Diversity Recruitment in Geography Program

The Departments of Anthropology and Geography, Environment, and Society (GES) at the University of Minnesota are pleased to announce the Graduate Diversity Recruitment Event scheduled for September 20-22, 2023. This event is tentatively planned to be in-person this year, on the west bank of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. However, it may be moved to a virtual format if the need arises.

While the Graduate Diversity Recruitment Event is open for all students to apply who are interested in learning about graduate training in these fields, the event is aimed at individuals who are historically underrepresented in Anthropology and GES graduate programs. 

This program will feature a coordinated set of formal and informal experiences designed to familiarize participants with strategies for constructing successful graduate school applications, and to provide them with the opportunity to learn more about the experience of graduate education in our departments.

Interested individuals are required to provide the following information and materials:

• Students who are enrolled in a college or university as a junior or senior, or who have graduated within the last two years (i.e., 2021 or thereafter). Individuals currently enrolled in a terminal master's-level graduate program also are eligible.
• U.S.-based students (citizens, permanent residents, and those here lawfully on a non-temporary basis), especially those who identify as a member of groups historically underrepresented in graduate training in these fields, including members of ethnic and racial minority groups, especially Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other minoritized students, and participants who are low-income, first-generation college students. While this event is open to all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin, it will center the experiences of Black, Indigenous, people of color, American Indian, and first-generation students.
• Students who are interested in pursuing graduate training through either:
  • the Department of Anthropology in one of our programs of research: Anthropological Archaeology, Biological Anthropology, or Socio-cultural Anthropology, Heritage Studies and Public History, or
  • the Department of Geography, Environment & Society in one of our programs of research: Biophysical Geography and Climatology, Geographic Information Science (GIS) or Human Geography.

Participation in this program does not imply a commitment that student participants would be applying to the University of Minnesota, nor that they would be admitted. It is primarily aimed at giving students a perspective on what is involved in the application process and getting to know our graduate programs. 

The costs of transportation, meals and lodging will be covered for applicants selected to participate in this program. Interested individuals who are eligible to apply for this opportunity to visit the University on September 20-22, 2023, are required to provide the following information and materials:

Participants in the 2020 Graduate Diversity Recruitment Weekend, held virtually.

• Completed Online Application form. Please note that this application may require applicants to sign in to their Google account to complete. If an applicant does not have a Google account, please contact anth-ges@umn.edu to obtain individual access to the form that does not require a Google account. 
• In addition to completing the online application, applicants must send the following materials electronically to anth-ges@umn.edu:
  • personal statement (see Graduate Diversity Recruitment Event Application Personal Statement Guidelines);
  • copy of the applicant’s transcripts (an unofficial copy will suffice);
  • copy of the applicant’s curriculum vitae or resumé.
• A brief statement from a faculty member familiar with the applicant must also be sent. This can be sent via Google form: Faculty Recommendation.

The deadline for receipt of these materials is July 31, 2023. Priority review will be given to applications received by this date. Applications will be reviewed over the following weeks and selection notifications will be sent in mid-August. Only applications that are completed will be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to review the graduate program areas, including faculty profiles, prior to submitting their applications. More information about these departments can be found: 

• Department of Anthropology Diversity & Inclusion
• Department of Geography, Environment and Society Diversity & Inclusion