Panama Slim

Congrats on all the acceptances thus far! Is Harvard the last major hold out?

Sorry to here about this. Hopefully something good can happen with Baylor.

I am already in a PhD program in Anthropology, but I am applying this season to a religious studies program. Plan B would be to try to trudge through and finish up here.

I started this past fall and love it here. I am socio-cultural. Last year the waiting was excruciating, but I was fortunate. I have had some great class and next semester should be more of the same. There are many smart and helpful advanced students that that have been generous with good advice too. Good luck to everyone applying.

Nope!

Wow! Is it already application season? Good luck to all the 2014 applicants. If I can get in, then I am sure that the rest of you all have a shot too!

Congrats on the NASA gig. I did a summer internship back in 1986 at the Johnson Space Center. Fantastic experience that is still a conversation starter on my resume. Speaking on not being to old yet, I am starting my PhD at 43. Good things happen to those that are patient. Good luck with your future plans.

Do you already have a body of work in film or photography? The few dedicated visual/media anthro departments are extremely competitive. You may find more luck looking for a program centered on your cultural interest, then augmenting your visual skills on your own. This is what I am doing: lots of practice, meetup foto groups, and the occasional continuing-ed class. If you just want to make films, without really being a social scientist, then consider an MFA or film school.

Online registration has already started for my program. While I am still waiting for my immunization hold to clear, one class I wanted has already filled up with an additional 4 on the wait list. I guess there will always be a wait list!

So where did you decide to attend? I am going to Tulane this fall. However, I also attended Case back in the late 90s for an MBA. Loved the school, hated the winters. Good luck to all the future Spartans!

I would disagree with taking out any loans. There are a few professional degrees that pay back quickly enough to cover loans. I don't believe you are doing one of those. If you need money to live (but not to live well) then my humble advice is to work or wait for funding. The one debate I think is valid is between work experience versus networking. To me, this questions boils down to whether one will do enough networking to offset the value of some work experience. Is the work at least arguably connected to your long term goals? Can you "network" on weekends, during and between classes? Will the networking be high quality or just chit chatting at the coffee house?

I would suggest doing a hard search sooner than later. I found that many of the choice spots were already taken. Depending on how much space you need, you may find yourself further out then is optimal.

One idea is to scan paper notes into a per class pdf file on a weekly basis. This way you can still have them with you, without all the bulk of the paper. This is what I am planning to do as I like both paper and digital methods.

I am happy to say that I will be attending Tulane in the fall!! Anyone else headed to the Big Easy?

I am looking at the Epsom Workforce 3540. It's wireless, prints 2-sided, etc, etc. But Fuzzy makes a good point. I may have all the printing I need within the department. I think I'll wait to see what available.