Admissions FAQ
Quick Notes:
Do:
- Read through the FAQ and the Anthropology and GIAC admissions pages before contacting our office or GIAC.
- Include your UT EID and full name when emailing the Admissions Coordinator or sending any documents (see below).
- Make sure your all of your documents are PDFs before uploading.
- Proofread twice, upload once. You will be able to upload each document only once. Make sure the PDF for each item includes the entire document and is the version that you want to submit. International students should include a copy of the English translation of their transcript(s) in the same PDF.
Don’t:
- Don't send any paper documents to our office or the GIAC office without contacting the Admissions Coordinator first. In most cases, it will not be necessary. 99% of all applications should be paperless.
- Don't use your Social Security number as an identifier. Please use only your full name and UT EID.
What part of the application should I complete first?
The Texas Common Application is the first step in the application process- all other materials can be uploaded once the application has been submitted to and accepted by Graduate and International Admissions (GIAC). You will need to pay the application fee or receive a waiver in order for the application to be accepted. Acceptance by GIAC may take 24 hours or more- please make sure that your application is submitted in time for the December 1st deadline.
How can I request a waiver for the application fee?
Please visit the Graduate School’s site: http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/admissions/fee_waiver.html
Why is your admissions deadline so early?
GIAC processes and verifies applicant materials for the entire university. Transcripts are audited, scores assessed and applications checked for completeness before GIAC refers applications to the Department for review.
What should I include in the statement of purpose?
The statement of purpose should include your research interests and plans, reasons for selecting our program (and faculty), knowledge of current theory and practice as well as relevant prior experience, training and publications. Strive for clarity and be concise. Try to complete your statement of purpose early enough to allow for edits and revisions as well as for review by current advisors if possible.
How should I submit my statement of purpose? According to the application, if I submit it online I am limited to just 120 lines.
We recommend that you upload your statement of purpose after completing your online application. Complete your application and when you are emailed the link to upload application materials, upload a pdf of your statement. Remember that you are allowed to upload your statement once- please review and edit carefully.
The instructions say to upload copies of my official transcripts and that only admitted students will need to submit official copies. Can you explain this in a bit more detail?
Sure. You will need to obtain copies of the official transcripts from each 4-year college that you have attended. Scan each transcript into a document (i.e., if the transcript is 3 pages long, keep all three pages in one document) and have it converted into a pdf. You should see a drop-down menu with a line for each transcript, which will take you to the upload page. Make sure that you match the correct transcript to the proper page- you’ll have just one chance to upload each document.
Should you be admitted to the University of Texas for graduate study, you will need to submit the originals before registering. These can actually be the originals that you scanned - they will be acceptable according to GIAC.
Unfortunately, if you attended the University of Texas at Austin for undergraduate study you will not be able to escape the $10 electronic transcript fee when applying. However, you will not have to submit the UT transcript later.
Can I upload a grade sheet instead of my transcripts?
No, only transcripts will be accepted.
Do you admit non-degree-seeking students?
No.
Do you admit part-time students?
No.
Is the GRE required?
Yes. A current GRE score is required.
What GRE scores/GPA are acceptable?
The department places no specific restrictions on GRE scores or GPA, however, the Office of Graduate Studies may choose to deny an applicant with extremely low scores or GPA.
Can I apply to the program even if I do not have a Bachelor’s degree (or M.A.) in Anthropology?
Yes, it is possible to apply and be accepted with an undergraduate degree or Master’s degree in a related field. Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and the materials should show that an applicant is familiar with their chosen field as well as prepared to engage in research and scholarship in anthropology.
Does my statement of purpose/writing sample/transcript/letter of recommendation/CV need to be in English?
Yes. Multiple members of our faculty review each application and all components should be in English or include an English translation.
Should I contact faculty about the program before applying?
It’s a good idea to contact faculty members with whom you are interested in working were you to attend UT. Before doing so, please familiarize yourself with the faculty member’s research and interests (faculty profiles and CVs are available on our website). Then, when you e-mail the faculty, please briefly introduce yourself, your research interests and why you are contacting them.
Who should I contact about campus visits?
If you plan to visit campus and would like to meet with faculty, you should communicate with them directly. If you would like to sit in on a class, first identify the class(es) you would like to sit in on by reviewing the course schedule (http://registrar.utexas.edu/schedules/) before contacting the professor for permission to visit the class. It is also a good idea to check the faculty member’s office hours on the website when arranging a visit.
For more general information about the program or for information on applying to the graduate program, you may contact the Graduate Admissions Coordinator at adriana.d@mail.utexas.edu or (512) 232-2188.
