College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Government
Department of Government

PS-PSI Frequently Asked Questions

TIMING AND CONTENT

When will the PS-PSI be held?

The 5th annual PS-PSI will be held from May 31st through June 6th, 2026.

Who will I meet and interact with at the PS-PSI?

About 20 undergraduate students, master’s students and recent graduates from colleges and universities in DC, DE, MD, VA, and WV will attend the PS-PSI this summer. In addition to interacting with each other, participants will spend time with faculty and Ph.D. students in Georgetown’s Department of Government. These Ph.D. students will serve as mentors offering you support during the Institute and afterward. PS-PSI participants will interact with faculty from Georgetown and partnering universities in the region as well as several professionals in the field of political science.

What will I do at the PS-PSI?

The PS-PSI is a week-long training program that seeks to introduce participants to political science. Through interactive workshops, you will hone your research skills, learn more about what it means to do Ph.D.-level research in political science and work on your application materials to Ph.D. programs. By the end of the Institute, you should have a good idea of what is involved in doing a Ph.D. in political science and be well-positioned to continue developing your applications to Ph.D. programs if you choose to apply.

Does the PS-PSI have a research component?

If you are selected to participate in the PS-PSI, we will ask you to develop the research pitch that you wrote as part of your application (see the application form, and questions about the application below) into a more detailed proposal, thinking about questions such as what kind of data collection and data analysis the study would employ. Through the week-long Institute, we will encourage you to continue to develop that research proposal and to think about how the substance and methods of political science that you are learning about relate to your proposal. The proposal could also serve as the basis for part of your application to Ph.D. programs.   

I have other commitments during the week of the PS-PSI. Can I partially participate in the PS-PSI?

No. The program is designed to be attended in full. Taking part for only a few days and skipping the rest would diminish the usefulness of the program for you and for the other participants as well.

COST, LOGISTICS & PRACTICAL INFORMATION

This sounds expensive. What does it cost?

The PS-PSI is free and fully funded for all successful applicants, including meals and lodging for Sunday night through Saturday morning, the week of the Institute. Your travel to and from Washington D.C. will be reimbursed (up to $150), and you will receive a $1,000 stipend. 

Will the PS-PSI be held in person or online?

The PS-PSI will be held in person. Should public health or other unforeseen challenges make doing so untenable, we will work with those who have been accepted to the Institute to develop an alternative format. 

If the PS-PSI is held in person, can I attend remotely?

No. The Institute is designed to be in person and interactive. If you get sick while you are with us, though, we will do our best to accommodate you and make sure that you are safe and as well as can be.

APPLYING TO THE PS-PSI

Why should I apply?

The PS-PSI offers an opportunity to learn more about what it means to do graduate work in the field of political science; to interact with students and faculty in graduate programs in political science; and to get to know, and form part of a small cohort of, extraordinary students. If you like thinking about political problems, considering applying to Ph.D. programs, and wondering what such programs are like, we encourage you to apply to the PS-PSI.

I attend a college or university outside DC, DE, MD, VA, or WV. Can I still apply?

We are looking specifically for students attending or recently graduated from colleges or universities in DC, DE, MD, VA, and WV. To apply, you must be enrolled at or be a graduate of a college or university in one of those four states or DC.

What is the deadline to apply?

The due date for applications is March 1, 2026. The PS-PSI will be held from May 31 through June 6th, 2026.

Applications to the PS-PSI 2026 are now open. Please apply by following these instructions and submitting this form.

Can you help me apply?

We cannot help you with the materials of your application but would love to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us at pspredocsumminst@georgetown.edu. 

We are also holding zoom information sessions this fall and winter. Register for an information session by clicking one of the links below. In each session, the Institute’s director or founder and an alum of the program will outline what the PS-PSI is like and answer your questions.

I am interested in political science, but my college/university does not have a political science major or program. Can I still apply?

We understand that some schools offer political science as a minor, have isolated courses, or offer courses in related programs. Students majoring in related programs such as public policy, history, international relations, or political philosophy are encouraged to apply. If you are in doubt, feel free to reach out to us and check.

I think I am ready to apply. What do you require? 

You will need to fill out our 2026 application form. This will prompt you for everything you need to submit. You will need to provide us with a few types of information in your application:


What should I include in my research pitch?

This is up to you! We hope that you will describe a research direction: a political phenomenon or dynamic, in a particular place or places, at a certain time or over the course of some time, that you would like to learn more about. And we encourage you to tell us why you think it is important for the field of political science that research is done on that topic in order to discover more about it.

Are there any other application requirements?

Yes – you need to meet our eligibility requirements. There are 5.

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Academic Status:
    • Applicants should currently be sophomores, juniors, or seniors (in their second, third, fourth or final year of undergraduate study), OR
    • have graduated from with their undergraduate degree NO EARLIER than spring of 2022.
    • Students who are currently enrolled in a master’s program and graduated in the spring of 2022 or later are eligible to apply.
  2. Institution Location:
    • Applicants in undergraduate or master’s programs must be enrolled at a college or university located in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, or Delaware. 
    • Applicants who graduated since the spring of 2022 and are not currently in a master’s program must have completed their undergraduate degree in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, or Delaware. 
    • We welcome applications from students who call any state or country home; what is important for eligibility is the location of their academic institution.
  3. Field of Study: Applicants must be majoring in political science or a closely related field.
  4. Academic Performance:
    • Applicants must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. 
    • Applicants currently enrolled in a master’s program should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher AND a graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  5. Interest in Graduate Education: Applicants should have an interest in or a desire to learn more about pursuing a Ph.D. in political science or a closely related field.

I know I have to indicate the name of a faculty member who can serve as a reference for me.  Should I ask that person to serve as a reference before I put their name down?

Yes, it is a good idea to ask that person if they would be willing to serve as a reference for you before you include their name on the application form.

We will ask the person you note as a reference to write a letter of recommendation for you.

Who should I ask to serve as a reference for me?

The best recommendation letters are written by a professor you have taken a class with or otherwise worked with, who knows your abilities, and who can speak to your strengths. Alternatively, a faculty member who serves as an academic mentor to you, or a Teaching Assistant who has graded your work and with whom you have a good relationship, could write you a recommendation.

We recommend that you give us an academic reference rather than a professional reference, even if you are a recent graduate and not a current student.

My materials are ready. How do I apply?

Please apply by following these instructions and submitting this form.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

I think I would like to attend the PS-PSI, but I am not sure I want to apply to Georgetown’s Ph.D. in Government program. Do I have to apply to Georgetown’s Ph.D. program if I attend the PS-PSI?

No, you are under no obligation to apply to Georgetown’s Ph.D. in Government program (or any other Ph.D. program) if you attend the PS-PSI. However, if you do apply, Georgetown will waive the application fee. 

What if I’m not sure I want to go to graduate school yet?

That’s perfectly fine! The PS-PSI is designed to give you an impression of what it would be like to pursue a Ph.D. in political science. If the PS-PSI helps you to make up your mind, whether that means you very much do or absolutely do not want to pursue a Ph.D. in Political Science, it will have been a success. 

What will happen after the PS-PSI?

After the PS-PSI, we hope to stay in touch. Your Ph.D. ambassador and faculty mentor will be available to help you with questions as you continue your studies as a junior or senior in college or apply to graduate school, in the fall of 2026. You can reach out to your “near-peer” mentor and your faculty mentor for help at any point during the twelve months following the PS-PSI. 

I would love to apply, but this year does not work for me. Will there be another chance?

We hope a predoctoral institute in political science will be held in the DC area each summer for many years to come. We would love to see your application next year, or whenever you are ready!

If you have questions about any other aspect of the PS-PSI – or if you have questions about our answers above! – please don’t hesitate to send us an email at: pspredocsumminst@georgetown.edu. 

We look forward to hearing from you!