Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General commments
Applicants should be aware that no GPA or test score assures admission. All elements of the application are taken into consideration in evaluating applicants for admission, with considerable weight given to the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and writing samples.
Campus visits
I am applying to the program and would like to visit. When would be a good time?
October and November are the best months for prospective students to visit. We will arrange for you to meet faculty and students, and to attend graduate courses. Please e-mail the Graduate Coordinator, dasgrads@austin.utexas.edu, who will help make arrangements for your visit.
I have been admitted to your program and would like to visit. How do I arrange my visit?
Please e-mail the Graduate Coordinator at dasgrads@austin.utexas.edu who will help make arrangements for your visit.
The Application and Admissions Process
How important are GRE scores?
The admissions committee will review the GRE score and it will be taken into consideration along with all other aspects of the application. The committee will focus on the verbal score and total (verbal + quantitative) score; they will not review the writing score. A verbal score below 600 would give them cause for concern, as would a total below 1000.
Who should write my letters of recommendation?
Letters from tenured or tenure-track faculty will be given the most weight. Additional letters from language instructors or employers are also acceptable. All letters should address your academic and career potential.
How do I verify my application is complete?
- You can verify that GIAC has received all of your UT application materials by logging in with your UT EID and password.
- You should also verify that the Department has received all of your application materials by emailing the Graduate Coordinator.
Statistics
What is the average GRE score of an admitted applicant?
For 2008-2009, the average total GRE score was 1270, of which the verbal was 620.
What is the average GPA for an admitted applicant?
For 2008-2009, the average graduate admission GPA was 3.8.
What percentage of applicants are accepted to your graduate program?
Overall for 2008-2009, 26% were accepted. 21% of East Asia applicants were accepted, and 30% of South Asia applicants were accepted.
What percentage of students receive funding?
In recent years, 85% of Ph.D. students receive full funding each year, 8% receive partial funding, and 8% receive no funding. The level of funding is determined by the student's performance in the program. Students who perform at the highest level receive the greatest funding. In recent years, 60% of our Masters students receive full funding each year, 7% receive partial funding, and 23% receive no funding. The level of funding is determined by the student's performance in the program and the availability of funds. Students who perform at the highest level receive the greatest funding.
Admissions and Funding Decisions
When will I find out if I've been accepted?
Applicants are notified around the beginning of March. Only applicants whose application files were complete with both the department and GIAC by the application deadline will receive notification of admissions decisions.
How do I find out why I was denied admission?
You should contact the Graduate Adviser, Dr. Martha Selby, at ms@uts.cc.utexas.edu.
I would like to re-apply for next year. Can you keep my admissions file?
Yes, but you must contact the Graduate Coordinator, dasgrads@austin.utexas.edu to request that it be kept. You should also contact your advisor at GIAC to findout how you re-apply to the University.
Please be aware that applicants who are denied admission and re-apply in later years generally are not admitted unless they have addressed the reasons they were denied admission.
I applied to the Ph.D. program but I received a letter stating I was admitted to the Masters program. Why?
There are a couple of possibilities.
- Only applicants who already have a Masters degree will be considered for the Ph.D. program. Students without a Masters degree will be admitted to the Masters program.
- Applicants who have a Masters degree in a field other than the social sciences or humanities are admitted to the Masters program in order to gain the area studies backgroundnecessary for Ph.D. studies.
- Applicants who have not had significant Asian language study are admitted to the Masters program in order to gain the language skills necessary for a Ph.D. in our program.
- Applicants who apply to the Ph.D. program but wish to research a topic that is not a part of our Ph.D. program will either be denied admission or be admitted to the Masters program.
When will I find out if I will receive funding?
Funding decisions are made in stages. The first funding offers are for fellowships offered by the Graduate School and these offers will be made in late February and early March. Language course teaching assistantship offers are made to international students at the same time. Funding offers from other sources of funding, such as departmental teaching assistantships and fellowships, are made after funding has been determined for continuing students. The timing of these awards depend on when the department is notified of external awards such as Fulbright-Hays and Continuing fellowships from Graduate Studies, and when the department receives its teaching assistant budget from the state. These funding offers generally take place between late March and early June.
