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Frequently Asked Questions: Applying to a Ph.D. Program
How do I apply?
Jefferson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) uses an online application which allows applicants to submit their application, personal statement, resume/CV and application fee. We are no longer accepting applications for Fall 2010. The application for Fall 2011 will be available in October 2010.
What is the application deadline for the Ph.D. programs?
The application deadline is January 5th. Applications received after this date will be considered at the discretion of the admissions committee of the desired program.
What is the application timeline and when can I expect a decision?
Most interviews take place between late January and mid-March and applicants are notified of their acceptance between February and May.
The admission committees interview all applicants whom they are considering for admission. If the candidates are overseas, interviews can be conducted by phone and/or video conference.
What materials do I need to submit to have a complete application?
A complete application consists of:
- A complete online application submitted with a $50.00 application fee
- Personal statement
- Resume/CV
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Standardized test scores sent directly from the testing service (GRE,TOEFL, IELTS)
Where do I send my supporting documents (transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc)?
All application materials should be sent to the JCGS Office of Admissions at the following address:
Jefferson College of Graduate Studies Office of Admissions 1020 Locust St. Jefferson Alumni Hall, M60 Philadelphia, PA 19107
I am an International applicant, are there any additional requirements or information that I should know?
If your native language is not English, or you received your baccalaureate degree from an institution where English is not the official language of instruction, you must submit official scores from an accepted English proficiency exam such as TOEFL or IELTS.
International applicants may be asked to submit a course by course evaluation of their academic credentials. This request will come after their application is considered by the program and will not need to be submitted for the January 5th deadline.
For other information (student visa, etc.) please visit our Office of International Affairs
What is the application fee?
The application fee is $50.00 and needs to be submitted by credit card (Visa or Mastercard only) upon submission of the application. The fee is non-refundable.
Is it possible to obtain a waiver for the application fee?
An application fee waiver may be requested in cases of documented financial hardship. To request a waiver, please email the Director of Admissions with an explanation of your situation prior to submitting your application. You may be asked to provide additional documentation.
Does JCGS offer Financial Aid to Ph.D. candidates?
Students accepted to a Ph.D. program in JCGS receive a fellowship which includes tuition, fees, health insurance, and a competitive stipend. This fellowship is granted regardless of financial need.
The stipend for the 2010/2011 academic year is $26,300.
If students are interested in applying for additional funds through student loans, etc., they can contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
What standardized tests are required for the Ph.D. programs?
JCGS requires the general GRE for all applicants.
If your native language is not English, or you received your baccalaureate degree from an institution where English is not the official language of instruction, you must submit official scores from an accepted English proficiency exam such as TOEFL or IELTS.
What is the minimum GPA and GRE score required for admission to a Ph.D. program?
JCGS does not have a minimum GPA or GRE requirement. When reviewing applications, the admission committees are taking into account all components of the application to make a final decision.
The average scores for our 2010 Ph.D. cohort are:
- Undergraduate GPA: 3.4
- GRE score (verbal + quantitative): 1270.
What are the GRE and TOEFL codes?
The assigned ETS institution code for Jefferson College of Graduate Studies is 2999. You are not required to enter a separate ETS department code since all materials are sent directly to the Office of Admissions.
What if my GRE scores are not available until after the January 5th deadline?
We will accept GRE scores after the January 5th deadline if the rest of your application is complete. Applicants may email the unofficial score reports to the Director of Admissions and these will be forwarded to the admissions committee until official scores are received. Please note, the application is not deemed complete until we receive the official score reports.
What if my GRE scores are more than 5 years old or the TOEFL score is over 2 years old?
ETS will not issue GRE scores that are more than 5 years old or TOEFL scores more than 2 years old. If the scores have expired, applicants will be required to retake the test(s).
How do I submit my letters of recommendation?
JCGS uses an online recommendation process. To submit a recommendation, proceed to the online system.
My recommender is not comfortable using the online recommendation form. Is there another option?
While we prefer to receive the recommendations through our online system, applicants can download our recommendation form which their recommender fills out, attaches the letter of recommendation, and mails directly to the JCGS Office of Admissions.
How long should my personal statement be?
The personal statement should be approximately 500-750 words and explains the reasons for applying to JCGS as well as research interests/experiences.
I still have questions. Who can I contact for more information?
If you are unable to find your answer on our website or in the instructions, you may contact the JCGS Admissions Office or call us at 215-503-4400.
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