Transcript:
Upload a scan of all university transcripts to the application system. If your university does not provide term I 2018-19 grades by the admissions deadline, please upload the transcript you have by January 15. Once grades are available, please send a scan of your official transcript to socgrad@mcmaster.ca. It is expected that all such documents arrive by February 1 for priority admissions consideration.
If an offer of admission is extended, you will receive directions to submit formal transcripts in institutionally sealed envelopes.
Curriculum Vitae:
Applicants can submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume if desired.
Personal Statement:
Please upload a one-page, single-spaced statement of interest that specifies your proposed area of study for the Ph.D. degree in Sociology. What research questions inspire you? What methodological skills do you bring and hope to develop while in the program? Applicants should identify the sociological research plan they will pursue in their doctoral research. Please also identify one of more potential faculty supervisors with whom you would like to work.
Applicants who do not have a B.A. or M.A. degree in Sociology should include with their statement of interest an additional statement (maximum 500 words) outlining their preparation for graduate study in Sociology, e.g., completed courses with substantial sociological content, sociological research and sociologists that have informed your own work, related research assistantship experiences, etc.
Recommendation Letter:
Two confidential reference letters are required from instructors most familiar with your academic work. The electronic referencing system will send an e-Reference request on your behalf.
If you are unable to use the Electronic Referencing system, you can download the paper reference form. This reference letter must be sent directly by the referee in a sealed envelope: Department of Sociology, 1280 Main St W., Hamilton ON L8S 4M4 Canada.
Writing Sample:
Please also upload a sample of written academic work that demonstrates your ability to do sociological work and your ability to write. This sample may be a course paper, part of a course paper, a thesis chapter, or a publication. The sample should be no longer than 15-20 double-spaced pages.. Formatting should be set at least one-inch margins and 12-point type. (This is a length specification: your sample of work may be in a different format but should be of equivalent maximum length.)