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Applying to the Graduate Program

Applications can now be accessed through the Graduate School's website at www.grad.uconn.edu/applications . Note that the application to Graduate English can be only for the MA terminal or the Ph.D program, not both.

For fall admission, complete application folders must reach the University by January 1st. Foreign applicants must submit application materials by December 20th.

The application and transcripts, test scores, personal statement , the three letters of recommendation and writing sample need to be sent in one packet directly to the Graduate School, see link above for more information. The entire packet will be forwarded to the English Department. Please do not send duplicate materials to both places. If a recommendation letter has to be sent separately, please send directly to the English Department or by email to gradenglish@uconn.edu.

Applicants are usually judged by the following criteria:

  • GRE Scores : Candidates who are admitted usually score in the 600's or above, and minimally in the 500 range, on the Graduate Record Exams. Both the Verbal and the English Literature subject tests are required. Further information is available at www.gre.org . UCONN code is 3915 and English Literature is 2501.
  • TOEFL Exam : The University requires the TOEFL Exam for all students whose native language is not English.
  • GPA : It is rare that a candidate is admitted with a grade point average of less than 3.2 (on a 4.0 basis) or 3.4 in the candidate's major field. The department's Admissions Committee does make exceptions from time to time when the candidate's junior and senior years of college work show substantial improvement over the freshman and sophomore years.
  • Letters of Recommendation : Three letters of recommendation should accompany each application. Students should request letters from teachers who know them well, preferably from their last two years of coursework.
  • Personal Statement : This letter gives the department's Admissions Committee some idea of the applicant's writing style, range and depth of ideas, quality of mind, and motivation to embark on an advanced degree program in English and American Literature. A cover sheet can be attached to this letter.
  • Writing Sample : A writing sample is required for both the MA and Ph.D. application. The committee would like to see a researched critical paper.