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Applying for Graduate Study


APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Application form
Statement of purpose
Transcripts
Recommendations (3)
Optional writing sample
Tests: GRE general test
TOEFL: Graduate School minimums:
iBT:
  • Writing:20
  • Listening:15
  • Reading:20
  • Speaking:22
cBT: 250
TSE: 600
 Please note that the cBT and TSE are being phased out.
For more information from the Graduate School:

Application guidelines
Completing and submitting the application

FALL ADMISSION ONLY.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 15.

If material is missing from your application, you will be notified by e-mail (preferred) or a postcard will be sent to your current address.

On-line application: www.gradschool.cornell.edu/index.php?p=102

Requests for further information should be addressed to:

E-mail : lingfield@cornell.edu
Phone : (607) 255-1105

Please send all application materials to:

Linguistics Program
203 Morrill Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York 14853-4701


Frequently Asked Questions


  1. What are the strengths of your program?
    A careful exploration of our website will uncover a great deal, but in a nutshell: We have excellent faculty in all the core theoretical areas of Linguistics. We also have strengths at the “interfaces” – phonology/phonetics, syntax/phonology, and syntax/semantics. We have faculty doing fieldwork in a number of language areas, and excellent lab facilities in phonetics and computational linguistics.

  2. What are the research interests and theoretical orientation of your faculty?
    Take a look at our faculty webpages! Our faculty cover a wide range of interests within the field of linguistics.

  3. What does the admissions committee look for when reviewing applications?
    Simply stated, we are looking for talented students who are a good match for our program.

  4. How long does it take to complete the Ph.D. in Linguistics?
    Most students take five years. Finishing in this amount of time is contingent on timely completion of the required coursework and the A-exam.

  5. Can I study a Masters in Linguistics at Cornell University?
    No. Our program is designed to train students for the Ph.D.

  6. What financial aid is available?
    Two types of financial support are available through Cornell: merit-based (fellowships, assistantships, and tuition awards) and need-based (loans). Unless you choose otherwise, students are considered for merit-based aid as part of the admissions process-no special application is required. Applicants are typically notified of merit-based awards no later than April 1. You must notify the Graduate School by April 15 if you plan to accept the offer.

  7. What do my GRE scores have to be?
    We do not set a minimum or maximum GRE score. GRE’s are only one consideration in evaluating applications for admission.

  8. What should I include in my personal statement?
    There is no set answer to this question. Your personal statement should tell us why you wish to pursue graduate study in Linguistics and what you hope to accomplish.

  9. Can I start the program in the Winter or Spring semester?
    No. Our program’s coursework is designed to start in the fall semester.

  10. What kinds of jobs do students who receive the Ph.D. in Linguistics have?
    Our students are quite successful. See our alumni page for information on the placement of our Ph.D graduates.