Applying to the UChicago MLA
For admission to the Master of Liberal Arts program, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in any discipline. Standardized test scores (e.g., GRE or GMAT) are not required.
Due to our primarily online nature, this program does not sponsor international student visas. International students are enthusiastically invited to apply, but if admitted, the degree program does not include a visa to study in the U.S.
If you need help completing your application or have any other questions about the MLA, schedule an appointment with an enrollment counselor.
At a Glance:
UChicago MLA Application Process
- GRE/GMAT scores are not required for admission
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university required
- Application materials: résumé/CV, writing sample, transcripts, two letters of recommendation, candidate statement, $75 application fee
- English proficiency scores (if applicable): TOEFL (before January 21 2026) – minimum subscores of Reading 24, Listening 26, Writing 24, and Speaking 25. TOEFL (after January 21 2026) – minimum subscores of Reading 5, Listening 5.5, Writing 5, and Speaking 5.
IELTS 7.0 (minimum 7.0 in each subscore) - Interview required with the program director and an MLA graduate
Application Checklist
To apply to the UChicago MLA, submit the following:
- Resume or CV
- Writing Sample
- A cohesive writing sample of at least five double-spaced pages.
- You may submit either an academic paper or a piece of professional writing, like a report written for work.
- If you are unsure whether a sample would be appropriate to use, please check with the MLA admissions team. If you need to write a brand-new sample, you are free to write an opinion piece about a relevant issue or review a book, movie, or drama.
- Transcripts
- One unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded within the application. Please do not mail transcripts as part of your admission application; we accept unofficial uploads only for application evaluation.
- An unofficial transcript for undergraduate coursework is still required for application evaluation even if you hold an advanced degree(s).
- If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required prior to the first day of the term. Please see the FAQ page for details on how to submit your official transcript(s).
- Applicants with international transcripts must provide English translations with their applications. An official course-by-course evaluation of transcripts may be requested through an accredited NACES member. A course-by-course evaluation will translate courses, degree(s), and grades to US equivalents. Please visit the NACES website for more details.
- Letters of Recommendation
- We require two letters of recommendation from individuals who can assess your academic or professional qualifications.
- Candidate Statement
- Applicants are required to demonstrate the motivation, academic potential, and ability to undertake work at the University of Chicago by writing a candidate statement describing their interest.
- The statement should not exceed four pages, typed and double-spaced.
- English Proficiency
- Applicants to the Master of Liberal Arts program who do not meet the English Language Proficiency criteria must submit proof of English language proficiency.
- If the TOEFL was taken before January 21, 2026, the required proficiency standards include minimum subscores of Reading 24, Listening 26, Writing 24, and Speaking 25.
- If the TOEFL is taken after January 21, 2026, the required proficiency standards include minimum subscores of Reading 5, Listening 5.5, Writing 5, and Speaking 5.
- If the IELTS is taken, the required proficiency standard is an overall score of 7, with minimum subscores of 7 in each section.
- If you are taking the TOEFL, request the scores to be sent to the University of Chicago. Our TOEFL and College Board code is 1832. Applicants should plan on taking the TOEFL no later than two weeks prior to the application deadline in order to ensure their applications are completed in time.
- Students are required to take the Academic Reading/Writing test within IELTS, not the General Training Reading/Writing test.
- University of Chicago downloads IELTS scores that have been transmitted to our e-download account. Please contact your test center and request that your scores be sent to the following IELTS e-download account:
University of Chicago – Graduate Enrollment
970 East 58th Street, Third Floor
Chicago, IL 60637 - The University does not accept paper IELTS test report forms.
- $75 Application Fee
MLA Admissions Interview
Once you have completed the online application and submitted all required materials, you will be contacted for an admissions interview:
- During your interview, you will speak with the MLA program director and a graduate from the program.
- The interview is not a test of liberal arts knowledge; rather, we will use this time to discuss your background, your academic and professional goals, and your interest in the MLA program.
- We will delve into how you expect the degree to help you personally or professionally and ask follow-up questions based on your personal statement or application materials.
- The interview typically takes 30 minutes.
See our FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions about the admissions process.
Request more information about the UChicago Master of Liberal Arts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about our master’s degree in liberal arts that aren’t answered here? Find answers on our FAQ page
What do you need to apply?
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited university and submit a writing sample of at least five double-spaced pages, a candidate statement, two letters of recommendation, a résumé or CV, an unofficial transcript from each university attended, and a $75 application fee. No standardized test scores are required. Applicants who do not meet the English language proficiency criteria also submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Once your application is submitted, you will be contacted for an interview.
What qualifies as an appropriate letter of recommendation?
An appropriate letter of recommendation comes from someone who knows you well and can speak to your character, your work, and how you engage with others. It does not need to be academic, and many applicants have been away from the classroom for years or decades, so we do not expect letters from former professors.
Is the GRE or GMAT required?
Standardized test scores are not required for admission to the Master of Liberal Arts, and there is no minimum undergraduate grade point average. The admissions team reviews applications holistically, weighing professional accomplishments and life experience alongside the academic record.
Is the MLA accredited?
The University of Chicago has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1913.
Is it too late to go back to school?
No, nearly a quarter of our students are over the age of sixty. Many students have been away from the classroom for decades, which is why the program provides a writing advisor and workshops in academic writing. What matters most is not how long it has been since you were last in a classroom, but your curiosity, your willingness to engage, and your desire to keep learning.
What is considered a good writing sample?
A good writing sample is a cohesive piece of at least five double-spaced pages, on a subject of your choosing. It may be an academic paper or a piece of professional writing, such as a report prepared for work. If you would rather write something new, an opinion piece on a subject that interests you or a review of a book, film, or play will also work. If you are uncertain whether a sample is suitable, send it to the MLA admissions team before you apply. We are happy to review it and let you know whether it meets the writing sample requirement. For review, please email your writing sample to mla-admissions@uchicago.edu.
Is there an interview as part of the MLA admissions process?
There is a thirty-minute conversation with the MLA program leadership and a graduate of the program, held once your application is submitted. It is not a test of liberal arts knowledge. You will discuss your background, your academic and professional goals, and what you hope the degree will do for you, with follow-up questions drawn from your application materials.
Can international students enroll in the MLA?
International students are welcome to apply to study in the program. Because the Master of Liberal Arts can be completed entirely online, it does not sponsor international student visas, and admission does not include a visa to study in the United States. Applicants who do not meet the English language proficiency criteria must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores with their application. International students are not required to have a student visa for our week-long Residential seminar.
Approximately 10 percent of MLA students live abroad while completing the program. Students have hailed from places such as Greece, the Netherlands, Australia, Singapore, Canada, India, the Philippines, and more.