Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, by all means. Our program is committed to the study of Anglophone literatures both in their particular national and linguistic context, and in their relation to other contexts, linguistic, national, disciplinary, and so forth. We are happy to welcome students whose undergraduate or graduate degrees are in such fields. Do note that because we also stress the comprehensive coverage of Anglophone literatures, you may find that you have to fill in some gaps, either before enrolling (summer courses, etc.) or during your first and second years. If you have had very few courses in English or other Anglophone literatures, we may reckon that you would find it impossible to fill in these gaps adequately — and this could affect our admissions decision. If you feel that you have a strong background in English, and that this is not represented by your coursework, please be sure to explain the circumstance as specifically as you can in your application.

The Graduate School is now requiring that all application forms be completed online. You will need to choose “Creative Writing” if you are applying to the MFA, and “English” for all other program areas in the Department of English. Paper application forms are no longer available. If you are unable to apply online, please make your request for alternate arrangements in writing to:

Admissions Office
7195 Helen C. White Hall
600 N. Park St.
Madison, WI 53706

Your application materials must be uploaded by December 8th. This deadline date applies to each of our graduate programs except Creative Writing whose application deadline is December 15th.

Any application materials sent in hard copy format must be postmarked by December 8th and sent to:

Graduate Admissions
Department of English
7195H Helen C. White Hall
600 N. Park St.
Madison, WI 53706

We try to give you as much time as possible to think about your graduate school choices. Admissions decisions will be communicated via email by late February.

Applicants to the Graduate Program in Literary Studies should choose the “English PhD” option. Applicants to the Applied English Linguistics program should choose the “English MA” option. Applicants to the Composition and Rhetoric and the English Language and Linguistics program should indicate the English PhD. Those applicants applying for admission into the Bridge programs from Afro-American Studies to either the Literary Studies or Composition and Rhetoric PhD program should apply for admission to both the MA in Afro-American Studies and the English PhD. If you have questions about this, please contact the Admissions Coordinator listed in the “Contacts” section.

Submit all materials via the Graduate School’s online application. These items include:

– Reasons for Graduate Study (300 to 500 words) in PDF format
– Names and contact information for three recommenders
– Transcripts compiled into one PDF document
– Academic writing sample in PDF format

Can the recommendations be sent by paper or PDF file?

All letters of recommendation are submitted electronically through the admission application.

Can I request recommendations before I submit my application?

You may send the request to your recommenders at any time during the application process. The recommendation section of the application remains accessible after you submit your application.

What happens to the recommendations if they are completed before I submit my application?

All recommendations are attached to your application.

May I reuse old letters of recommendation?

It is in your best interest to refresh your letters of recommendation, if possible, so they carry a date of the year in which you apply for admission.

My recommender has not responded. Can I send them another request?

Yes. To send another request to your recommender, you should go back into the recommendation section of your application and click the “Send Reminder” button. An email should be sent within 24 hours. You should contact your recommender to let them know to watch for the new message to arrive.

What if my letters of recommendation are stored at a file service (a career service center) and are sent out by request?

These services cannot be used with our online recommendation system. With prior arrangements we may accept letters from a college or university recommendation service.

Copies of transcripts from each institution you have attended must be uploaded to the admission application at the time of application. If recommended for admission, the Graduate School will send an instructional email request for the submission of official transcripts.

Transcripts from study abroad are not required unless courses are not already present in your degree-granting education transcript. For International Students, academic records must be in the original language accompanied by an official English translation by your school or an official translater. Documents must be issued by the school with the official seal/stamp and official signatures. Do not submit an evaluation from a credential evaluation service, such as WES, in lieu of a translation.

No, we’re sorry but it is not possible to defer admission. Should you be accepted and find yourself unable to attend, you will have to reapply to the Graduate School, pay the application fee, and resubmit most of your application materials.

You will need to resubmit transcripts, including any transcripts from institutions you have attended since your initial application. It is in your best interest to have fresh letters of recommendation – even if this means only that you ask your recommenders to resend earlier letters with a current date. (MFA applicants are required to submit new letters of recommendation with every application.) You may reuse your statement of purpose and your writing sample, but you are advised to think carefully about whether these reflect your current abilities and academic interests.

This is your opportunity to discuss your distinct reasons for graduate study. Students often include items such as: what prompted the decision to study English at the graduate level; background (life and education); real life literary experiences; academic interests and research; sources of inspiration, etc. If you have specific academic reasons for choosing the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of English, please articulate those. Statements should be 300 to 500 words and should be written in your distinctive voice.

Yes. However, if you are applying for two different academic programs with one application, your reasons for study will differ and the statement you submit directly for each department will differ.

The Campus Information and Visitor Center has a wealth of information to help you plan your trip to campus, including maps, campus and library tours, suggestions on where to stay, and local weather. If you’d like to sit in on a class, you are welcome to send an email directly to the professor with your request. This is typically not a problem. Otherwise, we are not able to provide an official tour of the English Department.