Application for Admission
to the 4+1 Master of Arts program in
English
Open to Emory Students Only!
A complete application consists of (A) this application form, (B) four attachments combined into one file, and (C)
two letters of recommendation submitted via email.
This form and the file of attachments should be submitted on BlackBoard, to the Laney Graduate School 4+1
Admissions organization. The organization can be found under the Laney Graduate School, and BlackBoard is at
https://classes.emory.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp. To submit an application, you will first need to enroll in
the organization, and then go to the English 4+1 page to complete the application assignment.
If you have questions about the application, please contact the English 4+1 program at mtipnis@emory.edu.
If you have questions about the BlackBoard process, please contact Ulf Nilsson at unilsso@emory.edu.
Applicant
Last Name:
Emory Email:
Phone:
First Name:
Student ID:
Current status in Emory College of Arts and Sciences:
Second semester Junior
Other (please explain below)
Explanation:
Education
Major(s) and Major GPA(s):
English, GPA:
Minor(s):
Overall GPA(s):


Other, GPA:
Coursework
List the courses you have taken (title and course number) in the English department at Emory or elsewhere, and
the grades you received in each course. Please also list the courses for which you are currently enrolled.
Courses taken:
Comments:
Other Preparation
If you have taken tests (GRE or other higher education test), please list them. Please note that this is not a
requirement for acceptance into the program.
What were your scores?
Research Experience--Optional
List up to three undergraduate research experiences that were particularly meaningful to you and that pertain
directly to your work in the English department. These may include course papers, a course or conference
presentation, a research assistantship, etc. You may also list internship, volunteer, or work experience that is
directly relevant to your application. (Please be brief here. You will also submit a resume.)
Research Experience 1
Name:
Briefly describe the research project (250 characters or less):
Briefly describe your role (250 characters or less):
Start date:
End date:
On average, how many hours per week did you spend on this project?
Supervisor:
Supervisor email:
Supervisor phone number:
Institution and department:
Research Experience 2
Name:
Briefly describe the research project (250 characters or less):
Briefly describe your role (250 characters or less):
Start date:
End date:
On average, how many hours per week did you spend on this project?
Supervisor:
Supervisor email:
Supervisor phone number:
Institution and department:
Research Experience 3
Name:
Briefly describe the research project (250 characters or less):
Briefly describe your role (250 characters or less):
Start date:
End date:
On average, how many hours per week did you spend on this project?
Supervisor:
Supervisor email:
Supervisor phone number:
Institution and department:
Your Interest
Answer each of the questions below in one sentence. (You will also submit a statement of purpose.)
1. What is your (tentative) career goal?
2. Do you plan to enroll in the English honors program concurrently with your entry into the 4+1 program?
3. Is there a particular area of research in English that is most interesting to you?
4. Are you interested in the research of specific faculty members in the English department? Please consult
http://www.english.emory.edu/people/faculty/index.html and list the name(s).
Attachments
Combine four items below into one Word or pdf file, in the order of the list, and submit it along with this
application:
1. A statement of interest describing your background and scholarly interests and goals. You should also
explain why you are interested in pursuing a 4+1 MA in English. Maximum length: 1000 words.
2. A writing sample of showcasing your best critical work (10-20 pages). A single paper is preferable, but if
you don’t have a critical paper that is long enough, you may submit two or more shorter papers.
3. A CV/Resume
4. A Transcript (it is fine if you generate one yourself from OPUS)
Letters of Recommendation
Arrange to have two letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf by members of the department’s faculty.
One of these faculty members should agree to be the potential advisor of your MA thesis.
It is important that you request a letter of recommendation using an email that includes this text:
Dear <insert professor’s name>,
I am applying to the 4+1 Master of Arts program in English in the Laney Graduate School. As part of my
application, I am requesting that you please write a letter on my behalf to the program. Briefly, the 4+1
provides graduate coursework in English beginning in the senior year and continuing for a fifth year, as
well as independent research that culminates in a master’s thesis. More information, including a
brochure, is at http://www.english.emory.edu/undergraduate/ba_ma.html
To submit a letter, please forward email to mtipnis@emory.edu. The application deadline is April 15,
2015.
I hereby waive my access to this letter under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
Name (in lieu of signature):
If you don’t wish to waive your access, just write “do not waive.” However, confidential letters are far more
valuable to the admissions committee than open letters.
If you waive your right of access, then you do not have the right to see the letter written on your behalf. If you do
not waive your right of access, then you retain the right to request to see our copy of the letter.