The Graduate Application Process

Application

Applications for graduate study in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Connecticut should be submitted through the Graduate School by December 20, and details of the application process can be found on the Graduate School website. Admission to the Anthropology graduate program is highly competitive, and admissions decisions are made by the Graduate Program Committee, with input from all faculty. The Director of Graduate Studies, Deborah Bolnick, chairs this committee, and general application inquiries may be emailed to her. We look forward to considering the applications of all prospective students, and UConn Anthropology is a welcoming community for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), first-generation, LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual), and international students. 

We judge applicants based upon three primary criteria: academic excellence, preparation in the discipline, and goodness of fit between the student and our program. In reviewing applications, the committee carefully weighs transcripts, the statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation to evaluate the student’s academic background, research interests and professional goals, and achievements. Please note that GRE scores are not required. The statement of purpose is especially important, and should convey (1) the student’s broad research interests and professional goals, (2) the specific research issues and/or questions that the student wishes to address, (3) the student’s reasons for pursuing graduate study, (4) any experiences and/or challenges that have influenced the student’s academic trajectory, and (5) the UConn faculty with whom the student would like to work. These details help us determine which faculty members could serve as the student’s major advisor or on the student’s advisory committee.

We encourage prospective graduate students to read the department website to learn more about the department faculty as well as the courses and research opportunities we offer in the areas of Archaeology, Critical Biocultural Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, and Evolution, Cognition, and Culture. Students should email the faculty members with whom they would like to study before applying, and schedule a time to talk by phone, videoconference, or in person during a campus visit. These meetings are important for helping both the faculty and student determine whether the program is right for the student and whether the student is right for the program. Please note that if a faculty member is traveling for work or research, they may not have regular access to email. If you do not receive a reply to your inquiries, it may be helpful to email Andrea Booth to ask how to best reach the faculty member with whom you wish to speak.

Current graduate students are also a valuable source of information, and more information about them is available here. A list of graduate student peer mentors who have all volunteered to help incoming or prospective graduate students can be found here. We encourage prospective students to email a graduate student working in a similar area of anthropology and/or with a potential advisor to arrange a time to talk by phone, videoconference, or in person to ask questions and get more information about our graduate program, life in Connecticut, and the application process at UConn. Please note that graduate students cannot review application materials, but can provide general recommendations about expectations for the required materials.

You should begin the application process during the fall semester. The deadline for applications is December 20, and admissions decisions are made in the winter and early spring, usually during the month of February, with letters of acceptance or non-acceptance typically mailed in March. Acceptance letters usually contain information regarding any offers of financial aid, although financial details may sometimes be clarified in a subsequent letter.

Please note that the Graduate School will waive the $75 application fee for applicants associated with certain organizations to help increase diversity in the graduate community at UConn. If an applicant does not qualify for the Graduate School’s fee waiver but feels that it would be a financial hardship to pay the application fee, the applicant may email Deborah Bolnick (Director of Graduate Studies for Anthropology) to request a fee waiver. As part of this request, please provide your CV and/or a sentence describing your research interests, and 1-3 sentences explaining your situation. No extensive personal details are required.

Graduate Course Offerings

A complete list of courses offered at a graduate level is maintained and updated here.

Fellowships

In order for an applicant to be considered for one of the following fellowships, the applicant must select that they wish to be considered in SLATE. Recipients of these fellowships will be the most academically promising members of the entering class of graduate students at the University of Connecticut. The criteria used to select recipients include the following:

• Evidence of scholarly or creative achievement highlighted by the department or program in their nomination and evidence that the department or program provides the environment necessary for success in the areas of interest highlighted by the applicant.
• Evidence of any prior scholarly or creative achievement by the nominee, e.g., publications, presentations, exhibits, performances.
• Evidence that the nominee has been successful at previous academic institutions, e.g., letters of recommendation.
• Quantitative evidence of academic accomplishment, e.g., undergraduate grade point average, GRE/GMAT (when available).

The Jorgensen Fellowship (JF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to doctoral programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for five years.

In addition, to be eligible for either the fellowships below, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity in higher education and/or a commitment to enhancing diversity in their field of study.

The Harriott Fellowship (HF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to doctoral programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for five years.

 The Crandall Fellowship (CF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to master’s programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for two years (MFA is for three years).

For HF and CF fellowships students must submit a diversity statement through the SLATE application system. Students can demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity in higher education through participation in organizations or activities that (a) directly relate to increasing access to higher education and retention in higher education of individuals, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, cultural background, religion, or beliefs or (b) that help to ensure that individuals are welcomed and included in higher education environments regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, cultural background, religion, or beliefs. Such organization and activities might include participation/affiliation with TRIO programs, cultural/affinity organizations/centers, volunteer experiences, and college or university committees focused on these goals. Students provide evidence of this commitment through research and educational experience reflected on their CV/resume (articles, presentations, internship, and research experience), in their personal statement, or in letters of recommendations.

More information about fellowships can be found at The Graduate School’s Internal Fellowships Award page here.