Hi everyone. I am starting the process of applying to grad schools’ comparative literature programs. As of now, my goal is to get a Master’s; I will either work or try to get a PhD afterwards depending. I’m pretty new to this process, though, and both my advisors at my undergrad school are on summer sabbaticals (lol) so I haven’t yet been able to get much information from them. I would really appreciate any recommendations or guidance you guys have on what Master’s Programs in Lit are appropriate to apply to with these stats!
GPA: My undergrad GPA is a 3.3, which I know is a little low but doable.
GRE: 160 Verbal, 153 Quant, 4.1 Analytical Writing. I will take the GRE English Lit Subject Test next month.
Writing Sample: I am fine tuning a few of the big papers I did well with in undergrad to choose from for this. They are good. One that really might stand out is a critical analysis of the written records about Joan of Arc; my professors loved that and I imagine it would stand out among other applicants’ essays.
Experience: I have significant teaching and writing experience.
Recommendations: Again, have not had these written just yet, but I have a good-sized group of professors, two of whom are marginally “famous”, who have mentioned to me that they would love to write me recommendations.
Extracurriculars: I know this doesn’t matter to grad schools, but just in case: I tutor at the high school near my college, have had my creative work published to high acclaim in local and my college’s lit mags, etc, and I have held a couple leadership positions.
Undergrad school: Very prestigious.
Other: I am fluent in French.
So, I don’t imagine I’ll get into Harvard for anything like that, but would love to go somewhere good. So far, I have a list of mid-prestige grad options that I’m working on applying to. I have one or two “reaches” and “safeties” in mind. Does anyone have anymore insights or ideas?
Thank you!!