linguistics phd acceptance rate

Graduate Program

The curriculum is designed to assure that Ph.D. students receive an adequate grounding in all of the fundamental areas of linguistics, while leaving them the freedom they need to become independent researchers. The first year is devoted to coursework, which gives students a strong foundation and enables them to quickly begin contributing to the research life of the department. Beyond the core, students are relatively free to design their own program of study both within the discipline and across disciplines, within a framework of requirements set by the field and the Graduate School.

This program is organized in consultation with a Special Committee of the student’s own choosing. Committee members represent the student's major and minor subjects. Minors may be chosen from disciplines other than linguistics, so that it is possible, for example, for a Ph.D. student to major in General Linguistics and minor in such areas as Computer Science, Latin American Studies or Cognitive Science. The Special Committee system makes the Ph.D. program maximally flexible and allows students to avail themselves of the entire university's resources. 

Note on M.A. Program:

We do not offer a Master's program. The exception is through the Employee Degree Program (a benefit for Cornell employees). Contact the Graduate Field Assistant for more information ( [email protected]  or 607-255-1105)

ADMISSIONS REVIEW CONSIDERING COVID-19 DISRUPTIONS

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 15 (of each year - fall admission only)

Application Requirements

Applicants must have a B.A., B.S. or M.A. degree.

Submitted online:

• Online application found at www.gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions
• Academic statement of purpose
• Personal statement
• One research paper as a writing sample
• Three letters of recommendation
• Application fee: $105
• TOEFL or ILETS scores also required.  For exact details of how to satisfy the English Language Proficiency, please see   https://gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/prepare/english-language-proficiency-requirement/ .

*The GRE is not required for admission to the Field of Linguistics.

All materials must be uploaded to CollegeNet (see application link above). No hard copy application materials are accepted.

Requests for further information should be addressed to: E-mail :  [email protected] Phone : (607) 255-1105 Notification of Application Status: If any material is missing from your application, you will be notified by email.  Check the status of your application and select "review your activity".

Application and Admission Timeline

December 15 – All application materials are due.

Early February - Applicants are informed of admissions decisions and financial awards by this time. 

April 15 – Admitted students are required to accept or decline their offers by this date.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions 

- What are the strengths of your program? At Cornell, linguistic theory is applied to a broad range of linguistic evidence and tools, augmenting traditional linguistic intuitions. These include experimental/instrumental approaches, corpora, computational methods, and language documentation.

- What are the research interests and theoretical orientation of your faculty? Take a look at our  faculty webpages ! Our faculty cover a wide range of interests within the field of linguistics.

- How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. in Linguistics? Most students take five years. Finishing in this amount of time is contingent on timely completion of the required coursework and the A-exam.

- Can I do a Master's in Linguistics at Cornell University? No. Our program is designed to train students for the Ph.D.

- Can I start the program in the Winter or Spring semester? No. Our program's coursework is designed to start in the fall semester.

- What kinds of jobs do students who receive the Ph.D. in Linguistics have? Our students are successful in obtaining various academic and non-academic positions . See our " MA/PhD Alumni " page for information on the placement of our Ph.D graduates.

- What if I cannot afford the application fee? Please refer to this information from the Cornell University Graduate School: Application fee waivers: Check fee waiver eligibility requirements online before applying . If you are eligible, you can find a link to our fee waiver request form on the payment page of the online application form. You must submit your application and the fee waiver request at the same time. We review fee waiver requests every business day.

- What are the tuition costs? The tuition cost set for the 2023-24 academic year is $24,800. More detailed information on tuition & stipend rates and other fees (student activity fee and health insurance).

- What financial aid is available? Are international students eligible for financial aid? Two types of financial support are available through Cornell: merit-based (fellowships, assistantships, and tuition awards) and need-based (loans). Please visit our " Financial Support " section below for more information. Unless you choose otherwise, students are considered for merit-based aid, regardless of citizenship, as part of the admissions process—no special application is required. Applicants are notified of merit-based awards at the same time admissions offers are made. You must notify the Graduate School by April 15 if you plan to accept the offer.

- What does the admissions committee look for when reviewing applications? Simply stated, we are looking for talented students who are a good match for our program.

- How many students are accepted to the program per admission cycle? Our target class size is six. 

- What do my GRE scores and GPA have to be? We do not set specific minimums for GRE scores and GPA. GREs and GPA are only one consideration in evaluating applications for admission.

- Who should my letters of recommendation come from? Generally, academic references are from professors you have worked with during your undergraduate or master’s program. If you are not coming straight out of an academic program, these may also include references from your employers. Simply put, we are looking for letters from people who know both the applicant and our program and can tell us that the applicant will do well in our program.

- What should I include in my statement of purpose? A statement of purpose should be a well-written statement (of about 2 pages in length) that tells us why you have chosen to pursue linguistics as a field of study and why you have chosen to apply to Cornell. It should include your reasons for undertaking graduate work and an explanation of your academic interests, including their relation to your undergraduate study and professional goals. If possible, include the names of the Cornell faculty members whose research seems to match your own interests, and briefly discuss the connections you see. Also describe your relevant research experience, and note any publications you have authored or co-authored

Ph.D. Requirements

Progress towards the degree is attained by

• Completing the core course requirements
• Passing the Qualifying Exam (Q-exam), results reported to Field
• Passing the Admission to Candidacy Exam (A-exam), results reported to Grad School (form A4)
• Defending the prospectus (P-exam), results reported to Field
• Completing and defending dissertation (B-exam), results reported to Grad School (form A4)

Brief Ph.D Progress Checklist (For details on the requirements, see below. Italicized items are new Graduate School policies that apply to students beginning with those admitted for Fall 2014.)

1st year: 

• Apply for an NSF or other national fellowship in the fall semester, if eligible (usually only US citizens and resident aliens are eligible). 
• Make significant inroads on completing the core courses 
• Have two meetings (one per semester) with your Advisory Committee
• File academic plan with Graduate School describing anticipated summer activities and outcomes (due May 1, required for summer funding)

Select a Special Committee for your Q-paper by September 1st

• Submit a Q-paper proposal to your Special Committee by December 1st

Continue taking core courses, seminars

Complete any ancillary skills courses your committee requires (if any)

• Take Research Workshop (LING 6603) in spring

Take Q-Exam, committee reports results to GFA

The Q-Exam should be attempted before the end of the 4th semester. Summer funding for the second summer will be contingent on having attempted the Q-Exam by this deadline. To qualify for summer funding at the end of the fourth semester, it is essential that you schedule your Q-Exam no later than May 1st, and that the date of the exam be no later than May 14th.

• File academic plan with Graduate School describing anticipated summer activities and outcomes (due May 1, required for summer funding)​
• Select a Special Committee for your A-paper by September 1st
• Submit an A-paper proposal to your Special Committee by December 1st

Take Research Workshop (LING 6604) in fall semester

Take seminars to further research goals

Schedule A-Exam (form A3)

Take A-exam (report results with form A4, eligibility for 3rd summer funding is contingent on passing A-exam or filing a scheduling form indicating an intention to take the exam for the start of the 7th semester)

N.B. The dissertation-year fellowship will be available only to students who attempted their A-exam prior to the seventh semester of enrollment (a requirement of the Code of Legislation) and have passed the A-exam. In addition, students seeking the dissertation-year fellowship must have written and submitted an external fellowship or grant proposal within their first four years of enrollment, to encourage all students to pursue external funding. (In exceptional cases for which there may be no logical external funding organization to which it would be appropriate to write a proposal, the student may write a proposal for an internal Cornell award such as a Graduate School or Einaudi travel grant or may petition for permission to complete an alternative professionalization activity.)

• A-exam should be done by the beginning of the 7th semester!
• Select Special Committee for your dissertation by September 1st
• Write your dissertation proposal
• Take P-Exam (defense of prospectus) by end of fall semester, committee reports results to GFA
• Work on dissertation
• Apply for dissertation year fellowships (usually done in fall) and other post-A-exam funding
• 4th year summer funding is available by application only; students who have not passed their A-exam are not eligible. Applications for summer funding are due May 1 at the Graduate School.

 5th year:

• Apply for jobs, postdocs, etc.
• Finish dissertation
• Schedule B-Exam (form A3)
• Take B-exam (defense of dissertation, report results with form A4)
• File Thesis, using Graduation Manager

Course Requirements

A. core courses.

To assure that Ph.D. students receive an adequate grounding in all of the fundamental areas of linguistics, the field has defined a set of core requirements in the areas of Syntax, Phonology, Semantics and Historical Linguistics. The general expectation is that all students will take all core courses. If a student requests an exemption on the basis of comparable graduate-level coursework at another institution, this exemption can only be granted after consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies and the instructor of the relevant course. Beyond the core courses, Ph.D. students are expected to attend advanced linguistics courses (topics courses and seminars) not only in the areas in which they write their research papers and thesis but in areas that will provide sufficient breadth as advised by the Special Committee.  

Students are required to complete courses equivalent to the following: 

• Historical Linguistics (LING 6314)
• Phonology I and II (LING 6401/6402)
• Syntax I and II  (LING 6403/6404)
• Semantics I (LING 6421)
• Research Workshops (LING 6603/6604): This course provides students with an opportunity to develop an original research paper through a number of revisions, some of which are presented to an audience of fellow students. The final version is presented at a semester-end conference.  Offered both fall and spring.
• At least one course from the following subfields:  computational linguistics, historical linguistics (beyond Ling 6314), morphology, phonetics, semantics and pragmatics.
• Advanced courses: all students are required to take at least four (4) seminars or topics courses for credit. These are courses at the 6600-level or higher. 

B. Ancillary skill sets

In the course of research a student may need to master one or more ancillary skill sets. These might be familiarity with languages of scholarship or training in statistics, logic, field methods or programming. The student, in consultation with his/her committee, is expected to determine which skills need to be acquired and how and when this should be done.

Q- and A-Exams (admission to candidacy):

Admission to candidacy in the field of Linguistics consists of writing two research papers which are evaluated in two exams, the Q-exam and the A-exam.  The Q-exam is taken by the end of the second year, and the A-exam is taken by the end of the third year.  Graduate School regulations require that all doctoral students must take the Examination for Admission to Candidacy before beginning their seventh semester of registration unless special permission is obtained from the Dean.  The format of the Q- and A-exams varies from case to case, depending on the expectations of the Special Committee.  The Field requires that the candidate submit to the committee in advance of the exam a research paper of high quality (see the deadlines above).  The papers for the two exams must be in two distinct subfields, with a distinct Special Committee devoted to each paper.  The Special Committee for each exam will normally ask the candidate to prepare written answers for one to two questions.    

P-Exam (defense of prospectus):

Following successful completion of the A-exam, a Special Committee for the dissertation is selected and the P-exam is undertaken by the fall of the fourth year.    

B-Exam (thesis defense):

The B-Exam is taken after completion of the Ph.D. dissertation.  The B-Exam includes a presentation of the highlights of the dissertation followed by questions from the committee and others in attendance. 

Financial Support

We typically offer guaranteed five-year full financial support to students we admit into the graduate program, regardless of the student's citizenship. Two of those years (SAGE Fellowship: the first-year and the "dissertation year" in which students are not expected to work as a Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant) are through fellowships, and the other three years are through other sources of support, typically teaching assistantships or research assistantships. The five year funding package covers: tuition and fees, student health insurance and a nine-month stipend for living expenses. Funding is contingent on satisfactory academic performance, and beginning with the 2014-15 academic year, the Graduate School has instituted progress requirements for continued funding.

Teaching/Research Assistantships

The studies of all graduate students are funded in part by Teaching Assistantships (TA). In the Department of Linguistics, most Teaching Assistantships involve helping a professor in an undergraduate course; responsibilities may include leading discussion sections, meeting with students, helping grade papers and exams. Every effort is made to match teaching assignments with graduate student interests and to make sure that each Teaching Assistant receives a variety of teaching experiences while at Cornell. Teaching assistants work on average 15 hours per week and do not usually exceed 20 hours in any given week.

A student holding a TA-ship may work total of 20 hours per week as a combination of the TA responsibilities and employment elsewhere, either on- or off-campus.  Students holding a University fellowship, external fellowship, or GRA may also be employed on- or off-campus for no more than 8 hours per week, as long as this does not conflict with the terms of the external funding agreement.

A research assistantship (RA) entails work on a faculty research project not necessarily related to the student's dissertation. RAs work 15 to 20 hours per week. If the research project directly relates to the student's dissertation, then the appointment is a graduate research assistantship, in which case the time spent on research connected with the project is expected to be significant.

The  John S. Knight Institute for Writing in the Disciplines  allots the Linguistics department TA-ships for our graduate students to teach a First-Year Writing Seminar. This program emphasizes the humanities and social sciences and provides graduate students in all fields the opportunity to lead small undergraduate writing seminars and even to develop their own unique course syllabi. All graduate student instructors of First-Year Writing Seminars are required to take Writing 7100: Teaching Writing, a summer or fall semester one-credit course that provides a thorough pedagogical and experiential grounding in teaching. The department of Linguistics has approved courses that are offered as a writing seminar. If you would like to propose a new writing seminar, you will need to fill out the pre-EPC form.

Students may serve as language instructors for their TA-ship.  These also involve 15-20 hours a week.  Students with appropriate language background who are given such assignments are required to fulfill the respective department's training requirements.

Fellowships

The Graduate Field now requires all graduate students to apply for external funding at some point in their first four years. Students in the field of Linguistics are encouraged to apply for a variety of fellowships such as the National Science Foundation and the Social Science Research Council Fellowships. Also, the area programs at Cornell (East Asian, Southeast Asia, South Asia and European Studies) offer federally supported Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships to students whose research focuses on any of these areas.

Many of these non-Cornell sourced external fellowships are intended for students who are U.S. citizens or nationals or permanent residents of the United States. Applicants from foreign countries should seek aid from their own governments, universities, corporations or from a U.S. agency operating abroad, such as the Institute for International Education or the Fulbright-Hays Program.

Under certain conditions, external funds can be used to extend the package of guaranteed support from the Field or used in place of the teaching assistantship or research apprenticeship to allow the recipient to focus on research. The Graduate School and Field policies on modifying the initial package are available from the Director of Graduate Studies. Currently, students who are awarded these fellowships receive the two "free" years of SAGE funding (i.e., the first year and the dissertation year), but not the University-funded RA or TA stipends in the years that are covered by the external fellowship. 

The East Asian Program offers the following fellowships that have no citizenship restrictions. These three typically provide tuition and stipend for one semester. 

Einaudi Center Funding-East Asia Program Fellowships

• Robert J. Smith Fellowships in Japanese Studies
• Starr Fellowships
• Lee Teng-hui Fellowships in World Affairs

Einaudi Center grants: http://einaudi.cornell.edu/student-funding Cornell's Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS), Fulbright-Hayes Awards, Fulbright Program, International Research Travel Grants: The Mario Einaudi Center and its associated Programs offer a wide range of support and assistance to graduate students in search of funding for their international research, study and scholarship. See web site for deadlines, usually late January.

Graduate School Fellowship Database: http://gradschool.cornell.edu/fellowships/ A searchable database of fellowships of all kinds - well worth a look!

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSFGRFP):   http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201 The National Science Foundation funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, these are very competitive, but they provide a multi-year package of fellowship funding. College seniors, first- and second-year students with no more than 12 months of graduate study (i.e. no MA/MS degree) are eligible. It is most advisable to apply in your first year, if you are eligible. Even if you feel you do not have much linguistics research experience, the experience of writing the proposal is worthwhile. You will also get feedback from the NSF Fellowship Panel, which you can incorporate into an improved application the following year, if you do not succeed the first time. If you wait until your final year of eligibility to apply, you cannot take a second chance.

Social Science Research Council fellowships:  https://www.ssrc.org/fellowships-and-opportunities/ Most support from the Council goes to predissertation, dissertation and postdoctoral fellowships, offered through annual, peer-reviewed competitions.

NSF dissertation improvement grants (DDRIG):  http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505033&org=SBE&sel_org=SBE&from=fund These are for post-A-exam dissertation writers. There is no U.S. citizenship requirement. The grants supply up to $12,000 for research-related expenses. Deadlines are July 15th and January 15th of each year. The Principal Investigator should be the student's dissertation advisor, and the student should be the Co-Principal Investigator. It is expected that the student (Co-PI) will author the proposal, which will then be submitted through the university by the dissertation advisor (PI).

Mellon/ACLS Dissertation Completion Fellowships: http://www.acls.org/programs/dcf

Recently Offered Seminars

The department of linguistics offers a wide variety of graduate-level seminars. Seminar topics vary each semester based on the research interests of the graduate students and faculty.

• Finite State Methods
• Optimality Theory
• Neuro-linguistics
• Old Iranian
• Sanskrit Historical Grammar
• Phonetics in the Lexicon
• Timing and Weight in Phonology and Phonetics
• Information Structure
• Modality, Negative Polarity
• Polarity, Alternatives, Modality, Pragmatics
• Aspect of Interface between Syntax and Morpho-Phonology
• Relation Based Syntax
• Peripheries

Research Facilities

The Computational Linguistics Lab focuses on the statistical parsing of large data samples, including grammar development, parameter estimation, and acquisition of lexical information from corpora.

The Language Documentation Lab provides resources and laboratory space for research involving language documentation, description, and analysis, with an emphasis on understudied languages.

The Phonetics Lab offers state-of-the-art facilities for research in articulatory movement tracking, ultrasound, electroglottography, and speech aerodynamics. The phonetics lab is part of the Cornell Speech Imaging Group (SIG), a cross-disciplinary team of researchers using real-time magnetic resonance imaging to study the dynamics of speech articulation. 

Faculty and students in the Computational Psycholinguistic Discussions research group (C.Psyd) are interested in the intersection of computational linguistics and psycholinguistics. By building computational models to predict human language processing behavior (e.g., reading times), we can study the linguistic features that impact human processing decisions. Relatedly, C.Psyd members use psycholinguistic techniques to study the strategies used by neural networks to produce high accuracy in different language contexts, which gives us insights as to when different strategies might be employed by humans.

At the Linguistic Meaning (LiMe) Lab we investigate the complex process by which humans assign meaning to utterances. To do so, we combine insights from linguistic theory and cognitive science more broadly with experimental and computational methods. Contact: [email protected]

Cornell Linguistics Circle

The Cornell Linguistics Circle (CLC) is the graduate student group of the Cornell Department of Linguistics.  Students from linguistics and related fields are welcome to attend CLC meetings and participate in planned activities. The CLC serves to promote exchange of ideas among graduate students in the field and to advocate for the graduate student body within the department. Throughout the course of the academic year the CLC invites a series of outside speakers from linguistics departments around the country and the world.  Speakers deliver talks attended by faculty and graduate students (followed by a CLC-sponsored reception, of course!) and are often available for one-on-one meetings with interested students. The CLC also publishes The Proceedings of SALT, which contains articles developed from work presented at the annual Semantics and Linguistic Theory conference. All volumes of the Proceedings of SALT are available online through the LSA.

CLC Officers 2023-24

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Department of Linguistics

Ph.d. program.

The main components of the Linguistics Ph.D. program are as follows:

• Course Requirements
• Language Requirement
• Generals Papers
• Dissertation
• Extra Funding Availability

All requirements, including two generals papers, should ideally be completed by the end of the third year, but in no case later than the end of the fourth. The dissertation prospectus is due on October 15 of the fall term of the fourth year. Failure to meet program requirements in a timely fashion may result in termination of candidacy. 

First-year students are advised by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) until they select a major field from the regular departmental faculty. Thereafter, progress toward completion of the Ph.D. requirements continues to be monitored by the DGS, but primary responsibility for overseeing study shifts to the major advisor. Students are free to change their major advisor at any time. By the end of the second year they should also select a co-advisor, who serves as a secondary advisor and faculty mentor.

Harvard Linguistics Graduate Student Handbook

Progress to the Degree (updated 7/1/2015)

A B+ average must be maintained in each year of graduate study. Grades below B- cannot be counted toward departmental requirements; two grades below B- in required courses will result in termination of candidacy. Ordinarily, a grade of Incomplete can only be converted into a letter grade if the work is made up before the end of the following term. No grade of Incomplete can be used to satisfy a departmental requirement.   No two programs of study are alike, but students should typically plan to complete the requirements for the degree according to the timetable below. Departures from this schedule must be approved by the main advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.   Years G1 and G2: Course requirements are satisfied. By the end of the G2 year, the first generals paper should be well underway.   Year G3: Teaching duties begin. The first generals paper should be defended before the end of the fall term, and the second generals paper by the end of the spring term.   Year G4: Teaching duties continue. A thesis prospectus, naming a dissertation committee, is due on October 15 of the fall term; the committee must be chaired or co-chaired by a member of the Department of Linguistics and must include at least two members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Dissertation Completion Fellowship applications are due at midyear.   Year G5: The thesis is completed and defended in the spring.

A.M. Degree  (updated 7/1/2015)

Graduate students who have completed two years of residence, who have fulfilled all the course requirements and language requirements for the Ph.D., and who have successfully defended one Generals paper, are eligible to petition for a Master’s (A.M.) degree.  

Note that there is no master’s program in Linguistics.                     

• Courses 2023-24 AND Fall 2024
• Undergraduate
• Generals Papers (updated 7/1/2015)
• Extra Funding
• Secondary Fields
• Recent Dissertation Titles
• Financial Aid

Course Descriptions

Full course descriptions, fall 2024 courses are subject to change, fall 2024 courses, fall 2024 course schedule, fall 2024 asl course schedule, spring 2024 courses, spring 2024 course schedule, fall 2023 courses, fall 2023 course schedule, american sign language (asl) at harvard.

The UCLA Linguistics Department’s normal business hours are M-F 8am-12pm, 1-4pm. Office schedule and availability may change based on UCLA protocol ( www.covid-19.ucla.edu). Masks are optional but strongly recommended indoors. All UCLA affiliates and visitors must self-screen for symptoms before coming to campus.

The Department of Linguistics

Graduate admissions, graduate admissions information, the ucla linguistics department welcomes applications from students interested in pursuing the ph.d. degree . the department currently has approximately 45 graduate students. the admissions process is highly competitive; those offered admission are provided with full financial support, with commitments up to five years. support packages include tuition, fees, and salary or stipend, and normally involve a mixture of fellowship, research assistantship, and teaching assistantship., admission to the graduate program .

The admissions application is prepared and submitted online, through the website of UCLA’s Graduate Division . General information about applying to UCLA for graduate study (such as the University’s requirements for admission) is also available at this link.

Although the department offers both the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, it normally admits only those students who plan to ultimately pursue a Ph.D. Students are admitted to begin residence in the Fall quarter only.

We assume a background roughly equivalent to a B.A. in Linguistics. This does not mean that the department will not accept applicants with little Linguistics background. Students lacking sufficient background may, however, need to complete preparatory or supplemental courses in their first year.

The typical class size of entering graduate students per year is about seven to ten. We make admissions offers to about 13-15 applicants per year, from an applicant pool of approximately 180.

Admissions decisions are made by an Admissions Committee composed of department faculty. It will be helpful if applicants include on their Statement of Purpose the names of particular faculty they hope to work with, since the Admissions Committee may solicit the opinions of those faculty in making their decision. You may find our list of active ladder faculty on our Faculty Profiles page.

We recommend you review our Graduate Program Overview page , which includes information about our Graduate Student Support packages .

The deadline for submission of applications for the Fall quarter is December 10 of the previous year.

The online application consists of the following:

• A statement of purpose , explaining their background for graduate study in linguistics and their immediate and long-range goals in the field. Statements of purpose should primarily focus on intellectual interests and research plans, though autobiographical material can be useful where it is clearly relevant. You can find guiding questions for the statement on the UCLA Graduate Division website here , under “Statement of Purpose”; 1,500 word limit for our application.
• Three letters of recommendation , ideally from scholars who can attest to the applicant’s potential in linguistics and general intellectual qualifications. Letters from employers can also be useful where they supplement the letters from teachers.
• Transcripts from each academic institution attended.  Transcripts are to be uploaded to the online admissions application by the deadline, December 10th. Official hard copy transcripts must be mailed to the Department of Linguistics by January 31st.  Official transcripts must bear the signature of the Registrar or seal of the issuing institution. If the transcript is in a language other than English, then a certified translated copy must also accompany the original official transcript.
• A research paper in linguistics (or a related field). This part of the dossier is very important, and is often given more weight in admissions decisions about admissibility than anything else, since it (potentially) provides evidence of the ability to pursue original research in the field.  Please note that a literature review is less useful than an original research paper. If no paper in linguistics or a related field is available, it is better to include a paper in some non-related field, rather than no paper at all.
• International applicants whose first language is not English must certify their proficiency in English, via the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). More information, including minimum score requirements, UCLA’s institution code, and eligibility for a test waiver, is available on the Graduate Division’s website .
• UCLA’s fellowship application, found in online admissions application. It is useful to inspect the list of UCLA fellowships carefully, to see what you might be qualified for. Applicants are also encouraged to apply for as many extramural fellowships and scholarships as they are eligible . As part of the fellowship application, they require you to submit a Personal Statement: You can find guiding questions for the statement on the UCLA Graduate Division website here , under “Personal Statement.” To a limited extent, the Admissions Committee uses the criterion of what students can be supported with available resources.
• Although not required, it also would be useful to include with your application an informal list of the courses you have taken in your desired field . Add any information you think would clarify the kind of work you did, especially if the title of a given course does not reflect the actual course content.
• Please note that the GRE is NOT required for admission to our program . Please do not submit GRE score reports to us, as they will not be considered.

We are not the only linguists at UCLA.  There are graduate programs in  English ,  Indo-European Studies , and specific foreign languages , each with separate admission processes. Please contact these departments directly for information about applying to their graduate programs.

Admissions Materials

Virtually all admissions materials (writing sample, statement of purpose, etc.) are to be uploaded to the online application.

However, official transcripts (one hard official copy from each institution attended) are still required and should be mailed to:

UCLA Department of Linguistics c/o Graduate Admissions 335 Portola Plaza 3125 Campbell Hall Los Angeles, CA 90095-1543 (USA)

We can accept electronic official transcripts, as long as they are sent directly from the institution to the department. Please address electronic official transcripts to the Graduate Student Affairs Officer.

Please contact Graduate Student Affairs Officer if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many years is the Linguistics Graduate Program?

The normative time to complete the program is 5 years. The department offers both the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, and all students are expected to complete program requirements at both levels. You may review our Current Graduate Students page to review the normative timeline and requirements for our program.

2. What if I’m an international applicant, and do not meet the eligibility criteria to be exempt from UCLA’s English Language Requirement?

UCLA does not currently accept exception requests to waive the English Language Requirement outside of the exemption criteria listed on UCLA’s Graduate Division website . You will need to take and submit test scores for the TOEFL/IELTS with your graduate program application.

3. Where can I find more information on the graduate application fee waiver?

Please see the UCLA Graduate Division website here , under “Fee Waivers,” to review the eligibility criteria for the application fee waiver.

4. If I do not meet the criteria for a fee waiver, can I submit an exception to the department?

Unfortunately, the university does not accept exceptions to the criteria for fee waivers. These are set at the university level, and individual graduate programs/departments cannot waive this for you.

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Graduate Admissions

The department welcomes applications from those seeking a graduate program that allows students to craft individualized programs of study within broad guidelines and provides them with considerable flexibility in developing their research directions.

Through course work, dedicated faculty advising, and collaborative projects, our students learn how to approach significant theoretical questions using diverse empirical methodologies and detailed linguistic description. They are encouraged to undertake original research that spans subfields of linguistics or makes contact with neighboring disciplines.

The department receives approximately 150 applications for the Ph.D. program each year, from which, on average, 7 students are admitted. The department does not admit external applicants to the M.A. program.

The Stanford Department of Linguistics considers graduate admissions applications once a year.  The online application opens in late September and the deadline to apply to the Ph.D. program is November 30, 2023 for study beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.  

Start Your Application

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Ph.D. in Linguistics

Ph.d. in linguistics (general linguistics track) .

Note that the required courses and language requirement differ between the curriculum instituted Sept. 2018 and the prior curriculum. All other requirements are the same.

1A. Required courses (30 credits): Curriculum instituted Sept. 2018 

One graduate-level course in each of the following sub-disciplines:

• Syntax: LING 507 “Syntactic Theory I”
• Sociolinguistics: LING 532 “Sociolinguistics I”
• Language Processing and Development: LING 541 or 542 (“Language Processing and development I or II”)
• Phonology LING 552 (“Phonology II”)
• Phonetics LING 550 (“Introduction to Linguistic Phonetics”)
• Semantics LING 479 or 579 ("Semantic Theory I or II")

1B. Required courses (35 credits): Prior to Sept. 2018 

• LING 507 ("Syntax I")
• LING 508 ("Syntax II")
• LING 532 ("Sociolinguistics I")
• LING 551 ("Phonology I")
• LING 552 ("Phonology II")
• LING 550 or 553 ("Phonetics I or II")
• LING 578 or 579 ("Semantics I or II")

If a student has taken an equivalent course elsewhere, the requirement to take this course can be waived. The waiver needs to approved by the faculty in the relevant area and the GPC. Such waivers do not change the total number of credits required by the Graduate School for graduation.

2. Credits of study:

Additional courses for a minimum of 90 credits (27 of which are LING 800) to be determined by specialization and consultation with the advisory committee.

3A. Language knowledge requirement: Curriculum instituted Sept. 2018

General Linguistics Track students must satisfy one natural language requirement for the PhD. The choice of the language needs to be approved by the student’s advisory committee. The language requirement may be satisfied in one of the following three ways:

• One year of study at the university or community college level. Students who are language instructors in other UW departments can use their language teaching experience to satisfy one language requirement.
• A major research project that involves significant primary data collection that includes substantial structural analysis and results in a major paper such as a generals paper.

3B. Language knowledge requirement: Prior to   Sept. 2018

General Linguistics Track students must satisfy two natural language requirements for the PhD. Those may be satisfied in the following ways:

• Translation exam to demonstrate the ability to read linguistic literature in a foreign language; only one of the two language requirements for the PhD can be satisfied through the translation exam.

4. Colloquium conference talks:

Two papers delivered at a colloquium or conference.

5. Constitution of PhD committee:

By the end of the second year of study.

6. Generals Papers:

Two generals papers in different areas (normally 10cr LING 600). What counts as a different area is determined and needs to be approved by the student's committee.

7. General Examination:

An oral examination, in which the candidate is questioned on the two papers. The oral examination may not be scheduled until the committee has read the two papers and approved them as passing.

8. Dissertation Prospectus:

Within 6 months of the oral examination, the student will present a formal dissertation proposal to the subset of PhD committee members who constitute the reading committee, along with a proposed calendar for completion of the dissertation.

9. Final Exam:

A Final Exam on the dissertation attended by the candidate’s Supervisory Committee and open to others interested.

10. Dissertation:

A dissertation suitable for publication.

11. ABD (all but dissertation) requirement:

All degree requirements except for the dissertation and the two colloquia must be completed before the General Exam.

Ph.D. in Linguistics (Computational Linguistics Track)

The requirements for students on the computational linguistics track will meet all the same requirements as students in other specializations except :

1. Required courses:

• 2 syntax courses from among: LING 566, 507, 508
• 2 phonetics/phonology courses from among: LING 550, 551, 552, 553
• 1 semantics course from among: 578, 579
• 1 sociolinguistics course from among: LING 532, 533
• 3 Computational Linguistics courses from among: 567, 570, 571, 572, 573

3. Language knowledge requirement:

Students in Computational Linguistics must fulfill only one language requirement, but may not use a translation exam to do so. The language must be typologically substantially distinct from the student's native language; for example, a native English-speaking student would need to select a non-Indo-European language. Please refer to Language Requirements for details.

6. Generals papers:

Same as for the General Linguistics program except a Master’s thesis completed as part of the CLMS program may count as one of the two generals papers.

How to make the CLMS to PhD transition

M.A. in Linguistics

The M.A. is not required as a prerequisite to Ph.D. study.  Students enrolled in the PhD program may get an MA degree when they pass the general exam and file a request for an MA degree with the graduate school.  Students who have taken all the required courses for the PhD CompLing track may analogously file a request for an MS degree with the Graduate School, under either model A or B below. Students who would like to get an MS degree have to get their advisor's approval before filing an official request with the Graduate School.

A. Non-thesis model:

The Generals papers and Exam constitute the capstone project necessary for a master’s degree (or the student may complete the thesis model below).

B. Thesis model: 

• Required courses: Same as the required courses in PhD General Linguistics Track. 
• Language requirement: Same as the language requirement in PhD General Linguistics Track. 
• Thesis:  A thesis, written under the supervision of a Linguistics faculty member, and accepted by a second faculty reader. Normally the work is completed in 10 credits of LING 700.

Remarks on Graduate School Requirements

Students are advised to become familiar with Graduate School requirements, as well as those described on this website. If there are any questions, the student should contact the Graduate School, the Graduate Program Coordinator or the chair of the Supervisory Committee. Once admitted to the program, students should make it a regular practice to see the Graduate Program Coordinator about their progress at least once a year. All graduate students must be either registered or officially on leave. Failure to register or go on leave is interpreted as resignation from the Graduate School. Information on the Graduate School is available at http://www.grad.washington.edu . If you have any further questions or comments please contact us at [email protected]

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• College of Arts & Sciences
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• Ph.D. Program Application
• Graduate Program

This page provides details about the procedure for applying to the graduate Linguistics program at the University of Pennsylvania. Please read it thoroughly before submitting an application. If any questions remain unanswered, contact [email protected] .

Degree Program

Deadlines and fees, required materials, evaluation criteria, financial aid, campus visits, contact information.

Note that the term "graduate group" at Penn refers to an entity that administers graduate study, and may or may not be tightly connected to a specific academic "department". The Graduate Group in Linguistics includes all the faculty of the Linguistics Department as well as many faculty who conduct linguistic research but are affiliated with other departments (such as psychology and computer science).

The Graduate Group in Linguistics normally admits only students intending to complete the requirements for the Ph.D. Strong applicants seeking an M.A. will be considered if they bring outside funding for their studies and are a good match to the interests of the faculty. We do not admit students for part-time or online study. Students are encouraged to complete the Ph.D. program in five years; for recent graduates, the time to completion is typically five or six years.

If your main research interest lies in applied linguistics, second language acquisition, or language teaching, contact the School of Education , especially under the category educational linguistics or TESOL ; the Graduate Group in Linguistics at Penn does not consider applications from students with a primary focus in these areas.

Note that we do not offer any kind of "conditional acceptance", which some applicants ask about, and that the application process and financial aid offers are the same for domestic and international applicants.  All applications are considered as a group after December 1st, mainly during January and early February.

The application deadline is December 1st , for matriculation in the fall semester of the following year; you may begin an application after October 1st. Ph.D. applications are considered only on this schedule. We do not have admissions for the spring semester. 

Applicants must ensure that their complete materials — including transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and supporting documents — are submitted by this date in order to be considered for financial aid from or through the university. Please do not email or telephone the Graduate Division or the Linguistics Department to confirm that your application is complete; we will contact you if any materials are missing.

The application fee is $90.00. Payments must be made by credit card.

The University is uses  ApplyWeb  for online applications, and all materials are handled electronically. Instructions, forms, and a link to the online application are located at  https://www.sas.upenn.edu/graduate-division/prospective-students/application-information

The Graduate Group in Linguistics requires the following materials as part of the applications. Each is discussed in more detail below.

• Academic transcripts of undergraduate courses and grades, and any previous graduate work.
• TOEFL score for non-native speakers of English.
• A personal statement of your academic goals.
• Recommendations from at least three professors or others familiar with your academic abilities.
• A writing sample and other supporting materials.

You will be notified in early January if there are any materials missing from your application.

The same application is used by applicants from either the U.S. or abroad. An admissions committee within the Graduate Group makes decisions regarding admission and financial aid, with the approval of the Graduate Dean. The Office of the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences generates the official acceptance letter.

The application and all materials submitted to the Admissions Office become the property of the University of Pennsylvania.

Your application must include an unofficial transcript from the institution(s) where you did previous academic work at the undergraduate or graduate level. The transcripts should be scanned and submitted electronically with your application. If you are admitted to the program, you will be required to confirm the information by sending an official copy of the transcript before matriculating.

After a year in the program, students may be eligible to transfer up to eight course credits completed prior to admission. Approval will be at the discretion of the Graduate Group.

The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) is no longer considered for admission to our program, so students should not send them as part of their applications.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for non-native speakers of English. For details, see http://www.toefl.org . Anyone who has received a bachelor's degree or higher from an English-speaking university or who will receive their degree before starting graduate school is exempt from this requirement.

This year we are accepting four tests of English-language proficiency:

• TOEFL iBT Test (in person)
• TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition
• TOEFL ITP Plus for China
• Duolingo English Test [ site ]

The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) , telephone 609-921-9000. All scores must be officially submitted to the Graduate Division by the testing agency. The codes that you will need to know are University of Pennsylvania: 2926 and Linguistics: 2903 (or, in the two-digit iBT system, 04). We do not accept scores older than two years.

Applicants are expected to have a score of at least 100 on the internet-based test (iBT). The ITP Plus China test must have a score of at least 627. For the Duolingo exam, the minimum is 125.

We also accept the IELTS , but the University is not set up to receive the scores electronically. A score of 7.0 or better is expected. Include a copy of your official scores as an upload in your application. Please do not send hard-copies to the department.

Personal Statement

In the personal statement, all Ph.D. applications within the Graduate Division of Arts & Sciences should address the following:

• Please describe how your background and academic experiences have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree and led you to apply to Penn. Your essay should detail your specific research interests and intellectual goals within your chosen field. Please provide information about your educational trajectory, intellectual curiosity and academic ambitions. If you have overcome adversity and/or experienced limited access to resources or opportunities in your field of study, please feel free to share how that has affected the course of your education. We are interested in your lived experiences and how your particular perspective might contribute to the inclusive and dynamic learning community that Penn values and strives to create.

The personal statement prompt just given is standardized across the Graduate Division of Arts & Sciences. Here is some additional guidance from our specific graduate program. Your personal statement is an important part of your application. The admissions committee looks not only at the general background and qualifications of the applicants, but also at the fit between your specific goals and interests, and the kind of research conducted by the members of the graduate group. A length of two or three pages is usually appropriate.

The most successful statement will demonstrate that you understand the kinds of work conducted by members of the faculty with interests related to yours, and why Penn is a particularly appropriate place for you to study. You should be clear about your goals; it is acceptable to have wide interests or not to be entirely focused yet, but you should show that you understand what it means to pursue advanced study in the areas of interest that you identify. Personal anecdotes about how you became interested in linguistics, or childhood experiences with language, do not generally contribute to the effectiveness of the statement.

The personal statement is the place to describe your past training in linguistics or in related areas. We welcome applications from those with limited formal training in the field, but in such cases it is especially important to demonstrate your understanding of what graduate work in linguistics will entail, and to emphasize aspects of your educational background that will contribute to your success. We do not normally expect a resume or CV, but if your work or educational history is complex or multifaceted, you might wish to include one.

When you are asked to specify your area of concentration, please choose from among these categories: syntax, morphology, semantics, pragmatics, phonology, phonetics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, historical linguistics, evolution. If you are interested in computational linguistics, you can specify that in your personal statement, but here you should indicate the field in which you would apply computational analysis.

In our program, applicants are not expected to work out arrangements with individual faculty members before applying. The application is made to the graduate group as a whole, and students who matriculate in the program are assigned appropriate advisors after they arrive. Nevertheless, it is entirely sensible to identify how your research interests relate to those of specific faculty at Penn.

Recommendations

You will need letters of recommendation from three professors or others who are qualified to comment on your academic ability and background. The most effective letters come from those who have worked with you closely, especially on independent research, and who are familiar enough with the field of linguistics to understand what abilities are most relevant.

When you include the email addresses of your recommenders in the online application, each will automatically receive an email with an attached recommendation form. This email will allow the recommender to submit a letter electronically. Once the recommender submits the letter, it will be attached to the online application.

Writing Sample

A writing sample, such as a substantial term paper or thesis from previous undergraduate or graduate work, is necessary for the faculty to assess your research experience. If you only have work from another field, please select a paper that shows the sort of research skills relevant to linguistics. The document should be converted to pdf format and uploaded to the CollegeNet site.

That site limits the size of the files to 500 KB, so if necessary include an excerpt from a longer document. You may, in addition, provide in your personal statement a link to the full document (in pdf form) that you have posted elsewhere on the web.

We evaluate applicants holistically , taking into careful consideration the full picture of how each applicant’s unique experiences have prepared them for success in graduate school. Here are some skills and traits that we look for in highly competitive applications to our program:

Academic preparedness . The applicant demonstrates academic preparation and skills, including strong writing skills, that equip them well for graduate coursework and research in linguistics. Their academic work so far suggests potential for innovation and original thinking. 

Research experience . The applicant has taken advantage of relevant research opportunities available to them, given their background and previous opportunities. They have a realistic perspective on how to conduct a research project, along with a strong ability to work independently and problem-solve.

Fit with our department. The applicant understands what linguistics is and what kinds of research areas our department specializes in. The applicant's interests overlap with the interests of at least one, and ideally multiple, faculty members. Their research statement articulates why they are excited to join our unique intellectual community.

Commitment and adaptability . The applicant demonstrates resilience in overcoming obstacles and adapting creatively to new information and events. They demonstrate the ability and willingness to work hard and steadily towards long-term goals.

Contributions to inclusive community . The applicant stands to contribute to a diverse learning environment in linguistics through their life experiences, educational background (e.g. non-traditional paths) and/or the ability to articulate the barriers facing a variety of different groups in linguistics. They value making our department community inclusive and making linguistics accessible both within and outside the university.

Collaboration and organizational experience . The applicant demonstrates maturity through clear communication, ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, strong organizational skills, and ability to multitask. They will make positive contributions to the department’s community and activities.

Under normal circumstances – when a student does not have outside funding – all students who are offered admission to the Ph.D. program are also offered a five-year Benjamin Franklin fellowship. The annual stipend for the 12-month period starting Fall 2023 is $40,500. Please see the Graduate Division for more details.

As noted above, the deadline for applications is December 1st. Students to whom the graduate group decides to offer admission will be invited to visit the University, usually on a day in late February; notifications of admission therefore can be expected by the middle of that month. Due to processing time, unsuccessful applicants may not receive official notice until late February or early March.

The Linguistics Ph.D. program begins in the Fall semester, which starts in late August (see the academic calendar ). There is no provision for students to begin in the Spring semester.

The School of Arts and Sciences allows candidates to defer admission for up to one year. Fellowship awards may not, however, be deferred; the application must be reactivated the next year for new consideration for a fellowship.

If you would like to come and sit in on classes or meet Linguistics graduate students or faculty, please contact [email protected] . Visitors are encouraged to reach out directly to those faculty with whom they would like to meet.

See also the online map and directions .

The Graduate Division oversees the application process:

Graduate Division School of Arts and Sciences University of Pennsylvania 3401 Walnut Street, Suite 322A Philadelphia, PA 19104-6228

Telephone: 215-898-7444

The Linguistics Department administers the affairs of the Graduate Group in Linguistics:

Linguistics Department University of Pennsylvania 3401-C Walnut Street, suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19104-6228

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 215-898-6046

Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. program in linguistics is designed with the interdisciplinary research goals of the department in mind.

Our curriculum aims to combine the best features of the knowledge-intensive model that is common in the humanities and the skills-intensive apprenticeship model that is more common in the physical and life sciences. The course requirements provide more flexibility than most linguistics programs, allowing students to acquire the broad training that is most appropriate to individual goals. Course loads are designed to leave time for students to become involved in original research at an early stage of the program. Many students continue to pursue research in multiple areas through their dissertation, and it is common for students to be co-advised by multiple faculty members.

Application

Join a community where new ideas develop in conversation, stimulated by the steady activity of our labs and research groups, frequent student meetings with faculty and regular talks by local and invited scholars.  Discover how to apply.

Our internationally recognized Ph.D. program combines current theoretical research in phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics with state-of-the-art experimental research in psycholinguistics, first language acquisition, language processing, neurolinguistics and computational linguistics. Explore our curriculum.

• Living Here

Our area also offers special resources for linguists. It is home to speakers of countless languages from around the world and home base to many national research agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the Linguistic Society of America.  Learn more about living here.

Who to Contact

William idsardi.

Professor, Linguistics

1401 A Marie Mount Hall College Park MD, 20742

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Educational linguistics, doctor of philosophy (ph.d.), you are here, a pioneering doctoral program with an enduring legacy of research in applied linguistics, language learning, and teaching..

The Educational Linguistics Ph.D. program focuses on language learning and teaching as well as the role of language in education. Our questions and concerns are situated squarely in educational policy and practice, informing and informed by interdisciplinary theory and research in linguistics, anthropology, psychology, sociology, history, and other fields.

What Sets Us Apart

About the program.

Our program promotes the view that language must be examined within the cultural contexts and social situations in which it occurs.

3–4 courses per semester (fall/spring semesters only)

Transfer courses 8 (electives only)

Duration of program 5–7 years

Culminating experience Candidacy examination, and dissertation

Our faculty and students are involved in generating research on language and learning in areas such as:

• Linguistic, cognitive, and sociocultural aspects of (additional) language development
• Local and global perspectives on world language teaching policy and practice in K-12 and higher education
• The intersections of disability, language, school–parent partnerships, and education policy
• The historical and contemporary manifestation of raciolinguistic ideologies that frame the language practices of racialized communities
• How multilingual speakers use milimodal communication practices – such as gestures, laughter, actions, and learning materials – to resolve miscommunication
• How language, social interaction, institutions, and the Internet influence what students learn in schools
• The role of lanugage in all forms of learning

Our curriculum is designed to provide a solid foundation in linguistics and research methodology. Students customize their education by working with their advisor to choose electives from a wide range of course offerings from across the Penn campus. Introductory courses in language pedagogy and sociolinguistics are strongly encouraged for students with no background in these areas. 

For course descriptions and requirements, visit the  Educational Linguistics Ph.D. program in the University Catalog .

For a full list of courses offered at GSE, visit  Penn’s University Course Catalog .

Sample courses

• Linguistics in Education                                                                              
• Sociolinguistics in Education                                                                      
• Language Diversity and Education                                                             
• Second Language Development    
• Genealogies of Race and Language in Educational Research 
• Issues in Second Language Acquisition                                        
• Phonology I
• Citizen Sociolinguistics
• Classroom Discourse and Interaction
• Approaches to Teaching English and Other Modern Languages
• Anthropology & Education
• Theories of Reading
• Language in Culture & Society

Our Faculty

"I got to work with inspiring scholars doing cutting-edge work. I saw firsthand the process of writing, submitting, and publishing a journal article. I had so many experiences that shaped me as a scholar and that I continue to draw on in my research and academic writing."

Our Graduates

The Educational Linguistics Ph.D. program prepares candidates for teaching and research careers in colleges and universities worldwide, as well as careers in government, community, and private organizations.

Alumni Careers

• Associate Professor, Columbia Teachers College
• Assistant Professor, Indiana University
• Associate Professor, Malmö University
• Associate Professor, University of Iowa
• Associate Professor and Chair, Adelphi University
• Director of Educational Programming and Research, Center for Cultural, Art, Training and Education (CCATE)
• Senior International Baccalaureate World Schools Manager
• Assistant Professor of TESOL and Applied Linguistics in the English Department, Illinois State University
• Research and Evaluation Supervisor, William Penn School District
• Lecturer in Language Studies, Brown University
• Founder/CEO, Brilliant Bilingual
• Associate Professor of Language Education and Urban Social Justice Learning & Teaching, Rutgers University
• Associate Professor of Teaching and Learning, The Ohio State University
• Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Linguistics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne
• Assistant Professor of International Students, College of Charleston
• Assistant Professor of Linguistics, University of Louisville
• Assistant Professor, Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education, University of Colorado, Denver
• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow

Admissions & Financial Aid

Please visit our Admissions and Financial Aid pages for specific information on the application requirements , as well as information on tuition, fees, financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships.

Contact us if you have any questions about the program.

Graduate School of Education University of Pennsylvania 3700 Walnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 (215) 898-6415 [email protected] [email protected]

Erica Poinsett Program Assistant [email protected]

Please view information from our Admissions and Financial Aid Office for specific information on the cost of this program.

All Ph.D. students are guaranteed a full scholarship for their first four years of study, as well as a stipend and student health insurance. Penn GSE is committed to making your graduate education affordable, and we offer generous scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.

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Working Papers in Educational Linguistics

Working Papers in Educational Linguistics  is a student-managed journal focused on the many areas of research within educational linguistics.

You May Be Interested In

Related programs.

• Educational Linguistics Ed.D.
• Intercultural Communication M.S.Ed.
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) M.S.Ed.

Related Topics

Graduate Program

The graduate program in Linguistics at Berkeley combines mentoring from faculty members in the department, coursework, research training, and professional development opportunities.

Faculty expertise in the department spans an unusually diverse range of endeavors. The graduate program accordingly includes a broad range of advanced seminars, along with coursework focusing on analyzing linguistic structure (e.g. syntax, semantics, phonology, phonetics), language ecologies (language variation and change, language and cognition), and methods (including field methods, archival research, experimental and corpus-based analyses, and computational modeling).

Graduate students have published their research in numerous journals, including Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , Glossa , Natural Language & Linguistic Theory, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America , Language Documentation & Conservation , Linguistic Inquiry , and Phonology ; and regularly present their work at conferences, including the Annual Meeting on Phonology , the Manchester Phonology Meeting , New Ways of Analyzing Variation , the Cognitive Science Society Conference , the CUNY Conference on Sentence Processing , LabPhon , the Acoustical Society of America Meeting , the Linguistics Society of America ,  NELS , Sinn und Bedeutung , the Society for the Study of the Indigenous Languages of the Americas , among others.

Graduate students actively participate in working groups, reading groups, and other activities, including Fieldwork Forum, Phorum, Syntax & Semantics Circle, and TABLE .  These groups contribute to the strength of the program as hubs of intellectual exchange, professional networking, and community building.

Graduate students in the Linguistics department are eligible to apply to two Graduate Designated Emphases : the Designated Emphasis in Indigenous Language Revitalization , and the  Designated Emphasis in Cognitive Science .

Our graduates build exciting careers in research labs, for-profit businesses, non-profits, government agencies, and higher education, among others.

Detailed description

The particulars of this program, describing the exact course requirements, details about the exams and required research papers are available in the  Linguistics Graduate Program description  (updated 2023). This document changes from time to time. Get previous versions of the program description for 2022 ,  2020 ,  2019 ,  2018 , and 2017 .

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Home / Graduate / Admissions

Essential Resources

FAQ for Applying to the Graduate Program

• For information on application deadlines, please refer to the  Division of Graduate Studies Admissions website .
• Use the online application form - available as of October 1, 2023. The department accepts applications to the PhD and MA programs during the regular admissions period for the UCSC campus.
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Writing sample
• Statement of Purpose
• Personal History Statement
• Letters of recommendation, minimum of 3
• GRE scores are not required for the MA or PhD application. 
• Take the TOEFL or IELTS English Proficiency Test by November 2023. TOEFL/IELTS waivers may be requested by applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree at an English-speaking institution. Please see the Graduate Division  website  for more information.
• Translate application materials and documents (particularly the transcripts).
• Strong letters of recommendation.
• A depth and quality of prior training in linguistics. 
• The degree of fit between the applicant's interests (as described in the statement of purpose) and the department's strengths.
• Writing sample which need not be in the area of linguistics, but should ideally reveal the applicant's ability to address abstract issues and formulate and investigate precise hypotheses.
• An undergraduate degree in linguistics or a demonstrated excellence in some related discipline (e.g., psychology, mathematics, computer science, language studies, anthropology, or philosophy) and have the equivalent of a minor in linguistics. Applicants should in any case have a foundation in at least one of the central theoretical fields of linguistic structure: phonology, morphology, syntax, or semantics.
• A demonstrated ability to conduct original research. 
• Applicant does not qualify for the fee waiver or exemption offered by the UCSC Division of Graduate Studies
• Has not yet paid the application fee
• Has completed and uploaded the following documents to their application: statement of purpose, personal history statement, CV, and writing sample  AND
• Is the first person in their family to attend college
• To apply for a departmental fee waiver, please complete this form . 
• For general information about the graduate application process at UCSC, go to the campus Graduate Division page.
• General questions about the Linguistics graduate program should be sent to the Linguistics Graduate Coordinator, [email protected].
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• Graduate Division FAQ
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Last modified: December 8, 2023 128.114.113.87

Admissions & Enrollment Statistics

Each year, the Graduate School publishes statistics detailing the number of students who apply to, are admitted to and enroll in its programs for the summer and fall semesters (S/Fall). These statistics offer insight into the programs' selectivity and yield rates. Also published are the average grade-point averages and test scores for each admissions cycle.

Please note that the following reports do not include students applying for readmission, to change their graduate major, or as part of a University affiliated exchange program.

Yale Linguistics

You are here, graduate admissions.

Applications to study linguistics at Yale should be made through the Graduate School of Arts and Science. You can begin the application process there, where you will also find detailed information about the application process, including submission deadlines.

If you have questions about the general process of applying to Yale check the Graduate School Admissions FAQs . If you have specific questions about the graduate studies in Linguistics, please check our Program Requirements  and our own Linguistics Graduate Admissions FAQs . 

We encourage students who are applying to our program to be as specific as possible in describing their interests and the connection between their interests and those of the Linguistics faculty at Yale. Looking at faculty research  and the web pages of our current graduate students can be very helpful in figuring out the goodness of fit between your interests and ours.

We encourage appropriately qualified students to apply for Yale’s post-baccalaureate education programs. More information is available through Yale’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Diversity Program , or contact the Director of Graduate Studies for further information.

Director of Graduate Studies

Any questions about the graduate program can be directed to the DGS, Jim Wood, at jim.wood@yale.edu

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Office of the provost, you are here, phd program data.

• Outcomes data is based on students who completed a PhD between academic years 2010-11 to 2014-15
• Student enrollments in and degrees conferred by the joint MD/PHD programs with the Pritzker School of Medicine are not included in these reports.
• Data in these charts follow U.S. reporting requirements, which currently allow only “male” and “female” as gender categories.
• International is defined by IPEDS as nonresident alien. View IPEDS'  Definitions for New Race and Ethnicity Categories .

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Beth Niestat

Report a problem

Thank you, your report has been submitted. We will deal with the issue as soon as possible. If you have any other questions, please send an email to [email protected] .

Your Programmes

Phd ba(hons) linguistics.

1 in 3 applicants to this programme received an offer.

Data shown above is for entry in academic year 2019/20 (sources) .

Previous Years

Data sources.

• FOI Request by Albert Warren.
• FOI Request by Ash Rizwan. January 2017.

The acceptance rate , or offer rate, represents the fraction of applicants who received an offer. Note that this will be generally lower the acceptances rates (acceptances divided by applicants) published by many other sources. This article explains it in more detail. The acceptances generally indicate the number of offer holders who accepted the offer and fulfilled its conditions. For some universities, however, it denotes the number of applicants who accepted the offer, regardless of whether they subsequently met its conditions.

Data Reliability

Unless otherwise noted, the data presented comes from the universities and is generally reliable. However, some of the differences between years and/or courses may be due to different counting methodologies or data gathering errors. This may especially be the case if there is a sharp difference from year to year. If the data does not look right, click the "Report" button located near the top of the page.

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2024 Best Colleges with Linguistics, Interpretation, and Translation Degrees in America

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1-25 of 243 results

Yale University

New Haven, CT •

• • Rating 4.02 out of 5   1,054 reviews

Freshman: Yale is amazing overall! Campus is full of activities and there's always something to do. New Haven may not be the greatest city in America, but that just makes students be more active on campus and creates a sense of community! Yale also has the perfect balance of academics, extracurriculars, and social life, or as we like to think about it, the 8/8/8 rule: 8 hours of studying, 8 of sleep, and 8 of social life. ... Read 1,054 reviews

• grade  A+ Overall Niche Grade

Acceptance rate 5%

Net price $18,647

SAT range 1500-1580

#1 Best Colleges in America .

Blue checkmark.

NEW HAVEN, CT ,

1054 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Yale is amazing overall! Campus is full of activities and there's always something to do. New Haven may not be the greatest city in America, but that just makes students be more active on campus and... .

Read 1054 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A+ ,

Acceptance Rate : 5% ,

Net Price : $18,647 ,

SAT Range : 1500-1580 ,

Stanford University

Stanford, CA •

• • Rating 4.1 out of 5   1,283 reviews

Freshman: I honestly really like it here! It was my dream school and genuinely there are so many opportunities that you have access to. That said, its heat you make of it. No one will force you or push you to apply for things or cold email people. You just need to have the personal drive. Also, I love the area, its quiet, so if you're into big massive part vibes, it may not be the place for you. I love how they have options for weekends for people who don't party. Very accommodating! ... Read 1,283 reviews

Acceptance rate 4%

Net price $18,279

#2 Best Colleges in America .

STANFORD, CA ,

1283 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I honestly really like it here! It was my dream school and genuinely there are so many opportunities that you have access to. That said, its heat you make of it. No one will force you or push you to... .

Read 1283 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 4% ,

Net Price : $18,279 ,

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA •

• • Rating 4.16 out of 5   661 reviews

Sophomore: Great place to be challenged, learn, and grow. A safe environment to fall and fail. Lots of support and resources available but you need to take the initiative to reach out about them ... Read 661 reviews

Net price $20,232

SAT range 1530-1580

#3 Best Colleges in America .

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

661 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Great place to be challenged, learn, and grow. A safe environment to fall and fail. Lots of support and resources available but you need to take the initiative to reach out about them .

Read 661 reviews.

Net Price : $20,232 ,

SAT Range : 1530-1580 ,

Montclair State University

MONTCLAIR, NJ

• • Rating 3.58 out of 5   3,180

University of Alaska Fairbanks

FAIRBANKS, AK

• • Rating 3.5 out of 5   1,042

Mississippi College

CLINTON, MS

• • Rating 3.76 out of 5   640

Harvard University

• • Rating 4.15 out of 5   850 reviews

Alum: Attending Harvard College was transformative. The housing system fostered a strong sense of community, facilitating academic support and social interaction. The rigorous academics, led by renowned faculty, challenged me to think critically and pursue my interests. Harvard's commitment to diversity enriched my experience, and the vibrant location in Cambridge provided endless opportunities for exploration and growth. Harvard College offered an unparalleled experience that has left an indelible mark on my life. ... Read 850 reviews

Acceptance rate 3%

Net price $19,491

SAT range 1490-1580

#4 Best Colleges in America .

850 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Attending Harvard College was transformative. The housing system fostered a strong sense of community, facilitating academic support and social interaction. The rigorous academics, led by renowned... .

Read 850 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 3% ,

Net Price : $19,491 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1580 ,

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ •

• • Rating 3.97 out of 5   470 reviews

Freshman: I am currently a first-year here at Princeton University and my experiences here have single-handedly changed my life. The school has offered me so much support in every facet of my life -- from academics, to finances, to extracurriculars. I feel that I am completely thriving here in a way that I was never able to before. Classes are suburb with professors who really care about not only about what we learn but also how we grow as individuals. Dining is amazing and we have the sweetest dining staff ever. There are so many options for clubs that you are never bored and can always find something for you. Overall, I feel like there is no better place for me than Princeton :). ... Read 470 reviews

Acceptance rate 6%

Net price $18,698

#5 Best Colleges in America .

PRINCETON, NJ ,

470 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says I am currently a first-year here at Princeton University and my experiences here have single-handedly changed my life. The school has offered me so much support in every facet of my life -- from... .

Read 470 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 6% ,

Net Price : $18,698 ,

Columbia University

New York, NY •

• • Rating 3.82 out of 5   1,366 reviews

Alum: As a biochemistry student at Columbia University, my experience was extraordinary. The Core Curriculum was a highlight, exposing me to literature, philosophy, art history, and music. This interdisciplinary approach enriched my understanding and fostered critical thinking and analytical writing skills. Beyond academics, I loved engaging with the community through Peer Health Exchange (now S-HEAL), where I educated high school students on health and wellness. This experience enhanced my communication skills and deepened my commitment to public health. Writing for The Spectator allowed me to make scientific concepts accessible, improving my ability to articulate ideas clearly. Additionally, Columbia’s vibrant arts scene, from Miller Theatre performances to Wallach Art Gallery exhibitions, provided a rich cultural balance to my studies. Overall, Columbia offered a holistic education, blending rigorous science, arts, and community involvement, preparing me well for the future. ... Read 1,366 reviews

Net price $22,058

#6 Best Colleges in America .

NEW YORK, NY ,

1366 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says As a biochemistry student at Columbia University, my experience was extraordinary. The Core Curriculum was a highlight, exposing me to literature, philosophy, art history, and music. This... Beyond academics, I loved engaging with the community through Peer Health Exchange (now S-HEAL), where I educated high school students on health and wellness. This experience enhanced my... Writing for The Spectator allowed me to make scientific concepts accessible, improving my ability to articulate ideas clearly. Additionally, Columbia’s vibrant arts scene, from Miller Theatre... Overall, Columbia offered a holistic education, blending rigorous science, arts, and community involvement, preparing me well for the future. .

Read 1366 reviews.

Net Price : $22,058 ,

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University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA •

• • Rating 3.9 out of 5   1,361 reviews

Freshman: It's important to acknowledge that college experiences vary greatly from person to person, and while some may face challenges or difficulties, others may find their time in college to be transformative and rewarding. Instead of focusing on the negatives, perhaps you could consider exploring constructive criticism or discussing specific areas for improvement in the college experience. This approach allows for a more balanced and productive discussion that can lead to positive changes and improvements in the education system. If you have specific concerns about your college experience, it might be helpful to address them directly with the appropriate channels within your institution or seek support from counselors or advisors. Remember, challenges are a natural part of any educational journey, and there are often resources available to help navigate them. ... Read 1,361 reviews

Acceptance rate 7%

Net price $26,123

SAT range 1500-1570

#7 Best Colleges in America .

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

1361 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says It's important to acknowledge that college experiences vary greatly from person to person, and while some may face challenges or difficulties, others may find their time in college to be... .

Read 1361 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 7% ,

Net Price : $26,123 ,

SAT Range : 1500-1570 ,

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH •

• • Rating 3.88 out of 5   747 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at Dartmouth has been great so far. The education is high quality and so are the professors. There are great opportunities for practical work and research. And the student body and campus life is lively and welcoming. The university is not perfect and the frat culture is very big here, but it is a wonderful place to be. ... Read 747 reviews

Net price $19,208

#8 Best Colleges in America .

HANOVER, NH ,

747 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says My experience at Dartmouth has been great so far. The education is high quality and so are the professors. There are great opportunities for practical work and research. And the student body and... .

Read 747 reviews.

Net Price : $19,208 ,

Rice University

Houston, TX •

• • Rating 4.09 out of 5   1,121 reviews

Graduate Student: Going to Rice University to attend the Shepherd School of Music at a graduate level is an experience separate from the rest of Rice. The Opera Department at Rice University has been one of the best programs in the United States producing incredible singers in the industry for a while now. Financial aid has been decreasing from full rides to having to pay a couple of thousands to attend +fees for a Master of Music. It is case by case, however. Pros: BEAUTIFUL theater that is incredible to sing in, program's very YAP reminiscent (in good and bad ways), world-class faculty, great networking opportunity, masterclasses/private audition opportunities Cons: your soul/free-time belongs to the Opera Department; if a release conflicts with the opera schedule, tough luck; there have been many issues with casting opportunities/favoritism; if you're a person of color, be prepared to be a token on all promo material; TOO many irrelevant time-consuming academics; having a car is a MUST in Houston ... Read 1,121 reviews

Acceptance rate 9%

Net price $19,902

SAT range 1490-1570

#9 Best Colleges in America .

HOUSTON, TX ,

1121 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Going to Rice University to attend the Shepherd School of Music at a graduate level is an experience separate from the rest of Rice. The Opera Department at Rice University has been one of the best... Pros: BEAUTIFUL theater that is incredible to sing in, program's very YAP reminiscent (in good and bad ways), world-class faculty, great networking opportunity, masterclasses/private audition... Cons: your soul/free-time belongs to the Opera Department; if a release conflicts with the opera schedule, tough luck; there have been many issues with casting opportunities/favoritism; if you're a... .

Read 1121 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 9% ,

Net Price : $19,902 ,

SAT Range : 1490-1570 ,

Brown University

Providence, RI •

• • Rating 3.84 out of 5   1,083 reviews

Junior: My experience has been absolutely incredible. As everyone says, the open curriculum really makes a world of difference as it allows you to choose your own path and not be hampered by requirements that you might never need or have little to no interest in. I am an athlete and have had great experience with athletics and academics because Brown is really good about accommodating student-athletes when it comes to game and practice schedules. ... Read 1,083 reviews

Net price $26,723

#10 Best Colleges in America .

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

1083 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says My experience has been absolutely incredible. As everyone says, the open curriculum really makes a world of difference as it allows you to choose your own path and not be hampered by requirements... .

Read 1083 reviews.

Net Price : $26,723 ,

Georgetown University

Washington, DC •

• • Rating 3.8 out of 5   1,277 reviews

Freshman: Amazing campus, beautiful area surrounding campus with lots of connections to history! GU boasts a strong reputation for academic rigor and excellence across various disciplines, including law, business, international relations, and public policy. Situated in Washington, D.C., Georgetown benefits from its proximity to numerous government agencies, international organizations, and cultural institutions, offering unparalleled opportunities for internships, research, and networking. I love the diverse and inclusive community, attracting students and faculty worldwide. Diversity enriches the cross-cultural understanding. Georgetown has a vast and influential alumni network, providing students with valuable connections and opportunities for mentorship and career advancement. Rooted in its Jesuit tradition, Georgetown emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and service to others, instilling in students a sense of responsibility and commitment to making a positive impact on society. ... Read 1,277 reviews

Acceptance rate 12%

Net price $35,566

SAT range 1410-1560

#12 Best Colleges in America .

WASHINGTON, DC ,

1277 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Amazing campus, beautiful area surrounding campus with lots of connections to history! GU boasts a strong reputation for academic rigor and excellence across various disciplines, including law,... .

Read 1277 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 12% ,

Net Price : $35,566 ,

SAT Range : 1410-1560 ,

Duke University

Durham, NC •

• • Rating 3.93 out of 5   1,208 reviews

Junior: Duke is an amazing place to go to college! I have loved every minute here as CS major -- the classes are challenging, professors are engaging and available, the campus is beautiful, and the people are incredibly smart and down-to-earth. I chose Duke over some other great schools and I can't recommend it enough! ... Read 1,208 reviews

Net price $23,694

#13 Best Colleges in America .

DURHAM, NC ,

1208 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says Duke is an amazing place to go to college! I have loved every minute here as CS major -- the classes are challenging, professors are engaging and available, the campus is beautiful, and the people... .

Read 1208 reviews.

Net Price : $23,694 ,

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Northwestern University

Evanston, IL •

• • Rating 3.7 out of 5   1,493 reviews

Freshman: There is a wealth of awesome student communities to join which really contributed to my experience. Classes are challenging but Northwestern offers many unique opportunities to explore different things and some uncommon ones like design classes. Performing arts are abundant on campus, so there is always something to see on the weekends! ... Read 1,493 reviews

Net price $22,095

#15 Best Colleges in America .

EVANSTON, IL ,

1493 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says There is a wealth of awesome student communities to join which really contributed to my experience. Classes are challenging but Northwestern offers many unique opportunities to explore different... .

Read 1493 reviews.

Net Price : $22,095 ,

Washington University in St. Louis

Saint Louis, MO •

• • Rating 4.11 out of 5   1,574 reviews

Sophomore: I am a sophomore at WashU. The depth of the education and the number of opportunities (if you seek them) can be life-changing. The business school is super good at hosting recruitment events if your interested in business careers, and the academics ARE HARD -- You will do a lot of work. CS department could be stronger; premed/ bio/chem/pre-law deps / olin are excellent. The undergraduate student body is tight-knit and mostly extremely friendly. People are very smart but not obnoxious or entitled. Campus life is great because many of the undergrads (freshmen, sophomores, and some juniors) live on campus. The housing is excellent, and many students have kitchens on campus. St Louis is certainly not a luxury city (i.e. NY or LA) but does have good restaurants (DRIVE NOT WALK AWAY) and a cheap cost of living (concerts are usually way cheaper). It is way better than being in the woods, but not the bestest place. The school has partially impeded on the fun with their attack on greek life. ... Read 1,574 reviews

Net price $23,432

#16 Best Colleges in America .

SAINT LOUIS, MO ,

1574 Niche users give it an average review of 4.1 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says I am a sophomore at WashU. The depth of the education and the number of opportunities (if you seek them) can be life-changing. The business school is super good at hosting recruitment events if your... The undergraduate student body is tight-knit and mostly extremely friendly. People are very smart but not obnoxious or entitled. Campus life is great because many of the undergrads (freshmen,... .

Read 1574 reviews.

Net Price : $23,432 ,

Pomona College

Claremont, CA •

• • Rating 4.23 out of 5   423 reviews

Junior: After three challenging, exciting, and transformational years at Pomona, I feel that I can confidently say that I wouldn't want to have studied anywhere else, and I'm already mourning that I'll have to leave this place after next year. Pomona maintains a truly unique culture among elite higher education. Students here are bright and academically top-notch, sure, but, more importantly, they are genuinely curious about the world, open-minded, and passionate about knowledge and justice. I have been challenged academically and personally, and grown more than I could have imagined as a result. The school has its problems, of course: for one, the administration is opaque and unresponsive to student needs. But the dedicated faculty, laidback California atmosphere, and student body more than make up for them. If you are given the opportunity to study here, seriously consider it: you will grow as a student and as a person. ... Read 423 reviews

Net price $19,962

SAT range 1480-1560

#18 Best Colleges in America .

CLAREMONT, CA ,

423 Niche users give it an average review of 4.2 stars.

Featured Review: Junior says After three challenging, exciting, and transformational years at Pomona, I feel that I can confidently say that I wouldn't want to have studied anywhere else, and I'm already mourning that I'll have... .

Read 423 reviews.

Net Price : $19,962 ,

SAT Range : 1480-1560 ,

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA •

• • Rating 3.98 out of 5   5,589 reviews

Alum: As with any college, the experience is what you make of it. UCLA just presents a lot of diversity in terms of the experiences that you can have. You can get your party fix in on Thursdays at frat row, kickbacks through cultural or professional organizations, or even a warehouse rave in the Arts District. Academically, there are plenty of opportunities for research and internships. It can be difficult to get into certain classes until you are in your 3rd or 4th year, though. Living on campus is really helpful for finding friends and the food is definitely a blow-out compared to other schools I've visited. Only downside is that housing in general is expensive due to the area, so you'll likely be sharing a room and living on a budget! ... Read 5,589 reviews

Net price $16,999

SAT range —

#19 Best Colleges in America .

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

5589 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says As with any college, the experience is what you make of it. UCLA just presents a lot of diversity in terms of the experiences that you can have. You can get your party fix in on Thursdays at frat... .

Read 5589 reviews.

Net Price : $16,999 ,

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA •

• • Rating 3.71 out of 5   1,483 reviews

Freshman: Carnegie Mellon University suits those who believe in working hard, working hard, and playing hard occasionally. The academics are demanding and challenging, which ultimately creates dedicated, disciplined students, or burnout. Many people require some kind of passion to be here, as it takes passion to get through the intense workload. On the surface, the social life at CMU seems pretty dead. However, after actively looking for clubs, organizations, and student groups, I found there are a lot of opportunities to be part of communities that are passionate and welcoming. I also love that CMU is very invested in their student's success: it is easy to get help from academic advisors, pursue research positions, and take interesting opportunities to get your education outside the classroom. Overall, I am very proud and happy that I came here :). ... Read 1,483 reviews

Acceptance rate 11%

Net price $33,499

#20 Best Colleges in America .

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

1483 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Carnegie Mellon University suits those who believe in working hard, working hard, and playing hard occasionally. The academics are demanding and challenging, which ultimately creates dedicated,... .

Read 1483 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 11% ,

Net Price : $33,499 ,

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI •

• • Rating 3.96 out of 5   4,720 reviews

Sophomore: The University of Michigan takes a lot of pride in calling itself the best university in the world, but while finishing up my sophomore year I could not agree more. There is such a healthy balance between challenging courses that make students competitive prospects in their next step in life and opportunities to destress and enjoy the "best years of our lives", from watching our football team win the national championship to simply receiving free treats around campus from staff. From my personal experience, I cannot offer any suggestions for change for this amazing university! I have met some of the most kindhearted and motivated people in friends and professors while here and I cannot imagine attending another college. ... Read 4,720 reviews

Acceptance rate 18%

Net price $19,318

SAT range 1350-1530

#21 Best Colleges in America .

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

4720 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says The University of Michigan takes a lot of pride in calling itself the best university in the world, but while finishing up my sophomore year I could not agree more. There is such a healthy balance... .

Read 4720 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 18% ,

Net Price : $19,318 ,

SAT Range : 1350-1530 ,

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY •

• • Rating 3.79 out of 5   2,081 reviews

Alum: Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Cornell University. I was within the Policy Analysis and Management Department. Our courses were rigorous, but our professors encouraged collaboration with our peers through group papers, presentation, and problem sets. In addition, my peers were often happy and excited to work together. Outside of the PAM department, I was heavily involved with the Einhorn Center for Community-Engagement. Through my role at the Center, I really learned how to integrate community-engagement within my classes and professional work. I found that Cornell had many opportunities for students to engage with the Greater Ithaca community. ... Read 2,081 reviews

Net price $26,060

SAT range 1470-1570

#22 Best Colleges in America .

ITHACA, NY ,

2081 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Cornell University. I was within the Policy Analysis and Management Department. Our courses were rigorous, but our professors encouraged collaboration with... .

Read 2081 reviews.

Net Price : $26,060 ,

SAT Range : 1470-1570 ,

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL •

• • Rating 3.81 out of 5   1,297 reviews

Sophomore: Starting out at this university was not easy for me since I had to face many challenges on my own, away from family and friends I had back home. However, I had adjusted to the quarter system and found my place at the college. UChicago academics have impressed me, even with the required core classes. The professors I have met so far all appear to be enthusiastic about their specific fields, and they can be especially helpful outside of class. Given that our campus is located within a neighborhood, there are plenty of community activities and restaurants that students can hang out at, such as a Mexican-Korean restaurant called Seoul Taco. There are multiple dormitory buildings on campus, and the southern one is especially convenient as it has a dining hall, gym, and a small store all in one general place. There are also plenty of clubs, called RSOs, ranging from many types of activities like boxing or Japanese drum practice (Taiko). I would like more transportation options to explore. ... Read 1,297 reviews

Net price $36,991

#23 Best Colleges in America .

CHICAGO, IL ,

1297 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Starting out at this university was not easy for me since I had to face many challenges on my own, away from family and friends I had back home. However, I had adjusted to the quarter system and... .

Read 1297 reviews.

Net Price : $36,991 ,

University of Southern California

• • Rating 3.99 out of 5   4,048 reviews

Alum: My instructors at the Annenberg School for Communication were top-notch. Dedicated professionals with years of experience in their fields. They designed challenging courses that imparted a great deal of information I later used in my career as a journalist. Their grading was tough, but fair. They were supportive of the students and invested in their success. The students represented a diverse swath of America and were generally more motivated than many other groups of students I'd been around. The facilities and access were excellent. A great place to go for someone intent on becoming a journalist. ... Read 4,048 reviews

Net price $36,808

SAT range 1450-1550

#26 Best Colleges in America .

4048 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says My instructors at the Annenberg School for Communication were top-notch. Dedicated professionals with years of experience in their fields. They designed challenging courses that imparted a great deal... .

Read 4048 reviews.

Net Price : $36,808 ,

SAT Range : 1450-1550 ,

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA •

• • Rating 3.63 out of 5   429 reviews

Alum: Absolutely transformative. The impact wasn't just due to the exceptional quality of professors and the favorable teacher-to-student ratio but also owed much to the remarkable student body. Immersing myself in an environment where everyone was achieving at a high level had a profound influence on me. The constant exposure to major achievers compelled me to elevate my standards significantly just to keep pace. This habit, cultivated during my time there, has remained a guiding force throughout my life. It laid the foundation for a fulfilling and successful journey in both life and work. Proud to be a Swattie! Gus Woltmann ... Read 429 reviews

Net price $20,715

SAT range 1440-1560

#33 Best Colleges in America .

SWARTHMORE, PA ,

429 Niche users give it an average review of 3.6 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Absolutely transformative. The impact wasn't just due to the exceptional quality of professors and the favorable teacher-to-student ratio but also owed much to the remarkable student body. Immersing... .

Read 429 reviews.

Net Price : $20,715 ,

SAT Range : 1440-1560 ,

Barnard College

• • Rating 3.87 out of 5   477 reviews

Sophomore: While the administration is having trouble reflecting the true needs of the students right now, my experience has been very rewarding so far. The academics are rigorous, but it always feels like the professors really want you to do well. There are plenty of opportunities and events for networking as well as an extensive extracurricular community. ... Read 477 reviews

Net price $26,009

SAT range 1440-1550

#35 Best Colleges in America .

477 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says While the administration is having trouble reflecting the true needs of the students right now, my experience has been very rewarding so far. The academics are rigorous, but it always feels like the... .

Read 477 reviews.

Net Price : $26,009 ,

SAT Range : 1440-1550 ,

Emory University

Atlanta, GA •

• • Rating 3.84 out of 5   1,617 reviews

Sophomore: Emory's strong academic environment, combined with its diverse student body, has significantly broadened my perspectives and academic interests. I've particularly enjoyed the rigorous coursework and the opportunities to engage in research early in my college career. The professors here are not only leaders in their fields but are also genuinely interested in students' success, often available for guidance and support beyond the classroom. The campus itself is beautiful and well-maintained, providing a serene environment that enhances the learning experience. Socially, there are numerous clubs and organizations that cater to a wide range of interests, which made it easier for me as a transfer to integrate and find my community. However, I would like to see improvements in the advising system, especially for transfer students. Navigating a new university's academic and social landscape can be challenging, and a more structured support system could help ease this transition. ... Read 1,617 reviews

Net price $26,680

SAT range 1430-1550

#36 Best Colleges in America .

ATLANTA, GA ,

1617 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says Emory's strong academic environment, combined with its diverse student body, has significantly broadened my perspectives and academic interests. I've particularly enjoyed the rigorous coursework and... .

Read 1617 reviews.

Net Price : $26,680 ,

SAT Range : 1430-1550 ,

Boston University

Boston, MA •

• • Rating 3.69 out of 5   3,641 reviews

Graduate Student: As a student at Boston University (BU), I've found it to be an exhilarating and challenging place to study. Nestled in the heart of Boston, the campus buzzes with intellectual energy and cultural diversity. BU offers a wide array of programs across various fields, and the quality of education is top-notch, with access to accomplished faculty and cutting-edge facilities. The student body is incredibly diverse, bringing together perspectives from around the globe, which enriches the learning and social environment. Life here is never dull, with countless clubs, activities, and events to get involved in. Whether it's engaging in research projects, participating in student government, or just enjoying the city's historic sites, BU provides a robust and fulfilling college experience. ... Read 3,641 reviews

Acceptance rate 14%

Net price $27,829

SAT range 1350-1500

#38 Best Colleges in America .

BOSTON, MA ,

3641 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says As a student at Boston University (BU), I've found it to be an exhilarating and challenging place to study. Nestled in the heart of Boston, the campus buzzes with intellectual energy and cultural... .

Read 3641 reviews.

Acceptance Rate : 14% ,

Net Price : $27,829 ,

SAT Range : 1350-1500 ,

University of Iowa

IOWA CITY, IA

• • Rating 3.8 out of 5   3,878

Carleton College

NORTHFIELD, MN

• • Rating 3.89 out of 5   545

Bethel University - Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, MN

• • Rating 3.72 out of 5   817

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The University of Southampton Courses: Fees, Acceptance Rate and Ranking

• Updated on  
• May 22, 2024

The University of Southampton courses are renowned for their excellent curriculum and high teaching standards. These programs are designed to equip you with all the skills you need to excel in your chosen profession. Located in Southampton, United Kingdom , a research-intensive university boasts world-class degrees offered in a range of fields. Established in 1862 as the Hartley Institution, the University of Southampton has produced numerous highly successful graduates since. 

In this blog, we will discuss the pursuit of University of Southampton courses in detail. You will learn about their tuition fees, eligibility criteria, application process, and more. So, let’s dive right into the topic without any further delay. 

This Blog Includes:

University of southampton courses: overview, bachelor’s courses , master’s courses, phd courses, undergraduate requirements , master’s requirements , phd requirements , english language requirements, documents required, university of southampton ranking, university of southampton acceptance rate, popular scholarships, career scope.

The University of Southampton offers 303 undergraduate and 312 postgraduate courses. A founding member of the Russell Group, it was established in 1862 and has been offering top-notch degrees since. Today, it is home to more than 21,000 students from over 130 countries, boasting a diverse, welcoming, and vibrant community.

Pursuing University of Southampton courses can be very beneficial in terms of career. Apart from providing job opportunities, the institute actively helps students and staff start-up companies via its business incubators and Science Park. Moreover, it has strong links with industry partners, including IBM, Microsoft, and Philips.

Also Read: University of Bristol Courses: UG, PG, PhD, Eligibility Criteria, Application Process and Ranking

Top University of Southampton Courses and Fees

The top-notch University of Southampton courses are offered at bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels. These programs are offered in a variety of disciplines, ranging from ancient history to artificial intelligence. We have listed below these world-class courses along with their tuition fees below. 

The bachelor-level courses offered at the institute are as follows:

Here are the master-level degrees available at the university:

See below the PhD courses offered at the University of Southampton:

Eligibility Criteria 

Are you ready to apply for admission to the University of Southampton courses? If so, make sure you meet the university’s admission criteria. So, here are the eligibility criteria you need to meet to secure your enrolment: 

Here are the criteria for UG courses:

• The students need to have completed the Higher Secondary Certificate/Standard 12 with a minimum score of 75%.
• They need to have passed from the following boards:
• Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
• Metro State Boards (Delhi, Maharashtra, Chennai, Kolkata and Karnataka) 
• Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE)
• Moreover, they must have high grades in UK A levels and 28 to 38 points in the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Here are the eligibility requirements for master’s programs at the university: 

• You must have a bachelor’s degree given by a recognised university or an equivalent professional qualification approved by the university with an overall qualification of a minimum of 60%.
• Moreover, you must have a UK 1st degree equivalent: 55 – 70% depending on the awarding institution and a UK 2:1 degree equivalent: 55 – 65% depending on the awarding institute. 

For PhD courses, students need to have the following:

• Students must hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees awarded by a recognised university and a strong research proposal.
• They also need to have a strong research proposal.

The English language proficiency criteria are as follows: 

• Here are the English language proficiency test scores accepted at the university:
• Indian students who have achieved 70% in English at Class 12 from the CBSE or CISCE board may be exempted from additional English language criteria.

Application Process

If you meet the eligibility criteria for the University of Southampton courses, let’s proceed with the application process. Follow the steps given below to secure your enrolment in a university’s program:

• For undergraduate programs, students can submit their applications through UCAS . 
• In case you are applying for graduate courses, you can do so through the university’s website. 
• Duly fill out the application form, submit all the necessary documents, and pay the application fee. 
• Once you are done, wait for the university’s decision on your application. 

Here are the documents you need to submit: 

• Filled application form
• Copy of degree certificate and transcript 
• A personal statement explaining why you are suitable for the course
• Copy of IELTS/PTE/TOEFL test scores
• Self-attested X & XII mark sheets and certificates
• Letter of Recommendation  
• Copy of GMAT/GRE test scores
• 2 references, if applicable 
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Passport/Identification Card
• Fee supporting document
• Music performance (Music Programs)
• Portfolio (Art programs)
• Research proposal (PhD/MPhil)
• Student Visa

Also Read: University of Manitoba Graduate Programs: Fees, Deadlines, Applications

The University of Southampton ranking has always been exceptional due to its high standards of education. The table below shows the institute’s performance as per several popular global frameworks. 

Are you worried that you won’t be selected for the University of Southampton courses? Well, you can drop all your concerns as we have a good news for you. With an acceptance rate of 84%, the University of Southampton is an easy institute to get into. The low acceptance rate allows a majority of the applicants to receive a world-class education at this prestigious institute. 

If you think that the University of Southampton courses are expensive, you can take the help of scholarships to receive financial support. Some of the popular scholarships to pursue education at this top-notch institute are as follows:

Studying at the University of Southampton opens doors to opportunities in a wide range of disciplines. The popular job roles you can expect to assume after completing your studies are given below. 

Relevant Reads

Some of the popular subjects taught at the University of Southampton are Business, Engineering, and Biology.

Answer: No, with an acceptance rate of 84%, it is an easy university to get into. 

Answer: It has ranked #=81 in the QS World University Rankings 2024, demonstrating its excellence in academics and research. 

So, this was all about the University of Southampton courses. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad .

Abhishek Kumar Jha

Abhishek Kumar Jha is a professional content writer and marketer, having extensive experience in delivering content in journalism and marketing. He has written news content related to education for prominent media outlets, garnering expansive knowledge of the Indian education landscape throughout his experience. Moreover, he is a skilled content marketer, with experience in writing SEO-friendly blogs. His educational background includes a Postgraduate Diploma in English Journalism from the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal. By receiving an education from a top journalism school and working in the corporate world with complete devotion, he has honed the essential skills needed to excel in content writing.

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Eleven from MIT awarded 2024 Fulbright fellowships

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Eleven MIT undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni have won Fulbright grants to embark on projects overseas in the 2024-25 grant cycle. Two other students were offered awards but declined them to pursue other opportunities.

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers year-long opportunities for American citizen students and recent alumni to conduct independent research, pursue graduate studies, or teach English in over 140 countries.

MIT has been a Fulbright Top-Producing Institution for five years in a row. MIT students and alumni interested in applying to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program should contact Julia Mongo, MIT Fulbright program advisor, in the Office of Distinguished Fellowships in Career Advising and Professional Development.

April Cheng is a junior studying physics with a minor in mathematics and is fast-tracked to graduate this spring. They will take their Fulbright research grant to the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics in Potsdam, Germany, where they will study different statistical techniques to infer the expansion rate of the universe from gravitational waves. They first developed an interest in gravitational waves and black holes at the MIT LIGO and Caltech LIGO labs, but their research spans a wide range of topics in astrophysics, including cosmology and fast radio bursts. Cheng is passionate about physics education and is heavily involved in developing educational materials for high school Science Olympiads. At MIT, they are a member of the Physics Values Committee, the physics mentorship program, and the MIT Lion Dance team. After Fulbright, Cheng will pursue a PhD in astrophysics at Princeton University, where they have received the President’s Fellowship.

Grace McMillan is a senior majoring in literature and mechanical engineering with a concentration in Russian language. As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award recipient, she will teach at a university in Kazakhstan. McMillan’s interest in Central Asia was sparked by a Russian language immersion program she participated in during her sophomore summer in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, funded by MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI). She is excited to help her students learn English to foster integration into the global academic community. During her time at MIT, McMillan has conducted research with faculty in nuclear science; earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences; and the Digital Humanities Lab. Outside of academics, she has been an active member of her sorority, Sigma Kappa, and has served on the MIT Health Consumers’ Advisory Council for two years. After Fulbright, McMillan hopes to attend law school, focusing on education reform.

Ryan McTigue will graduate this spring with a BS in physics and mathematics and a concentration in Spanish. With a Fulbright award to Spain, he will do research at the University of Valencia’s Institute of Molecular Science focusing on the physics of two-dimensional multiferroic nanodevices. He is looking forward to improving his Spanish and getting the opportunity to live abroad. At MIT, McTigue became interested in condensed matter physics research with the Checkelsky group, where he focused on engineering materials with flat bands that exhibited correlated electron effects. Outside of research, McTigue has been a mentor in the physics department’s mentoring program and a member of the heavyweight men’s crew team. After his Fulbright grant, McTigue will begin a PhD in physics at Princeton University.

Keith Murray ’22 graduated from MIT with a BS in computation and cognition and linguistics and philosophy. He will receive his MEng degree in computation and cognition this spring. As a Fulbright Hungary research grantee at the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Murray will design generative AI models inspired by the primary visual cortex with the goal of making AI models more interpretable. At MIT, Murray’s research experiences spanned from training mice to perform navigation tasks in virtual reality to theorizing about how neurons might compute modular arithmetic. He was also a member of the men’s heavyweight crew team and the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After Fulbright, Murray will pursue a PhD in neuroscience at Princeton University.

Maaya Prasad ’22 completed her undergraduate education at MIT with degrees in both electrical engineering and creative writing and will graduate this month with an MS in mechanical and ocean engineering. Her thesis research focuses on microplastic detection using optical sensing. Prasad’s Fulbright fellowship will take her to Mauritius, an East African island country located in the Indian Ocean. Here, she will continue her master’s research at the University of Mauritius and will work with local researchers to implement a microplastic survey system. While at MIT, Prasad joined the varsity sailing team with no prior experience. Her time spent on the water led her to pursue marine research at MIT Sea Grant, and she eventually earned an honorable mention to the 2023 All-American Sailing Team. After Fulbright, Prasad hopes to pursue a PhD in applied ocean engineering.

Anusha Puri is a senior majoring in biological engineering. Her Fulbright award will take her to Lausanne, Switzerland, where she will conduct cancer immunology research at the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research. At MIT, Puri’s work in the Weinberg Lab focused on understanding mechanisms that drive resistance of breast cancer to immunotherapy. On campus, she founded and serves as president of MIT’s premiere stand-up comedy group, Stand-Up CoMITy, leads MIT’s Bhangra dance team, and is the editor-in-chief of the MIT Undergraduate Research Journal . She looks forward to engaging with teaching outreach and practicing her French in Switzerland. After her Fulbright grant, she plans to pursue a PhD in biomedical science.

Olivia Rosenstein will graduate this spring with a BS in physics and a minor in French. Her Fulbright will take her to ENS Paris-Saclay in Palaiseau, France, where she’ll deepen her education in atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics. At MIT, Rosenstein has worked in Professor Mark Vogelsberger’s group researching models of galaxy formation and the early universe, and in Professor Richard Fletcher’s group on an erbium-lithium experiment to investigate quantum many-body dynamics in a degenerate mixture. In France, she will expand on the skills she developed in Fletcher’s lab by contributing to a project using optical tweezer arrays to study dipolar interactions. After Fulbright, Rosenstein plans to return to the United States to pursue a PhD in experimental AMO at Caltech.

Jennifer Schug willreceive this spring an MEng degree in the Climate, Environment, and Sustainability track within the MIT Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. During her Fulbright year in Italy, she will conduct research on carbon storage in the Venice lagoon at the University of Padua. Schug is excited to build upon her research with the Terrer Lab at MIT, where she is currently investigating the effectiveness of forestation as a carbon sequestration strategy. She also looks forward to improving her Italian language skills and learning about Italian history and culture. Before beginning Fulbright this fall, Schug will study ecological preservation in Sicily this summer through an MIT-Italy collaboration with the University of Catania. After Fulbright, she hopes to continue researching nature-based solutions as climate change mitigation strategies.

Vaibhavi Shah ’21 earned a BS in biological engineering and in science, technology, and society at MIT, where she was named a Goldwater Scholar. She is now a medical student at Stanford University. As a Fulbright-Fogarty Fellow in Public Health, Shah will use both her computational and humanities backgrounds to investigate sociocultural factors underlying traumatic surgical injuries in Nepal. While at MIT, she was on the executive board of GlobeMed and the Society of Women Engineers, and she hopes to use those experiences to amplify diverse voices in medicine while on her journey to becoming a neurosurgeon-scientist. After Fulbright, Shah will complete her final year of medical school.

Charvi Sharma is a senior studying computer science and molecular biology with a minor in theater arts. As a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Spain, she is excited to engage in cross-cultural exchange while furthering her skills as a teacher and as a leader. In addition to teaching, Sharma looks forward to immersing herself in the country’s vibrant traditions, improving her Spanish proficiency, and delving into the local arts and dance scene. At MIT, through Global Teaching Labs Spain and her roles as a dynaMIT mentor, an associate advisor, and a captain and president of her dance teams Mirchi and Nritya, Sharma has served as a teacher of both STEM and dance. Her passion for making a difference in her community is also evident through her work with Boston Medical Center’s Autism Program through the PKG Public Service Center and as an undergraduate cancer researcher in the Yaffe Lab. After Fulbright, Sharma plans to pursue an MD and, ultimately, a career as a clinician-scientist.

Isabella Witham is a senior majoring in biological engineering. As a recipient of the Fulbright U.S.-Korea Presidential STEM Initiative Award, she will conduct research at Seoul National University’s Biomimetic Materials and Stem Cell Engineering Lab. Her work will involve creating biomimetic scaffolds for pancreatic cell transplantation to treat type I diabetes. While in South Korea, Witham aims to improve her language skills and explore cultural sites and cities. At MIT, she worked in the Belcher Lab on nanoparticle formulations, was a tutor for MIT’s Women’s Technology Program, and volunteered as a Medlink. After her Fulbright fellowship, she plans to pursue a PhD in biological engineering.

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May 23, 2024

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Marginal students reap more benefits from STEM programs: Study

by James Dean, Cornell University

Enrolling in a selective college STEM program pays off more for academically marginal students—even though they are less likely to graduate, Cornell economics research finds.

The analysis found that students who weren't as ready for science, technology, engineering and math coursework were up to 18 percentage points less likely to complete STEM degrees than better-prepared peers at a flagship public university in Colombia. But their average future earnings—including graduates and dropouts—increased by as much as 40% compared to similarly qualified applicants rejected by the programs. For better-prepared students, the added earnings benefit from enrolling was minimal.

The findings lend support to policies that seek to broaden access to selective STEM programs instead of prioritizing graduation rates, suggesting they could help reduce income inequality.

"If colleges want to maximize their graduation rate in their STEM programs, then they would admit the most-prepared students," said Evan Riehl, assistant professor in the Department of Economics and the ILR School. "But if their goal is to benefit society—meaning to admit students who are going to have the highest average benefit from enrolling in STEM programs—then our findings suggest that these colleges are actually better off admitting students from disadvantaged backgrounds even if they have relatively less preparation."

Riehl's paper, " The Returns to STEM Programs for Less-Prepared Students ," published in the May issue of the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy , is co-authored with Kevin Ng, Ph.D. '22, a research analyst at CNA, a nonprofit research and analysis firm.

Research has shown STEM degrees generate higher earnings than other fields and boost innovation, driving interest in growing the number of STEM students around the world. Selective STEM programs, however, are known for weeding out underperforming students and for high dropout rates, prompting debate about potential mismatches for less-prepared applicants, who on average are more socioeconomically disadvantaged.

"A growing body of research finds that students from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to benefit from going to more selective schools," Riehl said. "But some believe if there is a mismatch, it's most likely to be in STEM majors, where research shows academic preparation matters the most."

Investigating the benefits of enrolling in such programs, regardless of the graduation outcome, Riehl and Ng obtained data on applicants to all programs at Universidad del Valle, or "Univalle," in Cali, Colombia, from 1999 to 2004. They linked that information to administrative records providing students' scores on entrance exams across subjects, enrollment and graduation outcomes, and average monthly earnings roughly 15 years later, in 2017.

The researchers first compared outcomes for students with similar levels of academic preparation and likelihoods of completing STEM degrees based on test scores—the sole basis for highly competitive admissions at Univalle. They also compared outcomes for students who were either barely admitted or barely rejected by Univalle, including during a period when the university doubled cohorts in certain STEM subjects, thus enrolling more students with lower levels of preparation.

The analysis confirmed academic preparation's importance, consistent with prior research. Only about one-third of the marginal students who enrolled in Univalle's engineering and natural science programs graduated—a rate comparable to those at flagship U.S. universities, the authors said. Less-prepared students were 9 to 18 percentage points less likely to complete STEM degrees than their more-prepared peers.

But surprisingly, Riehl said, lower completion rates did not translate to lower average earnings more than a decade later. Compared to similar marginal applicants who were not accepted to a Univalle STEM program , those who enrolled earned 30% to 40% more. Among better-prepared students, the earnings return from enrolling was close to zero.

That gap may be explained, Riehl and Ng propose, by the students' "counterfactual" schooling options—where they enrolled if rejected by Univalle. Research on graduation rates often assumes that students rejected by a selective STEM program will pursue a STEM degree elsewhere, Riehl said. But for those who barely missed out on admission to Univalle, the data showed that their fallback was more likely to be a lower-paying major or a technical school, not another college STEM program.

An important caveat, the researchers said, was that the significant earnings gains for less-prepared students might be concentrated among those who had managed to graduate. Policies striving to improve STEM skills at younger ages could help ensure that returns are spread more evenly, they said. But Riehl and Ng concluded that focusing only on graduation rates can lead to an overly pessimistic view of selective STEM programs' potential benefits .

"STEM programs can play an important role in reducing earnings inequality," they wrote, "among students who arrive at college with different levels of academic preparation."

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