Resources
for New and Prospective Grad Students
The Cal Poly M.A. Program in English accepts applications for fall, winter and spring quarters only (no graduate classes are offered during the summer). The majority of our students start the program in the fall, and it is generally preferable to do so (although applicants will be considered for winter and spring quarters as well).
A 3.0 GPA is the minimum requirement for acceptance. GRE scores are not considered for admission into the program. Most succesful applicants will have completed an undergraduate English major with a strong literature component. Applicants without an English major with a strong literature component may be considered for Conditional Admission.
Applicants should complete the quarter-specific online application through CSU Mentor and arrange for original, sealed copies of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended to be sent to the Cal Poly Admissions Office (not to the Graduate Coordinator) at the following address:
Cal PolyNOTE: requests to change the quarter of admission after an online application has been submitted can usually be accommodated, but will require a written request to the Admissions Office, the endorsement of the Graduate Coordinator, and the submission of an additional application fee.
Admissions Office
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
In support of the application, applicants should submit a writing sample, which is typically an analytic paper or a research paper on a literary topic (rather than e.g. creative writing or journalism). This Writing Sample should be submitted directly to the Graduate Coordinator (not to the Admissions Office) at the following address::
Dr. Debora SchwartzAdditionally, applicants should ask three persons familiar with their academic background and potential for success in a rigorous, literature-based graduate program to submit three letters of recommendation directly to the Graduate Coordinator at the address above.
Graduate Coordinator
English Department
California Polytechnic State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0322
NOTE: because letters of recommendation are confidential
assessments of an applicant's strengths and weaknesses, they are typically
submitted by the recommender or forwarded by a placement service at the
applicant's undergraduate institution. Letters of recommendation
sent in by an applicant should be in sealed envelopes with the recommender's
signature across the seal.
Deadlines:
On the chart below, "Application deadline" is the deadline for submission
of the online application.
The "File Completion Deadline" is the deadline for receipt of all supplementary
materials (transcripts to the Admissions Office;
writing
samples and three letters of recommendation to the Graduate Coordinator).
These deadlines are as follows:
| Term | Application Deadline | File Completion Deadline |
| Fall | July 1 | August 1 |
| Winter | November 1 | December 1 |
| Spring | February 1 | March 1 |
NOTE: while all applications submitted in advance of the deadlines will be considered, please note that it is to your advantage to submit all materials well in advance of the deadlines, as applications are considered on a rolling basis. Additionally, applicants should be aware that the Admissions process takes time. If you wait until the deadline to submit your materials, you will not be fully admitted and cleared to register by the time registration begins for the quarter of admission.
Conditional Admission: Students who are accepted conditionally because they have not previously completed an English major or a minor with a strong literary component will be required to take up to six undergraduate English courses prior to beginning (and/or concurrently with) graduate-level coursework. Conditional courses, which are chosen in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, typically include some combination of the following:
- ENGL 302 (Advanced Composition)
- ENGL 326 (Literary Theory from Plato to Present)
- one or more 300-level British Literature surveys
- one or more 300-level American Literature surveys
- one or more 400-level British Literature seminars
- one or more 400-level American Literature seminars