whirledpeas13

Has anyone heard anything from Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? I've seen a few acceptances, but I haven't heard anything, so I'm nervous. It's my 3rd choice program and one of my "safe" schools, so I'm dying to hear anything.

Thanks for the insight everyone! I have applied to programs all across the country. At my current undergrad institution it does seem pretty casual, but nice. Grad students dress well, and I can definitely pick them out in my classes. Undergrads often do the sweatpants with ugg boots (UGGG!!). Personally, I am trying to refine my look to be a bit more professional (I never liked ugg boots, but I do wear sock boots -- I look like such a hippie -- but they are soo comfy).

It is truly a shame that he was even charged with a crime in the first place. We should learn from people like him, not try to imprison them.

I'm wondering why it tends to take 8 years for most students to finish a phd anth program. It seems to be a bit much. Is this accounting for grad students taking time off to have kids or other personal matters? I realize coursework is 2-3 years, fieldwork 1-2, and dissertation is the remaining time, but why would one need 3 years to write a dissertation (especially compared to other disciplines!)?

I didn't receive anything from UMichigan. I applied to Sociocultural... Did you apply to a different sub discipline?

I'm just curious what the norm is. Business casual? Casual?

I KNOW I'm going insane. Lol. I have obsessive, perfectionistic, control-freak tendencies AS IT IS, but combine those qualities with what feels like I'm planning the rest of my life AND with the winter break where I am not getting out and interacting with many other human beings on any given day, and we get: super obsessive, cathartic, grad school hopeful obsessively monitoring her email and grad cafe.

Combining breastfeeding with military service!! Wow! That DOES give me hope. There is a small chance I could coordinate my visit with a friend of mine who has family in the area, or other scholars/colleagues I know who might be able to travel for a conference. I don't want to bank on that, but it is a great idea. I don't have anyone I know in any of the states in which there I programs I've applied to, unfortunately. How do I go about investigating whether programs are kid friendly before going and before asking for breastfeeding accommodations? As a first-generation student, I don't really know department cultures to begin with, let alone what would cross the personal/professional line. I love my undergraduate department, but even here I feel I have to be very cautious not to bring my daughter to meetings or really discuss being a mother at all. In fact, one of my letter writers with whom I am very close told me I should not mention that I am a mom on any part of my application, because he knows members of their admission committee do discriminate, as they believe a mom won't be as dedicated to her studies as her peers, or won't be able to withstand the "rigors" of doctoral study. He told me he clearly does not feel that way about me, but that it does not stop people from having their biases. Another scholar I know was rejected from Med School after they found out she was a mom (the director of our scholars program contacted the program after hearing of the rejection and was informed confidentially). I will say, however, that many of my professors are 100% supportive of me and my circumstances, often asking about my little one, commenting on my abilities, etc. Going somewhere unfamiliar makes me incredibly uneasy, because I don't know the department politics, and parenthood has proved more controversial than anything I have experiences so far in my lifetime. Everyone has an opinion and is not afraid to share it. What's worse is that many public places are not accommodating to begin with (e.g., changing tables are almost completely absent, and I never know who will be offended by me changing my little one's diaper in public, etc). I actually really love this suggestion, but I would NOT feel comfortable having a stranger watch my baby, even for a short amount of time with stellar references. I just would not feel comfortable. If there was some kind of university daycare service available for a few hours that would be amazing, but I am quite doubtful, and I wouldn't even know who to contact... At our university I've already made all the connections and know the appropriate contacts, but navigating all of that in a foreign institution... is just unsettling... not impossible. I just have so many reservations, worries, etc., it is hard to know where to begin with all of this. How do I go about asking these kinds of questions? Great point about the balance of power! I don't deal well with confrontational situations and am not assertive. It has NOT served me well in any kind of buying situation (e.g., used cars lol). I'm sure I won't be able to visit all of the programs (due to time AND financial constraints), but should I get into my top 3 I can't imagine NOT going to at least 2 before making my final decision. I am so torn as it is (they are all wonderful programs!). If I have to, I'm sure skype would suffice, but there are so many things to consider when moving with a young child. I also come from a very small town (less than 10,000). Coming to my undergraduate institution was a HUGE leap, and now I am looking to move to even larger cities. Getting a feel for the city is just as important to me as the program (safety, transportation, local markets, schools, etc.). Thank you to everyone for all of your input so far!

I am dying to know ANYTHING at all about when committees meet and make decisions (not when people actually find out). Also, does anyone know how many people apply to Berkeley's medical anth program annually? I just need something to go off of. I'm going insane.

Bfat-- I am I'm the same boat!! I am soo stressed out because I also have a small baby and husband to consider. I am typing this on my phone as I wait for my baby to wake (showing just how obsessive I am right now!). We have to relocate with a ton of stuff (my husband's music equipment, our kitty, baby gear, etc). Not to mention the trip itself -- **hopefully** a cross country car trip (should I get into my top choice program). I am the family planner and I feel cathartic not being able to do anything right now and terrified should I not get in anywhere. I'm worried about cost of living, daycare/preschool programs, SAFE and AFFORDABLE housing, the COST of moving.... Oh my. I've never done this before and have literally no help, so I really would like to get started, but there really is no use looking into all of that for each city until I know if I've been accepted (although at some point I will probably begin anyway).

I am seeking advice. I am horribly worried about grad school visits in the spring, as I have a 7 mo old who actively breastfeeding every 2-3 hours. I don't really know what to do, as my husband and I really can't afford to pay for him to come with me, but I don't see another option. I can't leave my baby behind (she wouldn't sleep or eat if I was gone, and my husband can't really afford to miss work). Does anyone have experience with this? I can't imagine just bringing her with to a visit.... I think that would be seriously looked down upon, but I know it's department to department. I haven't even mentioned I am a mother, because I'm worried about discrimination during the selection process. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

I'm working on applications for the following: Berkeley, medical anth U of Washington, cultural anth Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, cultural anth Michigan, cultural anth Toronto, cultural anth Harvard Regional Studies -- East Asia AM U of Washington, MA Korean Studies Currently revising SoP and SoPH for Berkeley and Illinois... **sigh** I also applied for NSF GRFP.

Has anyone here received the NSF in the past for Cultural Anthropology? Also, in terms of letters of recommendation, what should I have my letter writer's focus on? I have my current undergraduate advisor, a language instructor I've had for 4 years, and a professor with whom I've done research.