PS This essay gives the English 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. Please download our personal statement cover sheet and include it with your essay in the online application system. Please be sure your proposed field of concentration is showing on the top line of your personal statement. GPA It is rare that a candidate is admitted with a GPA of less than 3.2 (on a 4.0 basis) or 3.4 in the candidate’s major field. The English Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee does make exceptions on occasion when the candidate’s junior and senior years of college work show substantial improvement over the freshman and sophomore years. Fee Complete and submit your online application. You will be asked to provide a valid credit card for payment of the application fee ($75) when you submit your application. RL Three letters of recommendation are required. Students should ask for letters from professors who know them well, preferably from their last two years of coursework. We suggest contacting your professors several months before our application deadline. Please have recommendation letters submitted directly through the Graduate School’s application website. Please do not send recommendations by Interfolio. Transcript Your application form must be submitted through the Graduate School’s online system. Please include your official transcripts, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, GRE test scores, and writing sample.