GRADUATE STUDIES

Admission to Graduate Studies

Admissions Overview:

Thank you for your interest in pursuing graduate studies at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The information on this web site will help you determine whether this program is appropriate for your career goals and help you assess your qualifications for admission. Please keep in mind that  December 1st is the deadline for all admissions. Although the Graduate School will process your application, the Department has a deadline of December 1st , and may not process your application if received after December 1st . Please contact the Graduate Coordinator prior to sending your application if after December 1st . Your application fee is good for one year, and you may contact the Graduate School to request to change your application for the following fall semester.

Admissions Factors: The Department of Anthropology offers three major fields of study: Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, and Cultural Anthropology. An Intersectional Degree track is also available to students with special interests in two or more subdisciplines within the department. Students will gain professional competence in one of these major fields and will have the opportunity to explore a wide spectrum of interests within that major field. 

Background or a major in anthropology is desirable but students from many fields are sometimes also considered; prospective applicants are encouraged to consult department faculty who share their interests. The faculty consider various criteria before arriving at a decision of acceptance or non-acceptance. The following material must be submitted before your application will be considered and reviewed by the faculty. 

• Undergraduate grade point averages (GPA), along with transcripts, from all institutions previously attended.
• Check list of Interests (PDF) (Print out and send to the Department).
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
• Three references see http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/elorinstructions.html
• A personal statement of intent. This statement should identify your specific areas of interest and reasons why they are of interest. Also, explain how and why you aspire to advance knowledge in the field of Anthropology. An explanation of why you feel our department is the best place for you to pursue these interests.
• (Optional) A list of any honors gained as an undergraduate, such as Phi Beta Kappa membership, scholarships, etc.
• (Optional) A curriculum vitae.
• (Optional) Research-based papers or other documents relevant to your credentials; reprints of any professional publications.

While all factors are weighed, you may find it helpful to know that the median applicant GPA is 3.6 and the median GRE scores are above the 650 range. Having these or better scores is not a guarantee of admission.  Applicants with unusual and/or exemplary achievements relevant to anthropology are welcome even with lower GPA's and/or GRE's.  Candidates from under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. 

Non-acceptance into our program can be based upon any or all of the criteria above, or upon factors that do not reflect on an applicant's merits (for example, when our staff  lack  a professor with expertise in applicants' key area of interest.) Not all applicants, not even those with excellent records, can be accepted, simply because of space limitations. It is important that you provide us with a complete file as early as possible. 

Admissions Process:

Files are created upon receipt of the Graduate School Application Form.    Transcripts and other materials are incorporated into the files as they arrive.  Files must be complete by December 1st.    Files are organized and distributed by major fields of interest.  All Department faculty on campus review files in their fields and are active in making the Department's recommendation to the Graduate School on admission of each applicant.  Outstanding candidates are ranked and nominated for University Fellowships.  Applicants are notified by the Department of its final recommendations to the Graduate School on admission.  Upon review of the Department's recommendation and the applicant's file the Graduate School has the final admission authority and will notify all admitted applicants.