Department of English
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Grading Criteria
If you apply for admission to graduate study in English at Purdue, bear in mind that we pay particular attention to your statement of purpose. It should tell us something about your intellectual history and development. Which books and courses have been important to you, and why? Why are you hoping to pursue graduate study? Why at Purdue? If you are applying to the doctoral program, in what area(s) do you plan to specialize? What research topics interest you especially?
Each application is reviewed holistically. Applicants are required to submit a personal statement, a writing sample (an essay written for a course in English or one of the other humanities), three letters of recommendation, GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical), and official transcripts (originals, not copies) from all previously attended universities. The GRE subject exam in English literature is recommended, but not required, for applicants to the Literature program.
International students must submit an official TOEFL iBT score (sent directly from the testing center). The minimum internet based scores required for admission are the following:
Writing: 18
Speaking: 27 (to be considered for a teaching assistantship in the English Department)
Listening: 14
Reading: 19
Total score: 77
The English Department also accepts the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. An overall band score of 6.5 is required for admission. A score of 7 in the speaking section is required if you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship in the English Department.
Students admitted to the M.A. program generally have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.4. On the average, they score between 500 and 600 on the GRE verbal and analytical exams. They inspire strong letters of recommendation. Their statements of purpose show intelligence, creativity, a love for reading and learning, and a reflective spirit. Their written work shows discipline and scholarly promise.
An M.A. degree is a prerequisite for admission to the Ph.D. program in English. They are separate degree programs and have different standards for admission.
In general, students admitted to the Ph.D. program have earned a GPA of at least 3.6 in their Masters coursework. They can demonstrate broad knowledge of their respective field. They inspire strong letters of recommendation from former teachers. They earn scores of 600 to 700 on the GRE exams. 30% of our students score in the 89th percentile or higher on the Verbal portion of the GRE exam. Their written work (writing sample, statement of purpose) suggests the ability not only to do good coursework, but also to produce original, publishable research. Their classroom experience indicates their talent and potential as teachers. Their stated, scholarly goals also match or complement the expertise and research interests of our faculty.
If you are applying to the MFA program the admissions committee would like a sample of your recent writing - a group of 8 to 10 poems if applying in poetry; 2 to 3 stories (or a novel excerpt) if applying in fiction. Please include a brief response to these questions: Whose work do you admire? What collections of poetry and/or works of fiction read in the last year have been important to you and why?