Your passion for the English language needs to be sky-high in order to push yourself through a PhD in English. If you have made up your mind to dedicate 4 to 5 years of your life to spend in a library, then let us see the procedure to secure admission in PhD in English.
As with any other PhD, this one also has to follow the cumbersome process. But we have tried to break it down into simple steps. Make a checklist of these steps and tick them off one by one. Hope this will be of some help to you. Still, if you find any difficulties, contact us at ForeignAdmits. We guarantee successful admission to universities abroad.
Pre-Requisites for PhD In English
First and foremost you should fulfill the eligibility criteria for PhD in English. That means that you should have a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in the English language.
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Then you need to write GRE. Especially the verbal and writing scores are important to the English department. GRE scores are valid for 5 years. Check out the university website for the minimum GRE score they accept. Submit the score to the school you are applying to. Also, make sure to check if the university wants an additional GRE test on English literature.
Also Read: Tips for GRE and GMAT Preparation
Learning an additional language improves your chances of getting a PhD in English. Thus, gain reading knowledge of any foreign language that counts. Apart from these, a thesis of your master’s degree holds a lot of value. So make sure you have an excellent thesis to provide your sample work.
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Choosing the University/School
There are many grad schools but choosing the best one matter. Why? To be recognized in the job sector you need to be the best and study from a top-notch institute. Hence, search for the ranking of the school and its accreditation. Further, take a close look at its faculty and alumni to understand its position while planning where to pursue PhD in English.
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After that, you need to get in touch with the professor you want to work with. Maybe visit the campus, socialize with current doctoral students. And ask them about the faculty and any queries you have. You need to be sure about the topic you will choose and the major professor you work with because you have to commit to them for the length of the course.
Application for PhD in English
The application has LOR, statement, writing sample, and CV along with the application form. LOR written by at least 2 faculty members is essential. Thus, make sure that the members you have chosen know you and your achievements well. The statement you write is just like an SOP, you have to discuss your academic background, your achievements, and goals. You can also mention what attracted you to the PhD in English.
A writing sample is the most crucial part as its judgment will decide your future. Hence, make sure it is apt. Also, do not exceed or precede the given length. Yet another important part of the application is your resume. It is a representation of who you are and what you have achieved. Thus, follow the format and mention all your work and achievements in it.
Lastly, fill in your application form and attach all your transcripts. If it is to be sent offline then ensure you write the correct postal address. Likewise, for online application, attach all the documents in the proper format.
Now all you have to do is wait. If you are shortlisted you may have an interview.
The Selection Process
To make your application impressive and convincing you need to have an insight into the selection process. Hence, let us discuss in brief the two stages of screening of your application.
In the first stage of selection process for PhD in English, mostly those candidates are rejected who don’t have the requirements or don’t fulfill the eligibility. For example, if you don’t have the GRE score or the language preparation, etc you are rejected. Also, they go through the LORs and statements at this point. So if your LOR or statement is not good enough to make the cut, you are rejected. Also, it means that they will not read your sample work. Therefore, first and foremost you should choose the faculty for LOR carefully. And mindfully write your statement. Usually, the candidates are brought down to 100 after the first screening process.
Secondly, your writing samples are screened. Now based on these samples the list of shortlisted candidates is prepared. Hence, if you are called for an interview then give a pat on your back. Because your entire application has undergone a tough screening process and finally succeeded. After this process, the number of candidates to be interviewed would be 30-40. Out of these at the most 12 to 15 will make it to the school.
Job Prospects after PhD in English
There are several job titles that you can take up in educational institutes. One of the most popular ones is a UG or PG level professor with an average income of Rs. 6 LPA. Then comes the editor, journalist, writer, translator, reporter, and critic. The average incomes of these vary according to the organization you work with. Yet you can expect a minimum of Rs. 4 LPA.
In conclusion, a master’s degree is also enough for the above job titles. But if you feel to go to that edge and get a Dr. title, then you must pursue a PhD. Only your enthusiasm, commitment, and passion can help you achieve it. Otherwise, there are stories of many who take years to complete their doctorate course and many who discontinue.
For queries on the admission process contact us.