Applying to graduate school can be a lengthy and involved process, so we recommend that students begin the process as soon as they know they are interested. Applications for PhD programs are typically due in December or January. Some graduate programs have two separate deadlines (one for admissions and one for financial aid) and applicants are encouraged to submit everything before the earlier deadline.
Because admission to graduate programs is extremely competitive, we suggest that students send applications to at least five schools. We encourage students to use the rankings below to choose the schools to which they will apply. Students should use the internet to begin learning about graduate schools’ strengths and specialties and to request paper applications or access to on-line applications.
Once the student has chosen the schools to which they will apply, they should then begin the process of putting together their application. Typically, graduate school applications require the following
- Transcripts
- GRE scores
- Letters of recommendation (usually three)
- Personal statement or Statement of purpose
- Application fees
- Writing sample
- Financial aid application
Some applicants also choose to send additional materials, such as a CV (curriculum vita). While many aspects of the graduate school application are straightforward, others require careful thought. Students are encouraged to discuss their interest in graduate school and their applications with professors in the department.
Rankings of Top Graduate Programs in Anthropology and Sociology
ANTHROPOLOGY
Anthropology research-doctoral programs were evaluated by the National Research Council in 1993. The methodology is described in “Rankings of Research-Doctorate Programs in 41 Disciplines at 274 Institutions,” Chronicle of Higher Education 42: A21-A30, September 25, 1995. The ranking is reprinted in Lynn C. Hattendorf Westney (Ed.), Educational Rankings Annual: 2003, Detroit: Thomas Gale, 2003.
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- University of Chicago
- University of California – Berkeley
- Harvard University
- University of Arizona
- University of Pennsylvania
- Stanford University
- Yale University —. UCLA —. University of California – San Diego
- University of Florida
- University of Texas – Austin
- New York University
- University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana
- University of California – Davis
SOCIOLOGY
For rankings of the top 100 Graduate Programs in Sociology from US News and World Report (the most recent rankings are from 2021), click here.