Folklore

To apply to our program, you will need to supply a copy of your undergraduate college transcript(s), three letters of recommendation (preferably from your college professors or others who can write about your abilities in an academic setting), a CV, and your Graduate Record Examination scores (no more than five years old).

For international applicants, the Graduate School requires additional materials\xc2\x96see their website. For the application, obtain unofficial transcripts, scan them, and upload those pdfs; if you are accepted, you will need to ask the colleges or universities you attended to send official transcripts directly to the Graduate School. We also require a two- to three-page statement of your interests and professional goals in folklore. Specifically, be sure to explain what has led to your involvement in the field (readings, courses, mentors, fieldwork, festivals), why you want to study at UNC in particular, and what you plan to do with your graduate degree in Folklore\xc2\x97in other words, how would two years of study in the UNC Folklore Program fit into your life trajectory and support your intellectual and professional goals?

We also need to see one or two samples of your writing. They should show your ability to develop ideas and to write clearly, and ideally one (if you send two) should demonstrate your facility with a formal academic writing style. The writing samples do not have to be explicitly about a folklore topic. Your best college term paper or a chapter from your honors thesis would be perfect. Try to keep the writing sample to 10-15 pages. We welcome creative work and copies of audio or video productions as well\xc2\x96the best way to make such material available is to put it on a website or blog and include links in one of the documents you upload as a writing sample.