Graduate School Admission Procedures

In order to apply to the graduate program in English, applicants must send certain application materials to the Graduate School (a set of all official transcripts, official GRE scores, Graduate School Application and fee), and others directly to the English Department (another set of all official transcripts, statement of purpose, critical writing sample, and letters of recommendation).  These application materials must be received by January 15 in order to be considered for fall admission.  We only have fall admissions.  The Graduate School will process these materials and then route them to the English Department so the department will have the complete file for the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Committee to review.

Graduate School requirements for admission:

1. Graduate School Application and application fee.  Applicants can fill out an online application to the Graduate School: http://www.rgs.uky.edu/gs/gsapplication.html. You can also pay the application fee on-line.  The application fee is $50 for domestic and $65 for international applicants.

2. One set of official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended.  (One set should be sent to the Graduate School and the other to Graduate Studies in the English Department.)  Transcripts should be sent directly from each college or university attended. An overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 and 3.00 on all graduate work is required of degree-seeking students. Individual programs may have higher requirements.  University of Kentucky graduates are not required to submit transcripts. 

3. Official copy of GRE scores.  These scores should be sent directly from Education Testing Service (ETS).  The institution code for the UK Graduate School is R1837.  The code for English is 2501.

Send these materials to:
Graduate School Admissions
The Gillis Building
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0033

English Department Admission Procedures

Each application for admission for either the M.A. or Ph.D. program is reviewed by the Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Committee.  A final decision depends on all the evidence submitted and the evaluation of the applicant’s potential for graduate study.  Each case is evaluated on its own merits.

Requirements for Admission to the English M.A. Program

In addition to fulfilling the admission requirements of the Graduate School, applicants are evaluated by the English Department on the basis of the following materials:

1. Transcripts showing completion of the equivalent of a University of Kentucky undergraduate major in English. Applicants who do not have an English major but a substantial background in literature should contact the Director of Graduate Studies. 

2. Transcripts showing a minimum of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale undergraduate grade point average.

3.  Official GRE reports showing scores at or above the 70^th - 80^th percentile for the verbal and analytical portions of the Graduate Record Exam.  The average of students currently enrolled is the 80^th percentile

4.  Three letters of recommendation in signed sealed envelopes addressing the applicant’s qualifications for graduate work in English

5.  Writing sample (analytical prose, not creative work, 8 - 20 pages)

6.  Statement of Purpose (1 - 2 pages)

Requirements for Admission to the PhD Program

PhD applicants are evaluated by the English Department on the basis of the following materials:

1. Transcripts showing an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 or above and the completion of the M.A. with a  graduate GPA of 3.75 or above

2. Official scores showing a ranking in the GRE verbal test in the 70^th - 80^th percentile or above

3. Statement of Purpose (2 pages)

4. Three letters of recommendation (for those with teaching experience, one should be a teaching reference)

5. A writing sample (analytical prose, not creative work, 10 + pages)

6. Applicants with teaching experience are required to submit a teaching portfolio (if available) or descriptions of courses taught (with specific syllabi, representative assignments, textbooks, etc.).

Send statement of purpose, writing sample, letters of recommendation, and Fellowship and Assistantship application (optional) to:

Graduate Studies Office
English Department
1275 Patterson Office Tower
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0027

Deadlines for Admission

All materials should be received by January 15 for the fall semester.  We only have fall admissions.

Questions?

For additional information, please write, e-mail (gradenglish@lsv.uky.edu), call (859-257-7006), or fax (859-323-1072), Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm EST.