Psychology and
Human Development
Topics of Study
Human behavior, cognition, emotion, mental health, and development across the lifespan. Subfields range from experimental and clinical psychology to developmental science, educational psychology, and family studies. Methods include lab experiments, clinical assessment, longitudinal surveys, and observational research.
Competitive Candidate Sample Experiences
Research experience (ideally 1-2 years in a psychology lab)
Clinical or direct service hours (especially for PsyD and clinical PhD programs)
Poster presentation or co-authorship on paper or conference abstract
Licensed Psychologist
PhD, PsyD
Licensed Therapist
MS Clinical Psychology, MS Counseling
Developmental Researcher or Education Policy Analyst
MS Child Development, PhD
Academic Researcher or Faculty
PhD
Sociology and
Anthropology
Topics of Study
Social structures, culture, inequality, institutions, and human societies across time and place. Sociologists analyze race, class, and collective behavior through surveys and administrative data; anthropologists conduct ethnographic fieldwork, often abroad, and study culture, evolution, and language. Both fields value qualitative depth alongside quantitative rigor.
Competitive Candidate Sample Experiences
Research or fieldwork experience (e.g., RA, independent projects)
Language study relevant to area of study (especially for anthropology)
Experiences with statistical analysis methods (e.g., regression, qualitative coding)
Policy Analyst or Researcher
MA, PhD
Cultural Consultant, Curator, or NGO Researcher
MA Applied Anthropology, PhD
UX Researcher or Applied Social Researcher
MA
Academic Researcher or Faculty
PhD
Political Science and
Public Policy
Topics of Study
Government, political behavior, international relations, public policy, and institutions. PhD programs are increasingly quantitative; MPA and MPP programs are professional degrees focused on applied policy skills — economics, statistics, and leadership. Area expertise and language skills matter significantly for comparative and international subfields.
Competitive Candidate Sample Experiences
Area expertise (e.g., language and regional language for international relations)
Quantitative skills (e.g., R, Stata)
Policy or government internship experience for MPA/MPP candidates
Policy Researcher
MPA/MPP, PhD
Government Analyst, Legislative Staff, or Diplomat
MA, MPA/MPP
International Development
MA International Affairs, MPA/MPP
Academic Researcher or Faculty
PhD
Economics
Topics of Study
Markets, incentives, behavior, and quantitative policy analysis. Economics PhD programs are the most technically demanding in the social sciences — graduate-level math, statistics, and econometrics from day one. Behavioral economics, development, labor, and public finance are common subfields at the intersection of social science and policy.
Competitive Candidate Sample Experiences
Advanced mathematics and extensive quantitative analysis
RA experience with economist or a pre-doctoral RA position
Economist (e.g., IMF, World Bank)
PhD
Economic Consultant or Data Scientist
MA Applied Economics, PhD
Development or Policy Economist
MA Developmental Economics, MPP, PhD
Academic Researcher or Faculty
PhD
Social Work
Topics of Study
Community practice, mental health, advocacy, and systems change. MSW programs prepare students for direct clinical work with individuals and families or for macro-level policy and organizing roles. PhD programs train researchers who study social welfare, inequality, and the effectiveness of interventions.
Competitive Candidate Sample Experiences
Direct service or volunteer experience with populations of interest
Clear trajectory towards specialized pathways and demonstrated commitment to social justice (e.g., organizing efforts for programmatic roles)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
MSW
Child Welfare Case Manager, Family Advocate
MSW
Policy Advocate, Nonprofit Director, Community Organizer
MSW, MPA/MPP
Academic Researcher or Faculty
PhD
Social Sciences Fields and Graduate Pathways
This guide can help you explore what each field studies, where it leads, and what kinds of experiences make a competitive applicant.