FAQ FOR PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS TO THE PNP PROGRAM
My primary interests within philosophy are in cognitive science, so
I'm especially interested in the PNP program. However, I didn't get
interested in cognitive science until late in my undergraduate career, so my
background is much stronger in philosophy than in any of the relevant cognate
fields. Is this a problem?
No. We look primarily for philosophical aptitude in
applicants and almost all successful candidates have had a strong Philosophy
background (often including a terminal master’s degree). You should send as
your writing sample the piece that you think best “showcases” your
philosophical abilities. It does not need to be in the philosophy of mind or to
have an interdisciplinary dimension. The PNP program is set up so that our
students can take a year’s science coursework (we provide an extra year’s
funding). For that reason we don’t require undergraduate coursework in
neuroscience or psychology. Of course, we are interested in why you want to work
in this interdisciplinary area. Your statement of purpose should speak directly
to this.
What are the most important parts of my application?
The most important parts of your application are the
writing sample and the statement of purpose. You can expect these to be read
carefully. The writing sample is our best clue as to your philosophical
abilities. The area of philosophy that you write about is much less important
than that you demonstrate the ability to think clearly and rigorously. Your
statement of purpose should explain your academic interests and why you think
that they would best be served by the PNP program. It would be a good idea to
avoid phrases like: “Since time immemorial philosophy has touched the lives of
lovers of wisdom”!
What are the requirements for admission?
We aim to admit 2/3 students to the PNP program each year
(usually under 5% of the total applicant pool). We do not have required GPA/GRE
scores. Most admitted students have had GPAs over 3.6 and GREs over 650
(verbal/quantitative) and 5.5 (analytic), but we place most emphasis on the
writing sample and statement of purpose.
Are students in the PNP program being trained for jobs in Philosophy
departments or for jobs in Cognitive Science departments?
The PNP program has a very strong interdisciplinary
component. Nonetheless it is housed in the Philosophy department and you are
very likely to have a PhD adviser who is a philosopher by training. Most of the
PNP core faculty work in empirically-informed philosophy. Our principal areas
are philosophy of mind, philosophy of psychology, philosophy of neuroscience,
and moral psychology. All of our PNP graduates hold primary appointments in
Philosophy departments. For more details go to:
http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~pnp/recentGradStudents.php
The coursework component of the program includes at least a year of
coursework in neuroscience and psychology. This is in part designed to help our
graduate students be competitive for jobs with a secondary appointment in an
interdisciplinary Cognitive Science programs.
Are students in the PNP PhD program fully funded?
Yes. We do not admit students unless we are prepared to
continue funding them for at least 6 years (subject of course to satisfactory
progress). The 2006-2007 stipend for graduate students is $17,500 for the
9-month period from September to May. In addition students may apply for, and
generally are successful in receiving, summer funding.
Are there any additional fellowships for which I can apply?
Yes. We strongly recommend suitably qualified applicants
to apply for the Chancellor’s
Fellowship program and/or the Olin
Fellowship. These are prestigious awards that bring with them additional
funding. PNP students have been successful in these competitions in the past.
Can I apply to do a master’s degree in PNP?
No. We do not offer a terminal master’s program in PNP.
If my chances of being admitted to philosophy proper are significantly
better, might I consider applying to philosophy and then switching to PNP once
I get to
This would not be a good idea. The applications are looked
at by a single committee and applicants are usually considered for the program
for which they seem to us to be best suited, which is not always the one for
which they apply. We have in the past admitted regular program applicants to
the PNP program and PNP applicants to the regular program.
I am thinking about applying to the PNP program? Should I schedule a
trip to campus?
This is strongly recommended. You should contact us in
advance and we will arrange for you to meet with PNP faculty and some current
students – as well as to sit in on one of our graduate classes, if you
wish.
I have been offered a place in the PNP program. Can I come to campus
to look around?
We bring all applicants to whom we have made offers to
campus. In 2007 the prospective student’s day weekend will be on March 24-25.