FAQs
Do you have to have a Masters degree or previous Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies coursework to apply?
No - We admit students from a wide variety of disciplines and academic levels.
Can I meet with a faculty member in the department prior to applying to the Ph.D. program?
Due to the number of inquiries the WGSS graduate program receives, we are unable to accommodate individual consultations, professional mentoring or research advice between faculty and prospective students.
What kind of writing sample should I send?
It is best to send a selection of your best work, no more than 20 pages. You may wish to consult with those who know your goals and intellectual work best.What should a good Statement of Purpose contain?
A good Statement of Purpose should give us a clear representation of your strengths as an applicant. It should tell us about your academic background, about what kinds of research plans you wish to pursue, and any other facts about yourself that are most relevant to your qualifications for admission. Specificity in the description is especially helpful, such as classes you have taken or sustained research projects you may have pursued. These kinds of details, used selectively, give us a much better picture of you as a student and applicant. A good Statement of Purpose might run about 3 pages, double-spaced. There is no strict requirement, but this is a reasonable length for most statements that do the job they need to do.Does the department require GRE scores?
WGSS and Laney Graduate School no longer require GRE scores. Scores which are volunteered will be removed from the application, therefore, please do not submit official or unofficial GRE scores to Laney Graduate School.Why doesn't the department consider GRE scores?
Research on graduate admissions and testing overwhelmingly demonstrates that GRE scores do not reliably predict success in doctoral programs. There is also substantial evidence to show that GRE scores represent a barrier to diversity: they are biased against women, under-represented minorities, and international applicants. Finally, the cost of the GRE can be a disincentive to apply to graduate school. The department’s decision to ignore GRE scores in graduate admissions reflects our commitment to equal access regardless of gender, race, economic status, or national origin.
If English Is Not Your First Language
WGSS requires that all Ph.D. applicants who are non-native speakers of English submit the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS scores to the Laney Graduate School when applying for admission. To report IELTS scores on your application, you only need to provide IELTS with the name of “Emory University Laney Graduate School” (there is no code).
In very rare circumstances, non-native English speakers who have completed a substantive part of their education in English may be considered for a waiver. Applicants who believe they might be eligible should email the WGSS Graduate Program Coordinator with PDFs of unofficial transcripts after submitting their application to the program. A waiver is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis after complete applications are received.
Am I eligible for an application fee waiver?
Please check the application fee waivers page to see whether you are eligible for a fee waiver.My recommenders are unable to submit their letters of recommendation using the application system. Can I submit a pdf of my recommendation letters?
The WGSS Ph.D. Program requires three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic performance. These must be submitted online by your recommenders, and services like Interfolio are accepted. Your application is incomplete until the letters are submitted.
For more information about application requirements, please visit the Laney Graduate School admissions website.
On average, how many applications do you receive per year? How many offers do you make?
We typically receive 100-135 applications for admission and make an average of five offers of admission a year. Students who accept offers are awarded a basic funding package and are eligible for additional fellowships through Laney Graduate School.