The following must be completed/received by the DECEMBER 1 deadline:
Online Application for Admission
- Apply to the Anthropology Graduate Program here: https://explore.msu.edu/apply/. The application fee is payable online with a credit card. Make sure you check the area of interest and list faculty members with whom you wish to work.
- Michigan State University now requires applicants to pay the application fee before a department can access the application. Applications must be complete and the fee paid before they are reviewed.
- Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to insure that it is complete to meet the December 1 deadline. Prior to submitting your application, you may save and revise it as often as you wish.
Documentation that MUST be uploaded to your application via the student portal
- Personal Statement. The personal statement focuses on your ability and preparation to do graduate level scholarly work, as well as personal and professional experiences that may have led to your interest in anthropology. Therefore, in this essay you should emphasize your academic and personal preparation for graduate study, including undergraduate coursework and professional experiences, awards, and undergraduate research experience. Highlight leadership opportunities and how your personal history and experience can promote the understanding among persons of different backgrounds and ideas.
- Academic Statement. The Academic Statement should be a 1-2 pp, double-spaced essay. This is a forward-looking statement that should focus on why you are interested in graduate study in anthropology, and your interest in pursuing graduate education here. Some questions to consider: Why do you think that MSU would be a good fit for your graduate education? What topics and geographic areas are you particularly interested in? Include a brief summary of communications you have had with potential faculty advisors and explain why you believe they are a good match. How do you anticipate that your graduate studies in anthropology at MSU will prepare you for your career?
- Writing samples. One or two writing samples: undergraduate or graduate research papers, published paper or copy of presented conference paper or poster.
- Letters of recommendation. Three letters of recommendation from persons of high credibility who are in a position to judge the applicant’s academic ability and accomplishments. Letters of recommendation can only be submitted by the recommenders via the online application.
- Curriculum vitae. The CV outlines your professional training and accomplishments. The Department appreciates that incoming students with extensive experience or prior graduate education will have a lengthier CV than students who are applying for graduate school directly after obtaining the bachelor’s degree. Although the format of a CV can vary, the following topics are usually included (as appropriate):
- Your name, email address, contact information
- Education (list of institutions, your major field of study, graduation dates)
- Honors and awards (honorary society memberships, graduation honors)
- Fellowships and grants received (for example: for undergraduate or graduate study, for travel)
- Research interests (for example: possible geographic area of interest, possible general topics of interest)
- Relevant experience (for example: intensive travel, fieldwork (including field schools), research experience, relevant professional experience, relevant volunteer experience)
- Any publications (or unpublished manuscripts, including the title of your bachelor’s thesis, or master’s thesis, as appropriate; fieldwork reports, research reports, papers or posters presented to a professional audience or at a public event)
Other Required Documents
In addition to the online admissions application, a complete application file must include the following:
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate study. Transcripts for coursework completed at MSU are not required. Transcripts should be mailed directly to the department for uploading to your application.
- For international applicants Michigan State University (MSU), requires these documents in the original (native) language as well as an official English translation. International applicants must also submit an official copy of their diploma (in both English and the native language). Mail transcripts to:
Department of Anthropology
655 Auditorium Road,
Room #350
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
- Official GRE scores. The student must ensure that his/her official report of GRE scores is sent to Michigan State University directly from the testing agency (http://www.ets.org/gre). The university code for MSU is: 1465. You should have your GRE scores sent to MSU at least 6 weeks in advance of the application deadline of December 1. The GRE must have been taken within five years prior to application for graduate study. You will enter your scores on the application if they are available, but you must also have the official report sent to the university. We do not have a required minimum GRE score. In general, a more recent score is most helpful in the admissions process. No one is turned down for admission based solely on GRE scores.
- For International students, if English is not your first language, TOEFL scores are required in addition to the GRE scores. University code: 1465. The Graduate School website provides additional information for international applicants at https://grad.msu.edu/internationalapplicants.
Additional information related to admissions can be found on the prospective graduate student link on the department website at https://anthropology.msu.edu/graduate/prospective-students/ and Appendix 16 of the Graduate Manual.
Contact information for the Graduate Program is listed below:
Department of Anthropology
Graduate Programs Office
Michigan State University
655 Auditorium Road, Room 350
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 432-1445
Academic Program Coordinator: Catherine Pierce: anpgrad@msu.edu
Graduate Program Director: Dr. Stacey Camp e-mail: campstac@msu.edu
Feel free to contact faculty and graduate students directly. Bio statements and e-mail addresses are available from the “People” link on the department website.