[MSc Palaeopathology (Durham U.) vs MA Anthropology (GSU)]

as someone with an abiding interest in bioarchaeology who's pursuing a terminal MA (for now), one of my absolute biggest regrets is that i didn't apply to durham. they've got a great reputation, and i've heard lots of wonderful things about their program, namely from a mentor and LoR writer of mine whose degrees are all from UK schools, and whose background is in bioarchaeo, paleopatho, etc. he really wanted me to apply, and i convinced myself not to because… well, i didn't really have any good reason. i just decided i didn't feel like leaving the states right now. i wish i had at least applied!

 

anyway, in short, paleopatho is durham's schtick; they already have a good reputation, as far as i know, and it seems to only be improving. for me, it would come down to money and which program's structure suited my goals and needs the best. i suspect it'd be the same or similar for you. hope that helps

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

rat race

[Buying a new laptop]

The only thing worse than a pushy Apple Fanboy is a rich Apple Fanboy who can’t comprehend price restraints.

 

on the macbook air, speaking as a pushy apple fangirl who skips over the (horrifying) price restraints thanks to a parent's job discounts: 

 

my macbook pro was worth the extra cost (which was only affordable in the first place because of the generous discount i received secondhand). if it weren't for said discount, i would've kicked my mac habit long ago. switching from my pain-in-the-rump iphone soon, too. i'm really starting to get fed up with the ridiculous, unnecessary, money-grubbing changes from apple that seem to happen on an annual or semi-annual basis, but aren't met with an actual increase in quality. 

[reverse snobbery re: academic achievement]

soul: whoa, cool the judgmental jets, there. i encounter this in my field of work and study, and i don't even have a degree beyond a B.S./B.A. right now- so, obviously, i don't expect any oohing or aahing. however, i expect everyone i work with to respect everyone else for what they bring to the table. none of us would have our jobs if we weren't qualified in our own special ways; i learn just as much from people with GEDs as i do from people with PhDs, as long as both ends of communication are open and respectful. there is a difference between not hearing the praise you think you deserve, and having people go out of their way to actively step on your toes and put you down. 

[Sh*t people say when you are applying to grad school]

My personal favorite is "If they aren't paying you to get your degree, you aren't Masters material."

 

Well. Excuse me. I'm sorry speech-pathology isn't funded AT ALL. Doesn't mean I'm not a wonderful candidate.

 

ugh, i hear that all the time, too, and it grinds my gears. archaeology barely gets enough funding in the U.S. to cover (very worthwhile) projects, let alone pay terminal M.A. students to attend. not all of us are lucky enough to be pursuing top-10 MBA programs with so much money they'll jet you around the globe for training...

[When to update the CV...]

i updated mine as soon as i committed, and for now, it says "entering august 2013." once i've started my classes, i'll probably change it to "anticipated graduation spring 2015" or something like that. 

[Official decisions thread!]

berkeley people: i'm living in san francisco right now, and berkeley is awesome! if you end up visiting or have any questions, feel free to send me a pm!

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

deadly catch

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

minding manners

[ways to pay for housing]

depending on where you're headed, you may want to look into house-sitting or live-in nanny and/or housekeeper jobs. options are kind of limited, but it's an option!

[The Wait Listed in Anthro]

FRICKIN' FRICK YEAH PLATYSAURUS!!! cal is among my (very early on) favorites for an eventual phd, so i'm a little envious and very excited!

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

weather report

[The other side of being accepted....shopping and planning the trip! :D]

annieca: i'm currently looking for housing in missoula, and we seem to be jumping the gun a little bit- a lot of posts up are still for summer sublets. i've heard that may is a good time to start looking, once most summer sublets are figured out, leases change over, etc. not sure if it's going to be the same for you, but in my case, late april and may seem to be the right time.

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

stanky leg

[University of Montana]

bumping, just in case!

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

turtle soup

[Is this a good idea?]

i agree with mp429- GIS is a critical skill to have these days, and i think it's worth it.

 

however, at least from what i've seen, anthropology and archaeology are reaching a point where it's less of a perk if you can use GIS software (namely ESRI); rather, it's a check against you if you can't. most jobs will note that they want or need applicants to have at least basic proficiency in GPS and GIS use. this may be why people are telling you the degree is "frivolous"- at this rate, most or all grad students in anthro and all its subfields are expected to either take a class in GIS, or poke around in the software enough to understand the basics, but you don't need to be an expert. 

[Archaeology Applicants: The Waiting Game - Fall 2013 - Share your progress!]

screencheck: if you're considering applying to an ivy, you may want to look into harvard; the peabody is an awesome resource, and there are a few faculty members whose interests may overlap with yours. ditto penn.

[Bags for Men]

FYI: The Clymb has a bunch of nice bags today, including some from chrome and timbuk2, as well as some more snazzy ones (in particular, a canvas backpack and some professional looking messenger bags). not the nicest or most fashionable, but they're nice enough, and most are floating around the 40% off range. 

 

also, +1 to khyleth: you can get some fantastic stuff at military surplus stores. i found and old gasmask bag, tweaked it a bit, and turned it into a funky purse. if you're diligent and creative, you can find some gems.

[Bags for women]

FYI, all: The Clymb has a lot of nice bags (backpacks and messenger bags, plus some laptop sleeves) from timbuk2, chrome, stm, et al. today. some are a little more "polished" looking than others, but at least they're more affordable than not.

[The Wait Listed in Anthro]

HECK YEAH WOO CONGRATS SWEETPEARL!!!!!!

 

 

plain font alone couldn't capture my excitement for you alone, so obviously, i had to include a silly picture and ridiculous font.

but seriously, i'm so excited for you! you must feel awesome!

[Medical Anthropology? Please read. Need advice.]

some takeaway thoughts: you'd almost certainly have to take the GRE again, but it sounds like you'll compensate for any "weak" points in your GPA/coursework with a great SoP. i would start talking to at least one professor who understands your "wanderlust" etc. well, who can also speak to your healthcare experience, for an LoR. also, start contacting professors at programs you're interested in sooner rather than later; the only flat-out rejection i got was from a school where i hadn't talked to any professors, so it seems to help. i had a low GPA, thanks to my ultra-slacker status during my first two years of undergrad, but i made up for it with everything else (SoP, LoRs, GRE scores, writing sample). 

[Keep A Word Drop A Word]

ocean avenue

[Dressing the Part . . . for Girls!]

+1 to what biscuits said (i feel like i say that a lot!): i, too, am super petite (short & skinny), so skinny jeans a good option for me. i also have a few pairs of skinny corduroys from uniqlo that i like a lot. as long as they're not unholy levels of form-fitting, you should be fine!

[Advice on awkward situation?]

if it helps, i've read it all, so feel free to delete it whenever. understood- it is, as you hinted at, pretty much off the table. it might still be worth it to contact your POI(s) there, but i wouldn't expect too much.