• How do I get an application?

  We are no longer accepting applications to our Ph.D. program for Fall 2013.  We encourage you to apply next year.  Applications for Fall 2014 will be available in September.

• What should be in my application?

  You must submit the completed application form, official transcripts of all college or university work to date, an official copy of your GRE scores sent to us from ETS, three letters of recommendation, a Graduate Appraisal form completed by each of your recommenders, a 2-page essay, a check or money order for the $55 application fee, an official copy of your TOEFL scores sent to us by ETS if English is not your first language, your resume/vita and (optional) a sample of your writing.
  
  Transcripts: Although you will upload unofficial transcripts via the online application system, you are still required to send us official transcripts through the postal mail. Transcripts must arrive in the original, sealed university envelopes with the registrar's signature/stamp across the seal of the envelope. If transcripts are sent open or unsealed, they will not be considered official.
  
  TOEFL scores: If English is not your native language, even if you have lived or studied in the United States, you must submit an official copy of your TOEFL scores. These scores must be sent to us directly by ETS to be considered official. This requirement will not be waived.

• How do I get the Graduate Appraisal Form?

  If you choose to have your recommenders send their letters via the online system, the Graduate Appraisal Form will be sent in the email your recommenders receive.  Your recommenders will submit the Graduate Appraisal Form online with their recommendation letters.
  
  If you choose to have your recommenders send their letters via the postal mail, please download the Graduate Appraisal Form, sign the top portion and send it to your recommender to submit with his/her letter.

• What information should I include in my 2-page essay?
  

  Please include in a maximum of 2 pages an essay addressing the following questions:  Why do you wish to do graduate work in the Department of Social and Decision Sciences?  What attracts you to our doctoral program in particular?  Describe your academic interests, including the type of research that you are interested in pursuing. What are your major career goals after completing your study at Carnegie Mellon University?

• Where should I send my application materials?

  Graduate Admissions, Department of Social and Decision Sciences
  Carnegie Mellon University
  5000 Forbes Avenue, Porter Hall 208
  Pittsburgh PA 15213-3890.

• What are you looking for in the application materials?

  We consider your GPA, research experience, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and other available information in our admissions decisions. We accept the candidates with the best background and fit to the department. We don't have cut-off scores for GRE, GPA, or TOEFL, but top scores are expected as our program is highly competitive.

• Am I qualified to apply to your Ph.D. program?

  Our office will not pre-screen or examine any application materials (CV, GRE scores, transcripts, experience, etc.) prior to the official submission of your application. It is only through the formal application review process that we will take your qualifications into consideration by evaluating all of your application materials. We cannot advise you as to whether or not you should submit an application. If you are interested in our Ph.D. program, you are encouraged to apply.

• If I applied last year, can you just use the same application this year?

  If you are applying for the second time, please send us a new application.

• How can I pay my application fee?
  

  We accept only credit card payments or electronic checks sent from US bank accounts.  We do not accept cash, paper checks or wire transfers.  Your application fee must accompany your application. 

• Can the application fee be waived?

  No. We cannot waive the application fee.

• When is the deadline?

  All application materials should be received in our office by December 15th.

Important Note for entering GRE scores on the application:

When entering GRE scores for verbal and quantitative reasoning, the application will only accept scores from the revised GRE test format that began in August 2011.If you took your GRE test prior to August 2011 and need to report scores from the previous 200-800 score scale, please convert your scores to the estimated revised 130-170  score scale using GRE’s concordance table located at https://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/concordance_information.pdf

• What are the institution and department codes for the GRE?

  Our GRE institution code is 2074.
  Our GRE department code is 2299.
  
  Please Note: It is extremely important that you use only these codes when requesting ETS to send us your GRE scores. Otherwise, we will not receive your scores, and you will have to have them resent.

• Do you have cut-off scores for the GRE?

  No, we do not have cut-off scores for the GRE. However, top performance is expected.

• What are the institution and department codes for the TOEFL?

  Our TOEFL institution code is 2074.
  Our TOEFL department code is 80 for INTERNET-BASED tests.
  Our TOEFL department code is 92 for PAPER tests.
  
  Please Note: It is extremely important that you use only these codes when requesting ETS to send us your TOEFL scores. Otherwise, we will not receive your scores, and you will have to have them resent.

• Can I send a photocopy of my GRE or TOEFL scores?

  No, you must have official scores sent to us from ETS.

• Do you accept other language proficiency tests besides TOEFL?

  No, we accept only the TOEFL language test.

• If I took the GRE or TOEFL more than once, which scores will count?

  We count the latest scores.

• Do you ever waive the GRE for applicants who have already taken the GMAT or the TOEFL for international applicants who have studied in the U.S.?

  No, we don't waive the GRE or the TOEFL requirements.

• When do GRE and TOEFL scores expire?

  ETS keeps GRE scores for 5 years, and TOEFL scores for 2 years. We require that ETS send us your scores; if ETS no longer has your scores then you will have to retake the test(s). 

• I've lived and/or studied in the US. Do I still have to submit TOEFL scores?

  Yes. If English is not your native language, even if you have lived or studied in the United States, you must submit an official copy of your TOEFL scores. These scores must be sent to us directly by ETS to be considered official. This requirement will not be waived.

• What are the minimum TOEFL scores accepted for application to your program?

  For the paper TOEFL test, the minimum score is 600.
  For the iBT TOEFL test, the minimum total score is 84.
  
  The minimum sub-score in each category is as follows:
  Reading=22 Listening =22 Speaking =18 Writing= 22
  
  Please Note: We expect our applicants to have top TOEFL scores. Our program is rigorous and very challenging, and a high level of English proficiency is needed to successfully complete the program.

• How will I know that you received my supplemental application materials?

  You will receive an email message if there are missing pieces to your application, and you may also email us to inquire if we have received supplemental materials.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure we have received all required application documents. Please be aware that it takes several weeks to process application materials, and we are often unable to give immediate feedback as to whether or not we have received your documents. Please note that a response to inquiries may be delayed due to the high volume of application documents arriving in the office. We appreciate your patience while we process all of these materials.

• When will I find out whether or not I got into the program?

  Final admission decisions will be made by April 15th.
  
  While we know that waiting to hear about your admission decision can be very difficult, we are unable to provide information about admission decisions or application status until all admission decisions have been made. We will notify you of your admission decision via email once all of our admission decisions have been completed.

• How many people apply to your Ph.D. program?

  We usually receive 80-100 applications each year.

• How many students do you usually admit to your Ph.D. program?

  We usually admit 4-5 graduate students each year.

• Do you offer a stipend and tuition coverage?

  Yes. We offer a 9-month stipend and tuition coverage. Over the summer, our students tend to find work as research assistants.

• What is the difference between the BDR program and the Joint Program between BDR and Psychology?

  Both programs are similar, but students in the Joint Program are also admitted to the Psychology program. The BDR program includes a number of elective courses. Students in the Joint Program with Psychology take their elective courses in the Psychology Department.

• How do I apply to the Joint Program between BDR and Psychology?

  Students interested in the joint Psychology/BDR program are invited to apply at the end of their first year of SDS Ph.D. studies. The application involves a short proposal for a second year paper and dissertation that is truly joint between the two departments, as indicated by co-chairs. The application will have to be approved by both departments. Students who graduate from this program will receive a joint degree from BDR and psychology.

• If I don't have a background in one of your main disciplines, can I still get in?

  Yes. Many of our department members were originally trained in only one of the disciplines. In the Ph.D. program, you will be given the opportunity to take classes in these disciplines.

• Can I study in the program as a part-time student?

  No. Our Ph.D. program is full-time, so students are not able to study part-time.

• Who should I contact if I have a question that was not addressed in this FAQ?

  Please contact the Department of Social and Decision Sciences: (sds-phd@andrew.cmu.edu)