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IoSpero

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  • Location
    Chicago
  • Interests
    Mediterranean Archaeology, Archaeological Geophyiscs
  • Application Season
    2016 Fall
  • Program
    Archaeology

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  1. I was under the impression that almost all PhD program interviewed candidates. However, I have seen several postings that seem to just be acceptances. What major programs do not do interviews? Both curiosity and for my own sanity.
  2. Is this supposed to be super personal? All of the challenges I have faced in life are not things I would want to divulge to future colleagues. However, everything else I write sounds trite. Does this even matter? Will it hurt my chances if it isn't spectacular? It is getting to be crunch time and I am just having a hard time really wrapping my head around what they want from me.
  3. I assumed when filling out the language portion of the application that it was a request for modern languages, since 'reading', 'writing', and 'speaking' are not categories I would classify ancient language knowledge. Should I list my ancient languages and just place my speaking knowledge at "beginner"? Usually the applications won't allow you leave blanks. I know that language knowledge is key with archaeology applications which is why I am eager to reflect that I do have training despite it not showing my transcripts.
  4. How do I make my HS Latin come across in my application? I took Latin all through HS with "Summa Cum Laude" every year on the NLE culminating in AP Virgil. In undergrad I took Ancient Greek because I was confident in my Latin skills. Now that I am applying to PhD programs I don't want them to think I don't know any Latin. I am undoubtedly rusty but it seems ridiculous to exclude all that work. How do I reflect that in my application? I have Latin listed in my CV and there is a line in my SOP about when I am on the job market I will be able to teach Latin if necessary.
  5. My third writer is someone outside of my MA program, my undergrad advisor I kept in touch with, within my discipline but outside of my field (ie cultural anth instead of archaeo). My chair's interest directly align with my own but is an absent-minded, awkward, busy professor that is brilliant at research and funding but horrible at advice and responding to emails. My other committee member, however, is in the right concentration as me but with an utterly different focus, more thesis writing and perspective advice than anything, and admittedly knows little about the specific focus that I want to pursue in my PhD. This, on top of never doing course work with other committee member, makes me think that he is a poor choice. I feel odd about having two recommenders outside of my graduate program. To me it looks like I didn't get along with anyone, though that is not the case, it was just a 1 year masters that I either did research or took classes with Dr. A or my chair.
  6. One of the professors, 'Dr. A', I asked for a recommendation responded that he didn't think he were the best person to write a letter. The 'Dr. A' stated it in a very helpful way, stating that he didn't think that his interests aligned with what I was applying for (same field but different concentration) and recommended that I ask another professor with more similar interests, including my MA committee chairs or possibly previous recommenders. I have already asked my committee chair but the other committee member has never worked with me other than to review my thesis. While I was a RA for 'Dr. A' and I have had to courses with him, I feel that he knows me better than the other committee member. My previous recommenders for this graduate program have not worked with me since undergrad, 4+ years ago, but did get me into my competitive MA program. 'Dr. A' said that he would happily write me the LOR if I could not find a more suitable replacement. Is 'Dr. A' just trying to be nice about saying that he wouldn't write a good LOR? I felt he was just trying to help me have a compelling application but was unsure if he was being overly polite. I can try to reach out to my previous recommenders but feel that their understanding of me is a little out of date. Should I just go that route and avoid the possibility of a poor LOR? I feel weirdly left in the lurch with deadlines looming. Advice?
  7. Anyone know a good part of Ithaca to search for off-campus housing? I looked on the housing site and craigslist but I am having a hard time parsing what is a good deal and where are the boonies. I'm an archaeology grad student so all my stuff will be in the Arts Quad but I don't know if that really matters when it comes to housing.
  8. Yeah I did interview but like I said I knew it was a long shot with only a BA. Congrats Melian4! I see you got in. Have you decided between Oxford and NYU? I'd find that choice impossible. I'm by no mean upset about Cornell, its a great program but it would have been nice to stay in NYC with a cushy stipend. Good luck on decisions everyone!
  9. Just heard back from NYU ISAW, didn't get in but wasn't really expecting to, I knew it was really competitive and I only have a BA and a year of graduate research. Congrats if any of you are the lucky few that did get acceptance and that beautiful 36K stipend! Looks like I am headed to Ithaca in the fall instead for an MA.
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