Admissions and Prerequisites IPCAA usually has
some two dozen students enrolled at any single time.
This translates to admitting, normally, three to five
students each year. The Program, on average, receives
at least twelve to fifteen times as many applications
as students it can admit. It is thus a quite competitive
application process.
That said, well-qualified students should not quail
at the prospect of submitting an application. But what
does “well-qualified” mean in this context?
Prerequisites
The majority of IPCAA students arrive from undergraduate
backgrounds (and sometimes with Master’s degrees)
in Classics, Classical Archaeology, History (usually
with a specialization in Ancient History), and Art History
(usually with a specialization in Ancient Art). Such
degrees have generally proven to offer the most thorough
foundation for a successful career through IPCAA. Other
degrees and life experiences, such as training in Anthropology
or Museum Studies, are also very welcome, but additional
preparatory work, not least in classics and ancient
languages, would be necessary before entering the Program.
It should be noted that students with Master’s
degrees may find they are in a position to proceed through
the Program more quickly, but that they must still satisfy
all the Program
requirements.
Competence in both ancient and modern languages is
a necessary skill for classical archaeologists; to that
end, IPCAA students must satisfy language requirements
in Greek, Latin, French and German. Preference is thus
given to applicants who have demonstrated significant
preparation and competence in at least one of the required
ancient, and one of the required modern, languages.
This is to ensure that students do not spend an inordinate
amount of their early years in the Program primarily
studying languages. If an applicant’s language
preparation is not yet up to this level, time spent
in post-bacccalaureate programs or other courses before
applying to IPCAA may be advisable.
No formal fieldwork or museum experience is expected
or required of prospective students, but signs of interest
and energy in the discipline of archaeology (outside
the formal classroom setting) are welcome.
Admissions
What does IPCAA need to consider an
application?
 The
on-line application process for IPCAA is administered in part
by the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. Point your web browser to:
http://apply.embark.com/grad/umich/rackham
With the exception of your GRE scores, the following items must be included as electronic copies with your on-line application.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
results. Please send these directly to IPCAA (c/o Kelsey Museum of Arcaheology, 434 South State St., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1390).
- Official academic transcripts,
including Grade Point Average (GPA) overall. Please send one e-copy with your application, and two paper copies to IPCAA and the Rackham Graduate School (Rackham Graduate School Admissions, Attn: Transcripts, 915 East Washington Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1071)
- A curriculum vitae or résumé,
including work experience, evidence of travel, museum
or fieldwork, or other relevant activities in the
fields of Classical Art and Archaeology
- A statement of purpose and a personal statement, detailing
and conveying your interest and enthusiasm for the
field of classical archaeology, and why IPCAA might
be an appropriate place for you to undertake graduate
study. A length of about two or three pages for each statement is recommended.
- Three letters of recommendation,
preferably from teachers from whom you have had classes
or practical experience in archaeology and classics.
- A sample of writing, such as a term
paper for a class, or a senior thesis (optional, but
strongly recommended).
The annual application deadline is January 1st. All
materials must be submitted and in hand by that date,
and applicants should take responsibility for ensuring
this happens (e.g., attempt the GRE examination in good
time for IPCAA to receive the results).
All applications are reviewed by the IPCAA Executive
Committee in January/February. Admission is then granted
to a small number of applicants, who are invited to
visit the Ann Arbor campus (usually in early-mid March).
This visit, which is funded by IPCAA and the Rackham
Graduate School, provides an excellent opportunity to
meet faculty and students, and see the full resources
of the Program and its University setting. Nominations
to fellowships and other offers of financial support
are made shortly thereafter. Acceptance or rejection
of an offer of admission is needed by April 15th (the
national deadline to be observed by all graduate programs).
What does IPCAA look for in a prospective
student?
 There
is no single ‘cookie cutter’ model of a
successful IPCAA student; over the years, the Program
has fostered a remarkably wide variety of interests
and personalities. Students are given preference for
certain elements, however. These include:
- substantial preparation and competence
in at least one of the required ancient, and one of
the required modern, languages
- a solid, if not necessarily comprehensive,
background in ancient history and classical archaeology
- noteworthy performance on the Graduate
Record Examination (GRE)
- overall undergraduate performance,
and record in classes most pertinent to the study
of Classical Art & Archaeology
- enthusiastic and insightful reports
from teachers and mentors in letters of recommendation
- a compelling personal statement,
that also demonstrates skills in writing and argumentation
- evidence of energy and enthusiasm,
not to mention perseverance and dedication, in pursuing
a possible career in Classical Art & Archaeology
Eligibility for certain types of Fellowship support
may be linked, by the Rackham Graduate School or by
the College of Literature, Science & the Arts, to
combined GRE scores and to undergraduate GPA averages.
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