Prospective Students

Application Materials and Deadlines

Application materials and detailed instructions are available online through the UC Santa Cruz Grad Division website via SLATE application portal. Applications are open starting October 1. For information on application deadlines, please refer to the Division of Graduate Studies Admissions website. Applicants may check the status of their application online or by emailing the Graduate Program Coordinator at philgradadv@ucsc.edu. 

The department takes a holistic approach when looking at graduate student applications. A research background in philosophy is very helpful, though not required for admission. Our goal is to identify enthusiastic students who are well-prepared to thrive in an exciting research environment, and who will make the best use of the particular strengths and opportunities in our department..

Overview and Frequently Asked Questions

Please visit the Graduate School Division’s help page for a comprehensive overview of UCSC graduate school admissions.

Required materials include:

General GRE Test Score

The Philosophy Department no longer accepts GRE scores for graduate program applications starting Fall 2020.

Writing Sample

The writing sample should be between 4,000 – 6,000 words and should demonstrate analytic ability and/or the ability to identify and analyze a philosophical topic or problem. Please include your name in the footer of each page of your writing sample.

Statement of Purpose

In 500-1000 words, you should describe your plans for graduate study or research (including who and what) and your future goals (occupation or profession).

Personal History Statement

UC Santa Cruz is interested in a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. In an essay of 1-3 pages, discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Include any educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how you might contribute to social or cultural diversity within your chosen field; and/or how you might serve educationally underrepresented segments of society with your degree.

This statement will be used in conjunction with your application for graduate admission and financial support. Note that the Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Statement of Purpose.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Letters should be from professors, professional contacts, or others who can best speak to your abilities and academic potential in the field of Philosophy.

Letters are to be submitted electronically through SLATE.

You will register your recommenders and their email addresses as part of the online application in SLATE.

Transcripts

Official transcripts are not required at the time of application.

Instead, you should upload a copy of your unofficial transcripts to your online application. This can either be a scanned version of your official transcript, or, if available, a downloaded PDF from your institution’s online portal.

If admitted, prior to enrollment at UC Santa Cruz you will need to request an official transcript to be sent to:

UC Santa Cruz

Graduate Application Processing

1156 High Street

Santa Cruz, CA 95064

Application Fee

A non-refundable fee must accompany the submission of your application materials.

The amount is $135 for domestic applicants, $155 for international applicants.

Fee waivers for cases of hardship may be available to US citizens and permanent residents through the Graduate Division.

Site Visits

Students accepted into the program are invited to a departmental visit in winter quarter. During the visit, prospective students meet with faculty, staff, and current graduate students, learn about the program and research being done, and explore the campus. We encourage students to combine visits (and travel reimbursements) with other West Coast schools as UCSC travel reimbursements will be capped. Detailed information will be available after visit invitation is issued.

Further Inquiries:

All correspondence will be through the email address you provide on the application. 

Please do not send any application materials to the department office.