Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
BY GRADUATE
STUDENTS AND PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS
QUESTIONS ABOUT APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM
How are applicants selected for admission?
Graduate Degrees
and Certificates
Applicants are selected by the Graduate Admissions Committee which is composed of the Graduate Director, the Writing Director (ex officio), and five additional faculty members who represent the sub-disciplines and areas within English Studies. The Graduate Committee employs a holistic approach to selection by looking carefully at all parts of the application. It also pays close attention to how applicants’ Statement of Purpose indicates their knowledge of the English Studies model, as well as the research and teaching expertise of the faculty.
How can I schedule a campus visit?
To schedule a campus visit you can contact the Director of Graduate Studies through the Graduate Secretary, Diane Smith, at 309-438-3651 or by e-mail at dlsmith@ilstu.edu
If I have a degree in a field other than English, can I still apply?
Although it is generally assumed that applicants to the Ph.D. program will have a Master's degree in English, consideration will be given to applicants whose professional careers have been in the field of English. Generally applicants to the Master's program have completed a B.A. in English or a closely related discipline.
What are deadlines for admission materials?
The deadline for fall admission is January 15th.
The deadline for spring admissions is October 15 th.
For full consideration on admission and financial support all materials must be received by the deadline.
Do I need to take the GRE? What elements?
Yes. You need to take the verbal, quantitative and analytic sections of the Graduate Record Examination . You need only take the general exam. We do not require the subject examination.
Do you have a minimum, or a target score, on the GRE?
No. We look at the GRE score as only one component of an applicant's dossier.
As a foreign student, what other conditions are applicable to my application?
International students are required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum TOEFL score required for graduate admission is 100 (internet-based testing), or 250 (computer-based), or 600-603 (paper-based testing). For International students interested in being awarded a teaching assistantship a TOEFL iBT speaking score of 27 or higher, or the Test of Spoken English (TSE).
How soon can I expect a decision on my admission application?
Since the Graduate Committee reads all applications very closely before making its decisions, applicants should anticipate that it may take up to six weeks after the application deadline before applicants learn whether their application has been successful.
QUESTIONS ABOUT ASSISTANTSHIPS
What types of assistantships exist for students within the department? Outside of the department?
The department tries to offer 20-hour/week teaching assistants to Ph.D. students. These are typically teaching composition, although occasionally we offer students opportunities to teach creative writing, technical writing, linguistics, or various types of Literary and Cultural Studies.
Master's students are typically offered teaching assistantships in the freshman writing program. Some may be available in the English Language Institute and the Publications Unit.
To read more about assistantships in the department, go to: Graduate Assistantships
To read the graduate school’s web page on assistantships, go to: Graduate Assistantships
How do I apply for an assistantship? When should I apply for an assistantship?
You can apply for an assistantship online at jobs. This will give you a list of all Graduate Assistantship available at the Unversity. You should apply for an assistantship once you have received your university Idenification number from the University. In addition to applying for an assistantship, you might also want to apply for a tuition waiver, which entails checking a box on the online application.
What type of training do teaching assistants receive?
The Writing Program at Illinois State prides itself on its multi-faceted professional development program for writing instructors. The program includes:
In the Fall:
- A 5-7 day Orientation before classes begin in August
- A weekly seminar for new writing instructors during their first semester of teaching in the program
- At least one small group meeting per month; facilitated by our program assistants
- Monthly professional development events on timely topics of interest to new and returning instructors
- Weekly conversation hours hosted by the writing program administrators
- Regular classroom observations by program assistants (2/semester for new instructors; 1/semester for returning instructors); constructive post-observation feedback provided
- Frequent classroom visits exchanged among instructors
- In addition: New master’s students spend one semester co-teaching with an experienced instructor before they begin teaching on their own.
In the Spring:
- A 2 day Orientation (“Welcome Back Days”) before classes begin in January
- A weekly seminar for new writing instructors in their first semester of teaching in the program
- One-two small group meeting per month; facilitated by our program assistants
- Monthly professional development events on timely topics of interest to new and returning instructors, including
- A day-long pedagogy symposium in March/April
- Weekly conversation hours hosted by the writing program administrators
- Regular classroom observations by program assistants (2/semester for new instructors; 1/semester for returning instructors); constructive post-observation feedback provided
- Frequent classroom visits exchanged among instructors
- In addition: New master’s students spend one semester co-teaching with an experienced instructor before they begin teaching on their own.
The department also offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in the Teaching of Writing, a series of six courses in which graduate students with a particular interest in the teaching of writing may enroll. Certificate courses can count toward the master’s degree.
QUESTIONS ABOUT BEING A GRADUATE STUDENT IN THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
When should I choose my advisor?
When you begin the program, you are automatically assigned the graduate director as your advisor. However, once you have completed 18 hours you should choose a permanent advisor from the graduate faculty. More information is available in the Graduate Student Handbook.
Who should I choose as my advisor?
Generally, you should choose an advisor with an expertise in your area. Typically, graduate students should become familiar with faculty through their classes.
What is the significance of course numbers?
Our graduate course numbers range from 300-level to 500-level classes. Classes that are at the 300 level have enrollments that consist of both graduate students and upper-division undergraduate students. Classes that are at the 400 level are limited to graduate students; both Master's students and Ph.D. students can enroll. Courses that are at the 500 level are limited to Ph.D. students.
The department also offers courses on the undergraduate 100 and 200 level.
What does the department offer to help graduate students present at or attend conferences?
A small amount of funds is available for travel by graduate students to conferences. Applications are available in the graduate office to apply for these funds.
In addition to funds, the graduate department offers workshops that help students prepare conference presentations. Many faculty members assign papers with the intention of presenting these at conferences or placing them for publication. The faculty member, then, is available, to help students who wish to present or submit for publication.
What support programs are in place for grad students?
Graduate students currently in the program meet regularly in informal social settings. In addition to the more formal monthly forums on topics of interest for graduate students and students can go to social activities, arranged by faculty or other graduate students.
The graduate school offers Grants-in-Aid for Research and Professional Advancement and a very active Black Graduate Student Association. This organization offers workshops, career networking, panel discussions and a variety of speakers and programs.
Is there university housing for graduate students? How do I apply for it?
Apartment living is available to graduate students at two complexes: Cardinal Court and Shelbourne Drive.
In addition, dorms on campus provide limited space for graduate students. University Housing
Where can I find information on university services for students with disabilities?
The University offers a Disability Concerns Office that assists students in functioning independently and also helps provide assistance so that all of campus life is available.
Should I go part-time or full-time?
Whether you should attend part time or full time is a decision you should make in consultation with the graduate director. Generally speaking, however, doctoral students enroll full-time.
What is your placement rate?
90% of our Ph.D. alumnae are employed full-time in secondary or in higher education.
What is the size of classes?
Graduate classes at the 400 and 500 level can range from 6-12 students, while those at the 300 level can range from 12-25. There are exceptions for introducing composition, and technical writing courses, which often meet in a computer lab with maximum of 16 or 17 students.
Is childcare provided?
The ISU Child Care Center offers developmental child care services for ISU students’ children aged 3-8 years.
Is insurance provided?
The University provides a plan of health coverage for students who register for 9 or more hours of credit during the Fall and Spring semesters (6 hours summer). University Student Health Insurance
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY
Can I get around the university and the community without a car? Where can I find information about the city public transit?
Busses are available for both students and the public. These can take you to different parts of campus, malls and other places of business or work.
On campus the Redbird Ride Transportation Programs are available to students. This program consists of three programs:
- The Redbird Express Campus Shuttle, which provides transportation around campus from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm on regularly scheduled class days.
- The Niteride bus, which provides transportation form 7:00pm to 1:00am, seven days a week, around campus and other locations such as malls and Wal-Mart.
- The Late Niteride bus provides transportation beginning at 9:00 pm between downtown Normal and downtown Bloomington.
Click here for more information about the Redbird Ride Transportation Program.
Public transit is provided through the Bloomington-Normal Transit System. This system offers riders fixed routes throughout the twin cities.
Where can I find information about traveling to the nearby major cities ( Champaign, Peoria, Chicago, St. Louis)?
The town of Normal offers Amtrak service to these major cities as well as others. In addition, the Peoria Charter bus company offers daily service to O-Hare and Midway as well as Peoria. The town also offers an airport – the Central Illinois Regional Airport.
What is Bloomington-Normal like?
Bloomington-Normal has an approximate population of over 100,000. There are two major universities (Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan) as well as two community colleges (Heartland Community College and Lincoln Community College). The largest employer in the area is State Farm Insurance Company, whose national office is in Bloomington. The Mitsubishi automobile plant in Normal is the second largest employer. Each town – Bloomington and Normal – has its own downtown. However, most of the commerce is centered along Veterans Parkway, which is east of campus. The town offers four multiplex movie theatres, an art theatre and a downtown second-run movie theatre. It will soon be home to an ice arena with a pro hockey team and a coliseum for acts and events. Bloomington-Normal has one of the highest percentage of restaurant-goers in the country and a variety of restaurants available. These include the typical chain restaurants as well as local restaurants that include ethnic Mexican, Indian, Chinese and Thai foods. Local attractions include a new children’s discovery museum, an art center, zoo and an aviation museum.
What is the housing market like?
The housing market in the Bloomington-Normal area is good. Apartments are plentiful, especially near campus and homes are available for rent as well as for sale. Homes typically sell fast here so re-sale is easier than at most places.
University Housing Services also has a number of options for graduate students.