Berkeley Anthropology -- Technical Information & Reqs
I tried calling in to Berkeley to ask them about this, but since their grad admissions office is so jammed up, all I got was a recorded message thanking me for my call and letting me know they were having major technical difficulties. I don't know when they'll be up and running and answering the phones again, so I'll go ahead and ask here...
For anybody who is applying/has applied to Berkeley's Anthropology PhD program, is it true that a writing sample is optional, but that if you choose to turn one in the limit is 3 pages?
Also, the Anthro department has a separate website where they want you to register and upload your various written statements after you've submitted your actual electronic application. If you are uploading your statements elsewhere, what do you attach to your electronic application when you submit it? Will it accept the application without an SOP or personal history statement? Should you attach a copy of your statements even though it's extraneous? Or should you just attach a blank document or a document asking the viewer to refer to the copy that's uploaded to the other website?
TIA, guys and gals.
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ETA: Hooray! I called a bunch more times and managed to get through at the tag end of business hours. Ned the anthro admissions advisor has this to say:
- The writing sample is optional, and the limit is 6 pages.
- The Candidate Registration page where they ask you to register and upload stuff is only for the writing sample. All other statements should be uploaded with the regular electronic application as usual.
- The Candidate Registration page isn't working. At all. Everyone is grumpy at it, in the department and otherwise. Since the writing sample is optional anyway, Ned says "don't bother". Well, that certainly makes that decision easier. Phew!
For anybody who is applying/has applied to Berkeley's Anthropology PhD program, is it true that a writing sample is optional, but that if you choose to turn one in the limit is 3 pages?
Also, the Anthro department has a separate website where they want you to register and upload your various written statements after you've submitted your actual electronic application. If you are uploading your statements elsewhere, what do you attach to your electronic application when you submit it? Will it accept the application without an SOP or personal history statement? Should you attach a copy of your statements even though it's extraneous? Or should you just attach a blank document or a document asking the viewer to refer to the copy that's uploaded to the other website?
TIA, guys and gals.
--------
ETA: Hooray! I called a bunch more times and managed to get through at the tag end of business hours. Ned the anthro admissions advisor has this to say:
- The writing sample is optional, and the limit is 6 pages.
- The Candidate Registration page where they ask you to register and upload stuff is only for the writing sample. All other statements should be uploaded with the regular electronic application as usual.
- The Candidate Registration page isn't working. At all. Everyone is grumpy at it, in the department and otherwise. Since the writing sample is optional anyway, Ned says "don't bother". Well, that certainly makes that decision easier. Phew!