What are the key admissions criteria?

In evaluating an application, our primary concerns are:

Does the applicant have a well-articulated, focused project and a clear idea of how to go about
the initial investigation?
Could the applicant's work be done in a single discipline? Since History of Consciousness is an
interdisciplinary program, we admit only those applicants who propose interdisciplinary research.
Is there a match between the applicant's proposed area of research and the expertise of the
faculty? The Statement of Purpose needs to detail an intellectual project or domain of study in
sufficient depth to allow our admissions committee to determine whether we have the faculty
resources to support and guide your work.
Students are admitted on the basis of their ability to do sustained, independent, doctoral-quality,
interdisciplinary work. Prior achievement, such as previous graduate work, work experience,
political and/or community activism, is always a plus.
Can you tell me what my Statement of Purpose should include?
Your Statement of Purpose should include:
A personal statement giving sufficient background to explain how you came to be
involved/interested in your area of research.
A project proposal describing the research you wish to pursue, how you plan to go about it (i.e.,
research design), at least initially, your methodology (i.e., necessary tools and skills), and the
anticipated results (i.e., research content).
Why you want to get a Ph.D.
The Statement is typically 2 to 5 pages long.