For admission to the graduate program in English, applicants must do the following:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in this country or its equivalent from a foreign university
• Have a strong overall academic record with a B average or better in the undergraduate major
• Submit satisfactory scores, attained within the last five years, on the Graduate Record Examination
• Write a satisfactory response to the essay question appearing on the application form
• Submit a writing sample of ten pages that involves a critical analysis of a text or texts and is accompanied by a bibliography citing appropriate secondary sources in correct MLA format.

Students who are taking or have taken graduate work elsewhere must be in good standing at that institution to be eligible to take graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Admission decisions are based on a flexible evaluation of the student’s complete record.

Documents to be submitted for graduate admission include the following:

1. An application for graduate admission
2. Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate)
3. Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) not more than five years old
4. Three recommendations (forms are provided with the application) from individuals in professionally relevant fields, addressing the applicant’s demonstrated academic skills and/or potential for successful graduate study
5. An essay that addresses the applicant’s purpose for graduate study (English Essay Form is included with the application)
6. Evidence of a Bachelor’s degree at the time of entrance
7. A ten-page analytical writing sample that includes a bibliography citing secondary sources in MLA format.

The deadline for receipt of applications by the Graduate School is April 1 if the student wishes to enroll in the Fall term and be considered for a Teaching Assistantship and other financial aid. The deadline for the Spring term is November 1.

UNCW/Jamie Moncrief