University of Chicago
Humanities Division
Chicago Linguistic Society
Language Labs and Archives

 
Applications and Admissions

Completed applications for admission and aid, along with all supporting materials, are due December 17th.

Three parts of the application are critically important: the student's academic record, letters of recommendation submitted by persons able to describe the student's achievements and promise, and, most importantly, the student's statement of purpose which describes the intellectual issues and subjects which they hope to explore at Chicago. In addition, applicants are encouraged to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores which are not more than five years old. It is advisable, especially for those applying for aid, to take the GRE no later than October so that scores will arrive on time. Students whose first language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Information about these tests may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540. Applications and all supporting materials should be sent to the Dean of Students of the Division of the Humanities, Walker Museum, Suite 111, 1115 E. 58th St., Chicago, IL 60637.

When completing the application form, it is of benefit to the applicant to be as specific as possible in describing their research interests. General comments are of relatively little use. Applicants are encouraged to discuss specific linguistic subject matters that they are interested in. We have received in years past interesting discussions, for instance, the relationship of signed languages to spoken languages; the status of the Specified Subject Condition; evidence that English is creole-like with a Celtic substratum; grammatical tone in Twi; and the semantics of idiomatic expressions. The department looks forward to broadening the list of topics of interest to our applicants.

If an applicant knows faculty members with whom they might work, the latter's names should be given as well. If available, a sample of pertinent written work that demonstrates the applicant's research interests or capabilities should be sent with the application. The sample may consist of published essays, class term papers, or an MA thesis. The faculty of the Linguistics Department would be happy to answer any questions that prospective students may have. Please contact them individually regarding their research or classes, or contact the Chair for more general and/or administrative questions. For contact information, click here.

In keeping with its long-standing traditions and policies, the University of Chicago, in admission, employment, and access to programs, considers students on the basis of individual merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, handicap, or other factors irrelevant to fruitful participation in the programs of the University.

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