Study of the Ancient World
Web: isaw.nyu.edu
Email: ISAW-Admissions@nyu.edu
Degrees and Fields of Study
Ph.D.
- Ancient World
Note: The field of study descriptions may not exactly match the actual program name on the degree that is conferred. Please refer to the GSAS Bulletin section Degree and Certificate Programs as Registered by the New York State Education Department for the actual program name and degree conferred.
Application Deadlines
- December 18: Recommended date, fall only admission
- January 4: Final deadline date, fall only admission
All application materials must be received by 5 p.m. eastern time on the deadline date. If an application deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal U.S. holiday, then the next business day will be the deadline date.
Application Requirements for Study of the Ancient World
All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit a complete application for admission. A complete application includes the online application, academic transcripts, test scores (if required), letters of recommendation, a résumé or curriculum vitae, a Statement of Academic Purpose, and an application fee. Applicants also have the option of providing a short Personal History essay. Please refer to the Instructions section of the online application. In addition, the department specifically requires the following:
GRE: The GRE general test requirement is suspended for fall 2021 due to COVID-19. Please do not send us GRE test scores. If you do, the scores will not be reviewed or considered by the department's Admissions Committee. In subsequent terms, the general test is required.
TOEFL or IELTS: Either the TOEFL or the IELTS is required of all applicants who are not native English speakers or who do not have a bachelor's or master's degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English. See test score requirements.
Statement of Academic Purpose: In a concisely written statement, please describe your past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, your educational objectives, and your career goals. In addition, please include your intellectual and professional reasons for choosing your field of study and why your studies/research can best be done at the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU. The statement should not exceed two double-spaced pages.
Writing Sample: A writing sample is required. It may be a term paper, excerpt from an undergraduate or graduate thesis, or other example of academic writing, including a lecture delivered at a meeting, or a published article. It should be double-spaced and not exceed 35 pages. If your writing sample contains non-Roman scripts or other non-standard characters, it may not print properly as part of the online application. Please check your document carefully. It is best if you send your online writing sample as a pdf document. Be sure to keep a paper copy for your records. We may ask you to mail, fax, or email a copy directly to the Institute if there are problems reading it.
Languages: In addition to the relevant section of the application form, a separate list of all ancient and modern languages (other than English) in which the applicant has some proficiency is required and should be uploaded as a separate document on the Writing Sample(s) page of the online application. This list should indicate the applicant's level in each language in concrete terms (e.g., what are the most extensive or difficult texts that the applicant has read) and how the language was acquired.
The Graduate School of Arts and Science reserves the right to change this information at any time. This document supersedes all previous versions.
Last updated August 7, 2020.