Success in grad school starts before you even apply.
There are many things you can do to prepare for a successful experience in graduate school. But before you even apply, you should look at an institution's faculty. Read the published work of potential advisors and then reach out - set up an informal meeting in person, over the phone, or even on zoom in order to learn more about the program, the professors, and what resources might be available to you. Graduate school, and the mentor-mentee relationship, is a long-term commitment and you want to make sure a program will be the right fit for you and your goals.
For most applications, you'll need a personal statement as well as letters of recommendation. Make sure you tailor your personal statement to each institution where you are applying. Identify the faculty you want to work with and how you see your research fitting into the program. If you need to have someone write you a recommendation letter, make sure to provide them everything they will need (your CV, personal statement, and any other relevant information) and at least two weeks to write (three or more is better!). Also make sure to include the application deadlines in your request. This Student Reference Letters policy has excellent suggestions for the best ways to make these requests.
Here are some additional resources:
The #HiddenCurriculum of Applying to Graduate School (for Anthropology)
So, You’re Thinking about Graduate School in Anthropology?
For most applications, you'll need a personal statement as well as letters of recommendation. Make sure you tailor your personal statement to each institution where you are applying. Identify the faculty you want to work with and how you see your research fitting into the program. If you need to have someone write you a recommendation letter, make sure to provide them everything they will need (your CV, personal statement, and any other relevant information) and at least two weeks to write (three or more is better!). Also make sure to include the application deadlines in your request. This Student Reference Letters policy has excellent suggestions for the best ways to make these requests.
Here are some additional resources:
The #HiddenCurriculum of Applying to Graduate School (for Anthropology)
So, You’re Thinking about Graduate School in Anthropology?
Success during grad school depends on your investment in yourself.
Resources for professional success and personal development. It is essential that you take advantage of the resources available to you while in school. The university setting is unlike any other. You'll have direct access to those doing the kind of work you'd like to do. Go to your professors' office hours and talk about your goals. Attend public lectures and professional conferences to learn where the discipline is going. Get involved with departmental and university organizations that can help foster your success. Start a journal club with friends. Check out the clubs or university programs available to you.
Expectations and deadlines. Make sure to familiarize yourself with deadlines and expectations, from your department AND the graduate school. There are many phases to grad school, with attendant paperwork. Missing a form deadline because you didn't realize it existed will impede your progress, so make sure you know what is expected and when. As noted regarding recommendation letters, you need to give people lead time when making a request. When it comes to reviewing a thesis/PhD/grant proposal, you'll need to provide even more lead time. Along those lines, make sure you know your institution's process for grant submission. You may have a lot more paperwork and deadlines than you realize! Talk to your major advisor about your goals and timeline so that you can set expectations and a timeline for your degree together.
The syllabus. You'll hear it again and again but - read the syllabi for your courses. Then read it again and keep it handy! The syllabus is a contract between you and your professor. We all know that things change, but the syllabus should give you a timeline for your semester (assignment due dates) as well as the readings you will need to complete and a general rubric for each assignment or exam.
Work the classes. As much as possible, orient your assignments around the topics you're interested in investigating. This will allow you to use your classes to further develop your ideas and to plan for your thesis or dissertation.
Writing is thinking and writing is rewriting. You may have hundreds of great ideas but you need to be able to express them to effectively develop them into research - writing helps immensely with this process. When it comes to your papers and publications, remember that "There's no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting" (Robert Graves). One of the best things you can do is find a peer editor - someone you can trade work with and who will give you honest feedback. Keep in mind that critique is not criticism. Your reviewers, professors, and peers want to see you succeed, and the feedback they offer is intended to help improve your work. Be open to growth and remember that your readers do not see your work, they see your product. Make it the best you can.
Remember who you are and why you're here. Graduate school is challenging and it can be easy to succumb to the stress and frustration. Try to focus on the positive and to remember not just why you're here, but who you are. You will be busy but build in time to do things that help you maintain a sense of identity outside of academia. It will still be stressful but the opportunity to attend graduate school is a privilege available to very few. As long as you can find joy in your work, it will be worth it. If you're struggling to find the excitement, it's okay to reevaluate your goals!
Expectations and deadlines. Make sure to familiarize yourself with deadlines and expectations, from your department AND the graduate school. There are many phases to grad school, with attendant paperwork. Missing a form deadline because you didn't realize it existed will impede your progress, so make sure you know what is expected and when. As noted regarding recommendation letters, you need to give people lead time when making a request. When it comes to reviewing a thesis/PhD/grant proposal, you'll need to provide even more lead time. Along those lines, make sure you know your institution's process for grant submission. You may have a lot more paperwork and deadlines than you realize! Talk to your major advisor about your goals and timeline so that you can set expectations and a timeline for your degree together.
The syllabus. You'll hear it again and again but - read the syllabi for your courses. Then read it again and keep it handy! The syllabus is a contract between you and your professor. We all know that things change, but the syllabus should give you a timeline for your semester (assignment due dates) as well as the readings you will need to complete and a general rubric for each assignment or exam.
Work the classes. As much as possible, orient your assignments around the topics you're interested in investigating. This will allow you to use your classes to further develop your ideas and to plan for your thesis or dissertation.
Writing is thinking and writing is rewriting. You may have hundreds of great ideas but you need to be able to express them to effectively develop them into research - writing helps immensely with this process. When it comes to your papers and publications, remember that "There's no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting" (Robert Graves). One of the best things you can do is find a peer editor - someone you can trade work with and who will give you honest feedback. Keep in mind that critique is not criticism. Your reviewers, professors, and peers want to see you succeed, and the feedback they offer is intended to help improve your work. Be open to growth and remember that your readers do not see your work, they see your product. Make it the best you can.
Remember who you are and why you're here. Graduate school is challenging and it can be easy to succumb to the stress and frustration. Try to focus on the positive and to remember not just why you're here, but who you are. You will be busy but build in time to do things that help you maintain a sense of identity outside of academia. It will still be stressful but the opportunity to attend graduate school is a privilege available to very few. As long as you can find joy in your work, it will be worth it. If you're struggling to find the excitement, it's okay to reevaluate your goals!
Post-degree Success depends on being open-minded.
The education landscape is changing. Many anthropologists are now working outside of academia, in a wide range of positions. Make sure to explore a variety of potential careers - anthropology is an asset to public health, human-centered design, user-experience research, education, and many other disciplines. If you're interested in pursuing an academic career, make sure you take under consideration both the costs and benefits. Although teaching and the ability to conduct the research you're interested in is a huge privilege, know that it can be challenging to find a tenure track position and you may have to move a couple times. If you choose to pursue an alt-ac career, consider what skills you can develop in graduate school that will make you the best candidate for the job.
The American Anthropological Association has a number of resources on careers in Anthropology.
The American Anthropological Association has a number of resources on careers in Anthropology.