Prospective Graduate - Application Page

Anthropology Application Checklist 

For the 2023-2024 Academic Year, the Application Deadline is December 4, 2023, 11:59 pm PST

Please also visit the UCSB Graduate Divsion wesbite: How to Apply or see above for other helpful links.

  1. Application Fee:

    • The non-refundable graduate application fee is $135.00 for US citizens and Permanent Residents; and $155.00 for all others, paid in US dollars by check, money order, or credit card. 

    • No application will be processed until the application fee has been received. This fee can be paid by credit card or with a check/money order using the Check/Money Order Submission Form found on the last page of the application. 

    • A limited number of Application Fee Waivers are available to qualified U.S. citizens and permanent residents who demonstrate evidence of financial need or proof of participation in an undergraduate research program. A fee waiver can be found within the online application.

  2. Official transcripts: 
    • PLEASE NOTE: YOU DO NOT NEED TO SEND COPIES OF YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY UNTIL YOUR APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED. 
    • ​During the initial phase of application process, simply upload one copy of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended into the application system. 
    • If your application is accepted by the Department of Anthropology, you will then be required to submit single copies of Official Transcripts to UCSB Graduate Division to verify your enrollment eligibility. 
  3. Statement of Purpose:
    • A brief statement outlining your reasons for undertaking a graduate program, your particular area of specialization within the major field, your past academic work, and your plans for future occupation or profession. Also include any additional information that may assist the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UC Santa Barbara. Your statement should demonstrate a clear focus of research interests including both geographical and topical specialties. Approximately two pages or more is typially recommended. 
  4. Personal History and Diversity Statment:
    • UC Santa Barbara is interested in a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. Describe any aspects of your personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that you feel are important in evaluating your application for graduate study.
    • For example, please describe if you:
      • Have experienced economic challenges in achieving higher education, such as being financially responsible for family members or dependents, having to work significant hours during undergraduate schooling or coming from a family background of limited income.
      • Have any unusual or varied life experiences that might contribute to the diversity of the graduate group, such as fluency in other languages, experience living in bi-cultural communities, academic research interests focusing on cultural, societal, or educational problems as they affect under-served segments of society, or evidence of an intention to use the graduate degree toward serving disadvantaged individuals or populations.
    • Your Personal History and Diversity Statement must be written in narrative (essay) form without duplicating content from your Statement of Purpose. A minimum word count of 250 words is required. There is no maximum length requirement. Most statements are typically 1-2 pages. 
  5. Curriculum Vitae (CV):
    • Our department strongly prefers the inclusion of a Curriculum Vitae (CV). A CV provides a comprehensive history of your academic credentials, showcasing your educational background, research experience, and any relevant achievements. We believe that a CV offers a more detailed overview of your qualifications, allowing us to better understand your academic journey and accomplishments. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a well-prepared CV along with the other required application materials. ​
  6. Three Letters of Recommendation: 
    • Letters should ideally come from professors who know the applicant's work very well and who can comment in detail. Letters should be requested and submitted through the online application process.
  7. Writing Sample: 
    • ​​This should be a paper or thesis with a minimum length of 10 double-spaced typed pages prepared for a course or to satisfy a degree requirement.
    • The applicant should be the sole author and editor of the paper or thesis.
    • The cover page should specify the course or degree requirement for which the paper or thesis was written, as well as the name and institutional affiliation of the faculty member who graded or reviewed the paper.
    • Applicants who have not attended college for some time and therefore do not have a course paper or thesis, may submit a nonacademic writing sample of comparable length, so long as a specific person in a position of authority can verify that the applicant is the sole author and editor of the paper.
    • Please add the writing sample as an "Other Type of Document," that can be found by using the Document Type dropdown menu in the application.
  8. TOEFL/IELTS:
    • Scores are required of any student with a bachelor's degree from a foreign university or if English is not his/her or their native language.
  9. GRE:
    • We do NOT require the GRE.