD Policy
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree in a closely related field cannot be considered for admission to a PhD program in a similar discipline in the Division of the Social Sciences.
Reapplication
Applicants who were not successful in their application to one of our programs are welcome to apply again in a future cycle. Any reapplicant must complete a new application and pay the application fee again. However, reapplicants can request to reuse some application materials by contacting ssd-admissions@uchicago.edu.
PhD Student Work Authorization
PhD students must be legally authorized to work in the United States for the University of Chicago in order to meet the degree requirements to earn a PhD in most of the University’s PhD programs. Note, the F-1/J-1 student visa permits on-campus employment when a student is active in their program; for more information, please visit the Office of International Affairs webpage related to on-campus employment.