Application Information & Procedures

Your application must include a statement of purpose that outlines your intellectual interests and background. This essay should explain your interest in an interdepartmental program and in the University of Michigan's Doctoral Program in Anthropology and History. This portion of your application is extremely important and you should take particular care in its preparation. (This statement should be uploaded to the online application.)

Tell us about yourself. How have your background and life experiences—including cultural, geographical, financial, educational or other opportunities or challenges—motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan? For instance, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. (Please do not repeat your Academic Statement of Purpose.)

The Doctoral Program in Anthropology and History also requests a writing sample in addition to your statement of purpose. This may be a paper you wrote for a seminar or a portion of a senior thesis. Faculty reading the applications consider the writing sample, like the essay, very seriously. (The writing sample should be uploaded to the online application.)

• Upload a scanned copy, front and back, of your official transcript/academic record issued by the Registrar or Records Office, to ApplyWeb for each bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree earned or in progress. The scanned copy of the official transcript is used for initial review by the graduate program faculty.
  
• A downloaded transcript from your school portal or system is an unofficial transcript and not acceptable for review.
• If you are attending or have graduated from a Non-U.S. institution, review the Required Academic Credentials from Non-U.S. Institutions for requirements by country.
• If you have community or junior college, non-degree, or study abroad coursework, indicate this information on page nine of the application under the “Additional Education Information” section. Do not submit any transcripts from a community or junior college, non-degree, or study abroad coursework to Rackham unless you attended a Non-U.S. institution.
• See Rackham's website for detailed information about transcripts.
   

Letters of recommendation must be submitted online. You will enter names and email addresses of your recommenders during the online application process and they will receive emailed instructions.

Letters of recommendation for students currently enrolled in a Rackham Graduate School program at the University of Michigan must include two letters from University of Michigan faculty, preferably one from Anthropology and one from History.

Application Fee Waivers for Fall 2025 Applications - Requests open September 15, 2024 and are due November 15, 2024

A limited number of fee waivers are available to US citizens and DACA recipients. If you do not qualify any of Rackham's fee waivers, but meet the requirements below, send an email to AH-Admissions@umich.edu providing proof and an explanation of your eligibility based on the following:

1. Have a record of superior academic achievement (e.g., grade point average, honors, or other designation)
2. Are U.S. citizen, permanent residents, or undocumented students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA).
3. AND must meet one or more of the following:
   
   • Come from an educational, cultural or geographic background that is
     underrepresented in graduate study in your discipline in the United
     States or at the University of Michigan;
   • Have demonstrated a commitment to diversity in the academic,
     professional, or civic realm through their work experience, volunteer
     engagement, or leadership of student or community organizations. By
     diversity, we mean efforts to reduce social, educational or economic
     disparities based on race, ethnicity or gender, or to improve race
     relations in the U.S.;
   • Have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances;
   • Are a first generation U.S. citizen or first generation in your family to graduate from a four‐ year college.
     

Please keep in mind that race, ethnicity, gender, or national origin may not be used as a criteria for requesting an application fee waiver.

The Anthropology and History Program no longer requires the GRE. Please do not submit GRE scores to the program.