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Requirements
Admission to the doctoral program is competitive and is based upon the strength of the applicant's educational background and standardized test scores, work experience, statement of research interests and personal interview.
In reviewing applicants for admission to the program, the school will consider past academic record and scholarly potential of an applicant as well as the match of a candidate's research interests with those of the school's faculty. One or more faculty must be willing to assume the advisory role for the student.
Exceptions to these admission policies may be allowed for students with the potential for outstanding research contributions through their special background or experience.
Process
Note: The application period for summer and fall admissions is now closed. The application period for Spring 2008 will begin later this summer.
- Complete and submit the online SILS/Graduate School application, including the nonrefundable application fee of $73. Applicants who are U.S. citizens or resident aliens should follow the domestic application process; international applicants should follow the international application process. Be sure to complete or upload all of the following items in the online application:
- Complete the basic application
- Upload a résumé including work experience, special abilities and skills.
- Upload a written statement setting forth the research focus or interest to be addressed in the doctoral program.
- Arrange for three letters of reference. These letters are solicited by entering recommenders' email addresses into the online application. At least two letters should be from persons having first-hand knowledge of the applicant's academic capabilities.
- Send the following supplemental application materials to the Graduate School at:
Graduate Admissions
The Graduate School
CB #4010, 200 Bynum Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-4010- Transcripts of all academic work, sent directly from each institution (this includes an internal transcript from any academic work completed at UNC at Chapel Hill)
- Scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the past five years, sent from Educational Testing Service. Applicants holding a professional degree (e.g., JD, MD, DDS, Ph.D.) may request a waiver from this requirement.
- International applicants must also send scores on the TOEFL and an original copy of the Financial Certificate along with all supporting documentation (this form is required for entry in to the United States; no email or faxed copies will be accepted).
- Send supplemental application materials to SILS at:
Graduate Admissions
School of Information and Library Science
CB #3360, 100 Manning Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3360- Transcripts of all academic work, sent directly from each institution. Transcripts from work completed at UNC at Chapel Hill do not need to be sent to SILS, only to the Graduated School as outlined above.
- Copies of published works, if relevant.
- Wait for an interview request from SILS. The interview will be held in Chapel Hill, if possible (or by phone, otherwise).
- Wait for your admissions decision. You will receive letters from SILS and the Graduate School accepting or denying your application. You may submit your application for North Carolina residency within the time suggested by the graduate school.
Applications are not reviewed until all materials (forms, transcripts, test scores, essay and references) have been received. Financial assistance is not considered until the applicant has been approved for admission. It is imperative that your application, including all supplementary materials, be submitted before the deadline.
SILS admits doctoral students for matriculation in the fall, spring and summer semesters. We recommend beginning the program in the fall semester, since that is when most introductory courses are offered and when most merit-based financial assistance awards begin.
Deadlines
Fall Admission |
|
To be considered for Graduate School financial assistance |
January 1 |
All international applicants |
February 1 |
To be considered for SILS financial aid |
February 15 |
Last day to submit an application with the graduate school and SILS to be considered for Fall admission |
May 1* |
Spring Admission (January) |
|
All applicants |
October 15 |
Summer Admission |
|
Financial assistance requested |
January 1 |
Financial assistance not requested |
March 15* |
*During recent years, spaces have been filled earlier than these deadlines. Prospective students are encouraged to apply early even if financial assistance is not being requested.
Additional information and assistance
Prospective students may make appointments with faculty and staff members to discuss admission requirements, program schedules, and curriculum content. The school office arranges appointments within its normal business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday).
Transfer of Credits
Transfer of academic credits from other institutions is governed by requirements and policies of The Graduate School and SILS. A doctoral student may transfer into his or her degree program relevant graduate courses from accredited institutions or from other graduate programs within this institution, upon recommendation of the program and approval by The Graduate School.
The doctoral student may be examined on all transferred coursework at the time of the doctoral oral examination. There is no limit to the number of hours that can be transferred into a doctoral program to meet departmental course requirements - with the program's approval. However, doctoral students are required to complete a minimum residence credit of four full semesters, either by full-time registration, or by part-time registration over a large number of semesters.
Transferred credit will not be included in the residence credit calculation.