kro7

Even if your main interest is in paleoanthropology, I think it is still possible to do it without a lot of traveling-- outside of the US for long periods of time, at least, as you mentioned. Within physical anthropology, I think there are some people that are lab-based and other that are field-based; within paleo, some people are always the ones out finding fossils, but there are still others that don't necessarily go out to the field, but can still analyze fossils if they have the right connections, and/or do research on collections. Some programs might encourage (possibly require) some type of field experience, and in general most researchers promote international collaborations, but if it's definitely not an option there are likely ways to fulfill these without traveling abroad (e.g., get field experience excavating Eocene deposits associated with early primate evolution in west Texas - or something like that, still within the US). If fieldwork out of the country is not an option for you, I think there are still other options available. There would still be traveling associated with conferences/presentations, data collection (e.g., at museums, like the Smithsonian), and that sort of thing, but not necessarily regular international travel. Just my thoughts!

Congrats! I just asked the same question, haha. Once you accept the offer, when you declare your tenure plans, one of the sections asks you to confirm you field of study and organization/institution, which is where you can change it. (You can't change the "proposed institution" on the awards list though, since it is generated based on the application.)

Congrats! Question for you - how do you request to change the proposed program?

Just accepted the offer from GW for HomPal! Super excited!!

Both NYU and Duke have already had their interview/recruitment days for finalists on the shortlist; sorry for the bad news! Like mp429 said, NYU decisions should be out soon. Not sure about Harvard (I'm assuming HEB) though.

I'm kind of in the same boat, though for some I'm honestly not sure what I would decide, pending campus visits and interviews. It's especially awkward, for me at least, when someone asks directly where their school stands on your priority list. Way to put me on the spot! I don't want to count myself out for one program just because I haven't heard (or met faculty in person) from another...

Hi - I wouldn't be too worried yet. I applied to some of the programs you mentioned, and even though I have talked to a couple of them (informal Skype/phone calls), some have said they only just started looking through applications. Still, if you are interested in applying to masters program, I remember seeing on the BioAnthropology News Facebook group a post about a Masters program - I think it was UWF, and the deadline is Feb. 15. Good luck!

Someone was asking about NYU (biological anthro/NYCEP) - In case anyone wanted an update: I had an informal phone conversation with a POI this afternoon; they have a shortlist, but decisions won't be out for a while, most likely.

I was a little confused by the "Proposed Research Title" section; are you supposed to list key words along with the Proposed Research Title? Or do they key words go in the Short Research Title? (or is there no list of keywords...) When you're on the actual application, the instructions say: The title should be brief and informative. It should describe in succinct terms your proposed research, reflecting the contents of your proposal. Include a list of key words, and do not use abbreviations and chemical formulas (in 255 characters or less). This title will be used for searching research topics using the key words you supply. But when I look at the pdf version of the entire application, it's a little different: The title should be brief and informative. It should describe in succinct terms your proposed research, reflecting the contents of your proposal. Use key words, and do not use abbreviations and chemical formulas(in 255 characters or less). This title will be used for searching research topics using the key words you supply. i.e., it says "use key words" vs. "list key words"

Can a header/footer be outside the 1" margins? Default for the header and footer is usually 0.5", so I wanted to check...

I have been working on my proposed research essay, but am still a little confused about the instructions. The second part of the instructions say: If you have not formulated a research plan, your statement should include a description of a research topic that interests you and how you might conduct research on that topic. I got the impression that maybe this was directed towards seniors/applicants not yet in graduate school, while first/second-year grad students would be expected to have a more detailed plan set out. Is that a correct assumption? I'm on a year off but applying to graduate programs now, and I'm struggling a bit to come up with a research plan like some of those I've read in the examples. Though there does seem to be a lot of variety in the amount of detail of the proposals I've read, I still feel like I'll be somehow penalized for not going into so much detail. Any suggestions would be appreciated!