Admissions

ADMISSIONS TO THE PHD PROGRAM IN ENGLISH (Post Code 382)

Please note the following:

• The English department’s PhD Program in Literature and Creative Writing (post code 1087) has a different set of requirements and admissions process. http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/english/creative_writing/

• This website was revised September 24, 2008 to conform to the university’s deadline and online application procedure. 

WHEN TO APPLY

Applications are due December 1 for entrance in the fall. Applicants who wish to compete for university-wide Provost’s fellowships (including diversity fellowships) or College fellowships must have their applications fully complete by December 1.

For more information on Provost’s and Provost’s Diversity Fellowships, see http://www.usc.edu/schools/GraduateSchool/provost_fellowships.html.

HOW AND WHERE TO APPLY

One on-line application is now sufficient to be considered at both the university and departmental levels for admissions and fellowships. Please upload all application materials electronically on to the USC system through “ApplyYourself”: http://www.usc.edu/admission/graduate/applyonline/.

Both, the General GRE exam and the subject test (English Literature) are required for admission. http://www.takethegre.com/register.php

GRE school code: 4852
GRE Department code: 2501

Official transcripts and GRE score reports are sent directly to this address:

University of Southern California
USC Office of Graduate Admission
3601 South Flower Street, Room 112
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0915

If you have specific questions about the on-line application process, please contact Graduate Admission at gradadm@usc.edu.

If you have any questions regarding supplemental materials, please contact the graduate coordinator at the Department of English.

Flora Ruiz, Graduate Coordinator for Student Affairs
Department of English, University of Southern California
3501 Trousdale Parkway, Taper Hall, Room 404
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0354
Office telephone: (213) 740-3728
FAX: (213) 741-0377
E-mail: fruiz@usc.edu

MATERIALS TO BE SUBMITTED

The following items should be included in an application you submit online to USC’s Graduate Admissions; the English department’s admissions committee will access them on line. Please upload them as “supplemental materials.” 

1. Unofficial transcript copies of all undergraduate and graduate, both completed work and attempted work
2. Unofficial copies of GRE scores, both general test and Literature subject test
3. Your statement of purpose (two to three pages)
4. Three letters of recommendation **
5. Two writing samples (one if you wish to combine both) totaling no more than 20 pages
6. A one-page resumé
**Note: Upon submitting your on-line application, an email is sent directly to each individual you have listed to write a letter of recommendation. Specific instructions are given in the email on how to upload the letter of recommendation.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION

Evidence of rigorous and original work as an undergraduate or master’s student and a considered statement of purpose are as important for admission to USC’s Ph.D. program in English as high grades and GRE scores. You are encouraged to make yourself familiar with the program and faculty resources in the Department of English at USC (www.usc.edu/english) and to mention briefly in your statement of purpose how the program fits your interests. The two writing samples should give a sense of your range of interests and critical strategies, and your letters of recommendation should include at least two from professors who have taught you in English courses or courses in closely related fields.

NOTIFICATION OF DECISIONS

The admissions committee will announce decisions by late February.