Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I apply to the graduate program?  All applications are made through the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. They will collect your application materials and forward them to the Department of English.
   
• When should I apply?  The preferential deadline for applications to the Ph.D. program is January 15; for the M.A. it is February 1.  We will continue to accept applications after this period if we have not yet filled our class.
  
  
• How long should my statement of intent be? What should it say? How autobiographical should it be?  The length of individual statements varies widely, but most applicants write one single-spaced page or less. The content of your statement should dictate how much you write. In general terms, your statement should indicate why you wish to earn a Ph.D. in English at SMU, what your scholarly interests are, and how our program in particular appeals to you. Biographical information of some sort is usually acceptable and advisable, so long as it clarifies your intent.
  
  We strongly recommend the following site as a general guide to statements of intent:  https://career.berkeley.edu/Grad/GradStatement.stm.
  
  You should also ask trusted professors or other careful readers to look
  over your statement and offer advice.
   
• When will I learn of admissions decisions?  You should have a decision from us before the middle of April.  You may contact us at any time to ask about the current status of your application.
   
• Do I have to have an M.A. to apply to the Ph.D.?  No, highly qualified students with a B.A. in English or a closely related field  who intend to pursue the Ph.D. should apply directly to the Ph.D. program.  Students who have earned an M.A. or are enrolled in an M.A. program may also apply to the Ph.D.
   
• If I already hold an M.A., can transfer credit be applied?  Those applicants coming in with an M.A. will have the opportunity, at the end of their first or second year, to discuss possible transfer of up to 12 hours of graduate credit toward the Ph.D.
   
• Should I apply to the M.A. or to the Ph.D. program?  This depends on your goals and your level of preparation.  The Ph.D. is a professional degree intended to serve highly-prepared students.  Most Ph.D. students are training for teaching and research at the college and university level.  Students in this program are fully funded for six years and are required to teach after the first year.  The M.A. is for those who wish to study English at an advanced level for a variety of other reasons, such as: to enhance their teaching in K-12 schools or to teach in Community Colleges; to improve their research and writing skills; to supplement undergraduate education in order to apply to Ph.D. programs; to enhance their appreciation of English literature.
   
• What is the minimum GRE score and GPA needed to be considered for the Ph.D. program?  Although no single piece of information will exclude your application, we expect a minimum of 600 on the GRE verbal test and a GPA of at least 3.5.  This past year, applicants admitted to the program had an average verbal GRE of 670 and an average undergraduate GPA of 3.7.
   
• What is the minimum GRE score and GPA needed to be considered for the M.A. program?  We expect a GRE verbal of at least 550 and a GPA of 3.3.  Students with lower scores will be considered if they can demonstrate the ability to write at a level appropriate to a graduate program.
   
• Can I apply if I do not have a B.A. or M.A. in English?  Yes, we will consider applicants without a degree in English if they have done sufficient course work in English or a closely related field, such as American Studies.  All applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to write literary analysis at a high level.
   
• How many students will be admitted to the Ph.D. each year?  We are planning to admit six students each year.  This number will allow us to maintain a student/teacher ratio of about one-to-one and to teach small seminars.
   
• How many students will be funded?  All Ph.D. students will be funded.  We will no longer be funding students who are newly admitted to the M.A. program.
   
• To whom should I speak about my interest in the program?  Your first point of contact should be the Director of Graduate Studies, Darryl Dickson-Carr or the Chair of the Department of English, Nina Schwartz.  If you wish to contact a member of the faculty who works in a specific area, you can either ask the DGS or Chair for advice or consult the faculty web pages.  There you will find out about the work done by the faculty and their contact information.
   
• How can I visit the campus?  We intend to invite our top applicants to the campus before we require them to make a decision.  If you wish to see SMU before that time, Dallas is readily accessible through two airports, DFW and Love Field.  If you plan on visiting, let us know and we can arrange to give you a tour of the campus.  We can be contacted at 214-768-2945 or through Brooke Guelker.