Application Tips

The admission process to the graduate program can be found below. The Annual Graduate Application Deadline for Department of Anthropology is the first Friday in January. Please download the application checklist to insure you have completed all the required steps in the application process.


Erika Gerety
erika@unm.edu
(505) 277-2732

For graduate advisement questions specific to your subfield interest contact the following graduate faculty advisors:

Archaeology
Frances M. Hayashida
fmh@unm.edu
(505) 990-7261
Evolutionary Anthropology
Martin Muller
muller@unm.edu
(505) 277-3000
Ethnology/Linguistics
Les Field
lesfield@unm.edu
(505) 277-6558
Admissions
Graduate Application Procedure
Application Process
Graduate Application Requirements
Application Tips
Compliance with The American with Disabilities Act

Application Procedure
Deadline
Requirements
Application destination / Mailing Address

Deadline

The Graduate Application Deadline for Department of Anthropology is the first Friday in January for a fall admission of the same calendar year. All application materials must be received by the deadline. We have only one open admission per year.

Requirements

The University provides the option of either an on-line application form or a hard copy (available from the department or as a download on-line). However additional materials are required as well (see below). If you are submitting an on-line application, please provide printed verification of the application submitted along with the additional application materials. Download the application checklist to insure you are complying with all requirements.
OGS Admissions Information >>

Application – Sent to UNM’s Admissions office (address below):

1. Online applications or a downloaded (printed) application and registration form.
2. Application fee ($50)

We recommend that you request an official transcript for your own files as a back up.
OGS Admissions Information >>

Required Additional Materials Sent to the Department of Anthropology (address below):

1. Departmental Application Form (click here to download)
2. Three letters of recommendation using UNM recommendation form (click here to download), or equivalent.
3. GRE scores (required of all applicants including those with a Master’s degree)
4. Letter of intent (Please indicate which sub-field you are interested in)
5. One official transcript

Note: International students will be required to submit application materials and additional materials to the International Admissions Office. Contact the Office of International Admissions for detailed information and instructions. The International Admissions office will determine if an application file is complete when the application has met the departmental requirements listed above plus the additional materials required by International Admissions (TOEFL, Certification of Financial Responsibility, etc). Applicants must adhere to both the department and the International Admissions deadline. You may contact their office via phone: (505) 277-5829; FAX: (505) 277-1867; Email: goglobal@unm.edu; or view requirements on their website.

Application Destination

Application:
The University of New Mexico
Office of Admissions
Attn: Graduate Studies
P.O. Box 4849
1 University of New Mexico
MSC 06-3720
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4895

Required Additional Materials:
Department of Anthropology
Attn: Erika Gerety
Program Advisement Coordinator
MSC01-1040
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131-0001

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Application Process
Department decisions
Funding packages
Applicant decision deadline
Deferred admission

Department decisions

After the deadline applications are divided and filed by subfield. Faculty from a given subfield will review only the applicant files from that subfield. Decisions are made between mid February and early March. Decision letters will be sent to all applicants.

Funding packages

Funding packages are offered to a select number of admitted students. No need to apply. Preference for Federal Financial Aid is given to students at UNM who file their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before March 1st. Therefore even if you are applying to several schools, it is best to apply before March 1st and list UNM as one of your potential schools.

Applicant decision deadline

We will request that applicants offered funding make a relatively quick decision, as there is always a waiting list for funding packages. However, admitted students have until mid April to make a decision. In certain circumstances, students needing more time may contact the department and request it.

Deferred admission

Once accepted, it is possible for an applicant to defer admission to the following year. However, the subfield faculty upon request from the applicant must approve deferred admission. Also, students who deferred are still required to send a new application form and any updated transcripts the following year to meet OGS requirements.

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Minimum application requirements
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Complete Application received by the deadline
  • A Bachelors degree (Students may apply while finishing their last semester at an institution. However, if admitted, the student will remain in temporary status until a transcript is provided with the completed degree for a maximum of a year)

Application tips:
Letter of Intent
Frequently Asked Questions

Letter of Intent

It is particularly important to be explicit in choosing a subfield. Applications are first sorted and then reviewed by the faculty of a chosen subfield. Applications without an explicit choice indicated may be sorted into the incorrect subfield. If you are unsure, please contact sub-field advisor.

The Letter of Intent is an important part of your application. There are some good guidelines about how to write a Letter of Intent otherwise known as a Statement Letter on the OGS website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply directly to the PhD Program even if I do not have a Master’s degree? – Yes, students with a Bachelor’s degree get admitted to the PhD program and pick up a Master’s along the way.

If I have a Master’s already, will it transfer? – Technically we can accept up to 50% of course work completed for a Masters, but it will be up to the Subfield Graduate advisor to determine what transfer coursework the subfield will allow. Also coursework can only be applied if it was taken within a 5-year period. Students will be required to take a Master’s exam and pass at a PhD level to continue on to the PhD program.

What is the minimum GPA? - The minimum GPA is 3.0. However the average GPA, of those admitted in past years, is 3.6.

What GRE scores are required? - There is no minimum set by the department. However, average composite of the GRE (verbal and quantitative) scores for those admitted in the past ranged from 900-1600. Generally an average of 80% below is good for the analytical section.

Do I need to send a writing sample? - No

What is the School Code and the Department Code for the GRE exam? School is 4845 and dept is 1701

What is the “Major Code” on the admission application?
MA - ANTH
MS- ANTH
PHD - ANTH

What is the “Graduate Unit” on the admission application? Anthropology

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Compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA):
To comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, UNM provides this information in alternative formats. If you require an auxiliary aid or service please contact Student Support Services Upward Bound at (505) 277-3506

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Maxwell Museum
Human Nature
To support the Anthropology Newsletter, the department has designed the bag and mug pictured above. The 12 oz mug, in black and red, is very attractive and the shopping bag, made of 100% recyclable materials, is machine washable (do not put in dryer) and has been manufactured to reduce our use of plastic bags from the grocery store. You may receive either item for a donation of the following amount: Mug $15.00, Bag $12.50 (prices include shipping within US)

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