Memorandum to: Applicants to the Department of Comparative Literature Graduate Program

From: The Graduate Director

Thank you for your interest in Comparative Literature at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; I hope you find this material helpful and that it offers you a clearer perspective on the nature and goals of the Department. A few points of clarification about the application process (international students please also see the “Memorandum to International Applicants):

❡ The Department of Comparative Literature requires Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores of all applicants. Please make sure that you take the GRE (verbal, math, and analytical sections of the examination) in time for your scores to reach the Department of Comparative Literature by the application deadline of December 15. We do not require subject tests.

❡ Send official transcripts or academic records from each institution attended directly to the Department of Comparative Literature.

❡ Three confidential letters of recommendation are required, they may be submitted electronically or you may have your recommenders send their letter on institutional letterhead or by Placement Service directly to the Department.

http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/elorinstructions.html

❡ A complete application also must be accompanied by:

a brief (10-15 page) writing sample in English, indicative of your academic work and interests;

a list of your coursework in foreign languages, indicating the course title and number, the term and year of the course, and the number of credit
hours.

❡ The deadline for all completed applications (and for fellowship consideration) for the fall semester is December 15.

* Virtually all students are admitted in the Fall; there are rarely openings for spring admission.

❡ Please note that the admission form also serves as an application for fellowships and Teaching Assistantships.

We welcome your interest in the Department; we, both faculty and continuing graduate students, consider the University of Wisconsin Madison, and the Comparative Literature Department in particular, an exciting and challenging place to work and study. Because we are committed to supporting and working closely with our graduate students, we are able to accept only a limited number (2-3 students per year) of the many excellent applications we receive each year. We encourage you to read carefully through the requirements and description of the Graduate Program in the Department of Comparative Literature, the list of current faculty and their areas of interest and expertise, and the University Graduate School requirements. And if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.