Graduate Program>Admissions Guide

Application Procedure

The application procedure has three steps and two submission deadlines. Step 1 must be completed by December 15th. The materials for step 2 and step 3 must be received (or postmarked) by January 10th.

Step 1: Electronic Application to San Diego State University via CSUMentor (Online application must be completed and fee paid by December 15th)

Every applicant must apply electronically to the CSU via the CSUmentor. There is a $55 application fee. It is vital to complete the CSU application as soon as possible in order to be issued your RED ID NUMBER. After you submit your electronic application, instructions on how to obtain your red ID number will be sent to you via e-mail within three days.This number will allow you to track your application status with SDSU webportal and will enable the department to create and monitor your application file. Note that applicants do not need to submit a statement of purpose via CSUMentor and can put "Statement sent directly to department/program" in the text box

Step 2: Send official transcripts and GRE scores to SDSU Graduate Admissions (Graduate Admissions must receive these materials by January 10th)

Only after you have applied through CSUMentor and received your red id, should you send official transcripts and GRE scores. Sending transcripts before submitting your electronic application via CSUmentor can result in processing delays. You must provide:

1. One official transcript (in sealed envelopes) from all colleges and universities attended. Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
   
   
2. GRE test scores sent directly from ETS (www.ets.org, SDSU Institution Code 4682). You should take the GRE on or before December 1st to ensure that your scores are received by SDSU before the January 10th deadline.

The above materials should be sent to:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-7416 Telephone: (619) 594-6336

You can monitor the status of your application by checking your account on SDSU Webportal. We strongly suggest that you frequently check your account on SDSU Webportal during the admissions process to ensure that SDSU graduate admissions has received your documents.

Step 3: Submit anthropology department application materials (The Department of Anthropology must receive these materials by January 10th)

1. Anthropology department application. (.doc)
   
   
2. A statement of purpose demonstrating a clear focus of research interests, including both geographical and topical interests. Your statement of purpose is a very important part of the application, as it allows the faculty to look for excellent writing ability, clarity of purpose, realistic assessments of both your skills and the anthropological profession, and an indication that you selected our department for a specific reason. The statement should include the name of at least one SDSU anthropology faculty member who would be a suitable thesis adviser and an explanation why you selected them.
   
   
3. Photocopies of transcripts from all colleges and universities attended (these do not need to be official copies).
   
   
4. One photocopy of your GRE test scores. All we need is a photocopy or printout from the GRE website. Your official copies should be sent directly to SDSU Graduate Admissions.
   
   
5. An optional application (.doc) for Graduate Assistant or Instructional Student Assistant (reader) positions.
   
   
6. Three letters of recommendation from persons in a position to judge your academic ability. We prefer that letters be sent to the applicant, to be included with the other application materials. If your referees prefer to send them directly to the department, this is acceptable (though not preferred). The letters should be received in a sealed envelope with the recommender's signature on the back flap.
   
   
7. A sample of written work representative of your research and writing skills.

Please mail or deliver the above materials to:

Department of Anthropology
(MA application enclosed)
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-6040

Selection process

Prospective applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements and submit a complete application are reviewed and ranked by all department faculty. Each faculty member weighs admission criteria differently. In general, admission decisions are based on a combination of factors that include (but not necessarily in this order): a strong statement of purpose outlining a clear research focus; letters of recommendation from qualified recommenders that describe the applicant’s specific achievements; overall undergraduate academic performance; and significant professional experience.