lilithofcrimson

I have absolutely no interest in indigenous studies so Arizona doesn't hold much appeal to me. I'm thinking of also applying to the Social Sychology department (sociology and anthropology are the other two). It's a more specific field but still leaves lots of room for variety of interests. Has anyone applied to two departments within the same school? I have no idea how that would work.

Thank you all so much for the advice! I'll take it all to heart. Masters program is probably where I will put most of my focus into. Not sure exactly what I want to do career-wise yet but I figured I could use the first year of grad school to hone in and make sure where I want to angle towards before picking something Im not sure about. I grew up in California and don't want to go back for school. School was my excuse to get out of there and Im not going to use it as an excuse to get back in. I'm looking at Utah University and Utah State right now. Ideally, I'd like to stay in the central states. Colorado and Utah are the two most appealing. It'd be a great opportunity for research to study in Utah. So many Mormons and ex Mormons to talk to! I was a member of the LDS Church for 1.5 years. Converted when I was 19. It was my last ditch effort to be involved in organized religion. I learned a lot from my experience and wouldn't take it back for anything. A concern of mine with applying to Utah colleges is the academic atmosphere not knowing what to do with my research. I'm not casting the Church in a negative light but its not all that Church promoting either. Utah has rather reasonable tuition so if funding where an issue it'd still be an option.

This is my first post on grad cafe. Hope I provide enough details without being excessive. I am currently a student at Montana State University majoring in Anthropology with a minor in Women's and Gender Studies (female, 26 years old, a senior, and graduating this spring). I work full time (no other choice seeing as I do not have enough financial aid to live on and get no assistance from family) and take 9 credits every semester. Looking to apply for Spring 2016. I didn't realize until this past summer that I wanted to do grad school. Upon reflection I admitted to myself that I was selling myself short in terms of what I wanted to do with my life. Due to not thinking I was doing grad school, and not being as concerned with getting all A's, my GPA is not the highest. I'm working on getting it up and am almost at a 3.0 and should be there by the time I graduate if not a little above. I am open to either Masters Programs or PHD programs though I feel PHD programs will help with greater career options in the long run. The emphasis in MSU's Anthropology department is Archaeology. Within the cultural sphere, emphasis is in Pacific Islander and Eastern Culture Studies. I am looking at going to grad school in the realm of Social Psychology/Anthropology/Sociology. A couple academic interests: -The formulation and expression of self on an individual and societal level -Impact of sexuality and gender on society -Religious belief and identity I feel that MSU's resources are limited with helping me find a decent program that is a good fit and thought I'd see what advice might arise from GradCafe while continuing to talk to professors at MSU. General Questions/Statements: -Due to being in the lower GPA bracket I'd like to do well on the GRE. What areas should I focus on? -I'm working on my undergraduate thesis concerning identify/group affiliation shift focusing on The Latter Day Saint Church and how self identity is reshaped upon leaving the Church. My research is unique in that little to no research has been conducted with the angle I am taking. My professors that know of this project I'm working on have encouraged that it will set me apart with grad school applications. -I know an internship would help immensely but I am having trouble finding one that would apply to Anthropology or Sociology. The Anthropology/Sociology department does not have a graduate program and the professors that are working on research are traveling. -Other ways to help set myself apart for grad school applications? -Any school recommendations that have graduate programs focusing in Social Psychology/Anthropology/Sociology that may fit my interests? Schools so far are: University of Utah, Utah State and University of Missoula All advice that you feel may assist is welcome. Thank you for your time.