In addition to the University’s required application materials, applicants should review the information below for additional expectations or application requirements.

Critical Writing Sample:

Writing samples must be examples of analytical writing (rather than creative writing) directly related to literature.  Double-spaced, 15-20 page paper of no more than 5,500 words, in 12-point font and with 1-inch margins.  The Critical Writing Sample should be uploaded in the Supplemental Document-Required section on the Program Supplement page of the online application.

Statement of Purpose:

The Statement of Purpose should be intellectual rather than autobiographical, aimed at giving the admissions committee a strong account of the applicant’s scholarly interests. No longer than 1,000 words, in 12-point font and leaving 1-inch margins.

Three Letters of Recommendation:

Three strong letters of recommendation from professors who are familiar with a candidate’s academic work. Recommenders should address not only the applicant’s scholarly achievements, but also the applicant’s originality as a thinker and potential as scholar and teacher.

Foreign Language mp3 (Comparative Literature applicants only):

Applicants in Comparative Literature, and only applicants in Comparative Literature, should submit an mp3 of themselves speaking for roughly five minutes in the foreign language in which they are most proficient. The purpose of the recording is to assess the applicant’s conversational and grammatical proficiency in the language in question, so applicants should not read from a prepared script. Please submit the mp3 to the Graduate Student Services Manager, Allison Carson (greenlawgradoffice@unc.edu)

Literature, Medicine, and Culture Concentration in English—MA only [separate from PhD]:  Multidisciplinary course of study in the narrative, cultural, and societal dimensions of health and illness. 30 credit hour curriculum with opportunities for individual and collaborative research. Core faculty drawn from humanities, social sciences, health sciences. IMPORTANT: MA applicants’ Statement of Purpose should address interest in and preparation for interdisciplinary study. For details see http://hhive.unc.edu/litmedcult/ and for inquiries contact tkill@unc.edu.