Admission

Apply

To apply to graduate degree programs in the Department of Anthropology, please go to the University Registrar, Graduate Admissions web page located at https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/apply/apply-now.

For Additional Information about applying to Stanford University, go to:

2024-2025 Academic year Graduate Application Deadline: Tuesday, December 5, 2023

The graduate application submission deadline for the 2024-2025 academic year is Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 11:59pm (PST).

Please submit the application with the required articles (i.e. unofficial transcript(s), letters of recommendation, writing sample, statement of purpose, TOFEL test scores-if required…), by the published deadline in the box above. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Please note: The GRE test score(s) is not required for admission to the graduate program in Anthropology.

General Admissions Timeline
  • Anthropology Ph.D. application submission deadline early December

  • Faculty review of Ph.D. applications beginning mid December

  • Notification to applicants for call to interview early February

  • Interviews scheduled mid February

  • Decision status notification end February

Application Process

The Department of Anthropology welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. Review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays in order to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field.

The Anthropology Department recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Stanford University offers several fee reduction programs. For additional information on this University policy, please see Grad Admissions Application Fee.

The Department of Anthropology does not offer a fee waiver.

Department Application Requirements
  1. Submission of the Stanford University Electronic Graduate Admissions Application by the published deadline. Please review the information and instructions, for accessing the electronic application, via the Stanford University Graduate Admissions webpages located at https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/apply-now. To choose the Anthropology graduate degree program, search for the Department of Anthropology in the School of Humanities and Sciences.
  2. Submission of the Writing Sample detailing evidence of both writing ability, the capacity for research, analysis, original thought at the graduate level, and demonstration of the ability to use theory in relation to evidence. Please submit a sample, via electronic .pdf file upload directly to the electronic graduate application. 
  3. The University Registrar, Office of Graduate Admissions, requires unofficial transcripts (from all universities and colleges attended for at least one year) to be uploaded, from a scanned copy, directly to the graduate application.
    • After the deadline for submission, the department will proceed with an evaluation of the applicant materials based on the uploaded unofficial scanned transcript copy.
    • Official transcript(s) will be required only after an applicant accepts an offer of admission.
  4. Submission of required test scores by way of the Educational Testing Service (ETS) listing the Stanford University Institutional code: 4704 (there is no department or school code, only the University code)
    • GRE general test is not required
    • TOEFL for all foreign national applicants (please see the information listed at University Registrar Office of Graduate Admissions for exceptions to the requirement). Other equivalent test scores (i.e. IELTS) will not be accepted.
  5. Submission of a statement of purpose detailing academic and professional preparation for the Anthropology graduate degree program. Please submit a statement via electronic .pdf file upload directly to the electronic graduate application.
  6. Submission of three letters of recommendation, only. Please review the University Registrar Office of Graduate Admissions instructions for submission of the letters of recommendation. Important - Letters must be submitted electronically by each recommender. A private letter/credentialing service is not permitted. All letters should be received by the published deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to communicate with each recommender to ensure that the department’s deadline for submission of the electronic graduate application will be met.
Special Programs at Stanford University for entering Ph.D. degree program applicants

Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program

Join dozens of Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS).

KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford.

Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment.

If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about KHS admission.

 

Medical Scientist Training Program

MSTP application in conjunction with social science Ph.D. programs is only permitted for current Stanford M.D. students previously admitted to a social science Ph.D. program, through their Ph.D. application process.

Stanford M.D. students admitted to a Social Science Ph.D. Program may apply for MSTP funding through the MSTP internal admissions process. For more information, please go to https://med.stanford.edu/mstp/admissions.html

Contact Information

Department of Anthropology Contact Information:
Web page: https://anthropology.stanford.edu
E-mail: anth_gradadmission [at] stanford.edu

Mailing Address:
Department of Anthropology
450 Jane Stanford Way, Main Quadrangle, Building 50, Room 51G
Stanford, CA 94305-2034