Admissions & Applying

Thank you for your interest in the SSP. The admissions staff takes great pride in assisting you throughout the application process.  We look forward to getting to know you in the coming months and invite you to take advantage of all the SSP has to offer prospective students, including the opportunity to visit campus, attend an SSP course, and meet current SSP students and alumni.

Admission to the SSP is competitive.  Applicants are considered on the entirety of their application, including the undergraduate record, standardized test scores, professional experience, letters of recommendation, and the statement of purpose.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early and online. All materials are processed by the Office of Graduate Admissions within the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

The SSP admits students for both Fall and Spring terms.  Deadlines for the 2007-2008 academic year are listed below.

Applications for Spring semester are reviewed beginning in mid-October, while applications for Fall semester are reviewed beginning in late January. Applicants who submitted complete applications in January can expect to receive notification of their status by mid March.  Please note applicants are notified of their status in writing by the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.  Admissions decisions cannot be released via phone, fax, or e-mail.

Fall Semester 2008 Deadlines

SSP Master’s Degree

January 15

For SSP admission with scholarship consideration

February 15

For SSP admission without scholarship consideration

 SSP M.A./Department of Government Ph.D. Program Deadlines
(Fall Admission Only)

January 3

For SSP admission with scholarship and for Government Department fellowship consideration

February 15

For SSP admission without scholarship and Government Department fellowship consideration

 SSP M.A./Georgetown University Law Center J.D. Program Deadlines
(Fall Admission Only)

January 15

For SSP admission with scholarship consideration

February 15

For SSP admission without scholarship consideration

 

September 25

First date J.D. applications are accepted

November 1

First Early Action deadline

December 1

Second Early Action deadline

February 1

Full time division deadline

How to Apply

The online application is available here: Application

Electronic copies of academic transcripts can be uploaded to the applicant's online application via the ApplyYourself system.  Hard copies of transcripts and letters of recommendations must arrive in sealed, signed envelopes to be considered official.  Hard copies of documents should be sent to:

Georgetown University
Office of Graduate Admissions
3700 O Street, NW
Intercultural Center, Suite 302
Box 571004
Washington, DC 20057-1004

Please note: The SSP does not handle credentials processing.  Should you have questions regarding the arrival of credentials and standardized test scores please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 202-687-5568 or via e-mail at gradmail@georgetown.edu.  Applicants may also check the status of their materials at any time by using the ApplyYourself online system.

What to Submit

Checklist

A complete application file contains the following items:

  • Graduate School of Arts and Sciences application form

  • Application fee

  • SSP Supplemental Data sheet

  • Resume or CV

  • Statement of purpose (not to exceed 500 words) addressing intellectual interests and professional and academic goals.  The state of purpose is a critical component of the SSP application.  Please carefully explain how the SSP specifically fits into your future academic and professional plans.  Applicants are not required to submit a writing sample.

  • Official transcripts. Applicants for admission must provide transcripts of all work beyond secondary school, including course work transferred from community colleges and study abroad institutions.  Transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing university's registrar office to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

    For students currently enrolled in another graduate or  undergraduate degree program, transcripts must include the current semester.

    Students who have attended or graduated from a foreign college or university must provide an official transcript and translation in English.  The translation should not be interpretive (Do not translate grades into the U.S. system, and should be signed by the translator.

    PPIA and IIPP candidates must include the summer institute evaluation.

  • Letters of recommendation from three individuals who can assess the applicant's qualifications and preparation for graduate work in security studies.

    Recommendation form

    Each evaluator, unless (s)he submits the letter electronically or directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions, must seal and sign the envelope in which the letter is enclosed.  Please be sure to note the complete name, title, and contact information for each referee.

    Personal letters of recommendation - from collegues, coaches, and family friends, for example - are not accepted.

  • Official Standardized Test Scores sent directly from the testing organization. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) code for Georgetown University is 5244.  There is no separate code for the SSP or the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

    The SSP follows a self-directed application process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the admissions file is complete in every respect. 

    Online applicant may access the Apply Yourself online application status checklist to determine which items have been received.  Self-assembply of hard copy credentials into one application package for mailing facilitates the expeditious handling of the application packet. Applicants will not be contacted by the Office of Graduate Admissions or the SSP regarding missing credentials or incomplete files. 

How the Review Process Works

All applications are processed by the Office of Graduate Admissions.  Hard copies of credentials are recorded and are placed in the candidate’s physical file, which is then available for review by the SSP admissions committee.  Electronic applications are available for preliminary review by the committee immediately after being opened but are not formally reviewed until complete.

Please note admissions decisions cannot be released via email, fax, or phone; nor will an applicant be notified of the decision until the application fee is paid in full.

The SSP admissions committee consists of both faculty and staff members.  Complete applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.  Once an admissions decision has been made a recommendation is made to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, which then performs a routine and final review of the file to ensure all application requirements are met.  The Graduate School then issues and mails the decision notification letter.

Applications for Spring 2008 admission are reviewed beginning in October.  Fall 2008 applications are reviewed in late January.  Applicants who submitted complete applications in January can expect to receive notification of their status by mid March.

Reapplication and Reactivating an Application

Applicants denied admission to the SSP should not reapply until steps have been taken to strengthen the application file.  Please contact the SSP admissions staff to discuss the appropriate course of action.

To reactivate an application, send the Reactivation Form to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Along with this form the following items are required: an updated statement of purpose; one new letter of recommendation; the Graduate School application fee ($75); and any items that may have been missing from your previous application such as standardized test scores, transcripts, et cetera.

Deferring Admission 

Admitted students are expected to begin the program in the semester for which they applied.  Should the student’s professional or personal circumstances change, however, a deferral to the next semester or the next academic year can be requested.  If granted, a deferral cannot be extended to a subsequent semester.  Admitted students can request a maximum of one deferral.

The form for request of deferral is located on the Graduate School website.