American Studies
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Admissions Checklist
- Department: Application for admission and $55 application fee submitted directly to the Graduate School.
The Graduate School requires an electronic application. This electronic application can be accessed by going to
http://www.gradschool.purdue.edu/admissions/
Degree or Enrollment Objective: Indicate "American Studies" and "Literature", "History", "Political Science", "Sociology", "Philosophy", "Educational Studies", "Anthropology" or "Communication" for specific subject area, which will be your area of concentration in the program.
If you will not have the Masters (or its equivalent) when you enter our graduate program, please select "Master's Degree" even if your eventual goal is the Ph.D. If you wish to take course work, but are not immediately interested in a degree program, select "Postbaccalaureate" on the form. If you apply for Postbaccalaureate status, you may eliminate items 4, 5, 6 and 7 below.
- Statement of Purpose: In this statement be sure to describe your long range goals and your preparation and background in research and writing. You may wish to describe your prior work experience and cite any published works. (Approximately 500 words.) This document can be submitted with your on-line application.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts of all higher education institutions. Upon beginning their studies at Purdue, students must have had final transcripts from their previous school(s) filed with the Purdue Graduate School. Foreign transcripts must include the English translation of both transcripts and diplomas and must be ORIGINAL documents.
- GRE Scores: M.A. and Ph.D. admission requires the general test only.
- TOEFL Scores: Required if your native language is not English. Minimum of 550 required of paper-based tests; 213 for computer-based tests; and the following for internet-based tests: writing - 18, speaking - 18; listening - 14; reading - 19; total - 77.
- TWE Scores: Required of anyone submitting TOEFL scores.
- TSE Scores: Strongly recommended for full funding consideration.
- Letters of Recommendation Three (3) letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic ability. The Graduate School has created an electronic form for submission of letters of recommendation. See their website (http://www.gradschool.purdue.edu/admissions/) for instructions on submitting these on-line. Paper copies can still be sent to the address below.
- Writing Sample: An academic paper written in English, consisting of at least 2,500 words.
- Deadline: January 15 for anyone seeking financial support. Applications for admission that include requests for financial support must be completed and in our office by January 15. Applicants not seeking financial support should have completed application files to us by May 1 (for fall semester) or September 15 (for spring semester). We look forward to reviewing your completed application for admission to our program.
Items 3-7 and 9 must be sent to: Graduate Studies Office, American Studies Program, Purdue University, Beering Hall of Liberal Arts and Education, Room 1289, 100 North University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2098.
We look forward to reviewing your completed application for admission to our program.