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Hoping this will lead to a fun debate;)

To get back to the original topic:) Tulane had 110 applicants this year, 15 for social, 46 for bioanthro, 49 for archaeology. 4 spots are going to archaeology, 2 to bioanthro, 2 to social/linguistics. Also, and I personally don't think this is worth much, but because I know it influences the thinking of some, here's a ranking done by the National Research Council. This is an old ranking of anthropology grad schools from before they switched to their different way of ranking schools: 1 University of Michigan 1 University of Chicago 3 University of California Berkeley 4 Harvard University 5 University of Arizona 6 University of Pennsylvania 7 Stanford University 9 Yale University 9 University of California Los Angeles 9 University of California San Diego 11 University of Florida 12 University of Texas Austin 13 New York University 14 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 15 University of California Davis 16 Columbia University 17 Washington University 18 Duke University 18 University of Wisconsin Madison 20 University of California Santa Barbara 21 Johns Hopkins University 21 City University of New York 23 University of Virginia 23 Rutgers University New Brunswick 25 University of Pittsburgh 26 Arizona State University 27 Princeton University 29 Indiana University 29 University of Washington 29 University of North Carolina Chapel Hill 31 Cornell University 32 Pennsylvania State University 33 Southern Methodist University 34 Northwestern University 35 University of Massachusetts Amherst 36 State University of New York Binghamton 37 State University of New York Buffalo 38 State University of New York Stony Brook 39 State University of New York Albany 40 University of Connecticut 41 University of Hawaii, Manoa 42 Southern Illinois University 43 Brown University 43 University of Iowa 45 University of Oregon 46 Michigan State University 47 Tulane University 47 University of Utah 49 University of Kentucky 50 University of Minnesota 51 Boston University 52 University of Tennessee Knoxville 53 University of Missouri Columbia 53 Temple University 55 University of Colorado 55 University of California Riverside 57 Vanderbilt University 57 University of Kansas 59 Brandeis University 60 University of South Flordia 61 Syracuse University 62 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 63 Washington State University 64 Wayne State University 66 University of Oklahoma 66 University of Rochester 66 Ohio State University 68 American University 69 Catholic University of America

I have gotten more than one acceptance offer (I know, I know, this is a GREAT problem to have) and am thinking about accepting one from UFlorida (biological anthropology). I already visited the department prior to applying, but was wondering what others think about the department? Have you heard any good or bad things about the them? I'm very excited about the offer but it's a big decision and I want to be absolutely sure .

Some interview questions from a recent interview: - Where do you see yourself in ten years? - Could you see yourself living in _ - Why did you apply to this particular university? Hope this helps:)

It was me nadimishka. So sorry for everybody who didn't get in. I am sure you'll find an acceptance to another school in your inbox soon!

The Leipzig School of Human Origins is super competitive, but all students are fully funded. It's probably one of the best programs in the world if you are interested in anthropology and genetics.

Congratulations Morisot! What sub-field are you?

Good luck to you as well!

That makes me feel so much better. I hope it won't be too terribly long until we hear from them. Thanks so much for sharing and lots of luck to you.

Do you know what that cut-off is? I have read about it all over the place, but never found anything official.

Would you mind sharing if you find out more during the interview Tezcatlipoca? That would be super awesome and much appreciated!

It's not me. I'm curious about that as well though.

If previous years are any indication, we could start hearing from them this week I am obsessively checking my mailbox.

As you can see NOWAYNOHOW, different people have different experiences . A lot of this depends on personality/experiences of the applicant. But a lot also simply depends on the right professor looking at your application at the right time. I know some very qualified people who have applied to grad school for years and with others I wonder how they got in. Good points panda bear. Of course, getting into a PhD program right away would be ideal. I am just trying to give advice for when it doesn't work out. A large part of students in terminal M.A. programs don't actually pay tuition. If there are no PhD students around, they are the ones who get the assistantships. I didn't pay a cent for my M.A. But panda bear is totally right -- it is expensive without any assistance. And it doesn't guarantee that you will get through the PhD faster. I must admit that all I know is things I know from friends in PhD programs as well as university faculty I have talked to over the years. I am myself in the process of applications. So there are certainly many things I do not know. I do know, however, that getting my M.A. has helped me add important research skills and to zoom in on my research interests. I feel like my statement of purpose is very different now than it was after my undergrad.The reason I applied for the M.A. first was because I came from a very large undergrad program where I didn't receive as much hands-on experience as I would have liked. Working on an M.A. thesis has taught me much more about myself, my preferred research methods, my interests.... Many of my friends came into the program for similar reasons and many have changed their interests slightly or drastically. Others, like me, kinda new but ended up really zooming in. It was worth the two years for me and I am very glad I chose this route. You can learn the same things going right into a PhD -- the only difference is really that it might be easier to get into the M.A. program. There, also, you don't need to look at expensive schools since it is just a small stepping stone. I know, NOWAYNOHOW, you probably know exactly what your research interests are. But the problem is that you will also have to convince an adcomm that you know. I heard from a few people that they got rejected because the adcomm felt like applicants didn't have the experience to commit to such a long program. This is where I think an M.A. could help. Like I said, I am trying to give advice for when the PhD doesn't work out. The conferences also depend, of course. I can think of at least 2 people right away who have gotten assistantships out of introducing themselves to people at a conference. That said, one was already accepted into program with no word on funding and the other was in the process of applying. Just walking up to someone and introducing oneself takes confidence though. People will react differently and you can either have really good or really bad luck (mainly for the reasons panda bear mentioned). I realize that this is not for everyone. Panda bear's advice of contacting faculty is a very, very good point.

At my department (which has a terminal M.A. program) students without an anthropology degree are usually rejected. However, many of those people are encouraged to take post-bacc classes at the department. Many of the ones who end up doing that, actually get into the program a year later. I would advice you to take post-bacc classes at your top choice university. I know it's expensive, but it will seriously increase your chances of getting into a FUNDED grad program. I wouldn't go for a PhD right away. Instead, I would try to get an M.A. first. This will increase your chances of getting into a competitive PhD program such as the one at NYU. There are more M.A. programs, meaning less competition. You could build a great basis and use it as a networking opportunity. Many of the professors at the smaller, less known departments around the country are really motivated and super helpful when their students are applying to PhD programs. The subfield of medical anthropology is small and many of the professors know each other. If you do apply to a terminal M.A. program, it wouldn't be a must to find a professor who 100% aligns with your interest. I know that's the ideal, but it would be much more important to work with someone who works in the field of medical anthropology and is familiar with the research methods in the field. Another important point is experience. I know this is easier in subfields like arch. But even if it isn't completely in your own subfields -- like an internship at a museum -- experience will demonstrate your general interest in anthropology. Also, keep in mind that many grad students are also teaching assistants. Knowledge and experience beyond your subfield can be helpful. There are a few field schools in medical anthropology, which I would strongly suggest. They, also, would be a good networking opportunity. Conferences are also a great chance to network and get to know professors. The AAA has a very large conference every year. I know this is a lot. But remember that the more qualified you are, the higher your chances of getting in and getting funding. Spending a lot of money in preparation might be a lot cheaper than paying for graduate school.