Ph.D. Program in English Applications FAQ
Q. I'm only interested in completing a master's degree at UCI. Is that possible?
A. We only offer a terminal master's degree through the Summer M.A. Program. We do offer a Ph.D. in English or
American Literature.
Q. How many students apply? How many are admitted?
A. We receive approximately 200 applications and typically enroll 12-15 new graduate
students each year.
Q. May I submit more than 3 letters of recommendation?
A. Please send us three letters of recommendation from those who know you and your
work best. Additional letters of recommendation rarely enhance your
application.
Q. Do my letters of recommendation have to be sent along with my other supplemental
materials?
A. No, your letters of recommendation may be sent directly to us by your letter writers
or submitted electronically.
Q. Do I need to send copies of my transcript(s) to both the Graduate Division and the
Department of English?
A. No, we only require that one (1) official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate
institution previously attended be sent directly to the Department of English from your
Registrar's Office in a sealed envelope or included in a sealed envelope with your
supplemental application materials.
Q. What are the requirements for the Statement of Purpose?
A. There are no specific page lengths or formatting requirements for the Statement of
Purpose. Your statement is an opportunity to explain your reasons for pursuing graduate
study and how your academic interests relate to your professional goals.
Q. How long should my writing sample be?
A. Please submit one 10-20 page essay representing your best work. Only one writing
sample should be submitted. You may submit an excerpt from a longer paper but please
do not send several shorter essays.
Q. I plan to take the GRE in December. Will this be a problem?
A. As long as the rest of your application materials and on-line application are submitted by the December 15th
deadline, we will accept your GRE scores from the December test date.
However, your application will not be considered complete until the scores are received.
Q. Is the December 15th application deadline a postmark deadline?
A. Yes, all applications postmarked December 15 or earlier will be accepted.
