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Academic Departments: English
Students applying to graduate school in English generally apply in one of two areas: literature or creative writing. Students choosing to do graduate work in literature usually work toward a Ph.D. Students wishing to do graduate work in creative writing work toward a Master of Fine Arts (MFA).
There is no general directory or book available listing all of the literature programs at schools, but there is a directory for creative writing programs titled, The AWP Official Guide to Writing Programs. The department chair also receives a significant amount of mail from many programs. Not all of this information is put on bulletin boards and students should feel free to browse through the files in the English Department office. See the secretary for access to these materials.
Students applying to graduate school should work closely with a faculty advisor in the English Department on all aspects of the process. Students should also be aware of the qualities schools look for in applicants. The following five are very important:
1. A solid academic record: not just a strong GPA, but a range of course work, preferably including some historical spread; preparation in at least one foreign language; perhaps an honors thesis. (At a recent meeting of English department chairs, the director of graduate studies at one major institution noted that all applicants with a GPA of 3.6 or above get a reading by two faculty; those below get read by the director to see if there is something that will compensate for a lower GPA.)
2. Writing sample: a 15-20 page essay utilizing secondary sources. An impressive writing sample can offset a weaker GPA or GRE score. No lengthy honors theses should be submitted, but students applying to creative writing programs can benefit from completing an honors paper. As a matter of fact, for MFA programs, the primary weight is on the writing sample. Approximately 90 percent of the decision to admit is based on the portfolio. For Ph.D. programs, the applicant should select his or her essay from an advanced literature course and take advantage of the instructor's comments to revise it carefully for inclusion with the graduate program application. It is even a good idea to go back to the professor and ask for further suggestions.
3. Statement of Purpose: A highly critical part of the application, it should show both promise of making a contribution to the profession and knowledge of the institution to which the student is applying. Applicants should do some research before applying to any graduate program. They should be able to define why they want to enter a particular program and, to some extent, they should be able to define the area in which they hope to work (i.e., Applicants should avoid vague or general letters saying that they have heard good things about Mysterious U. or that they have always had a deep interest in literature and a love of reading).
4. GRE scores: verbal and analytical (and advanced where required) should be in the 600-650 range. A somewhat lower score in one area can be compensated for by other factors, as noted, but a truly low score (200-300) will most likely disqualify the applicant.
5. Letters of Recommendation: these should come from faculty who know and can speak to the applicant's work in detail. They should come from English faculty, not from employers or faculty in other departments. If a student is likely to postpone applying to graduate school, he or she should consider putting together a dossier in the Career Development Center so that faculty letters will be on file. There are two advantages to putting together a dossier: (1) the letters will be available the moment they are needed, and (2) the letters will be written while the student's work is still fresh in the faculty members' minds.
It is hard to advise students about whether or not to go on to graduate school directly after graduation. More students than not do not go on to graduate school directly after Macalester. Taking some time off does appear to be more useful for writers because it gives them more time to mature. However, taking a break is not quite as valuable for people wanting to obtain a Ph.D. in literature.
A special note to prospective K-12 teachers: it is recommended that students do not go to graduate school because that will cause schools that may hire them to have to pay them more. Schools generally do not want to pay new teachers the top pay scale rate. It is better, therefore, to work toward a Master's degree while employed as a teacher.
Many graduate schools in English offer partial or even full financial aid packages. Students should always ask for financial aid applications when sending away for admission applications. Furthermore, students should determine whether aid offered comes primarily in the form of fellowships or assistantships.
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