Prospective Students Questions
Must I have a Sociology major in order to be considered?
NO. Though a background in Social Sciences is desirable, a Social Science major, including Sociology, is not a condition for admission. Students with majors as diverse as Chemistry and the Fine Arts have graduated from the program. However, you do need to have had an undergraduate statistics course in order to be considered. (Admission without the required statistics course is conditional and on a non-matriculated basis only; see below.) Research methods is a useful class to have taken, but not a requirement.
Do I have to take the GRE Examination?
NO. The department of sociology is no longer requiring the GRE.
Do I need extensive computer skills in order to be considered?
NO. Computer skills are a necessity in the current research environment, but we don’t assume that students entering the program have mastered all of computer skills they will need. Students will be trained in basic quantitative research skills in the Statistics I course.
What are the deadlines for the application?
In order to be considered for the fall term your application should be filed by April 1st; the deadline for admission to the spring term is November 1st of the preceding year. Note that the application does not need to be 100% complete by that date, –e.g. a transcript or a letter of recommendation can be provided later. But delays in completing the application can affect your chances of being accepted, as spaces might fill.
Is financial aid available?
YES. Graduate students in the program have a variety of sources of financial aid available to them including scholarships, tuition waivers based on financial need, and loans. In order to be considered for financial aid you should file for admission as early as possible and submit a financial statement to the Financial Aid Office.
Is it possible to enter the program as a non-matriculated student?
YES. In some cases applications have been filed too late; in others, students want to try out some course work first before committing themselves to the Graduate Social Research Program. Please note that the deadline for non-matriculated students is July 1st (fall semester), and December 1st (spring semester). Extensions may be possible in some cases. You may obtain the short application forms from the Hunter College Admissions Office or the Welcome Center on the 1st floor of Hunter North. Credits earned as a non-matriculated student are counted towards the MSADS Degree once you enter the program as a matriculated student. Feel free to contact the program office if you have more questions and arrange for an appointment with me before you file your application.
What are these requirements?
Applicants for admission must have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher or a track record which compensates for having a somewhat lower G.P.A., such as excellent grades in research and research related course work, practical experience outside the academic setting in research, etc. Policies covering retention criteria stipulate that you cannot have more than one incomplete on your record while in the program. If this should happen you are placed on probation and do not have permission to take additional courses until the excess incomplete(s) have been removed.