Applying to grad school is a stressful thing for students to do—now more than ever.

In September 2025, the WCC brought together three representatives from schools with different types of graduate programs (including PhD programs, MA programs, and a post-baccalaureate program) to help guide faculty on how to advise our students as they put together their applications.

Panelists:

Caroline Bishop, Associate Professor of Classics, Texas Tech University

Hannah Čulík-Baird, Associate Professor of Classics, University of California Los Angeles

Catherine Keane, Professor of Classics, Washington University in St. Louis

Watch the panel here!

Reaching Out to Faculty

Do you recommend that students reach out to faculty at your department? Is it better to reach out to the grad program director or to faculty whose research may be related to a student’s interests? (9:40 on video)

• Yes! Relationship matter and finding a good fit matters, plus getting in touch will help you stand out and be memorable.

• Write to either the graduate program director/director of graduate studies or a faculty member. They will communicate with each other and compare notes, but a nuts and bolts question is better directed to the director and a research question is better directed to a faculty member.

• Have a question and goal in reaching out.

Personal Statements vs. Research Statements

What is the difference between a personal statement and a research plan or research statement? How much should students avoid repeating themselves? (14:43 on video)

• Personal Statement=what you’ve done, Research Statement=where you’re going

• Tailor your statement to individual programs

Language Preparation

What kind of language background does your program expect? Is this flexible at all? (20:54 on video)

• The most important thing is for your Latin and Greek to be in the best shape possible.

• MA and Post-Bacc programs can help you get your languages to where they need to be.

• If you are in a unique situation or come from a non-traditional background, reach out and ask!

• Different programs have different levels of flexibility, reach out and ask!

• Useful to know modern languages, but not as important as ancient languages.

Student Identity and DEI

If students are members of minoritized groups, should they stress that in their applications? (34:20 on video)

• Yes! Personal Statements are there for programs to get to know you.

• Explain how your identity is related to your goals or why it matters.

One Piece of Advice

What is one piece of advice you would give to any student applying to grad school this year? (37:00 on video)

• You should go to a place that is a good fit (things to keep in mind: location, funding, values, serves your interests/research).

• Don’t take rejection personally (things are especially tough this year financially, grad school is more competitive than ever).

• Apply to more places than you thought you would (and different types of programs, MA as well as PhD, Post-Bacc as well as MA, etc.).

• Get help from your mentors and advisors (getting feedback on your personal statement makes a big difference).