Because the University's primary commitment is to its established disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs, the IPhD Program is quite small. Unusual student ability and motivation, as well as an increased level of attention from the entire supervisory committee, are required for the successful completion of an IPhD degree. Admission standards are therefore intended to exceed those of established Ph.D. programs, and applications are carefully reviewed at several levels. Like most doctoral programs, applications are considered only once a year . Due to the stringent entrance requirements, many applicants are not admitted.
All decisions are final with no appeal procedures available.
An application which is rejected can be submitted in revised form another year though a second rejection is possible. Applicants are therefore encouraged to pursue their objectives within the University's established Ph.D. programs whenever feasible. The applicant should then approach a Graduate Faculty member who is qualified to provide appropriate guidance. If the faculty member agrees that the program is feasible and desirable and agrees to serve as the student's principal dissertation advisor, the applicant may propose a supervisory committee with the faculty member as Chair. This proposed committee will include at least three but usually not more than five members of the Graduate Faculty representing the applicant's fields of interest.