A brief description of the department:
We offer range and balance, philological rigor, interchange with related areas (including a joint PhD program in Ancient History). Faculty specialize in literary criticism (many genres and periods, including medieval and Byzantine); ancient history; the intersection of literature and history; values, ideas, and religion; philosophy; archaeology; epigraphy; linguistics; papyrology; Sanskrit.
Particular strengths or unique areas of interest for the department: literature, philosophy, epigraphy, papyrology, Sanskrit
Average number of new graduate students per year: Our admissions target is 4 PhD students per year.For “best consideration for admission”, applicants should have (note that there are always special cases, and that meeting the stated numerical goals will not guarantee admission to any program):
GRE: 700s preferred, or at least high 600s in verbal (with some allowance for non-native English speakers) and 600s in quantitative; essay scores of 5 or higher expected.
GPA: 3.5-4.0, with honors grades in Classics courses
Language: at least 3 years of college study in both Latin and Greek is expected
Approximate percentage of incoming students given full funding: 100%
Number of guaranteed years of funding: 5 years of funding is guaranteed for PhD students, and a sixth year is common. Three years of summer funding is also guaranteed.
Out of those years, number student will be expected or required to serve as TA, RA, or the like: PhD students normally spend 3-4 years (but not their first year) as TAs, Teaching Fellows, and department proctors; advanced students are regularly awarded a year-long dissertation fellowship.
PhDs and MAs awarded since January 2004: 10 PhDs. 4 MAs.
Major changes anticipated in the department over the next few years, if any:
We anticipate exciting new hires, as several department members expect to retire within the next few years; we will also be strengthening our Sanskrit options.