{"id":761,"date":"2026-04-27T11:00:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T15:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/?page_id=761"},"modified":"2026-04-27T12:35:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T16:35:55","slug":"guidelines-for-applying-to-graduate-school","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/humanities\/humanities\/guidelines-for-applying-to-graduate-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Guidelines for Applying to Graduate School"},"content":{"rendered":"

Deciding on Graduate School<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Understand the types of graduate programs: Post-baccalaureate programs allow you to take more classes in your field, but do not award a degree. Some of them offer scholarships, but most students pay tuition. Don\u2019t pay tuition<\/strong>. Masters programs allow two years of intensive coursework while writing a thesis in the second year. They often grant tuition remission and a stipend that is barely enough to live on. PhD programs take roughly six years, two to three of classes, special area studies, and comprehensive exams, followed by producing a book-length dissertation. They should only accept students with full funding (no tuition and a living stipend).<\/li>\n
  2. Talk with several faculty members who know you and your work well about what graduate school is like and ask for their candid thoughts on whether it is the right choice for you.<\/li>\n
  3. Research generally the state of higher education and the challenges it is facing, especially in your chosen field.<\/li>\n
  4. Research your chosen field \u2013 do you have a full picture of what the field is and what general expectations are at the MA and PhD level? You can ask your faculty members, search for departments in different universities and colleges (especially those with PhD programs), or see if your department can put you in touch with any alumni currently in graduate programs in your field.
    \na. Consider related<\/em> fields. For people with Classics backgrounds, this might mean English, Comparative Literature, or History Programs, depending on your other interests and
    \nstrengths.
    \nb. Check out their expectations for applications. MOST PhD Programs in Classics want students who are at the advanced level in both Latin and Greek, although they will consider
    \nstudents with less experience in one of the two. Funded MA and Bridge programs are ideal for gaining more language experience.<\/li>\n
  5. Most MA and PhD programs request, as part of your application to their program, a writing sample (10-15 pages) and a personal statement. A personal statement should address why<\/em> you are applying, what<\/em> you think you want to research in graduate school, and who<\/em> you want to work with in the program you are applying to. You might think of it as a combination intellectual biography and statement of purpose. Work on drafting a personal statement early; this will help you gain clarity in your goals and help you really consider if graduate school is right for you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Choosing Programs<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Talk with faculty members in your field and see if they have suggestions for other people to talk to about different programs. Ask them their thoughts whether you should apply for MA programs or PhD programs (or for something like a bridge program) and what programs they hear good things about.<\/li>\n
    2. Consult available publications on what schools have programs (see links below), look through department webpages about their programs, find out application requirements, program requirements, and what faculty and graduate students are working on. Think about where you want to live \u2013 if you hate big cities, Columbia is probably not for you; if you want to stay close to home, you might not want to apply to Oxford.<\/li>\n
    3. Develop a working long list of possible programs and check in with your mentors. Chat together about what appealed and what did not, and why. Narrow your list to a manageable number. My personal range is maybe 6-10, depending on what kind of programs you are applying to. Make sure that you include programs that you are relatively sure you can get into, but don\u2019t apply to programs that you don\u2019t think will be strong enough to secure a career.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Applying part 1 (summer and early fall before applications are due):<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Double check application requirements for the programs you are interested in.
        \na. Do they require the GRE? You should take that by the end of September before you apply. This will cost $$$.
        \nb. Do they have an application fee? Many schools allow students to apply for a waver for their application fee, but you need to get this in early<\/em>. It is separate from your actual application.
        \n\u00a0 \u00a0 c.What is their application deadline?
        \n<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 d. How many letters of recommendation do they require?e. Who is the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)? Each department will have one listed. I suggest sending them a short
        \nintroductory email and asking for any guidelines they may have to share about the application process.<\/li>\n
      2. Secure your letters of recommendation. AT LEAST TWO of these should be from professors in your discipline. They should be fairly familiar with your work and your reasons for pursuing graduate study. Be sure to ask your letter writers early and be prepared to share 1) your list of programs, 2) drafts of your personal statement, writing sample, and CV if required, and 3) a list of deadlines<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      3. DRAFT your personal statement, identify and begin revising your writing sample, and develop any other applications materials listed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Applying Part 2 (Mid-to-late fall and winter):<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Revise and finalize your personal statement, writing sample, and other application materials.<\/li>\n
        2. Start your online applications. This will help you make sure that you\u2019ve found all the application requirements, that you don\u2019t get bogged down in the system at the last minute, and that your letter writers receive the links they need to submit their recommendations.<\/li>\n
        3. When you\u2019re ready, submit!<\/li>\n
        4. Don\u2019t be afraid to send a friendly reminder to your recommendation writers if they miss the deadline.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          NOTE: Most PhD programs have deadlines in late fall or December; they start making decisions in early February. Most MA programs have deadlines in December or January or even have rolling admissions. They usually start making decisions in March. Even if you don\u2019t hear in February or March, programs will continue to extend admissions offers over a period of time in the spring, but fellowship\/funding decisions are usually concluded by March.<\/p>\n