Admission to the Sage School

Admissions Criteria

The Sage School admissions process is highly selective � we receive approximately 250 applications each year for 6-8 places in our program. As a result, we look for students with outstanding potential for graduate work in philosophy. In our admissions process we give considerable and roughly equal weight to three parts of an applicant�s file:

• academic record
• letters of recommendation
• writing sample

The applicant's personal statement is also given some weight in the process.

We use no particular numerical criteria (no minimum grade point average, for example), and we neither require GRE scores nor give them any significant weight when they are provided to us. We try to identify candidates with very strong general academic backgrounds and special skill or talent for philosophy in particular.

Academic Record

We look for a strong general undergraduate record and very strong indication of philosophical ability. The latter is often (but not always) demonstrated by a record of achievement in philosophy courses. We normally expect applicants to have background in philosophy at least the equivalent of what a Cornell undergraduate philosophy major would have. Many of our applicants come from Masters degree programs or have done some other sort of graduate work before applying to Cornell.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation is typical. It is best if they are written by people who know the applicant well and can provide some concrete and detailed assessment of his or her work. At least one should be from a philosopher or philosophy instructor; it is better if two are (but a second letter from a philosophy teacher who is not well acquainted with the applicant may be less helpful than a letter from a non-philosopher who does know him or her well).

Writing Sample

We look for a substantial, polished piece of writing that shows the applicant�s philosophical abilities and skills. Typically a term-paper length paper (about 15 pages) is appropriate. Writing samples longer than 30 pages are unlikely to be read in their entirety. Something written for an upper-level philosophy course is generally appropriate.

Personal Statement

We look for some insight into a person�s general intellectual character and interests as well as some indication of how the person�s abilities and interests fit with our program. We are particularly interested in candidates for whom our resources are especially well suited and who bring something interesting to our intellectual community.