Admissions / Applications

  1. Submit an application for admission to the Graduate School: http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/admit-form.html

  2. Submit a completed Application for Study in English form: http://www.nmsu.edu/~english/apply/application.html

  3. Arrange to have your undergraduate transcripts sent to the Graduate School. (Note: The Graduate School requires transcripts from all institutions attended, not just degree-granting institutions.)

  4. Write a letter of application to the English Department indicating when you wish to be admitted and including a statement of your objectives for your graduate program.

  5. Submit a portfolio (ten poems; 20-25 pages of fiction) of creative work to the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of English.

  6. Have three persons submit letters of reference directly to the English Department. They may write on their own stationery; however, there is a standard letter of reference form available from the Department. Those writing letters of recommendation are customarily former or current professors of the student; however, people who know the candidate in other capacities are also appropriate. Students applying for an assistantship should consider asking someone who has observed their teaching (if this is possible) or someone who has supervised their work.

NOTE: Although the Graduate School and the English Department no longer require students to present scores on psychometric examinations (e.g., the Graduate Record Examination), applicants are encouraged to submit scores to the English Department if they have already taken these exams.

NOTE: An application cannot be considered until all items are received. We also encourage applicants to submit a FAFSA to the Graduate School. Applicants who wish to be competitive and who are applying for a graduate assistantship should complete the application procedure by February 1 for Fall admission.