How to Apply for Admission to the Department

• Apply online for admission! Note: this is the link for the Graduate School section of the application process only.
• Additional Required Documentation

Undergraduate Preparation:

Students applying for admission to the graduate program in Anthropology should have at least a 3.0 grade point average in their last two years of undergraduate work. Although all applicants will be considered regardless of their previous fields of academic training, students must have earned at least 12 undergraduate credits in anthropology before entering the program, including an undergraduate course equivalent to Language and Culture (ANP 420). Deficiencies in academic training require a student to complete preliminary coursework before being admitted to full graduate status. Students with deficiencies will be informed of their specific make up requirements when they are admitted to the graduate program.

Application Form: (Application Forms are available on-line)

Applications for graduate study at MSU are available online at http://www.msu.edu/user/gradschl/apply.htm. The application fee is also payable on-line. The application includes information about applying for financial aid. The Department requires additional supporting documents, described below. Prospective graduate students in Anthropology should send all supporting materials directly to the Graduate Secretary, Department of Anthropology, 350 Baker Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. An applicant's application form, transcripts, GRE scores, and all supporting documentsmust be received by the Department by December 20.

Supporting documents needed for graduate application:

Send these materials directly to the Department

Prospective graduate students in Anthropology must also submit additional information directly to the Graduate Admissions, Department of Anthropology, 350 Baker Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.

This Application Cover Sheet and Instructions must be included as the cover sheet for the package of supporting documents. It also provides detailed information about the various documents. Briefly, the prospective student's complete application will include the online application for graduate study AND the following supporting documents:

1. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate study.
2. Official report of GRE scores, taken within the last five years, and sent directly to the Department. 1456 MSU; 1701 Copy for ANP
3. Three letters of recommendation, each with a Coversheet for letters of recommendation. The Department requires confidential letters of recommendation, so prospective students should check the "waiver" box on the form.
4. One or two writing samples, such as copies of undergraduate research papers.
5. A 1-2 page statement of "Plans and Goals for Graduate Study" in Anthropology at MSU.
6. A curriculum vitae

Application Deadline:

Graduate students are admitted for the Fall semester only. All necessary materials must arrive at the Department by December 20. This deadline applies even to students who are not requesting any financial aid. The Department's Admissions Committee finalizes decisions on admissions and most of the year's financial aid by mid-May.

Admissions Criteria:

The Graduate Admissions Committee considers not only the student's past preparation and performance, but also his or her interests and needs and whether or not these can best be accommodated by the graduate program of this department.

Credit for Prior Work at MSU:

Some students may have earned graduate-level credits in anthropology as an undergraduate or as a non-degree student before admission to the graduate program. The first 9 of these credits are considered to be preparatory and may not be applied to a graduate degree in Anthropology. A student admitted under the Lifelong Education program may petition the Department to apply up to 9 credits to a graduate degree. Students may not enroll in ANP 840 or 855 under the Lifelong Education Program. Courses earned under the Undergraduate Lifelong Education status cannot be applied to a graduate degree program.