General Advice on Graduate Studies in Philosophy

An undergraduate degree in philosophy is excellent preparation for graduate studies in philosophy, and philosophy faculty are happy to help students apply to M.A. or Ph.D. programs in philosophy.  Our current philosophy graduate school advisor is Dr. Mark Piper.  If you have questions about graduate studies in philosophy that are not addressed below, you can contact Dr. Piper or another member of the philosophy faculty.

When are graduate applications due?

Although there is some variability here, typically graduate school applications are due in mid-December. With this in mind, one should start preparing to apply to grad schools several months in advance. Ideally, one should start in the second semester of their junior year.

What will you need to apply to graduate school?

1. Three letters of recommendation from professors familiar with your work

     a. Approaching professors: choose professors who know your work well, and give professors at least a month’s notice.

2. Your strongest writing sample (between 8-20 pages)

     a. Your papers from philosophy classes, if strong, will suffice.

     b. If you choose a paper you wrote for a class, make sure to improve it before sending it out.

     c. Writing samples should show familiarity with secondary sources.

     d. Have someone proofread your work.

3. GRE general test scores

     a. Start studying for this early. Try to find actual copies of old GRE tests, or use a guidebook.

4. A personal statement explaining your areas of interest and your future plans in philosophy

     a. Try to show that you have specific interests

     b. If possible, mention a desire to work with specific professors in the schools to which you apply

5. Official university transcripts

Do any other factors affect acceptance?

1. Your GPA

2. Evidence of early professional activity in philosophy:

     a. Conference attendance

     b. Conference presentations

     c. Publications

     d. Membership in student philosophy organizations

     e. Academic awards/honors (also: Honors thesis work)

Where should you apply? (assuming that geographical or financial constraints aren’t in play)

1. Try to find a program that has strengths in your areas of interest

2. Try to apply widely, if possible

Are there any further resources to help?

1. The Philosophical Gourmet report

2. Graduate programs in Continental philosophy, a resource compiled by the Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy (SPEP)

3. Graduate Admissions Essays, Fifth Edition by Donald Asher (Random House, 2024)