Linguistics

Fall Term (September)

Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics (PhD)

Required:

• Online application
• Statement of objectives
• Three letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• English proficiency exam scores – international applicants only
• CV or resume
• Writing sample

Writing Sample Instructions:

Applicants to the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy are required to submit a writing sample as part of their application.

Applicants to the Linguistics Program should include copies of one or more research papers or other written work relevant to their application. These papers need not necessarily be about linguistics, but they should demonstrate an applicant’s ability to pursue serious scholarly inquiry. Submitting more than one piece of work is especially appropriate for applicants with research experience in multiple relevant areas. Papers, research reports, theses, or insightful solutions to problem sets are all helpful in assessing an application. At least one of the writing samples should be written in English, but submissions in other languages can sometimes also be reviewed.

Please try to limit your writing sample to a maximum of 100 pages in total (less is fully acceptable). If this is impossible (for example, because you wish to include a lengthy undergraduate thesis), please indicate particular sections that you consider especially interesting or representative.

Sample research summary (maximum 3 pages):

In addition to the information about your goals and accomplishments that we can learn from your statement of purpose and writing sample, the Linguistics Program would like to learn more about how you approach scientific questions and puzzles. To this end, your application should also include a short summary of one of the research projects or problems discussed in your writing sample. The summary may take the form of a 1- to 3-page conference abstract but, in any event, should cover the following points in a compact and logically transparent way:

1. What questions does your project attempt to answer?
2. Why do you find these questions interesting?
3. How does the project try to answer these questions?
4. What questions remain open (or are likely to remain open) at the conclusion of the project? What might you do next, and why?

As an alternative, you may also propose a project that you have not undertaken, if you have thought about it with enough depth and care to answer the questions listed above.

The summary should be understandable and engaging to an educated reader who is not necessarily a specialist in the area of the project. The described project does not need to reflect actual goals or plans for doctoral research (and need not be a project in linguistics).

For all applicants:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The Department of Linguistics does not accept GRE scores and will not consider GRE scores during the evaluation of your application. If you have shared your scores in other applications, these scores will not be visible to the review committee.

For international applicants:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• Minimum score required: 6.5
• Electronic scores send to: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Graduate
• Current scores only; scores must be less than 2 years old

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)

• Minimum score required: 90 (iBT) or 4.5 (iBT26)
• Institute code: 3514
• Current scores only; scores must be less than 2 years old

Cambridge English Qualification (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency exams)

• Minimum score required: 185
• Electronic scores send to: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Graduate

Department ELP waiver policy

The Philosophy Department generally grant waivers to students who have received a degree from an English-speaking university outside these countries or who demonstrate an extensive background in English. We ask that students requesting a waiver have their recommenders comment in depth on their English speaking, reading, and writing skills. We also strongly suggest that they submit a writing sample in English. Instructions for requesting a waiver are found in the application.

Requests for ELP test waivers for Philosophy via email do not constitute a formal request.

Note: All academic history and unofficial transcripts should be submitted in the Academic History section of your application prior to requesting a waiver.​

Review the Graduate Admissions English language proficiency (ELP) test score policy here.

Test Score Verification

All test scores shared with MIT must be verified by the testing agency in order to be reviewed. If you do not see your score verification status change upon submission, you may request assistance with test score verification in your application status portal. All test scores are due by the application deadline, but test scores must be verified by the test provider no later than June 30, 2027.

The department has limited funds for the support of graduate students, and is committed to distributing this support as equitably as possible to students in good standing who are in need of financial assistance. Please see the Linguistics website for more information.