Hello, CompLit people, How important are the languages for admission?

[Emily Eyefinger]

Hi all, I'm going to apply for Comparative Literature Fall 2013.

Now that I've been looking more into each program for the first time, I'm worried about their language requirement.

How is having no languages ready when you apply taken by the adcomm? Is it a critical factor? I have English, my native language, and two years of ancient Greek from undergrad which I barely remember. German French Spanish... Let's just say I just know how to say hello.

My research interest area is mostly theoretical than transnational.

One more question, do they even look at my GRE quant score?

Thanks for your help.

[Stately Plump]

In many programs, you will be taking classes offered in a language other than English--at least, the readings will be in another language--starting your first semester. I'm not positive on this, but I'm pretty sure they are expecting at least one language other than English as a minimum requirement for admission; students who can offer three languages at a strong level are probably more likely to gain admission. Comp Lit departments do not want to gamble on trying to teach their students another language while also completing all their other graduate work.

Quant scores are less important. I wouldn't ignore them entirely, but I also wouldn't fret poorer scores.

EDIT to add: I looked into Comp Lit for myself when I first started looking at programs. I had four years of French, a year of Spanish, and a year of Italian, plus I studied abroad in Italy for six months. My French and Italian are definitely strong enough that I can have light conversation in those countries. But after looking at the requirements of some programs, I knew they would not be close to strong enough to perform in a Comp Lit program.

Check some department website. They usually mention their requirements. I suspect many schools will make you pass some type of translation exam as a requirement for admission.

Edited July 3, 2012 by Stately Plump

[Emily Eyefinger]

Thanks a lot!

I'll definitely have to research more. Just starting the whole application process for the very first time and it's been a couple of years after graduation...

the Gradcafe forum is the only thing that keeps me in touch with the atmosphere in academia.

[vienneselights]

Ya but how do they determine your fluency in a language?

Also, I may have misconstrued this, but I've been lurking on the info pages of the Usual Suspects, and they all say something about an ancient or cross-cultural language requirement.

Tbh it said something about being proficient in it at the end of comps, but we all know that means people should have some grounding in it coming in....

[Stately Plump]

If you look on many department websites, they will say something like, "Proficiency in at least one language other than English is expected at the time of admission." Many schools expect that your coursework (4 years of Spanish, e.g.) will address this concern. If your coursework does not speak to your ability in another language, they will expect that you will mention it in your personal statement.

Very likely, if, after reading your application, they are not convinced you have proficiency in at least one other language, you will not be admitted. Some schools may ask you to pass a translation exam before starting.