A brief description of the department:
There is a strong tradition of Classics at the University of Colorado at Boulder, dating back to the university's foundation in 1878. The present department consists of 13 international faculty (five Latinists, three Hellenists, two historians, three archaeologists), who between them cover Classical Antiquity comprehensively; and roughly 30 graduate students. We offer an MA in Classics with the possibility of concentration in Greek, Latin, Classical Art and Archaeology, Classical Antiquity, or the Teaching of Latin (M.A.T.); and the PhD.
Particular strengths or unique areas of interest for the department:
Latin Literature, from its inception through Late Antiquity; Greek epic & drama; ancient philosophy, literary criticism & rhetoric; social and military history; Achaemenid, Greek, Roman and Byzantine Archaeology.
Application deadline: January 2.
Unusual features of the application: No.
GRE scores required: Yes.
Writing sample required: Yes, ideally one between 10 and 25 pages in length. If longer, please indicate which sections the committee should focus on. A couple of shorter papers are also acceptable.
For “best consideration for admission”, applicants should have (note that there are always special cases, and that meeting the stated numerical goals will not guarantee admission to any program):
Factors such as GRE and GPA scores and years of training are given strong consideration, but we do not have specific minimum requirements. Major criteria in our admissions decisions are the quality of the writing sample and of training received to date; and the personal statement and letters of recommendation.
Average number of new graduate students per year:
We usually have one or two new PhD students and 8-16 new MA (incl. MAT) students every year.
Approximate percentage of applicants this represents: Ca. 25%.
Number of new students entering program this fall: 15 new MA students.
Approximate percentage of incoming students given full funding:
Normally, we are able to fund 100% of PhD students and ca. 50% of MA students.
Number of guaranteed years of funding:
Usually MA students, if funded, are guaranteed funding for two years and PhD students for four or five years.
Out of those years, number student will be expected or required to serve as TA, RA, or the like:
The department regularly succeeds in supplementing the funding at its disposal (via teaching) with university fellowships for which it applies on behalf of its applicants. We generally win one to four of those per year. Those fellowships tend to be for one year for MA students and for two years for PhD students, and we follow them up with guaranteed teaching positions. We have also been able to provide a semester at full funding through (again competitive) dissertation-writing fellowships for advanced PhD students to assist them in finishing their projects. Thus, funded MA students teach 1-2 out of their two years and PhD students teach 2-5 out of their five years.
International students eligibility for financial aid: Yes.
PhDs and MAs awarded since January 2005: 4 PhDs; 41 MAs.
Major changes anticipated in the department over the next few years, if any: No.
Best contact person for questions: Jackie Elliott Jackie.Elliott@colorado.edu.
2008 survey answers