{"id":8967,"date":"2025-01-04T13:23:31","date_gmt":"2025-01-04T10:23:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.phil.bilkent.edu.tr\/?page_id=8967"},"modified":"2025-05-19T14:15:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T11:15:17","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.phil.bilkent.edu.tr\/index.php\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Admissions FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShould I contact prospective thesis supervisors in advance?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Successful PhD applications will depend on the department’s capacity to offer appropriate supervision.\u00a0We recommend PhD applicants contact potential supervisors<\/a> before submitting their application. If you have contacted a faculty member about supervision please mention this in your research statement.<\/p>

MA applicants are advised to review the profiles<\/a> of faculty members before applying. 2-3 potential supervisors should be listed in your research statement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

Note: Faculty members who are currently on research leave are not eligible to serve as supervisors until they return.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat should be included in my statement of purpose?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Your statement must include your proposed thesis topic, potential supervisor(s)<\/a>, and career plans.<\/p>

Your statement should emphasize your research question\/ problem, rather than your personal background, achievements, or motivations.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere should I upload my CV and writing sample?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

You can upload these, along with any other documents you wish to include in your application, in the ‘Supporting Files and Documents’ section of the online application.<\/p>

If needed, combine the files into a single ZIP file before uploading.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMy ALES\/ GRE results will not be announced before the application deadline. Can I still apply and submit my scores when they are announced?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes. If an offer to join the program is made before the scores are announced, it will be a conditional offer. In such cases, the required scores must be submitted as soon as possible and no later than the registration date for new graduate students.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMy English language proficiency, ALES\/ GRE, or GPA score is just below the required threshold? Can I still be accepted into the program? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Unfortunately we require scores exactly on or above the specified threshold<\/a>. We do not round up.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy is there an early and regular application round for those intending to start in Fall?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply during the early application round. If their application is successful, this will grant them sufficient time to deal with any extra paper work (e.g.\u00a0 student visa).<\/p>

The early application round will also be useful for those who would like to receive an early decision, granting them more time to plan ahead for the upcoming academic year.\u00a0<\/p>

Applicants in both rounds are treated equally. There is no disadvantage to applying in either round.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAre all applicants invited to complete the written exam and interview? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

No. Only selected applicants are invited.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo I need to visit Ankara for the entrance exam and interview?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

No. Both are conducted online.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs the written exam a test of my philosophical knowledge?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

No. The aim of the exam is to assess your ability to (1) clarify concepts, (2) unpack an argument, (3) develop and defend an argument, and (4) write clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Thus, the exam does not presuppose a background in philosophy. Equally, there is no need to review the philosophical literature in preparation for the exam.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo PhD applicants need YDS? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, this is a requirement of the Inter-Universities Board (\u00dcAK) for all new PhD students. It is not a factor in the department\u2019s decision-making process. However, accepted PhD students must provide this score (or equivalent) no later than the date of registration for new graduate students. Note that PhD applicants may use TOEFL instead of YDS, provided<\/em> the test is taken at a public university (e.g., METU or Hacettepe University). In such cases, it can be used to simultaneously fulfill the department<\/a> and \u00dcAK\u2019s English language proficiency requirements. Click here<\/a> for further details.*<\/p>

YDS is not<\/em> required for MA applicants.<\/p>

* Please check the very latest \u00dcAK documentation in case there are any changes to the regulations.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow long will it take for the department to reach a decision?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

We aim to finalize the list of applicants to be invited to the entrance exam and interview within three weeks of the application deadline.<\/p>

Successful applicants will be informed within three weeks of the interview.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tI have a further question that hasn't been answered here. Whom should I contact?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

If you have a question that is not answered anywhere on the department’s web page, you may contact us at philgrad@bilkent.edu.tr<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Should I contact prospective thesis supervisors in advance? 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