Department of English

Background

An undergraduate major in English is not required of applicants to the M.A. program, but the Graduate Admissions Committee takes into consideration the undergraduate and/or postgraduate record in English courses.

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REQUIRED MATERIALS

• The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Application

• GRE
  

The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of ALL applicants, including foreign nationals. GRE scores cannot be more than five years old. The GRE Subject Test in English Literature is not required. Non-native English speakers are required to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. A minimum score of 550 (paper test) is required for the TOEFL. A minimum score of 7.0 is required for the IELTS.

• Additional materials
  

All applicants must submit the following to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences:

1. a 2-3 page academic statement of purpose addressing in detail their intellectual interests and proposed topic(s) of graduate study. Applicants interested in applying for a specialized stipend (listed under Scholarship Aid) should note this at the top of their Academic Statement of Purpose.
   
2. an 8-10 page sample of critical writing, on a topic related to British or American literature (this includes poetry, theater, and film). Please do not submit journalism, creative writing, or papers dealing with fields other than literary studies.
   
3. three letters of recommendation, which should come from academic sources able to comment on the applicant's ability to think critically and analyze texts. Letters from employers, friends, or family members are not acceptable.
4. official transcripts from every institution you have attended since secondary school.

Completed applications and supplementary material must be received by the following deadlines:

• Spring 2010: November 1, 2009 (no scholarship consideration)
• Fall 2010: January 1, 2010 (Applications that are complete by this deadline will receive scholarship consideration.)
• Fall 2010: May 15, 2010 (no scholarship consideration)

Please note: Applicants interested in scholarship aid must take the GRE exam by December 1, 2009 in order to meet the January deadline.

APPLY HERE