To apply to the SDS doctoral program, download the application (PDF) and mail completed form in hard copy format through the postal or express mail.

You will also need to have letters of recommendation accompanied by a Graduate Appraisal Form. Please print out the form and give it to each of your recommenders. The deadline to apply for the term beginning fall of 2012 is December 15th, 2011. Read on for some frequently asked questions.

       Please carefully read these Frequently Asked Questions for important
       information regarding our application instructions and procedures.

• How do I get an application?
  Click on the links at the right to access the Graduate Application and Graduate Appraisal Forms needed to apply to our doctoral programs. All application documents must be submitted in hard copy (paper) form and mailed to our office via the postal or express mail services. There is no method for applying online.


• What should be in my application?
  The application form lists all of the required information. 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 $45 application fee, an official copy of your TOEFL scores if English is not your first language, your resume/vita and (optional) a sample of your writing.
  
  Transcripts: 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.


• Where should I send my application materials?
  Graduate Admissions, Department of Social and Decision Sciences
  Carnegie Mellon University
  Porter Hall 208
  5000 Forbes Avenue, BP 208
  Pittsburgh PA 15213-3890.

  Hint: If you send your application documents via express mail (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.), you can track when your application packet is delivered. You are not able to track deliveries if you use the regular basic US Postal Service. However, the US Postal Service might have different options that allow for tracking the delivery of packages for an additional fee. Check with your local post office for mailing information.

• Can I send some of my application materials separately?
  Please send all of your materials together in one packet: application, application fee, 2-page essay, resume/vitae, transcripts, and letters of recommendation accompanied by the graduate appraisal form. Sending application materials separately will greatly delay the processing and review of your application. However, if necessary, letters of recommendation and transcripts can be sent separately. GRE and TOEFL scores must be sent separately by ETS to be considered official.


• 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 PhD 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 PhD 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.

• Can I pay my application fee by cash, credit card, or wire transfer?
  No. We accept only a check or money order, or a bank draft for international students. Your application fee must accompany your application.


• What is a bank draft? (for international students)
  A bank draft (sometimes also called a cashier’s check) is a special check purchased at the bank where you have an account. Bank drafts are often used when trying to pay for something in a different currency. You pay for the bank draft in your currency, and the bank prepares the bank draft in the different currency needed (US dollars for our application fee). Bank drafts feature the name of the issuing bank, usually in the upper left-hand corner or upper center of the check. The payee’s name, the written and numeric amount of the check and other tracking information are printed on the front of the check. A bank draft looks and works like a regular check, and it is issued by your bank with the specific monetary amount needed. After you purchase your bank draft, your bank will give you a check made payable to Carnegie Mellon University for $45 US dollars to mail to us. Most banks will not let you purchase a bank draft if you do not have a bank account at that bank.


• Can the application fee be waived?
  No. We cannot waive the application fee.


• When is the deadline?
  All application materials should be received by December 15th.
  Application materials received after this date will be considered only subject to space and funding availability.

• 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 92.
  Note: For internet-based TOEFL exams, our Department Code is 80.

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 application?
  You will receive an email message from us within 2-4 weeks of receiving your application packet. 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 applications, 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 graduate program?
  We usually receive 80-100 applications each year.


• How many students do you usually admit to your graduate 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 graduate 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 graduate 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 PhD 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).