lackingpatience

Thanks!! Appreciate the update. And best of luck with the three schools you're waiting for. Fingers crossed for you.

So much action this week guys!! I've been checking the boards obsessively while at work...ugh. Congrats to all the accepts!! Still waiting on UPitt...brutal because my partner has been accepted to CMU, and we would love to end up in the same place. There were a couple of accepts in early Feb, but I couldn't tell if those were for Arch or Anth, I'm waiting on Anth. Anyways, thanks to you all for being a great support community!

Just got the official rejection from Berkeley. Knew it was coming, but it still stings. Ah well!

Thanks!! I applied to 9 programs all together (yikes) but the skype meeting was for Boston University.

I just had a skype meeting with a couple POIs at one of my schools. Waah! I think it went well but I'm still mentally dissecting everything. I stumbled a bit on one of the questions about my future plans....why can't I edit real life?

BU Interview was me! Sociocultural. And it doesn't seem to be really a formal interview, more of a skype chat for 10-15 mins with two of my POIs. My POI contacted me today via e-mail, he is also the head of the admissions committee.

My Cambridge page has just been updated to "Awaiting decision by the board of graduate studies" and "The degree committee is satisfied with your application. However, your offer has not yet been approved". I'm not sure what this means, but I REALLY hope it's a good sign...

Nothing more (either positive or negative) from Brown yet?? I was so sure it would be yesterday for some reason... gah! I just need to know!

I'm an international applicant and I haven't heard anything yet either...let's not give up yet though!! I think you're right, they wouldn't call any international admits.

Ahhh a big congrats to the new admits!! Desperately trying to remain positive about my Brown application since I didn't get a phone call... hang in there everyone.

As a Canadian who applied to a bunch of these schools for undergrad, and some for post grad, in terms of overall prestige of the school UofT and McGill are highly regarded. That being said, I think the most important factor is the departmental focus. UBC's anthro department is very respected for it's work on Native/Indigenous culture, U of T has a great East Asian anthropology department, etc. I did my undergrad at McGill and absolutely loved the department - my research area is legal/political anthropology, something that McGill's department focuses on. I'm curious to know what Canadian schools have any name recognition in the states. Most people here seem to think that U of T and McGill (and perhaps UBC) are the most widely recognized internationally. All in all, I think department fit generally trumps prestige as you pointed out. Of course, my opinion might be a little biased as a proud McGill-er, but I was accepted to McGill and U of T for undergrad and am very happy with my choice so far

Hey Canis! I also applied to UBC, though my application is for an MA (not sure if yours is PhD, so the situations might be different). I thought it was really unusual that they wanted some things by mail...seems a bit outdated. I just checked my status and everything is marked complete. However, if you sent everything in the same package it sounds more like an administrative error on their part. Maybe they are having problems with the online system and the admin is backed up trying to fix everything? In any case, don't stress too much:) If they received part of the envelope, they must have received the whole.

Just got an unconditional acceptance for an MSc at London School of Economics! I didn't get any GSS funding though, which is disappointing. Still in the running for scholarships, so fingers crossed!! I love this program, but I won't be able to accept without funding. Still, nice to have the first response be a positive one!

eriatarka - I am in a similar situation with one of my recommenders. My two other letter writers submitted well before the deadlines while the third is submitting on or after the deadlines. But after having spoken to this recommender in particular, other professors, and the admissions departments where I'm applying it seems like this is not unusual at all. Apparently it's very common for letters of reference to be submitted right at the deadline, or even just after. At least, that has been the response I've gotten from everyone I've asked. I know it's hard not be anxious about this, I've been checking my e-mail every hour, but try not to pester you recommender too much! Especially as it sounds like they are actually meeting the deadlines, whereas mine was actually a few days late for the Berkeley application. Good luck with your apps!

A couple! Applying to MAs at UBC and UofT. Which ones are you applying to?

You can still apply!! The December deadline only applies if you're looking for certain scholarships. If you've got external funding, or don't need special scholarships, then I'm pretty sure the deadline is still June! Best of luck with your other apps. Glad to be done with that pesky personal history statement!

Honestly, true. Thanks for the help!!

Haha thanks monfemme! Cambridge's general applications are due in June, but since I'm applying to a couple of scholarships everything needed to be in early. So you still have time!! Quick question about your Berkeley Ap - Had all your recommenders submitted their letters before you clicked submit? Still waiting on one of mine, which is pretty stressful, and wondering if I can submit the rest of my application anyways.

Good call on this thread! I just submitted Cambridge yesterday, and am submitting Berkeley later today. Applying to 9 in total, a mix of reach schools and slightly more attainable programs...not that any school is really a safety school. Feeling pretty nervous, since some of my apps are pretty ambitious. But it's always worth a try right?! Best of luck to all. Brace yourselves for the waiting.

Thanks all! Very sound and helpful advice! Will be contacting a few professors very soon, but I am making sure to read or re-read some publications from each one first.

Hey all, Gearing up to start sending out applications in the fall! I'm just wondering when is appropriate to start contacting POIs...is the next few weeks too early? If anyone has experience in this matter it would be much appreciated. Thanks!

It is pretty interesting! Like a lot of fields in Anthropology it is pretty flexible in its applications. But generally speaking it is about the way populations approach the legal systems around them, both how they define themselves in legal forums, adapting those systems, as well as adapting their own self-image in legal contexts. Legal anth is particularly applicable surrounding ideas of international law and human rights - forums or systems that purport to be universally applicable to some degree. For example, I'm from Canada, and many of the legal anthropologists her focus on indigenous populations and their approach to reclaiming their land and culture through legal procedures, and the ways that they are portrayed in legal forums in order to do so. That's a really vague overview, but you get the idea!

Hey! First time applicant here. Still gauging what kinds of places I have a shot at, but planning to apply for a few dream PhDs and then some MA programs also. I'm looking to go into Legal Anthropology. Still working on the list, but so far LSE, UCL, UBC, U of T, UCLA...maybe I'll get up the courage to apply to Berkeley? Best of luck to everyone!

This is so encouraging to hear! And a big congrats on your acceptances! Can I ask what your top choice MA was? I am interested in exploring programs that are out there. Especially since that's an awesome funding offer.

That's a good point. I think you're right and I might as well try to apply to some PhDs - the more I look through these forums the more I think that. Also getting in touch with faculty is a good idea. Thanks!