Application for Graduate Study
The process of application for graduate study consists of two steps, neither of which is as onerous as it may initially seem. You must submit materials both to the Office of Research & Graduate Studies and directly to the Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures.
Office of Research & Graduate Studies Application
First, submit a application to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies (RGS). Go to the RGS Application and follow the instructions. The link takes you step by step through the entire institutional application process.
- You will need to submit GRE scores if you are a North American applicant. Foreign applicants may request waiver of the GRE requirement. Note that KU's institutional code is 6871.
- For non-native English speakers and international students, see the TOEFL information at the International Programs website. International students must meet the minimum requirement for "regular" admission (all part scores at least 53 on the paper TOEFL; see the chart at this link for other equivalents). KU's institutional code is 6871.
- You must also submit one official copy of all academic transcripts, issued by the registrar, covering all post-secondary study you have undertaken.
- Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals capable of evaluating your potential for successful graduate work. Use this KU recommendation form. Print off three copies of this form, sign them, and give them to your recommenders with an envelope addressed to:
- Director of Graduate Studies
- Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures
- University of Kansas
- 1445 Jayhawk Blvd., Rm. 2133
- Lawrence, KS 66045-7590.
- Submit payment of the application fee to Graduate Studies.
Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures Portfolio Submission
At the same time as you submit your institutional application to RGS, prepare a professional portfolio containing the following items and submit it for evaluation directly to the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures. Your portfolio will be read by every member of the Department's Graduate Faculty.
- SLL Portfolio Cover Sheet, available in RTF format or PDF format.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of your Academic Objectives (2-3 pages).
Your response might address (but is not limited to) questions such as: Why do you wish to pursue graduate study in Slavic Languages & Literatures? Do you plan to pursue the MA as a terminal degree for professional goals? What are your professional goals? Do you plan to complete the PhD? At this time, do you have specific interests in the field? What do "teaching and research" mean to you? What kind of educational institution do you see yourself at? How will graduate education help you meet your personal and professional goals?
- Russian Language Essay (1-2 pages).
Discuss either a) how you became interested in Slavic studies and in what directions this interest developed, or b) if you studied or travelled abroad in Russia/Eastern Europe, what important lessons you learned from the experience. Do this in Russian. Your essay may be typed or hand-written.
- Note: Potential graduate students whose undergraduate study involved one of the other Slavic languages taught by the Department (Polish, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Slovene) may substitute an essay in this language if they intend to work on an MA in these languages instead of Russian. Students must still meet the 30-hour undergrad requirement in the language or its equivalent. Prior to application, however, they must obtain permission from the Director of Graduate Studies or from the Chair of the Slavic Department to submit in languages other than Russian.
- Writing Sample (10-25 pages)
This writing sample should represent your best work. A research paper from an upper level course is suitable. It may be in the field of Russian literature or language, or in another, related field, but it should demonstrate your ability to pose a research question, present evidence and argumentation, and defend your conclusion.
You may submit your professional portfolio by mail to:
Director of Graduate Studies
Dept. of Slavic Languages & Literatures
University of Kansas
1445 Jayhawk Boulevard, Rm. 2133
Lawrence, KS 66045-7590
or you may scan the entire portfolio and submit it in .pdf format to mcarlson@ku.edu.
Please note that the Department cannot complete the processing of your portfolio until you have submitted a completed institutional application to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies.
