Commonly Asked Questions about Submitting a
Competitive Application for Admission to the NAU Political Science Department
MA, MPA or PhD Programs
Note: Information on this page is not applicable to the Public Management Certificate. If you are interested in our certificate program, click here.
Graduate degree programs are significantly more rigorous than undergraduate programs. In determining who will be admitted to the POS graduate programs, the admission committee strives to identify applicants who are well-prepared for graduate studies, have a high probability of success, and whose academic interests can be well-served by the department. Beyond meeting the department’s minimum requirements, applicants may take a variety of steps to present a comprehensive file which promotes the likelihood of a successful outcome. Following are answers to some common inquiries, and tips on enhancing the quality of your file.
Q: What parts of the application file count the most? What if one element is weak?
A: All materials submitted as part of the application are reviewed: statement of intent and area(s) of interest; graduate and undergraduate grades; prior coursework and degree(s); GRE scores; letters of recommendation; writing sample; and, if applicable, TOEFL scores. One or two weak elements may be offset by other factors (e.g., low GRE scores or a GPA just above the minimum may be discounted if a file contains an excellent writing sample and/or strong letters of recommendation). If you are concerned that a specific portion of your file may not be competitive, you can try to improve it (e.g., retake the GRE) or offset it by enhancing other elements of your file.
Q: Must I take the GRE? What is the minimum required score? I took the GRE several years ago; do I need to take it again?
A: GRE scores are required for every application. There is no set minimum score; the preferred range is above the 70th percentile. Scores that are recent (within one to two years of the application date) are strongly preferred. Scores dating more than five years before the deadline date will not be accepted. When scheduling the exam, plan ahead so that the department receives official scores by the application deadline.
Q: During parts of my previous undergraduate and/or graduate career my grades were poor or my academic performance inconsistent. Will this affect my chances of admission?
A: This factor will be considered. You can help the committee determine whether you are currently prepared for graduate study by discussing, in your statement of intent or cover letter, mitigating factors and why they would no longer apply to future graduate study. This is particularly important with regard to performance in political science courses.
Q: My previous undergraduate and/or graduate work was completed quite some time ago. Will this affect my chances of admission?
A: This factor will be considered. You can help the committee determine whether you are currently prepared for graduate study by indicating ways in which you have remained active, challenged, and up-to-date in relation to the discipline or engaged in relevant professional development. You may include this information in your statement of intent or a cover letter.
Q: Is what I plan to focus on for my graduate studies important to my application?
A: Yes, this is an important element in considering applicants for admission. The committee will look at your statement of intent for a fit between your goals and our program, courses, and faculty specializations. The committee will also expect to see a clearly established link between your previous degree work and your preparation to pursue our program. Explore departmental course offerings and faculty specializations to see whether your areas of interest appear to be served by the department. (Click on “Faculty” and “Graduate Courses” in the side navigation of this page.) Explain in your statement of intent how you think your desired field of study would be best served by our program. Applicants who might otherwise be suitable candidates for graduate study may be denied admission to our programs if the committee does not see the department’s offerings as a “good fit.” If your focus area is not yet defined, include as clear an indication of your broad area of interest as you can.
Q: How important are the recommendation letters? What is the best way to present them?
A: Recommendation letters are an important element of your application file.
- Request letters from professors or individuals with recent knowledge and enthusiasm about your academic potential and skills such as analytical ability, composition, motivation, research experience, intellectual curiosity, etc.
- Submit current letters specific to the likelihood of your success in this particular program. Older or generic letters will be accepted but may detract from the file.
- Request letters from recommenders at least a month before the deadline; remember, recommenders probably have similar requests from other students as well.
- Letters must include both the department’s recommendation form (available here and linked to the Graduate College application) and a narrative evaluation of the applicant. You must print and sign the form designating whether you waive the right to see it, then provide the signed form to your recommender to complete. Recommenders can mail letters directly to the department, or you can include them with your other application materials if you have not waived the right to see them or they are sealed in envelopes by the recommender.
Q: Are foreign students required to take the TOEFL? What is the minimum required score? I took the TOEFL several years ago; do I need to take it again? Is it ever waived?
A: The NAU Graduate College and the Political Science department require TOEFL scores from foreign students. The department’s minimum score is 580 for the paper-based exam, 237 for the computer-based exam, and 93 for the Internet-based exam; these are higher than the Graduate College’s minimum scores. Scores dating more than five years before the deadline date will not be accepted. When scheduling the exam, plan ahead so the university receives official scores by the application deadline. The TOEFL requirement is waived if a foreign student has completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at a 4-year institution in the United States, or if English is the official language of the student’s home country.
Q: What other ways can I strengthen my file and improve the chances of admission?
A: Include all information that could be relevant to the admission committee, pay attention to detail, follow the instructions, and send everything that is required.
1) The committee will consider additional factors you describe in your application file such as collaboration with a faculty member on a research or writing project, leadership in organizations, professional experience related to the chosen area of study, study abroad, internships, or other relevant academic, professional and life experiences.
2) All materials should be neatly prepared and professional in their presentation. Documents should be printed or typed, not hand-written.
Q: What if my undergraduate GPA is just below 3.0?
A: If your undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0 and you have no graduate coursework, you are not eligible to apply. You can become eligible for consideration in a future admission cycle by completing at least two graduate courses in political science with a 3.0 GPA or better. These courses may be taken at NAU (e.g., in non-degree student status or after admission to our certificate program) or they may be taken at another institution. Coursework must be completed and grades assigned before the application deadline.
Q: Do you admit students provisionally/conditionally?
A:
- An MPA applicant may be admitted provisionally, with a requirement to meet certain conditions specified at the time of admission. Examples of conditional requirements: completion of certain prerequisite courses; completion of a semester of graduate coursework with a specified GPA; language requirements for non-native English speakers; and other conditions the MPA admission committee may consider appropriate. Students in the process of completing a required degree at the time of application will be admitted conditional upon completion of that degree.
- The department does NOT admit MA and PhD students provisionally, except that students who will complete a required degree in spring or summer are admitted conditional upon completion of that degree.
Q: I still have questions. Who can I contact for more information?
A: We will be happy to address your specific questions. Please contact:
- Dr. Fred Solop, Graduate Coordinator: fred.solop@nau.edu, (928) 523-3135
- Jeana Butler, Graduate Programs Administrator: jeana.butler@nau.edu; (928) 523-6544
