MA Program FAQs
How competitive is the application process?
We typically receive between 30-40 applications and offer admission to 18-20 students. In recent years, our entering class has been between 8-10 students.
The overall average GPA of admitted students is about 3.6. The average GPA in English Major is 3.8. The average GRE in verbal is in the 85th percentile or higher.
By far, the most important pieces of your application are your writing sample (2500-3000 words, or 10-12 double-spaced pages) and your personal statement (ideally one-and-a-half pages and no longer than two pages). As for the writing sample, we are looking for a critical paper that demonstrates evidence of literary analysis (close reading of a literary text), scholarly research (by engaging secondary criticism and situating your analysis within a relevant context), and an explicit or implicit awareness of critical methodology. Ideally, your writing sample would dovetail with your personal statement’s interests. If, for example, you express an interest in British Victorian literature, your sample would focus on an author, text, or problem pertaining to that area and period. As best as you can, make your application all “of a piece,” so that the different parts dovetail with and speak to one another.
Do I need to take the GRE Literature in English Subject Test?
No.
What if my letters of recommendation or GRE scores arrive after the application deadline of January 15th?
As long as your application is submitted by January 15th, it is permissible for your letters of recommendation and GRE scores to appear after the deadline. Ideally, your letters and scores should be received no later than February 15th, when the graduate admissions committee reviews applications.
What are the requirements to fulfill the degree, including coursework, the thesis, and foreign language requirement?
Please see the MA Requirements here. You can see recent course offerings here.
What kinds of resources and events does the MA program offer?
For financial resources, please go here.
We hold regular colloquia for graduate students including how to apply to doctoral programs, how to apply to and attend academic conferences, how to develop strategies for teaching and pedagogy, a series of “thesis writing seminars” for second-year students beginning the thesis prospectus, and how to use your MA education to your advantage when applying for jobs after graduation.
The MA program has also had a robust series of speakers through collaboration with the Creative Writing Program, the English Department, and the Humanities Institute. Recent speakers have included Wai Chee Dimock (Yale), Lauren Berlant (U of Chicago), Ben Lerner (Brooklyn College), Chris Abani (Northwestern), and Joshua Clover (UC Davis). There is no shortage of excellent speakers to see and hear in the Department.
What is life in Winston-Salem like?
Winston-Salem has been on the “up and up” in the past ten years, with a vibrant arts scene, live music, several breweries, local sports teams, restaurants, and bookstores as well as plenty of outdoor and recreational activities. You can learn about life in Winston here, including housing, restaurants, things to do, bookstores, and more.
What have students done after graduation?
Our students have taken diverse paths after graduation. For instance, our graduates have taught at the community college and secondary levels, pursued careers in publishing and marketing, worked in the private sector and nonprofit organizations, and entered doctoral programs. We do our very best to tailor-fit the MA experience to your professional desires and needs.