Department of English

Frequently Asked Questions: application

• I would like to apply to the Graduate Program in Literary Studies but my undergraduate degree is not in English. May I still apply?
• Where can I get an application?
• Do I have to apply to the Graduate School online? How can I get a paper application?
• I am filling out the online application form for admission into the Graduate Program in Literary Studies and my only options for "Intended Field of Study" are English MA and English PhD. Which should I choose? I do not have an MA, but I do wish to apply to the doctoral program.
• I have a Master's of Fine Arts degree (MFA). May I apply to be admitted directly into the PhD phase of the Program in Literary Studies, or will I be required to complete the first (Master's) stage before moving on to doctoral coursework?
• What is the deadline for my application?
• Does the application have to be postmarked by the deadline or received by that date?
• Can I apply to begin my graduate English program during the Spring semester?
• May I defer my admission, if necessary?
• What do I send to the Graduate School and what do I send to the English Department?
• Do I have to send everything in one packet?
• Are my recommenders required to submit their letters electronically? What should I do if they do not use email?
• May I use a college or university recommendation service?
• Do you accept faxed transcripts or letters of recommendation?
• May I reuse old letters of recommendation?
• Do I need an official transcript from every school I attended?
• Do I need to submit transcripts from schools where I studied abroad?
• Do you have any advice about what to put into my personal statement?
• May I use the same personal statement for the English Department as I did for the Graduate School application?
• What kind of writing sample is required?
• When and how are admissions decisions communicated?
• How might I arrange to visit the English Department?

I would like to apply to the Graduate Program in Literary Studies but my undergraduate degree is not in English. May I still apply?

Yes, by all means. Our program is committed to the study of Anglophone literatures both in their particular national and linguistic context, and in their relation to other contexts, linguistic, national, disciplinary, and so forth. We are happy to welcome students whose undergraduate or graduate degrees are in such fields. Do note that because we also stress the comprehensive coverage of Anglophone literatures, you may find that you have to fill in some gaps, either before enrolling (summer courses, etc.) or during your first and second years. If you have had very few courses in English or other Anglophone literatures, we may reckon that you would find it impossible to fill in these gaps adequately —and this could affect our admissions decision. If you feel that you have a strong background in English, and that this is not represented by your coursework, please be sure to explain the circumstance as specifically as you can in your application.

Where can I get an application?

The Graduate School is now requring that all application forms be completed online.
To apply online, you will need to know that the numeric department code for the English Department is 405 and Creative Writing is 243.

Do I have to apply to the Graduate School online? How can I get a paper application?

All application forms must be completed online whenever possible. Paper application forms are no longer available. If you are unable to apply online, please make your request for alternate arrangements in writing to the Admissions Office, 7195H Helen C. White Hall, 600 N. Park St., Madison, WI 53704.

I am filling out the online application form for admission into the Graduate Program in Literary Studies and my only options for "Intended Field of Study" are English MA and English PhD. Which should I choose? I do not have an MA, but I do wish to apply to the doctoral program.

This is confusing and we do apologize. Applicants to the Graduate Program in Literary Studies who do not have a Master's degree must choose the "English MA" option in this instance. Applicants to Literary Studies who do currently have a Master's degree (or who will hold a Master's degree when entering the program at Wisconsin) must choose "English PHD." If you have questions about this, please contact the Admissions Coordinator.

I have a Master's of Fine Arts degree (MFA). May I apply to be admitted directly into the PhD phase of the Program in Literary Studies, or will I be required to complete the first (Master's) stage before moving on to doctoral coursework?

The first stage of the Graduate Program in Literary Studies provides a broad background in literature written in English, including intensive study in at least four different chronological areas, and exposure to diverse critical and theoretical orientations. Typically, an MFA program will not have time to explore the breadth of subjects we require as a firm foundation for our research-oriented doctoral program. If you believe your MFA program is unusual in this regard, please let us know at the time of application that you would like to be considered for admission directly into the PhD phase of the program. If you are admitted directly to the PhD phase of the program, you may be asked to fill in curricular gaps. It is more likely that you will be asked to enter at the first (Master's) stage.

What is the deadline for my application?

Your application materials must be postmarked by the applicable date. Application deadlines by program are here. Incomplete applications or those received after the deadline may not be considered.

Does the application have to be postmarked by the deadline or received by that date?

Your application materials must be postmarked by the applicable date. Application deadlines by program are here.

Can I apply to begin my graduate English program during the Spring semester?

No, all English graduate programs accept students to begin only during the Fall semester.

May I defer my admission, if necessary?

No, we're sorry but it is not possible to defer admission. Should you be accepted and find yourself unable to attend, you will have to reapply to the Graduate School, pay the application fee, and resubmit most of your application materials.

You will need to resubmit official transcripts, including any transcripts from institutions you have attended since your initial application. It is in your best interests to have fresh letters of recommendation – even if this means only that you ask your recommenders to resend earlier letters with a current date. (MFA applicants are required to submit new letters of recommendation with every application.) You may reuse your statement of purpose and your writing sample, but you are advised to think carefully about whether these reflect your current abilities and academic interests.

What do I send to the Graduate School and what do I send to the English Department?

To the Graduate School:

1. Online application
2. Application fee

To the English Department:

1. Reasons for Graduate Study – may be submitted with the online application
2. Three letters of recommendation from professors who are very familiar with your work and your potential as graduate student. These letters should be submitted online through the Graduate School whenever possible. If this is not possible, contact the Admissions Office to make alternate arrangements.
3. GRE scores
4. Academic Program Selection – Supplemental Application Form (download).
5. Official transcripts in original, sealed envelope from every college or university attended Please note: some transcripts list vague or generic course titles. For example, it might be useful to know that "English II" was a course on 17th and 18th century British writers, or that "American Literature I" was a course on Hawthorne, Melville, and Twain. Please supply such descriptions if possible.
6. An 8-10 page academic writing sample (or an appropriate writing sample for the MFA program)

Do I have to send everything in one packet?

We prefer getting all application materials in one packet but understand that sometimes this is not possible.

Are my recommenders required to submit their letters electronically? What should I do if they do not use email?

Letters of recommendation should be submitted electronically whenever possible. If your recommender is not willing or able to do this, contact the Admissions Office to make alternate arrangements.

May I use a college or university recommendation service?

We expect that your recommenders will submit their letters of recommendation electronically. With prior arrangements we will accept letters from a college or university recommendation service.

We may accept transcripts through a recommendation service for department use only. Should you be recommended for admission, you must send us two sealed official transcripts immediately. The Graduate School, which is the final authority regarding admission, will not accept photocopied or unofficial transcripts.

Do you accept faxed transcripts or letters of recommendation?

Faxed letters of recommendation and transcripts are not considered official documents. Transcripts must be mailed in signed and sealed envelopes to be considered official. Letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically unless prior arrangements have been made through the Admissions Office. Your file must contain official letters of recommendation and official transcripts to be considered complete. A faxed letter or transcript may be used on occasion in place of a forthcoming, official letter but only at the discretion of the Admissions Committee(s).

May I reuse old letters of recommendation?

It is in your best interest to refresh your letters of recommendation, if possible, so they carry a date of the year in which you apply for admission.

Do I need an official transcript from every school I attended?

We need an official record of all post-secondary coursework you have taken. This means that you will need to submit transcripts in the original, sealed envelope from the institutions you have attended. If you transferred from school A to school B, and your transcript from school B reads only "24 credits transferred from school A," then we will require a transcript from school A (we need to know what courses you took, and how you did in those courses). If your transcript from school B details the courses and grades from school A, then we do not need a separate transcript from school A. If you attended school C over the summer, say, or after graduating from school B (where you got your degree), and would like us to know about the course work that you did at school C, then we will require an official transcript from that school.

International academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Documents must be issued by the school with the official seal/stamp and an official signatures.

Do I need to submit transcripts from schools where I studied abroad?

Yes, transcripts from international schools must be submitted as part of your application materials unless full information of your course of study – including course titles in English and grades received – are in evidence on any other official higher education transcript.

International academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation. Documents must be issued by the school with the official seal/stamp and an official signatures.

Do you have any advice about what to put into my "Reasons for Graduate Study"?

This is your opportunity to discuss your reasons for graduate study. Students often include items such as: what prompted the decision to study English at the graduate level; background (life and education); real life literary experiences; academic interests and research; sources of inspiration, etc. If you have specific academic reasons for choosing the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of English, please articulate those. Statements should be around 300 words (one page double-spaced) and should be written in your distinctive voice.

May I use the same reasons for graduate study for the English Department as I did for the Graduate School application?

Yes. However, if you are applying for two different academic programs with one application, your reasons for study will differ and the statement you send – directly to each department – will differ.

What kind of writing sample is required?

For the MFA

The writing sample for the MFA application should consist of up to 10 pages of poetry (single-spaced, stapled) or one or two stories up to a maximum of 30 pages (double-spaced, stapled). An applicant's name should appear on the writing sample, and on a separate sheet along with address, phone number, email address, and title(s) of submission(s).

For other graduate English programs

For applications to graduate English programs other than the MFA, a single academic paper should be used, preferably about 10 pages. This should be your strongest work, not necessarily on the topic of your academic interest. You may send a couple of papers if they show very different academic strengths.

For the Creative Writing Component, as part of Literary Studies program

In addition to the academic paper, students must submit a creative writing sample of up to 10 pages of poetry, or 30 pages of fiction or creative nonfiction.

When and how are admissions decisions communicated?

We try to give you as much time as possible to think about your graduate school choices. Admissions decisions will be communicated as soon as possible. Typically students are contacted in late February. Students will be notified via U.S. post, or may also be telephoned or contacted via email.

How might I arrange to visit the English Department?

The Campus Information and Visitor Center has a wealth of information to help you plan your trip to campus, including maps, campus and library tours, suggestions on where to stay, and local weather. If you'd like to sit in on a class, you are welcome to send an email directly to the professor with your request. This is typically no problem. Faculty information is available here. We're sorry, we cannot provide an official tour of the English Department, but if you'd like to contact a current graduate student to meet for coffee, you are welcome to send an email to the Admissions Coordinator who will help put you in touch.

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(rev. 8/2005)