A baccalaureate degree from a college or university of recognized standing.
Admission to the PAM Ph.D. program is based on academic merit, research potential, and fit with the topical strengths of the PAM graduate field. The PAM Admissions Committee, comprised of a rotating set of three faculty members that span different disciplines and subfields, takes a holistic approach to graduate admissions - one that considers academic records and test scores as only one part of a broader application that includes letters of recommendation, writing samples, personal accomplishments, and prior research and professional experiences. It helps if you have a background in public policy or related social science disciplines such as economics, political science, and sociology as well as research methods. Students are only admitted to start in the Fall term. and applications are due by January 15th each year. We typically matriculate 5-6 students per cohort, allowing for a personalized and close-knit graduate experience.
Statement of Purpose. Use your statement of purpose to describe why you are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in PAM. Effective statements typically include information about prior academic preparation, research experiences and skills, and personal and professional accomplishments. They also typically discuss one's areas of research interest and fit with areas of expertise in PAM. Please see here for a more detailed list of tips for preparing your Statement of Purpose.

Transcripts. Scan all transcripts and save as a single pdf file, then upload into the online application. If there are any aspects of your transcripts that you wish to address, please feel free to do so in your personal statements or letters of recommendation.

Letters of Recommendation. Two letters of recommendation are required. Recommenders need to upload their letters into the online application.

Writing Sample. A writing sample illustrative of your independent research. If the writing sample is co-authored, your specific contributions should be clarified.

GRE scores. There are no minimum GRE scores required for consideration in PAM. The admissions committee considers GRE scores as only one part of a holistic consideration of an applicant's complete record that includes all of the elements above.
If you are a foreign applicant, Cornell also requires proof of English proficiency, defined as:
• TOEFL scores - minimum of 105 total required (Speaking 22, Reading 20, Listening 15, Writing 20)

• IELTS - overall band score of a 7.0 or higher on the IELTS