PS Your personal statement is an important part of your application. The admissions committee looks not only at the general background and qualifications of the applicants, but also at the fit between your specific goals and interests, and the kind of research conducted by the members of the graduate group. The most successful statement will demonstrate that you understand the kinds of work conducted by members of the faculty with interests related to yours, and why Penn is a particularly appropriate place for you to study. To this end, you may find it useful to consult the faculty research page to determine any overlapping research interests that you may have. You should be clear about your goals; it is acceptable to have wide interests or not to be entirely focused yet, but you should show that you understand what it means to pursue advanced study in the areas of interest that you identify. Personal anecdotes about how you got interested in South Asia, or childhood experiences with any of the languages or culture, do not generally contribute to the effectiveness of the statement. The personal statement is the place to describe your past training and work in related areas. We welcome applications from those with limited formal training in the field, but in such cases it is especially important to demonstrate your understanding of what graduate work in South Asia Studies will entail, and to emphasize aspects of your educational background that will contribute to your success. Note that applicants are not expected to work out arrangements with individual faculty members before applying. The application is made to the graduate group as a whole, and students who matriculate in the program are assigned appropriate advisors after they arrive. Nevertheless, it is entirely sensible to identify how your research interests relate to those of the faculty at Penn. Fee The application fee is $80.00. RL You will need letters of recommendation from at least three professors or others who are qualified to comment on your academic ability and background. The most effective letters come from those who have worked with you closely, especially on independent research, and who are familiar enough with the field of South Asia Studies to understand what abilities are most relevant. When you include the email addresses of your recommenders in the online application, each will automatically receive an email with an attached recommendation form. This email will allow the recommender to submit a letter electronically. Once the recommender submits the letter, it will be attached to the online application. Transcript Transcripts should be uploaded online to the application. Only if you are accepted in the SAST graduate program will you need to mail an official transcript directly to the department.* After a year in the program, students in the PhD program may be eligible to transfer up to eight semester credits completed prior to admission. MA students may be eligible to transfer up to 4 credits. All courses to be considered for transfer credit must be graduate level courses taken outside of an undergraduate program. Approval will be at the discretion of the Graduate Group.