Applicants for the MA in Media, Culture, & Technology must have completed an undergraduate degree in an accredited college or university. Admission depends not only on the achievement and promise of the applicant as attested through transcripts, writing sample, and two letters of recommendation but also on the clarity of the applicant's personal statement and research interests and on the compatibility of the applicant's interests with the resources of the department. PERSONAL STATEMENT This statement should be two to three pages long. Its main task is to outline your intellectual background and interests, and why graduate study is best pursued in Media Studies at the University of Virginia. The personal statement is also an appropriate place to discuss any anomalies, challenges, or work history that is relevant to your academic path. WRITING SAMPLE(S) The writing sample should be approximately 20 pages of academic writing; this may be one long essay, or two shorter pieces. Your chosen writing sample should be academic in nature, showcasing your research and/or analytic skills. While it may reflect the precise academic interests for which you are pursuing graduate education, it is more important that it be an example of your strongest academic work. The GRE is not required to apply to this program. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION The application requires two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your academic work and/or aptitude for graduate study. Most commonly, you should request letters of recommendation from faculty who have known you in an academic setting. The minimum internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score requirement is 90 (including sectional minimums of 22 in speaking, 22 in writing, 23 in reading and 23 in listening). The minimum paper-based TOEFL score requirement is 600. Applicants may submit scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as an alternative to the TOEFL exam. The minimum IELTS score requirement is 7.0 in each section.