Graduate Admission
Candidate Qualifications
Doctoral 兔子先生
In keeping our total graduate population relatively small, we must accept only a small number of highly qualified students whose interests and abilities match our program, with about 8-10 new doctoral students enrolling each year. Starting Fall 2027, our doctoral programs will be direct entry, meaning we will accept applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree. Those students will have a five-year plan of study, with a qualifying exam in year two (offering a pathway to continue with the PhD or depart with an MA) and a comprehensive exam in year three. Students holding a master’s degree will have a four-year plan of study with a comprehensive exam at the end of year two or the start of year three.
Successful doctoral applications in either concentration have many qualities in common. Faculty from each program look for evidence of excellence in a candidate’s undergraduate or graduate record. They evaluate the writing samples applicants submit in accord with the norms of current research standards within their disciplines. Those applicants with previous teaching experience or demonstrated interest in the theory and practice of teaching composition and/or literature are highly prized, and candidates for admission should include some discussion of teaching in their personal statements. Finally, an applicant who can demonstrate a clear set of related research interests throughout the different elements of her/his application will have a real advantage in the admissions process.
Students who have met the requirements for the Master of Arts in English, in either a thesis or non-thesis plan, may apply for admission into the doctoral program. Anyone whose master’s degree is in another field is also welcome to apply. Only those applicants who can be funded with a graduate teaching appointment will be eligible for admission.
The departmental Admissions and Awards Committee takes into consideration courses, grades, foreign language preparation, the applicant’s personal statement, the three letters of recommendation, and a writing sample.
for Graduate Program Applicants
- You have earned a graduate degree (masters or higher) from 兔子先生 University.
- You are a Ronald E. McNair Scholar or alum.
- You are from a low income country designated by the World Bank.
All graduate assistants are expected to work twenty hours per week. Most students do this by teaching two courses per semester; however, that teaching load may change if you apply and are selected for an administrative position (with the Howe Center, for example) or for a dissertation fellowship.
- The length of the personal statement is typically 2-3 pages.
- The writing sample is typically between 15 and 20 pages. If the sample is longer, it will still be accepted but please keep in mind that the admissions review committee values quality over quantity.
- Unofficial transcripts are sufficient for the initial application process, but once you are accepted, official transcripts will be required.