Graduate Admission Information

Requirements | Apply Online | Admission Forms | Request Materials

Requirements

Our program is highly selective. It is difficult to specify all of the factors that go into the admission decision. However, we look for the following combination: (1) high GRE's - past median GREs were 580 verbal and 660 quantitative; (2) past research experience (since this is the best predictor of a student's enjoyment of and success in research); (3) letters of recommendation that particularly emphasize the student's research potential or promise; (4) strong previous academic record; and (5) your biographical statement that includes a description of the match between your research interests and those of specific faculty members within the department.  International students for whom English is a second language must demonstrate fluency in spoken English by scoring a 26 on the TOEFL speaking section or 8.0 on the IELTS speaking section to be considered for our program.  Please visit the International Applicants web page for a list of TOEFL/IELTS requirements.

Final candidates for admission will be invited to the campus during the month of February for interviews with the faculty and students.  It is our general policy not to permit interviews prior to this screening. (Because of the large number of applicants, there is simply not a sufficient amount of time to permit either the candidate or the program to present as favorable a picture of themselves as they could.) If you are notified that you have been selected for the final pool, we would strongly encourage you to visit. We have found that those who visit us almost always come away feeling very positive about our programs. If you cannot visit, we will interview you by phone.

Apply Online

• Application Deadline: December 1.  
• Important warning regarding letters of recommendation! You must inform the individuals who will be writing your letters of recommendation well in advance of the department's deadline of Dec. 1. Please ask them (we suggest at least 3 weeks before you apply) to have their letter for you prepared before Dec. 1 so that when they receive an email requesting that they submit their recommendation, they will be able to do so immediately. Your recommender is not sent that email until you apply, so we also suggest you apply as early as you can. Applications cannot be processed until all letters of recommendation are received, and we begin processing on Dec. 1.

Admission Forms

Biographical Statement

STUDENTS:  The biographical statement should be submitted via upload through the online application process.

Please contact Paula Houghtaling at phoughta@du.edu or 303-871-3803 with further questions.

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