This was my third round. I was too exhausted and felt discouraged as an international student trying to find money each year for another shot. we are fighting for one or two places offered to international students each year, especially for state schools. i am soooo happy and i cant even believe that i finally did! secure advisor(s) before applying. finding someone interested in your work is the most important thing i learned throughout the process

Socio-cultural track. Was mailed to check the portal.

not too match....

MSc, GPA was 3.9

Sociocultural. Nice to know that I "have been a competitive applicant."

copy paste rejection email

The rejection email that left me disheartened is as follows: Thank you very much for your application to the Department of Anthropology Ph.D. program at the University of Michigan. After careful consideration of your application, we regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you admission for Fall 2025. You have been a competitive applicant, but we have had many more competitive applicants than we have places and funding available. In addition to grades and test scores, the Department looks very closely at statements of purpose, letters of recommendation, and writing samples. We work to balance the interests of our incoming class with those of our diverse faculty, in addition to considering proposed plans of study, intellectual background, and the amount and nature of prior fieldwork during the admission process. We thank you again for your interest in the University of Michigan and our Department and wish you success in all your future academic pursuits.

Received email saying I had made the "short waitlist" after an interview around two weeks ago.