APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

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Graduate applications are currently being processed.  Please do not call the department or the Graduate School to check on the receipt of application materials.  When all materials have been posted, you will be notified if your application is incomplete and be given the opportunity to supply the missing items.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

NELC offers both a Master's Program and a Ph.D. Program.  You may apply directly  to either program.  (It is not necessary to apply for the Master's Program before going on to the Ph.D.)

There are no minimum requirements to apply.  It is expected, however, that the applicant will have at least majored as an undergraduate in the field for which he/she is applying and so would have had a minimum of six semesters of their primary language as well as some literature, history or religion courses.  Applicants not having this background may, in some circumstances, be admitted provisionally.  Provisional courses do not count toward the graduate program and are taken at the student's expense regardless of fellowships awarded.   See degree requirements.

The fee to apply to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences is $70.00.  Payments can be made by credit card, check or international postal money order written in U.S. currency and made payable to "the Trustees of the University of Pennsylania."  Application deadlines are noted below.  A complete application consists of:

• Application
• Personal Statement
• Three (3) Letter of Recommendation
• Two (2) copies of all college-level transcripts
• GRE scores (not older than 5 years).  Report scores to Institution Code 2926; Department Code 2699.
• TOEFL score for non-native speakers of English (not older than 2 years).  Report scores to Institution Code 2926; Department Code 2699.
• Writing Sample.  A writing sample is not required for any concentration but is strongly encouraged for all applicants.   It may be of any length on any topic and should be indicative of your ability to research and write on a graduate level.  Please submit only papers written in English.

Decisions are made without regard of the applicant's financial standing or need for support.  Files accepted for admission are ranked in order for fellowships based on the strength of the application. 

SPRING 2008
Application for students wishing to matriculate in Spring 2008 must submit their application no later than November 15, 2007.  Files must be complete by December 1, 2007.  Decisions will be made and applicants notified before December 15, 2007.

Notice:  There is no funding available for Spring matriculants. If admitted, all tuition and fees for their program will be the student's responsibility.

FALL 2008

The Fall 2007 application deadline is December 15, 2007.  Only applications received by that date will be considered for funding if admitted.  Applications will be accepted as late as March 15, 2008 but will not be eligible for any fellowships or other funding. 

TO APPLY

The NELC Department strongly advises our applicants to apply on-line.  It is faster, more secure and allows the applicant to track the status of their application.  To access the on-line application, go to https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=upenn-g.

If you would prefer to apply on paper, you may download and print the paper application here.  Mail the completed application and all supporting materials to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, 3401 Walnut Street, Suite 322A, Philadelphia, PA  19104-6228.