Application FAQs

For the Fall 2023 application cycle, we received 173 applications and 14 were offered admission.

The best thing you can do is present a complete and quality application, which may mean starting to gather materials ahead of the deadline.

Here are some points that may help you prepare:

• Review faculty profiles on our website to see what their research interests are, how they align with your own research interests, and who you may want to work with
• Contact current and previous institutions about submitting transcripts. We cannot consider your application without them
• Reach out about letters of recommendation in advance--try to have at least two letters that are from academic sources (ex. professors or advisors)
• Prepare for TOEFL or IELTS tests and leave yourself enough time for a re-test if you feel you have not done your very best
• Use the resources available on our website, like the Application Checklist, to keep track of all materials required to complete your application

In your Statement of Purpose, it is crucial to outline your professional, intellectual, and research interests and career goals in direct relation to the professional and intellectual commitments of anthropology. You may also want to include some assessment of how your interests connect to the interests of the faculty. Take time in preparing this statement--it is different from the Personal Statement. 

The application opens in mid- to late August and closes on December 1st at 11:59PM EST. The application cycle is one year ahead of the current year, so you will apply for the Fall 2025 cohort in Fall 2024. 

Please be aware that the online application system automatically closes down after the application deadline. All materials should be submitted before the deadline--this is the only way to ensure that your application is complete for faculty review. 

We will evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis, but we cannot guarantee the acceptance of any late materials. 

No. The Department does not send confirmation when you have submitted your application or that we received it. However, you should receive confirmation from the online application system when your application is submitted successfully. 

No, we do not have a terminal Master's program. Graduate students may obtain a Master's degree during their Ph.D. studies, after fulfilling Rackham's requirements.

Time to degree varies across subfields, but it takes approximately 7 years. 

No. Rackham Graduate School has ended the use of the GRE in its Ph.D. admissions, therefore none of the subfields in the Department of Anthropology require the submission of scores.

Scanned or electronic copies of your transcripts should be submitted with your online application. Screen shots of your grades from an online student account are NOT acceptable. We must have scans of the transcripts that are from your institution. 

Applicants who are attending or graduated from a U.S. Institution: Submit a transcript for each Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, or Doctoral degree earned or in progress. Do not submit any transcripts from a community or junior college, non-degree, or study abroad coursework.

International applicants: International students must submit official transcripts by the application deadline to ensure timely processing of your application. .

Domestic applicants: Domestic applicants can submit final official transcripts with your graduate application or after you are recommended for admission. Although official transcripts are strongly preferred, unofficial transcripts can be uploaded with your application. This is only for domestic applicants. If you do not submit a final official transcript with your grad application, you will be required to submit it to Rackham Graduate School if you are recommended for admission.

If English is not the only language of instruction at your institution, please submit English translations of your transcripts as well.

Visit Rackham Graduate School's website for more information about transcripts. 

As the applicant, you must log back into your online application account to resend any information to your recommenders. If that does not work, you will need to contact CollegeNET directly through their Help Desk.

It is required that you submit your letters through the online application system so they will be automatically accessible to the admissions committee. You can only register referees for access to the system while filling out your application. Make sure that you selected 'Yes' under Use Online Recommendation System? to send requests to referees. 

For “Topical Interest,” please list the topics you are interested in, such as gender, ethnicity, kinship, etc.

For “Area Interest,” please list the geographic area you are interested in, such as Latin America, the Middle East, Nepal, etc.

This does not need to be a paragraph description--you may use bullet points or a list format.

International applicants should note that in addition to the Department financial resources, applicants should investigate various funding sources such as the Institute of International Education/Fulbright website (https://us.fulgrightonline.org), the Wenner-Gren Foundation website (http://www.wennergren.org/), and the International Rotary website (htts://www.rotary.org/en). Rackham also offers a fellowship for international students.

Rackham Graduate School offers some partial fellowships including the Non-Traditional Fellowship. This fellowship is awarded to returning students who have been out of school for at least five years and are residents of the State of Michigan. This opportunity will be considered by admission faculty and no separate application is required.

This ONLY applies to international applicants; please do NOT submit financial information at the time of application.

If you are admitted to Rackham and the Department of Anthropology, you will be notified to submit the Affidavit of Financial Support for International Students, along with the required financial documentation. For more information, please see Rackham's website.

Please contact the University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid.