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 Applying for Admission

Applying for admission can take a surprisingly long time. The actual application document is not very long, but the other documents can be very time consuming.
 
You are encouraged to plan your admissions packet with careful attention. Your packet represents you to the Linguistics Faculty Admissions Committee, so be sure that it reflects the quality of work that you intend to give your graduate studies.
 
Make sure you submit a complete packet -- an incomplete packet takes longer and is given lower priority. Also ensure that you send the complete application packet to Graduate School Admissions, not to the Linguistics program.
 
If you have questions not addressed by these web documents, please do consult the Linguistics Advisor. The email address is at the foot of the page.
 
  Contents  
 
Required Documents and Standards for Admission
  • A completed bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university  
     
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher for the last two years of undergraduate work
    • Applicants who have earned a master's degree or doctoral degree are exempt from the GPA requirement.
     
     
  • GRE scores (taken within the last five years) at or above 430 Verbal and 4 Analytical Writing are generally considered acceptable.
    • You may use unofficial GRE scores, the report you recieve in the mail about 3 weeks after the test. Do not wait for official test scores.
       :
    • Applicants who have earned a master's degree or doctoral degree should consult with the Advisor about this requirement.
     
     
  • Three letters of recommendation
    • The letters would be best if written by former professors. Failing that, letters from supervisors or trainers can address the applicant's ability to learn. Employers and priests, pastors, or rabiis can speak of the applicant's personal qualities that might contribute to success as a graduate student.
     
     
  • A Statement of Purpose, a two-page writing sample
    • This statement will introduce you to the Linguistics Faculty Admissions Committee. It can include such topics as your background, your interest in the field, your reasons for selecting our program, your aspirations for your graduate studies, or your professional goals. Your statement will be read to examine your ability to write, and to find supporting evidence for your admission.
 
 
Additional admissions requirements for non-native speakers of English:
  • TOEFL scores of
    • 250 or higher on the computer-based test or
    • 600 or higher on the paper-and-pencil test
     
     
  • No TOEFL is required for admissions if you earned a college degree in an English-medium university in an English-speaking country. (However, even students exempt from the admissions requirement will later need to document English proficiency. Before interning, you must demonstrate English language mastery through the TOEFL and SPEAK.)  
     
 
 
Deadlines for applying for admission
A deadline date means date of receipt by the Graduate Admissions office or International Admissions office. Deadline dates presume a completed application packet.
 
  • Regular students:
    • Fall deadline: March 15
    • Spring deadline: October 15
    • Summer deadline: March 1

     
  • International students residing inside the US
    who do not require an initial I-20
    • Fall deadline: March 15
    • Spring deadline: October 1
    • Summer deadline: March 1

     
  • International students not residing in the US
    • Fall deadline: January 2
    • Spring deadline: July 1
    • Summer deadline: January 2
 
 
How to Apply: Regular Students
 
To access information about admissions, simply go to the Graduate Admissions website at http://www.grad.usf.edu/newsite/admissions/main.asp.
 
The Graduate School uses an online application form. To begin the application process, go to http://www.grad.usf.edu/newsite/admissions/main.asp and click on the link “Graduate Application (Apply Online!).
 
Please submit a complete packet. If you do not have all the documents yet, wait until you have everything, then submit it. Complete packets receive priority attention; missing information packets do not.
 
Your application packet needs to include official transcripts from your university, test score reports (unofficial reports are acceptable), the three letters of recommendation, and your Statement of Purpose . Submit the entire packet to Graduate School Admissions. They will forward it to the Linguistics program after their initial processing.
 
 You can hand deliver or mail your complete packet (with application fee). Direct your packet to Graduate Admissions at this location:
University of South Florida
Graduate Admissions
4202 E. Fowler Ave.—BEH 304
Tampa FL 33620
 
How to Apply: International Students
 
For international applicants, procedures are more complicated. Fortunately, the staff at International Admissions are experts and very helpful people.
 
More information about the process, including the online application, may be found at:  http://web.usf.edu/iac/admissions/.
 
International applicants, please know that if you need special assistance, first consult the experts in International Admissions. We would be happy to help you also.


Here are some suggestions if you would like additional information:
Copyright © 2002-2004 University of South Florida Linguistics Program
Direct any communications about the program or website to
the Linguistics: to Camilla Vásquez - cvasquez@cas.usf.edu
Mail Code CPR 107 ~ 4th floor, Cooper Hall
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620
tel: 813.974.7378
fax: 813.974.1718
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