Admission
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited
U.S. college or university or its foreign equivalent. A competitive
undergraduate record that indicates strong academic ability
is required, though applicants need not have extensive experience
in literary studies. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
is not required, but strong scores bolster chances for admission.
The application and admission requirements in the MALit program
are identical for degree, professional graduate series, and
nondegree special students. Visiting scholars, who earn no
University credit, complete a shorter application.
Tuition
Tuition information can be found on the tuition page.
For detailed application, admissions, tuition, and administrative information, see Frequently
Asked Questions.
MALit Application Checklist
Application
Supplemental Materials
- One sealed copy of official transcripts from ALL previous colleges and universities. Official transcripts must arrive in our office in the original sealed envelope issued by the institution. If you are currently enrolled, please submit an official transcript showing courses in-progress. Applicants with international transcripts must request an official course-by-course evaluation of transcripts from a NACES member. A course-by-course evaluation will translate courses, degrees, and grades to U.S. equivalency.
- Two letters of recommendation focusing on academic achievement
and writing ability
- Statement of purpose (see below)
- Four copies of a writing sample (see below)
- Current résumé or curriculum vitae
Statement of Purpose
Applicants must submit a 300-word statement of purpose explaining how the degree program will help them meet their academic goals. Applicants who did not major in the humanities should explain how other experiences, academic and nonacademic, have prepared them to undertake graduate course work in the humanities.
Writing Sample
The writing sample is a brief critical paper that demonstrates the ability to evaluate and analyze a topic in the humanities (MALS applicants) or a literary text (MALit applicants). It should not exceed 10 pages and should contain the following:
- A clearly articulated argument and a clear and concise support for that argument
- Documentation of quoted material and acknowledgement of ideas taken from the works of others
Visiting
Scholars
Students applying as visiting scholars need only submit the following application items:
- Completed
application ( PDF Format )
- A nonrefundable application fee of $75
- One sealed copy of official transcripts of all previous
college or university work
- Two copies of the writing sample (see above)
- Statement of purpose (see above)
For More Admissions Information
Please see the Frequently
Asked Questions for additional information related to admission.
If you have any questions, please call 312-503-1083 for assistance.
Application Evaluation
Applications are evaluated by the MALit admissions committee. The following considerations guide the committee in reviewing applications:
- Letters of recommendation help build a case for your academic qualifications. A strong letter that provides detailed information about your academic ability will have a positive effect on your candidacy. The more specific the letter, the better. For example, a letter that describes your papers or research projects is more effective than a letter that simply says that you were a hard worker in class. You should brief recommenders about the program and your objectives before requesting a letter; we recommend you meet or correspond with your recommenders.
- The statement of purpose demonstrates whether or not your academic goals are appropriate to the MALit program. This statement also helps the committee determine whether you possess the necessary writing skills and intellectual maturity to succeed in the program.
- The writing sample is used to evaluate your ability to engage in the academic study of literature. We recommend that the sample be a paper written for a previously completed course that focuses on a critical discussion of a literary topic. The paper should have a strong thesis and make use of close textual study to advance that thesis. The paper should follow academic conventions when citing sources and should be clearly organized and written. If you do not have such a paper to submit, you may consider taking an advanced-level undergraduate literature course that will require such a paper.
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