foampoem

If I can offer a tip, and one that may seem rebarbative to many, but I would consider applying to the same places your referees got their PhDs from, if that's at all possible. I applied to four top 15 universities, and was accepted to the two where my referees had got their degrees from (whereas the other two I had no connection with, and was rejected from). In some respects, it may seem obvious, but I don't think I've seen it mentioned on this forum before. An admissions committee is more likely, I think, to trust the words of someone they're familiar with, and someone who successfully went through their program. Of course, this is not at all a hard and fast rule—and may indeed play no role whatsoever in the committee's decision. It's just something to think about!

It's a great question, and one I grappled with when submitting my writing sample (I was accepted into an ivy comp lit program). My advice would be: they'll be impressed. If your sample is written in English, but your quotes are in another language, then that will seem ideal to many comp lit programs. However, I'd consider providing translations in the footnote. It's not entirely necessary, but it will demonstrate to your readers that you have a firm grasp of the material. Do PM me if you have any other questions!