Application FAQs

How many total applications do you receive? How many are offered admission?

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

Will the department notify me that they received my application?

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. 

What is your policy on deferring admission?

Students may defer admission when rare situations or unforeseen, extenuating circumstances occur that affect an applicant’s ability to enroll. These situations may include: a medical emergency; a family emergency; delay or denial of a visa to study in the United States; or natural disaster. 

When these types of circumstances occur, an admitted student may request to defer enrollment (referred to as deferred admission) for up to one year following the original term of application. A new application and application fee are not required.

Typically, circumstances such as employment, enrollment at another institution, funding, or indecisiveness regarding enrollment are not appropriate justifications for requesting deferred enrollment.

Students must directly notify the Department’s Graduate Program (anthro.grad.program@umich.edu). If you have been offered funding and choose to defer, you will not necessarily receive the same funding the following year. 

How can I improve my application?

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:

1) 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;
2) Contact current and previous institutions about submitting transcripts. We cannot consider your application without them;
3) Reach out about letters of recommendation in advance--try to have at least two letters that are from academic sources (ex. professors or advisors);
4) 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;
5) 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. 

When does the application open and close?

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.  

Will you accept any application materials after the deadline?

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. 

Is there a deadline to submit a request for an application fee waiver?

The deadline to submit a fee waiver request is 2 weeks before the application deadline. Fee waivers are limited.

When should I expect to hear a decision?

Applicants will be notified of decisions in mid-February. 

Do you have a Master's degree program?

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.

Do I need a Master's degree to enter your program?

No. A student can apply to our program with either a Master's or a Bachelor's degree. Those with a Master's are reviewed in the same applicant pool as those with a Bachelor's degree.

If I currently have a Master's degree, can I apply it towards your program requirements?

Maybe. After you are admitted, you will need to meet with the Director of Graduate Studies to see if your Master's degree can be declared relevant towards our program. However, possessing a Master's is not likely to reduce your time to degree.

What is the time to degree for your PhD program?

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

Should I send anything directly to the Department of Anthropology?

No. All application materials should be submitted through Rackham Graduate School’s online application. Official transcripts should also be sent directly to Rackham. When you submit your online application, it is automatically available to both Rackham and the department. Please check to make sure all materials are uploaded correctly before submitting your application. 

What is the difference between "Topical Interest" and "Area Interest" on the application?

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, France, large cities in the U.S., the Middle East, etc.

This does not need to be a paragraph description and there is no length requirement--you may use bullet points or a list format.

How do I resend a letter of recommendation request?

As the applicant, you must log back into your online application account to resend any information to your recommenders. If that does not work, email Rackham at rackadmis@umich.edu to submit a question about the online application system.

It is required that you submit your letters through the online application system so they will be automatically accessible to the admissions committee. You must select 'Yes' under Use Online Recommendation System? to send requests to referees. 

How do I submit my transcripts?

Scanned or electronic copies of your official transcripts should be submitted with your online application. Screen shots of your grades from an online student account are NOT acceptable.

Applicants should 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 students can submit final official transcripts with your graduate application or after you are recommended for admission.

Review Rackham's Transcripts Section for more information. 

What kinds of funding do you offer?

We typically offer a 5-year/10-term funding package to incoming students. All applicants are automatically considered for Department funding, as well as the Rackham Merit Fellowship.

We strongly recommend that all applicants apply for external funding as well. You can browse the Current Student Resources section of our website and Rackham’s Funding Resources for external funding sources.

Are there additional funding sources for international students?

International applicants should note that in addition to the Department financial resources, applicants should investigate various funding sources such as the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, or Rotary International. Rackham also offers a fellowship for international students.

Are there additional funding sources for non-traditional 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.

How do I submit an Affidavit of Financial Support?

Please do NOT submit financial information at the time of application; this only applies to international students.

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.

Who do I contact about general financial aid, loans, and student employment information?

Please contact the U-M Office of Financial Aid at financial.aid@umich.edu.

Do you offer Prospective Student Information sessions?

We do not currently have Prospective Student Information sessions. If you would like to meet with our Graduate Program Assistant, please email anthro.grad.program@umich.edu and we can schedule an individual meeting to discuss any questions or concerns.

Can I contact faculty before submitting my application?

Yes! We encourage prospective students to reach out to faculty members to discuss potential research interests, as well as advising, department culture, etc. Visit our faculty profiles page for research descriptions and contact information. 

Please keep in mind that our faculty members are very busy, especially during the academic year, and allow them a few days to see your request before reaching out again. 

Can I schedule an in-person visit to the department?

Yes! If you would like to meet with faculty or someone from our Graduate Program, please reach out via email to arrange an in-person meeting. Faculty emails can be found on the faculty profiles page and/or email anthro.grad.program@umich.edu to contact our Graduate Program staff.

One opportunity for accepted students to visit is Recruitment Weekend, which takes place mid-March. Attendees will learn first-hand about the life of a graduate student in our Anthropology program, have some one-on-one time with faculty, and meet current graduate students.