How to Apply to Maxwell Graduate Programs

• EMPA, EMIR, EMIR in DC
• Fall admission: July 1 priority, then rolling
• Spring admission: November 1 priority, then rolling
  
  
• EMPA Online Program
• October entry: August 6
• January entry: November 13
• March entry: February 11
• July entry: May 13

• Economics: January 15
• Geography: January 1
• History: January 1
• Political Science: March 1

• Anthropology: January 10
• Economics: January 15
• Geography: January 1
• History: January 1
• Political Science: January 15
• Public Administration: January 15
• Social Science: February 15
• Sociology: January 10

Applicants to all Maxwell School graduate programs must submit Syracuse University’s online application, with the exception of the EMPA Online program which uses a separate application system.

Transcripts showing credits and grades for all post-secondary work from each college or university you've attended must be submitted with your application. Upon admission to Syracuse University, official transcripts from your bachelor’s-degree granting institution must be submitted to the SU Enrollment Processing office.

The personal statement (sometimes referred to as a Statement of Purpose or Statement of Intent) should address your understanding of and interest in your chosen field. Include a candid analysis of your academic and professional objectives, both long- and short-term, and indicate how the graduate program to which you are applying will help you achieve them. There is no minimum or maximum length for this statement; however, one to two pages is usually sufficient.

A professional résumé or curriculum vitae should outline your employment history, volunteerism and community service, academic honors and scholastic recognition, publications, leadership roles, membership to professional associations, and other activities relevant to your career goals.

Letters of recommendation are required for all master’s and doctoral programs. Please check your program webpage to determine how many are required (usually two or three) and any preferences they have for who submits them (i.e. academic vs professional). Regardless of who is submitting a letter on your behalf, be sure to give them ample time to write and submit prior to the program’s application deadline.

GRE Fee Reduction Program
ETS believes that the cost of taking a GRE test should not be a barrier to graduate study. To do its part, ETS provides the GRE Fee Reduction Program, which reduces the cost of taking a GRE test by 50%. U.S. citizens and resident aliens who can demonstrate financial need or are unemployed and receiving unemployment compensation are eligible to apply for a fee reduction waiver.

GRE Fee Waivers
ETS also provides five GRE fee waivers to support Maxwell’s underserved applicants. To request a waiver, please complete this form.

Please be sure to check your program website to determine what tests may be required. For submission of the GRE or TOEFL iBT tests, Syracuse University's ETS institution code is 2823.
While we do not require you to list specific department codes, ETS may require one when you are requesting the scores to be sent. You can use the following list based on your program of interest:

The ability to be successful in graduate studies is a factor in all programs. This is most often demonstrated by your performance in your prior undergraduate and/or graduate level coursework. Additionally, certain programs will need evidence of proficiency in specific areas (e.g. quantitative skills, foreign language, research methods). Typically, the more recent your past academic experience, the more it will be a factor in your admission decision.

Alignment with the Maxwell School mission, your program of interest, and faculty research interests for PhD programs is central to your successful application for admission. Your personal statement, résumé/CV (work, internship, or volunteer experiences), and recommendations should all be focused on articulating your understanding of the program, your personal/professional/academic career goals, and how they are aligned.