Most graduate school applications will require you to write a personal statement. Personal statements are usually one page in length and should demonstrate why you would be a good fit with the program. You will find very variable advice on how to write one of these statements. Some people recommend starting with a 'personal story'. I tend to advise against this, because you want to demonstrate you will be a good scientist, colleague, research, and educator and how you got interested in anthropology when you found a projectile point in a field when you were 11 is not particularly compelling. Below is the simplified outline I would recommend.
You are going to start with three decent sized paragraphs.
First Paragraph:
Intro, what subdiscipline you’re interested in.
Why do you want an MA?
The first sentence is always the hardest... maybe something like 'Within the field of anthropology, I am drawn to/ excited by x,y,z'
Second Paragraph:
Academic preparation: Relevant coursework, fieldwork, any research experience (grant writing practice could fit in here!).
Third Paragraph:
Why you would fit in their program
Who you want to work with?
Why this program makes sense/ is a good fit.
Program is a great fit for you because you believe in learning about all the subfields/ approaching anthropology from a holistic perspective (Also, WHY do you believe in approaching anthro from a holistic perspective)?
What is their stats department like? Everyone has to take at least one stats course, but the better you are at stats the more hirable you are… is there a certificate program in stats you could get?
Alternatively, GIS can be super useful in primate conservation and archaeology. Does their geography department have a GIS certificate?
Side note – you should only mention other programs to reinforce how it will help you with your career goals in anthropology.
I would also include maybe two sentences in this paragraph about being trainable and working well with others.
Nobody wants to work with someone annoying, and your chair’s job is train you, so you want to make it clear that you take direction well in addition to being resourceful. Something like that.
I like to end things with a reiteration of the main take away…
‘Given my academic career/ my interests/ something, I am confident I will be a great fit for X masters of arts/ PhD in anthropology. I look forward to hearing your decision’