PhD Admissions

Dates and Deadline

The online application for 2024 entry will open in mid-September. Check the Apply Now page to see when it is open. The  APPLICATION DUE DATE for the entering class of 2024 is December 5, 2023 at 11:59 PM PST

What You Need to Know

  • The application, including the statement of purpose, the writing sample, the names of three recommenders, and unofficial transcripts must be submitted VIA THE WEB.  Late applications will not be accepted.
  • The Stanford Application will be available as of late September.
  • Do not wait until the last day to submit your application to allow for the possibility for technical difficulties. 
  • Please make sure to include an unofficial transcript in your application materials. Official transcripts are not required until an offer of admission is made.  
  • The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required.
  • Interfolio letters of recommendation may be sent by email to An Nguyen (antnguyn [at] stanford.edu (antnguyn[at]stanford[dot]edu)).
  • Admissions decisions will take place during the last two weeks of February.
  • Applicants will be notified by early March.

The selection of PhD students admitted to the Program in Modern Thought & Literature is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including (but not limited to) the applicant’s academic record, the letters of recommendation, the statement of purpose, personal qualities and characteristics, and past accomplishments.

The Program in Modern Thought and Literature recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Application Procedure

The Program in Modern Thought and Literature seeks to admit students who, as individuals, exhibit great intellectual capacity and the intent to carry out innovative interdisciplinary programs of study, and who, as a group, are of diverse backgrounds and interests. Successful applicants show a commitment to literary or cultural studies, but must also be prepared to make their way in their chosen non-literary field or fields. The Program has a commitment to supporting non-traditional and emergent forms of scholarship. We accept students who have just completed their undergraduate degrees and also welcome students who have pursued careers or degrees in other fields.

 

An application to the Program in Modern Thought and Literature must include the following elements:

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Supplemental section regarding your proposed interdisciplinary project
  • Writing Sample
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Grades

To apply for admission, please go to Graduate Admissions

To reach Graduate Admissions, please submit a ticket using the help section of your application in the SLATE portal.

Statement of Purpose

Of primary importance, the statement of purpose should demonstrate that the applicant’s focus is interdisciplinary and can be effectively pursued at Stanford.  You should suggest a project or two that would provide a sense of how you wish to pursue interdisciplinary study, and why the Program in Modern Thought and Literature is a good fit for you.  Although there is no hard and fast requirement regarding length, the Statement of Purpose should be a concise description of your academic goals, no longer than 1500 words.

Supplemental section

In addition to the statement of purpose, you will be asked to complete a supplemental section regarding your proposed interdisciplinary project. 

Because they must forge links among disciplines and seek out relevant faculty members from across the university, students in Modern Thought and Literature need to develop their projects earlier than students in more traditional fields. Applicants should also bear in mind that the academic job market is overwhelmingly discipline-focused. Please answer the following questions BRIEFLY (2-3 sentences for each) to indicate that you’ve considered these issues. It’s of course assumed that your project will change and evolve as you study; this is in no way a binding statement of purpose. (*All three questions are required.)

1. What is the central question you intend to pursue?

2. Describe the need for an interdisciplinary approach.

3. Explain the relevance of your project to at least one discipline or field within which you could situate yourself upon completion of your doctoral degree.

Similar issues should be addressed by those not planning to pursue an academic career. Where do you see your project taking you?

Writing Sample

Submit a critical or analytic sample of scholarly writing, approximately 7000 words maximum. Although we encourage applicants to choose writing samples that display their interdisciplinary interests, this is not a requirement. Choose a sample that reflects your best scholarly work. The writing sample should not be a sample of creative writing. Applicants may submit two or more shorter samples to a total of about 7000 words, but keep in mind that shorter samples are usually less well suited to demonstrate your research and argumentation skills.

The writing sample and letters of recommendation should again indicate your preparedness for interdisciplinary work, and why your interests would be best served in a program such as ours.

Completed applications must be submitted by the due date above.

 

Knight-Hennessy Scholars 

Join dozens of Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars(KHS).

KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford.

Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment.

If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about KHS admission.

Program Administrator

An Nguyen (for questions about the application process)
E-mail: antnguyn [at] stanford.edu (antnguyn[at]stanford[dot]edu)
 

Modern Thought and Literature
450 Jane Stanford Way, Building 460, Room 219
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-2022

Only On-Line Applications Will be Accepted

Please note: there is no paper option for applications. All applications must be submitted online. Letters of recommendation should also be submitted online. Modern Thought & Literature will accept letters by mail only in exceptional cases and when absolutely necessary. Your Statement of Purpose, your Writing Sample, and your Unofficial Transcripts must be uploaded with your online application. 

  • University application forms (submitted online)
  • A statement of purpose (submitted online)
  • Transcripts from every post-secondary institution you have attended for at least one year as a full-time student (submitted online; official transcripts mailed to address below)*
  • Three letters of recommendation (although we much prefer that the letters of recommendation will be submitted online, we will accept mailed letters when necessary); recommendation packets sent through Interfolio may be sent via email to An Nguyen (antnguyn [at] stanford.edu (antnguyn[at]stanford[dot]edu)).
  • A recent (non-fiction) writing sample of approximately 7000 words.  PLEASE NOTE:  The Writing Sample must be submitted online. 
  • Fee waivers are available for some applicants. Please visit Graduate Admissions for information on applying for an Application Fee Waiver

Resources

  • Application Fee
    Fee waivers are available for some applicants. Please visit Graduate Admissions for information on applying for an Application Fee Waiver.
  • Funding Package
    All Ph.D. students admitted to the program receive five years of 12-month financial support which is typically provided as fellowship stipend and tuition. Information about the cost of attendance and funding options are available from Financial Aid Office.

    For Incoming Students
  • Status Page: Where incoming students can find their matriculation checklist and Graduate Admissions mailing and email address for sending official documents.
  • Official Transcripts & Degree Conferral Documents: Complete instructions for sending official documents.
  • FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions on requirements of admission for incoming students.

To access the MTL Applicant Checklist (after you have submitted your application), go to: https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/applying/starting-your-application

  • Check the agreement box and click “start application.”
  • At the bottom of the menu on the next screen you’ll find:  Manage Your Account
  • Choose “Review Your Activity” and to access the checklist.

Please Note:  Do not be concerned if the checklist indicates that your application is not complete due to missing official scores or official transcripts.

For the review process:

  • “Self-reported” scores are acceptable.
  • The uploaded “unofficial” transcripts are acceptable.

However, before any formal offer of admission can be made, official scores and official transcripts must be submitted.

Links for international applicants

 

 

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