Admissions and Fellowships

Princeton University offers a unique combination of resources in a community that provides unusual cultural and intellectual opportunities.  Scholars from all disciplines, backgrounds and interests are invited to apply.  Potential applicants should first explore the University’s various departments in order to determine the most appropriate graduate program.

All graduate materials, including writing samples and transcripts, must be sent directly to Graduate Admissions.  Writing samples should be no more than 25 pages.  Our admissions deadline in Comparative Literature is Friday, December 15, 2023.  All materials, including test scores and recommendation letters, that are not received by the Graduate School by the deadline of December 15th are considered incomplete.  More information on the application process is available at the Graduate School website.

Admitted students are generally informed of their offers in mid-February.  The Department of Comparative Literature will be scheduling virtual visits due to the pandemic.  Tentative campus visits are March 18, 19, & 20, 2024 (these dates are tentative, and subject to change). 

University fellowships generally are granted to all entering doctoral candidates for their first year of study, thereby freeing them from the need to conduct research activities or the obligation to teach in the first year.  Should a student be the recipient of a full external grant or company sponsorship, the Graduate School will require that these external resources be used in lieu of University funding, although it is typical to provide a prize to the student as a means of reward (as well as additional compensation) in most cases.

Fellowships from University funds for entering doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences normally average $60,000 to $62,000 (representing full tuition plus the required student health plan fee plus the maximum 12-month maintenance allowance for the year beginning in September).  In the sciences and engineering, fellowships from University funds range from $57,000 to $64,000 for the academic year, with summer support being extra (depending upon departmental resources).

Maintenance allowances are taxable and are paid in monthly installments, beginning with the last business day of September.  More information on fellowships is available at the Graduate School website.