Graduate Application FAQ
Admission & Requirements
What criteria are necessary for admission?
- GPA: Typically a minimum of 2.75/4.0 from your undergraduate institution.
- Documents: Two strong letters of recommendation and a clear, well-articulated personal statement.
What materials are needed for a complete application file?
- Official transcript from your most recent graduating university.
- Personal statement.
- Contact info for two recommenders (the system will email them upload instructions).
- Not Required: GRE scores are not required.
- Note: English proficiency (TOEFL waivers) is handled entirely by the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), not the department.
Do I need to have an undergraduate degree in political science to apply?
- No. Students from all undergraduate backgrounds are welcome. Previous political science coursework is helpful but not required.
Do I need to seek out a faculty sponsor before applying?
- No. This is not required for this program. You will choose an advisor for your thesis or capstone near the end of the program.
I would like to defer my admission to the next semester, how can I do so?
- EIU no longer allows deferrals. You must submit a new online application and pay the $30 application fee.
- Previously submitted documents are kept on file, but international students may need to upload updated financial documents if the old ones are older than 6 months.
Deadlines, Fees, & Registration
When are application deadlines?
- No hard deadline: Applications are reviewed right up until the first week of classes.
- Why apply early? Early admission gives you better class availability, more time to secure financial aid, and more thorough academic advising.
Can I receive a waiver for my graduate application fee?
- Limited waivers: Only available to a selected group of domestic students, such as McNair Scholars, EIU employees, veterans, and GN4U participants. Read the Application Fee Waiver section from application instruction page and contact Dr. Jin Hong Kim (jhkim2@eiu) to request and initiate the fee waiver.
- International students: Application fee waivers are not available for international applicants.
- The application fee is non-refundable
I have been admitted, but have not received my NetID yet. How can I get it?
- Domestic students: First, wait about 24 hours. If you have not yet received one, contact the graduate school (graduate@eiu.edu)
- Check immigration paperwork: For international students, the NetID is held until Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) verifies that all required immigration paperwork has been fully received and processed. Contact OISS if you encounter any problems.
When does registration open?
- Fall & Summer: Late March (typically right after Spring Break).
- Spring: Second Monday in October.
- Check EIU's General Calendar & Schedule Information from here.
Graduate Assistantship (GA) & Funding
Do you have graduate assistantships available?
- YES.
- What's included: Typically 5 ~ 6 available positions offering a full tuition waiver (Fall, Spring, and Summer) and a 9-month stipend ($1,097/month previously, AY 2023-24).
- Student responsibility: GAs must still pay mandatory course fees.
Is there a deadline for graduate assistantships?
- Yes: February 15 of each year. You will be prompted to apply for a GA position during the regular application process.
- Read Graduate Assistantships: Benefits & Requirements section from the cost & funding page.
Do I need to be admitted to the graduate program to be considered for funding?
- Yes. You must be fully admitted to the political science graduate program before you can be considered for any GA positions or scholarships.
What factors are taken into account for GA decisions?
- Criteria: Highly competitive review of undergraduate GPA, recommendation letters, and personal statements by the full-time teaching faculty.
- GPA Expectations: Typically, only applicants with a 3.5/4.0 GPA or higher are closely considered. Recent GA cohorts averaged GPAs between 3.71 and 3.87.
Can you look at my resume/CV/transcript and tell me my likelihood of receiving a GA?
- No The applicant pool changes each year drastically, making it impossible to predict.
- The odds: Admissions are rising, but GA spots are fixed. Historically, only about 10% of admitted students who applied for a GA received funding.
Do you offer spring or summer assistantships?
- Spring: Very rare, highly unpredictable, and usually awarded on short notice to local candidates with fewer logistical hurdles.
- Spring Drawbacks: Only covers Spring/Summer tuition, only pays for 4.5 months of work, and does not guarantee funding for future semesters.
- Summer: Summer assistantships are no longer available.
Degree Requirements, Degree Audit, International Student Info, etc.
What are the program requirements for the degree?
- Please check the graduate course catalog for the specific year you are admitted.
- Program catalogs are updated periodically. Please consult with or request an advising appointment from your graduate coordinator to review your degree progress and program requirements.
Where can I view my official degree audit and progress?
Degree Works is available to all students. Advisers, faculty advisers, and selected staff also have access for the purpose of supporting and directing a students’ progress through their degree programs. https://degreeaudit.eiu.edu/
I am an international applicant with questions about visas, immigration, or travel. Who do I contact?
- Contact OISS: Direct all questions regarding travel, visas, and immigration to the Office of International Students and Scholars.
- Faculty members are not trained to navigate immigration processes
