PhD ADMISSION PROCESS
Application Deadlines
- Fall Admission—January 15
- Spring Admission—October 1
- Summer Session—No admission
Application Process
1. Complete the General Graduate Record Examination [GRE] Test. (No GRE subject test is required.)
Note that you are to complete the general GRE which measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Visit http://www.gre.org to learn more about the test and to register for the test.
OR Call one of the following local testing centers to register:
• ECU Campus Testing Center (Brewster D102) (252) 328-6811
• Prometric Testing Center (252) 756-7427
• Thomson Prometric Testing Center (252) 756-1084
2. Use the online application process at the Graduate School website (http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/gradschool/applicationinfo.cfm), particularly the step-by-step guidelines, to submit most application materials.
3. Along with the application form, submit the following supplemental materials to the Graduate School:
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including documentation of the successful completion of a master’s degree
• Scores on the General GRE (Graduate Record Examination) taken within the past five years
• Recent score on the TOEFL or IELTS for international students whose native language is not English (for current minimum scores, see the ECU Graduate School web site)
• Three letters of recommendation (at least two of which should be academic references) and a completed recommendation form
• A curriculum vitae
• A Statement of Intent (i.e., a professional goal statement)
• Writing samples that demonstrate writing and research abilities
4. As you prepare your application materials, review these notes:
• The Graduate School accepts supplemental materials via mail although recommendation letters and students statements of intent can be emailed to them.
• Official transcripts have to be sent postal mail.
• Persons writing recommendations must include the completed standard reference forms; submitting only a recommendation letter is not sufficient. Because the form must be signed by the student, those forms have to be either sent via postal mail or scanned and emailed with the recommendation letter. Recommenders should NOT submit their letters to the English Office.
• Submit admission packet to
The Graduate School
East Carolina University
131 Ragsdale
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
5. After your application materials are complete, the Graduate School will release them for review and evaluation by the English Department. The English Department’s doctoral admissions committee will review your application and you will be notified by the Director of Graduate Studies in English about its decision.
