Admission Process
Each year the Department receives more than 200 applications, and less than 10% of those matriculate. The statement of purpose is a very important part of the application. Applicants should use this opportunity to discuss their research and professional goals and, if possible, to indicate how they might be accomplished at the University of Chicago. Letters of reference should come from people who are familiar with those aspects of the applicant’s background, broadly defined, that are relevant to graduate study in anthropology.
All applications are considered together in the admissions competition. Accordingly, applicants are strongly advised to take the GRE by October (December at the latest), to request letters of recommendation sufficiently early to ensure their timely submission, and to make sure that the application is complete by the deadline. At the Department’s discretion, incomplete applications may be reviewed only during the review period, and they may be excluded from the competition.
The Department welcomes applications from a variety of academic backgrounds; previous study of anthropology is not required. A writing sample (requested of all applicants) of no more than 20 pages should demonstrate the ability to write clearly and make a cogent argument. Writing samples may be a short research paper, an excerpt from a bachelor’s thesis, or an essay exam.
Applicants may address general questions to Anne Ch’ien, Administrator for the Graduate Program, 773-702-8551; amchien@uchicago.edu
This year’s application due date is December 10.
The GRE Institution Code is 1832
The GRE Department Code is 2299
Packets of supplemental materials for your application should be mailed by the due date not directly to Anthropology but rather to:
Social Science Admissions
1130 East 59th Street
Chicago, IL 60637