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In my undergrad career, I didn't get a chance to learn much about literary theory. We read the occasional Derrida or Gadamer text, but never in a way that really explained how they could be helpful in analyzing texts. Now, I know that theory is a big part of Comp Lit, and although it's not my favorite from what I've read, I'm willing to learn. My question is: do you think most Comp Lit programs will expect applicants to have a thorough grounding in theory from undergrad? Should I mention my lack of theory in my SOP (of course, tempered with "but I'm excited to learn")? I'm mainly concerned because my writing sample deals almost completely with primary sources. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated!

Hi lolotte! Thanks for the advice. I actually admire your courage in quitting your program - after all, you only have one life, so you shouldn't waste your time doing something that makes you unhappy. I'm also only a Comp Lit applicant, so I can't tell you anything definitive, but I think your explanation for why you dropped out of school X is a good one, and may just convince the people reading your application that you're serious about it this time. At least you'll definitely have an interesting personal statement! (Unlike mine, which is pretty boring/traditional.) Your language background seems fine. By having taken a French grad seminar, you'll probably have a leg up in that many applicants straight from undergrad have only taken undergrad seminars. And with your German, you'd probably meet the requirement for having "working knowledge" of a second foreign language at the time of application, like most other applicants. Then again, there are applicants who apply with three or four foreign languages - I guess what I'm trying to say is that your language background is appropriate for Comp Lit but not necessarily a huge advantage. Which is just fine! Also, about your writing sample: I certainly hope it's okay that you talk about Anna Karenina in translation, as my writing sample includes The Brothers Karamazov in translation! As much as I love languages, Russian is one I have not yet had time to tackle... Best of luck!

Hi Magical Realist! I'm also applying to Comparative Literature programs, and I think your idea is fantastic. I too am tired of asking the same people to look over my SOP drafts, and I don't even want to ask anyone to read my 20-page writing sample. I'm more of a traditional applicant - finished undergrad in 2011, took a gap year to study in Germany, and am now starting my applications for Fall 2013. May I ask which schools you're planning on applying to? Feel free to PM me with your SOP or other materials, and I can try to give you some feedback (though of course I'm just another applicant and not an admissions officer!).

I think UCSB has a focus on translation.

For several programs I'm applying to, I'm supposed to take an OPI and also the ACTFL writing test. Has anyone done this before? The problem is that I'm living in Europe and don't have an affiliation with a university anymore, so I don't know who I'd ask to proctor the exam. It's just totally frustrating - I don't want to be disqualified from my dream program just because I can't take this test from where I am.

So I asked the graduate admissions coordinator at Stanford about whether I should write a new paper, and this was her response: Do you think it's more something like Stately Plump said, then - that an unrelated paper may hurt me by virtue of other applications simply being stronger? Regardless... it obviously could only help to write an insightful new paper about my topic of interest. I'm trying, but if it doesn't turn out being better than my other papers, I won't submit it. Unfortunately, I lost my library access when I graduated. Never thought I'd miss that place so much!

I've been dealing with the second e-mail a lot lately. It's definitely a lot harder than the initial one! In several cases, I've asked more questions, but in general I just said thank you and that I hoped we'd be able to work together in the future.

*sigh* That's what I was afraid of. I guess I'll try to write a new paper, but that'll be hard without access to a university library anymore. Why oh why didn't I think of this earlier?!

I think this sounds really awesome! Of course I'm not an adcom, so I could be wrong, but if we all just wanted to study authors that others are already experts on, what would be new about our work? If I were you, I'd mention the things/writers I'm interested in, but perhaps add a sentence about how I'm generally interested in such and such, as is Professor X.

@ aeplo! Thanks for the great advice; I've been poring over program descriptions and faculty interests for awhile now, which definitely narrowed down my list. Now, I just wanted an opinion on the writing sample, which you claim (and I believe) is of paramount importance. See, I haven't written any long papers of writing sample caliber on the topic I propose in my SOP (post-war comparative literature). The best pieces I've written (that meet the length requirement) aren't directly related to my topic, for example: a paper examining economic language and gender relations in Renaissance poetry, one discussing birth and motherhood in two dystopian works, and one that gives an analysis on Luther's "Bondage of the Will." Would submitting an unrelated essay be a major no-no? Or are they just looking for evidence of good writing and critical thought, regardless of topic?

Thanks, obrera! Good advice. I've e-mailed some professors, but unfortunately it's the beginning of the semester, so I can't really expect any replies until the initial business worn off.

Hello! Like many on this site, I'm in the process of writing and rewriting (and re-rewriting) my SOP for Comp Lit. One concern my readers had is that I'm quite specific in the explanation of my interests. Basically, I state generally that I'm interested in post-war American and European literature, primarily in the Netherlands, Germany, and France. Then I mention wanting to compare the works of Heinrich Böll to Kurt Vonnegut, as they both served in World War II, and the experiences hugely affected their writings. I would be interested in comparing the ways they go about criticizing post-war reconstructionist society. Do you think that being so specific might hurt me? (For example, if they think I'm too focused, or if the faculty members I mentioned don't want to work with me.)