JSP FAQ

Do you need to have a JD to enter the program?

No, only about one-fifth of the entering students already have a JD, an MA, or an LLM.

What materials need to be submitted as part of the application?

Applicants need to have all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions where they've been enrolled send official transcripts. They also need to take the GRE, but they do not need to take the LSAT. If they have taken the LSAT that can be assessed as well, but it is not required. They need three letters of recommendations. The application also consists of two short essays. One is called the “statement of purpose” in which applicants communicate their goals for graduate study and beyond, in addition to why they want to be at JSP and what they hope to get out of the Ph.D....

What are you looking for in terms of an applicant’s qualifications?

We do holistic reviews of each applicant, but most important are indications for the applicant’s qualifications to be an outstanding academic. Thus, we will look at an applicant’s grades and the courses that they’ve taken in previous programs. A JD or MA could help aid this signalling process, but it’s certainly not the key factor in the decision. Furthermore, the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and samples of academic writing will help the admissions committee decide how committed the applicant is to the high-level research done in the program. The...

How large are the cohorts?

The cohorts are about 8 to 10 students each year.

Does an applicant need to have academic writing experience past college classes before applying?

While a few students have already published a paper, about 80 to 90% of our students have not done so before.

Who should one ask for a letter of recommendation?

It’s best to choose someone who can comment truthfully and thoroughly on an applicant’s academic experience, rather than someone who is well-known in the field.

Do applicants need to have a dissertation topic picked out by the time they apply?

No, it is actually preferred to come into the program with no thorough plan prepared. This process of deciding on research questions that are important to the field, in addition to, especially at JSP, policy and law is one of the most important aspects to a Ph.D. program.

Is work experience preferential in the application process?

Work experience is certainly not necessary for the application and is only helpful when a student’s experience helps them with regards to research direction or access to settings for research.

Are certain academic areas more preferred than others?

No, all are equally preferred. The admission committee does try to balance out the areas that students are accepted for. Furthermore, students are especially encouraged to experiment with different academic areas during their time in the program.

Are JSP students teaching during their time in the program?

Yes, students start their teaching appointments during their second year in the Ph.D. program. During their third, fourth, and fifth years in the program, the JSP funding comes from the students' graduate student instructor (GSI) appointments in the undergraduate Legal Studies program. If they so wish, students can also receive more campus fellowships towards the end of their time in the program, so as to not be teaching so much during the research and writing process for their dissertations.