Department Application Requirements

  • Submission of the Stanford University Graduate Admissions Electronic Application by the published deadline.
  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Submission of a statement of purpose detailing academic and professional preparation for the Anthropology graduate degree program. 
  • Submission of three letters of recommendation. Please review the University Registrar Office of Graduate Admissions instructions for submission of the letters of recommendation. Letters must be submitted electronically by each recommender. A private letter/credentialing service is not permitted. 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.

The application, along with all supporting articles, (i.e. official transcript(s), letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, writing sample, ETS test scores for the TOFEL - if required) must be submitted electronically to the graduate application by the published deadline. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Process Information

The selection of graduate students admitted to the Department of Anthropology is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including, but not limited to, the applicant's academic record, letters of recommendation, TOEFL test scores if required, the statement of purpose, personal qualities and characteristics, and past accomplishments.