mp429

Hi everyone! I am also considering applying to the NYCEP program for 2014. I think my research interests are a a perfect fit for some of the professors in this program, and I demonstrate this in my SOP. I have a good amount of research experience and a little bit of field experience, but I am mostly worried about my GPA and GRE scores, which are far from perfect. Would anyone mind sharing their background with me as well so that I can judge where I am in terms of competitiveness for this program? It would be greatly appreciated!!!! 

I think you have a chance? Just make sure your SOP is really geared towards explaining how your "seemingly un-related" experiences ARE relevant and how they have shaped you / your research interests and prepared you for grad study at UCSD.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about GPA and GRE. While the former is more important to the latter, they are not the most important aspects. Your experiences and your SOP and your letters of rec are the most important. Make sure you secure another great letter!
Good luck

screencheck - no problem.
 
I'm bio-anthro with a focus in primatology, so different than archaeology, so my experiences will differ from yours. Here's my two cents anyhow, but adapt for your experiences
 
I'm not sure what type of Arch you want to pursue in graduate studies (more field or lab or if in arch sub-field they are both equal). For me, I always wanted to do field work but coming out of under-grad I had no direct field work experience (had done a lot of observational studies in zoos on different kinds of animals, but all in-country). For me, the biggest thing was to determine if I actually enjoyed field work. Turns out I did, and now I have a few field work experiences in tow that helped me focus my interests (saw so many different things in the field than you would in captivity, also spent all day with the animals (vs. a couple hours) and as such starting developing new interests/questions). I know a lot of people who went to the field and hated it, and that ultimately shifted their path. I also think gaining a variety of all different kinds of experiences helped me figure out which I liked and which I hated or liked less (zoos, field, different types of labs, different methodologies, different subjects etc). I think it's helpful to amplify your experiences you think you would utilise in grad school because it will not only give you a stronger application, but also help give yourself more clarity about what you want.
 
When I was in undergrad I thought I wanted to do a PhD right away. I knew my general interests, but that was about it. I took 2 years gap year, 1 year of a Masters in the UK and now I'm in a gap year before I start my PhD. Out of those 4 years between undergrad and this Fall, the most helpful was doing the Masters. I know you don't need one to get into a PhD but I think it does help and it helped me because it gave me a taste of grad school to see if academia/5-8 years of PhD was something I could handle. It also got me more focused in my budding interests I gained through my lab and field work, and really gave me clarity and independent research experience (rather than just assisting others which is what I had been doing). So I'm a huge advocate of doing a Masters before a PhD but it's not the best idea for everyone if you're pretty certain on what you want to do. Different POIs also prefer different levels of experience and age.
 
Anyway, hope that helped! I wouldn't stress too much. Just try to get any kind of experience that you think you need that will help you develop more clarity or give you valuable skills that you either lack or want to supplement. Independent research is often a key - you gain skills, clarity for yourself, and get to show admissions you can do the type of work you will be doing in your PhD (even if the topic is different).

UMichigan, CUNY, and NYU for me. A few others possibly on the back burner that I am going back and forth on, but those three for sure. Biological Anthropology.

Yes, I'm on IGERT funding.

@mp429 - The website says the following:
 
"Your immediate submission of the Statement of Intent is very important so that we can know that you are interested in our housing.Your immediate submission of the Statement of Intent is very important so that we can know that you are  interested in our housing."
 
But the overall tone seems to indicate they have barely enough for first year PhD students, I guess they just want some enthusiasm on our part with respect to urgency.You can fill in the statement of intent and take a look at the options, you'd still have till 3 May to finalize (not binding till you pay the 1k advance).

I definitely think it will help you. I know you aren't trying to get into academia per se but the job market is very competitive, and most higher-end job postings I see (especially those that include technical skills) require a Master's degree. I think you're on the right path. At the very least, even if people tell you the actual 'degree' is frivolous, the experience/knowledge/skillset you're gaining is definitely not.

If the deal with your friend falls through you could find some one over here to room with. I'm kind of trying to do that if my current plan falls through. You've still got time. When my cousin moved there she rented an apartment for a month and took her time looking for a good place to live at the right price. 

I'd recommend Ocean Beach for good dive bars. Pacific Beach is not really clubby compared to Downtown buuuut it's definitely college-centered / party vibes. Not divey (though it *looks* divey). You can get great live music at 710 from time to time though.
 
I'm not too familiar with the other neighborhoods but have heard great things! Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla was where I spent most of my time due to living in La Jolla as an undergrad at UCSD.

Email notifications and results on your login page go out simultaneously whether you're accepted, rejected, or get HM.

I'll be heading to NYU for Bio Anth / NYCEP

Just to throw out my annoyance with the rest of the world. 
 
I wish they would get on with it. Siiggghhhh. 

sweetpearl - I don't think they can ask you to do that? That's why there's the over-arching April 15th deadline for acceptances. They can push you for sooner decisions, but you aren't required surely.

Congrats, Alouette!!