Are you thinking about applying to MIT's political science department for a PhD? Wonderful! I receive many emails from prospective students and so am collecting my most-commonly-shared information here.

• You do not need to contact department faculty in advance of applying. Unlike some other fields, we do not have an admissions system in which individual advisors choose to accept students who will work with them; we have a central admissions committee who reads all the applications and makes decisions. So you don't need to identify and connect with a specific faculty member who will consider your application: just follow the application process described on the department website. I am generally not able to meet with prospective students before they apply, both for equity reasons and time limitations. The department then runs an admitted-student visit in the spring with lots of time for admitted students to meet with faculty and current students in the department and get a sense of the place.
   
• Am I currently available to advise graduate students and serve on dissertation committees? Yes.
   
• The incredible graduate students of our department organize a program called PS-AMP in order to provide application mentoring for students from underrepresented backgrounds in academia. Information about the program is typically posted in fall for that year's application cycle, so keep an eye on on the department's admissions page.
   
• The department's admissions FAQ page includes information on fee waivers for the application fee.