Thedeadlineto apply for admission for the academic year 2026-27 isJanuary 1st. The application system closes at midnight (Eastern Time Zone). All application materials must be uploaded with your application. Letters of recommendation must be received by the application deadline.
The Department of Political Science only reviews applications for students who will
be entering our program during the fall semester. *Applicants who apply for the PhD but are not offered admission may contact the department
to be considered for the M.A. in Political Science program (an additional application
fee will not be required).
Application Requirements
A complete application consists of the following documentation:
1. Stony Brook University online application. Application fee of $100 (Credit Card)
2. Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement: The Statement should sufficiently describe your reasons for applying to the PhD in
Political Science at Stony Brook University. Your statement should address: Research Interests Background in Political Science Career plans Additional interests or information that can assist the admissions committee in evaluating
your application. The Statement of Purpose should not exceed two double-spaced pages (approx. 500 words).
3. Three letters of recommendation: These letters should be academic, but consideration will also be given to non-academic
letters. Lettersmust beuploaded online by the recommender using the link which will be sent via email.
4. Transcripts: Official transcripts are valid when they are issued by the school you attended. They
have an official seal/stamp and an official signature by an appropriate academic administrative
officer. They are sealed by the university. Official electronic transcripts, sent
by authorized delivery agents, are also accepted. Photocopied documents are NOT official.
Final transcripts state that a degree has been conferred and provide the date of conferral.
If you are in the process of completing a degree, please send an official transcript
that shows your progress to this point. You will need to send a final, official transcript
once your degree is conferred. Transcripts that do not show a degree awarded will
not delay application processing, but failure to submit final documentation about
conferral will result in a registration block.
Official transcripts can be mailed to: Stony Brook University Graduate School Office of Admissions and Student Services Old Computer Science Bldg, Room 2401 Stony Brook, NY 11794-4433
*If you have previously attended Stony Brook University, you will not be required
to send an official SBU transcript, but are required to upload an unofficial version
of the SBU transcript for review purposes.
Additional Materials:
TOEFL scoresreported directly to Stony Brook (code 2548).
These scores are required for applicants who declare a language other than English
as their native language. The Graduate School will not accept any test scores that
are more than 2 years old based on the application deadline date. There are no exceptions to minimum score requirements.
Please refer to the Graduate Admissions website for language proficiency qualification and minimum language score requirements.
Proof of Permanent Residency is required for students who declare themselves as Permanent Residents.
Incomplete applicationswill not be reviewed. All application materials are due by the posted deadline of January 1st.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Please note that as soon as you enter your recommender’s e-mail address in your application
and save it, they will be sent a link (even if you have not submitted your application).
It is therefore recommended that you do this as early in the application process as
possible.
Your letter writers should submit their letters by the posted deadline: January 1st. Applications with missing letters of recommendations will still be reviewed by the
committee for consideration. While recommenders may upload outstanding letters after January 1st, there's no guarantee
they will be read by the committee.
No. Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the online application system.
Yes. Students who have been offered admission will be invited to an open house. This
event is usually scheduled on March. Details will be emailed around mid Febrauary.
As long as the scores are within the time frame listed above, we should be able to
retrieve them. Note that the GRE is waived for the 2027 admissions cycle.
Applicants are welcome to contact our PhD Recruitment Director, Dr. Pazit Ben-Nun.
If you have additional questions or issues with application process, please contact
the Graduate Program Coordinator, Carri Horner. Please note that during admission
season, e-mail is preferred.
The Graduate School regulates fee waivers for applications. Below is the information they
have posted in the Graduate Bulletin.
Waiver of Application Fee
All applicants are required to pay the application fee. Exceptions are limited to:
Applicants who re-apply for admission within one academic year of declining an official
offer of admission. Please attach a copy of the offer letter and a copy of the email
declining admission to the application before submission. These items are needed
for review and approval
Students who are U.S. citizens and have current documentation from a financial aid
administrator of an appropriate college or university official substantiating that
they are currently enrolled and that the payment of the application would create a
financial hardship (complete financial information for the current academic year must
be provided, including total cost of education and amount and types of financial aid
received). To qualify, applicants must include the necessary documentation listed
above at the time of application submission review. These items are needed for review
and approval.
Current students who have a fellowship/scholarship through EOP, HEOP, SEEK, McNair,
Project 1000, AGEP, CSTEP, LSAMP, and AMSNY. To qualify, applicants must have a letter
or email from the appropriate agency sent to the Graduate School attached to the application
upon submission for review and approval of the application fee waiver request.
Veterans of the United States Military Service, currently on Active Duty of members
of the National Guard or Reserves are exempt from paying the graduate application
fee. NOTE: Before fee waiver is applied, veterans must be vetted through the Office
of Veteran Affairs at Stony Brook University and must submit a copy of their discharge
paperwork (DD Form 214) with their application submission for review and approval
of the application fee waiver request.
Appropriate supporting documentation for the application fee waiver can be emailed
to gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu (Graduate School) and should be submitted with your application for review and approval.
Once the admissions office receives the appropriate documents, the fee waiver request
will be reviewed for approval. You will receive an email notification if the request
is approved, pending additional materials, or denied. Please allow 5 business days
for the application fee to be waived.
Note: Students who do not enroll within 12 months of the original offer of admission
must submit a new application and fee.
Please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Carri Horner for information.
Admitted students will be offered a stipend package as a TA/GA, as well as a tuition
scholarship. Details of these packages will be outlined in the offer letter.
