Requirements for Admission

Literature track: B.A. degree or equivalent with studies in one of the modern Romance languages approximately corresponding to the equivalent undergraduate major at the University of California, Berkeley. In addition, applicants in pursuit of the Literature track should show the potential to achieve either (a) advanced competency in two of the languages they intend to study in the RLL doctoral program, or (b) advanced competency in one such language and reasonable preparation in two others. “Reasonable preparation” refers to either one year’s study of Latin or two years’ study of a modern Romance language; “advanced competency” means the ability to participate fully in a graduate seminar conducted in the modern Romance language in question. Writing samples will be requested of languages in which advanced competency is claimed, and a virtual interview may also be required. Transcripts will provide evidence of reasonable preparation.

Linguistics track: B.A. degree or equivalent with studies in one of the Romance languages or Linguistics approximately corresponding to the equivalent undergraduate major at the University of California, Berkeley. In addition, applicants to the Linguistics track should demonstrate the potential to achieve either (a) advanced competency in one of the Romance languages and advanced competency in Linguistics, or (b) advanced competency in one of the Romance languages, with reasonable preparation in Linguistics and in one other Romance language. Note that for the purposes of admission to the linguistics track, this other Romance language may be one of the traditional Romance languages, or it may come from the broader Romance family (e.g., Catalan, Sardinian, Romanian, Latin, etc.). By “advanced competency in Linguistics,” this means the ability to participate fully in a graduate seminar in the Linguistics department. By “reasonable preparation,” this means either one year’s study of Latin, linguistics, or a medieval Romance language (such as Old French or Old Occitan), or two years’ study of a modern Romance language. It is highly recommended that applicants for the Linguistics track have upper-division coursework experience in linguistics. Writing samples may be requested of areas in which advanced competency is claimed, and a telephone interview may also be required. Transcripts will provide evidence of reasonable preparation.

Application Procedure

All applicants to the Ph.D. program in RLL must electronically submit their Graduate Division Admissions Application by the deadline of January 8, 8:59 p.m. PST.

Required Application Materials

The following materials are required of all applicants for the Ph.D. program in Romance Languages & Literatures, as part of the online Graduate Division Admissions Application:

Choice of emphasis for the program: French, Italian Studies, or Spanish & Portuguese. The department of the emphasis chosen by the applicant will become their Host department upon admission to the program.

The Statement of Purpose. This statement provides an opportunity for the applicant to express their plans to study in graduate school and beyond.

The Personal History Statement. This statement gives concrete evidence and insight of your promise as a member of the academic community, giving the committee an image of you as a person.

A pdf of Unofficial Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate work. Academic work includes each college-level course taken, whether in the U.S. or abroad, during the regular academic year or in summer session. An official paper transcript will be required of those who are offered and accept admission to Berkeley.

Three Letters of Recommendation. Letters must be in English, preferably from previous instructors, advisors, and collaborative researchers in the Romance Languages. Recommenders will be able to upload their letters as part of the online application. Applicants are advised to request letters from their recommenders well in advance of the January 8 deadline.

One or Two Writing Samples. Writing samples are normally in each of the Romance Languages in which you have advanced competency or in English for papers written for Linguistics classes, maximum of 10 pages each. A writing sample could be a research paper or an excerpt of a thesis on a topic relevant to the field of Romance Languages, Linguistics, and/or Literatures.

TOEFL Scores are required for international students unless they have completed one year or more of full-time course work at an English-speaking university. Note to native English speakers: If you have not completed one year or more of full-time course work at an English-speaking University, you also are required to take the TOEFL. Applicants are advised to begin making exam arrangements in the late Summer or early Fall, as exam dates may fill up quickly. Applicants are further advised to take the exam well in advance of the applications deadline so that the scores arrive in time. For test registration information, please contact ETS. Applicants must authorize ETS to send an official score report to Berkeley. The institution code for the University of California, Berkeley is 4833.

The Graduate Division provides on its web site some information designed to help you with applying to graduate school, including tips on writing the statement of purpose.

UC Berkeley requires all applicants who are admitted to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications are available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The school code for Berkeley is 001312.

The RLL Admissions Committee examines all completed applications and makes its recommendations for admission to the Graduate Division. The Program notifies all applicants recommended for admission before mid-February each year in preparation to welcome them to attend the Spring Visit that traditionally takes place in March. Candidates are only admitted for the Fall semester (no Spring admissions).

Questions regarding the application procedure, as well as general questions about the graduate program, can be addressed to: Graduate Student Services Advisor (frenchga@berkeley.edu).