A brief description of the department:
A department as renowned for being friendly as it is for the excellence of its graduate program. Having a smaller graduate cohort ensures that every student is well looked after. Both the MA (long established) and PhD (more recently developed) offered with optional emphases in Literature and Theory and Ancient History, and optional inter-departmental emphases in Translation Studies and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. An excellent placement record with PhDs. Santa Barbara 'paradise on the Pacific'.
Particular strengths or unique areas of interest for the department:
Interdisciplinarity, philological rigor, literary theory, performance studies, ancient Mediterranean Studies
Application deadline:
DEC 8th 2009 for consideration for financial aid
MAY 1st 2010 final deadline for the following Fall
Unusual features of the application: The entire application is now done electronically.
GRE scores required: Yes
Writing sample required: Yes. Approx 20 pages. One long sample is preferable to several short ones, but we are flexible. Samples should show the ability to think imaginatively about a subject, a good knowledge of the original texts discussed (where applicable), the ability to argue coherently and write clearly.
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):
Typically over 90% in verbal and written GREs; at least a 3.0 GPA; 3 years in both Greek and Latin (2 years in one, 3 in the other is sometimes acceptable).
Average number of new graduate students per year: 3 to 5 students, the majority of whom will be MA/PhDs. One or two may be students who already hold MAs in Classics and are accepted directly into the PhD program.
Approximate percentage of applicants this represents: 10-20%
Number of new students entering program this fall: 3 - all MA/PhD students
Approximate percentage of incoming students given full funding: 80%
Number of guaranteed years of funding: Typically: recipients of central Fellowships receive 5 years funding; departmental fellowships 2-3 years funding, those admitted without fellowships 1-2 years funding, all contingent upon satisfactory progress towards the degree.
Out of those years, number student will be expected or required to serve as TA, RA, or the like: Central Fellowship holders have the first and final years funded without teaching, other funding is the in the form of TAships. The department has been generous with summer work on digs and travel grants for students presenting papers.
International students eligibility for financial aid: They are eligible for full Fellowships but can also apply for extra mural Fellowships: see www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/financial.
PhDs and MAs awarded since January 2005: 3 PhDs, 20 MAs
Major changes anticipated in the department over the next few years, if any: Despite the California budget problems, our department has continued to grow (NB 2 new hires in 2009!). Some restructuring of the school is likely, resulting in better communications between departments, but nothing with especial impact on the graduate program.
Best contact person for questions: Helen Morales, Graduate Advisor: hmorales@classics.ucsb.edu
Anna Roberts, Graduate Program Assistant: aroberts@classics.ucsb.edu