jellyfish1

From what I've heard (from friends who went to some as well as others), it is not very hard to get into a UK masters program if you are a non-UK resident because they tend to make more money from international students. It is apparently incredibly hard to get funding for a UK masters if you are not a UK resident. US masters programs also rarely come with any funding, and at many institutions, the masters is sometimes a cash cow to fund PhD students. That doesn't mean that these aren't exceptionally fine programs with amazing faculty - they absolutely are! And I know a PhD student at a very highly ranked anthro PhD program who got a masters at UCL first and very much recommends it. When I was weighing my options, I spoke with her about it and she said "Just be aware that you'll be one of a huge number of master's students at UCL and that your money will go to fund the department", but that she learned a lot from the experience and it probably helped her get into said top ranked US PhD program. From what I've heard, you should have no problem at all getting into any of these programs, but funding is very, very unlikely. This is all anecdotal though, so take this with a grain of salt!

At least in my field, I'd heard that the past 2 years were especially rough but that this year might be better. I am hoping that this is a positive sign. Perhaps some departments have more spots this year and can start offering interviews before all applications are in. There was an anthro phd applicant who posted that s/he got accepted mid December, even though the deadline wasn't until January! S/he discussed this on our applicant thread in the anthro section and it sounds legit! So I'm hoping this might mean good news? No reason to freak out yet, let's try to stay optimistic until the end of January at least!!!

I'm going to send them hand written cards and bake them cookies. Something small and simple.

Happy to help! Best of luck on your paper!

I wouldn't stress since they already should have digital copies as part of the application. My transcripts haven't gotten there yet and my application deadline was Dec 10. On the website, however, it says my application is "complete." You do not need hard copies to be there for the application to be considered complete, it appears. Also, someone on grad cafe said that their transcripts were late and they contacted admissions. Addmissions told them that as long as they get them within a few weeks after the deadline, it will be fine. Don't worry. I think either course of action would be fine. :-)

Okay, hang on. A BA research paper, and especially your first BA research paper, is a totally and completely different beast than graduate level work. Since this is a graduate school forum, I think everyone assumed (and rightly so) that you were a grad student in anthropology. While all the advice that's been given is true- all papers have a theoretical framework, and Canis gave you some interesting theoretical lenses through which to think about your topic - I highly doubt you need any of that in this type of paper. That type of framework is really only possible if you've had at least a basic anthropological theory class first. As this is your first research paper, EVER, you really don't need to discuss theory at such a serious level, I'd imagine. It sounds like you have a really great topic, a topic that could be at home in a graduate level program, so give yourself major props for that! You will be fine, so don't worry so much! Just try to tie your research paper to the other readings you've read for the course as much as you can, and that is probably all the theory you need. I'd imagine that the professor is only expecting you to pull in outside materials specific to your particular topic and not outside theory. I also know that in multi-year courses at my undergrad institution, professors knew when someone was a freshman vs. a senior anthro major and considered their work based on level as much as possible. But, I found that, even though it can be intimidating, if you reach out to professors or TAs they will tend to be very enthusiastic to help. You sound like a smart and ambitious person, and I would urge you not to be afraid to send an e-mail asking a professor to clarify what's required in this assignment and even expressing that you're a little nervous because this is your first ever research paper. You can even reach out to an older student in the class. When I was a junior anthro major, a freshman in one of my classes had the exact same issue as you - it was her first research paper and she wanted advice on how to approach it. Since I spoke in class and obviously knew the subject well, she came and asked me for some advice. I was happy to guide her and she ended up getting an A. So to summarize- 1. don't take any of the advice that's been offered so far. It's all superb advice but probably way too advanced for you and the goals of the paper right now. 2. You're already on the right track. Tie your ideas to course readings and you'll be fine. 3. Don't be afraid to ask a TA, professor, or fellow student for some advice! And, if you have more questions, feel free to message me if you want. I'd be happy to read a draft of your paper and give you advice on it if you want and if that is allowed by your prof. (Sometimes undergrad papers are not supposed to have any outside editors or input).

hi @1leafy! Are you applying to the gender/sexuality cluster at Northwestern? I applied to that! I'm archaeology track though- I want to study the archaeological remains of historic brothels. Feel free to message me if you want to talk about gender and sexuality stuff! I also had a major shift- I started as a music major at a conservatory and then transferred and switched paths entirely halfway through college. But now I'm not really doing anything related to music. Cool that you were able to use your previous experience to inform your anthro study! I bet that will make you an unusual and especially strong applicant. :-)

A few things: 1. Some really horrible anti-trans and anti-sex worker things have been said here, and I just would ask that those of you making such comments be more considerate and thoughtful before you put hateful words into the world, whether on this forum or elsewhere. It's repugnant to talk, even hypothetically, about ways to confirm whether someone's perceived gender is their birth sex. Also, talking about all sex workers with generalizations and expressions of disgust is both hateful and ignorant. Besides the fact that your feelings about prostitutes have nothing AT ALL to do with grad school. It is off topic even for this thread. 2. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if admin committees search these forums. One of my POIs googled my name and found my linkedin before I even applied. He didn't have my grades or test scores or any information about me, just an introductory email I'd sent. If POIs will search for people at that point in time, before even reading applications, I imagine they'll continue to do it afterwards. This whole forum is searchable also, so if someone searches your program, it will likely come up. For instance, if you repeatedly discuss going into, say, Social Work, and list all the schools you are applying to, that is VERY easy to find and could be a top hit on google, given the right search commands. Additionally, while it may not be common, keep in mind that professors sometimes get bored and curious, and if I were a bored professor, I would totally lurk this site anonymously. Besides, this is all public. Even if you don't care if a professor sees it, do you really want to make a terrible first impression on your peers before you even begin grad school? It would be smart to realize the networking potential of this site. I've already made a number of helpful connections with friendly, intelligent people in my field.

Hilarious!! http://memegenerator.net/instance/33777360?urlName=Archaeology-Major-Dog&browsingOrder=New&browsingTimeSpan=AllTime

SO much awesome stuff on this thread! I went to music school for 2 years before I transferred and switched to archaeology, and I sometimes get caught up in a classical music bubble. @Pol - It's so interesting to me that these types of soundscapes, which are somewhat reminiscent of John Cage and Phillip Glass (among others) are being pioneered with non-orchestral instruments to create a whole new thing. I love it! Thank you for introducing me. You might like this, though it's very dark. It's called Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima and it's by a Polish composer named Penderecki (pronounced pen-der-et-sky). It is performed entirely by string orchestra with no sound manipulation or other effects, which is really surprising! I would listen to it without watching the video, but up to you! Fair warning- it's disturbing and it's a love it or hate it piece, usually. @rexzepplin- I've listened to "Paper Trails" twice now, too! This thread, seriously, you all are making my waiting game way more bearable! Here's another favorite song of mine- it's somewhat folksy and really catchy. A somewhat different direction from what I posted earlier :-) Also, the video is super weird and entertaining.

Thanks! @Loric, I actually did mention his work in my SoP and discuss how it related to my research interests, so I'm good on that point! This school is a really top contender for me and because POIs A, B, and E sent me long e-mail responses and seemed really excited about my research, I think I have at least a decent shot of getting in. My intent, therefore is twofold: First, I feel that I should get to know this POI to see if he's someone I want to work with in the long term, and secondly, since they haven't reviewed applications yet, this could potentially show further interest in the department and improve my chances of admission. I guess I'll reread some of his work, form a question about it that relates to my own work, and introduce myself that way. Wherever I end up going (if I get in anywhere- always uncertain!), I will undoubtedly refer to his work, and so having a conversation about it can only be a positive for me. Thanks so much, all, for your helpful advice!

Them: "So which one is your safety school?" Me: "None of them are safety schools. They are all top programs and anyway, there's no such thing as a "safety" when you're applying to PhD programs in this field."

Hello! At one of the schools I'm applying to, I've run into a bit of a complicated situation and I'm not sure how to proceed. I'll try to be as clear as possible without revealing names etc. I first emailed POI A, who I really wanted to work with. He said he may not be taking students, but is not sure and was very interested in my proposed research. He suggested I consider contacting some other professors in the Dept, particularly B, C, and D. I looked up these 3 and found that B and C resonated with my research interests, particularly POI B. I e-mailed POI B and she was incredibly enthusiastic about my research. In the meantime, I also e-mailed another professor (we'll call her E) with a question about a related program she runs, (she is in the dept I'm applying to, but not my subfield). I mentioned that I had already spoken with A and B. She was also enthusiastic and strongly suggested I contact professor C. Specifically she said I should "get to know him, both through his work and via e-mail." However, POI E took a while to respond, and so didn't respond until just before the application deadline, at which point I was really busy with apps. I said I would contact professor C in my response, but I still haven't. Is it too late? I just don't feel like I'm familiar enough with his work to start an e-mail about it. I have read some of it though and I mentioned him in my SoP. Will it look bad if I don't e-mail him, since 2 different colleagues of his told me to? I've already e-mailed THREE PEOPLE at this school! What would y'all do? Thanks!

@Pol - I've never heard of this group before and I am now obsessed!! Thank you for introducing me! That piece (as well as their other stuff) is AMAZING. Also, @rexzepplin thanks for starting this excellent thread!

The Section Quartet! I'm also gonna go SUPER NERDY on y'all and say- a bath, wine, Shostakovitch's 5th Symphony - perfection! But then, I'm very much a classical music nerd (and a proud one!). :-)

I quickly perused the UCRiverside Anthro website (I'm not applying there, but I'm bored), and I didn't see any particulars about SoPs. Because of this, I would be inclined to go with the suggested word limit within the application itself. However, since the deadline is after the dept resumes, I would polish two statements- a 1 page one and a slightly longer one. Since you've already e-mailed the dept, they may respond January 2 or 3 saying that they adhere strictly to the word limit or saying that they don't really care and it can be longer. I think if it were me, I would wait to submit until January 4 or so (since the deadline is January 5), and see if you get a response. I tend to agree that word limits on apps are sort of more suggestions generally, but it could be not great if you submit a longer one and get a response from the department telling you to stick to the word limits or vice versa. If you have two statements ready to go and all you need to do is upload one or the other, you can submit your application with the fitting one as soon as you hear back from the department.

I've heard from grad students in anthropology that taking time to work for a few years is not a bad choice and can even be beneficial. I know someone who went from 20 years working in real estate/finance to going for a PhD in Anthropology, actually. I would second Slouching's advice to take some anthro classes at a local school to make sure it's really what you want. I've heard it's best to take time off and have experience vs. hopping directly from one school to PhD work. When you do apply, perhaps apply to both PhD and master's programs- If you don't have enough experience or qualifications for a PhD program, you can do a master's first and build your credentials. But you never know! Anthro programs seem to look for unconventional backgrounds sometimes and a really persuasive SoP could get you in! Best of luck!

Thanks! I did that and now I feel much more informed about the process.

Sounds good, thanks!

Thanks! @xstopfloating - So we are! what's your area of interest? may I ask who you want to work with at Northwestern? My intended focus is historical archaeology, historic brothels specifically. Maybe we'll end up at the same place, who knows!

I recommend looking at an online dating site such as OkCupid. I found that perusing the profiles in various areas can give a good clue to what the queer scene there is like.

Hi! One of my undergrad profs suggested that I read an article from a POI, and lead the e-mail with a question about it. Then, I usually connect it with my own proposed research topic and explain why I'm interested in that question. So far, no one's actually answered my question about their work, but they seemed to really appreciate that I was familiar and asked. One even complimented me on having an "insightful" question, though she did not have the time to fully respond to it. Overall, the responses to this type of e-mail have been super positive. My undergrad prof also mentioned that she gets a million generic e-mails asking general questions about the requirements for the grad program, and she said she dislikes this, so I'd stray away from asking questions that can be easily answered via the website. The e-mailing is so nerve-wracking and awkward though, I agree. But I think it can really help them pick your application out of a bunch if it jogs their memory of a previous e-mail!

Hey all! I'm a historical archaeologist interested in brothel archaeology. I'm applying to Stanford, Berkeley, UChicago, Northwestern, and Boston U. (I've applied to all but Boston already). As far as SOP, several of my schools specified single spacing, so that's what I've been doing. Also I think 1-2 pages, single spaced is pretty standard, or at least that's mostly what I've been asked for. But I'd be shocked if a school didn't specify and then rejected you for doing the wrong type of spacing, so I wouldn't stress about it too much. Does anyone know around what time most schools start making decisions? Do they usually invite people for interviews or anything? I've talked to my undergrad profs a bunch about the actual SoP and application, but I feel like I have almost no clue what happens after that. Anyone have a better sense? Thanks!

I had some POIs respond to my e-mails over a month later, so don't give up hope!! Also, one of my profs from my undergrad said that even if they don't respond, it isn't necessarily a bad thing. She told me that sometimes she'll forget to respond to an applicant, but when she gets their application, it will jog her memory. She'll remember that they e-mailed her and showed interest and that will be a definite positive. So even if they never respond, it doesn't mean you won't get in! Lots of professors are flaky and forget to respond to e-mails. Good luck!

Hey, I did my undergrad at Columbia (Anthropology/Archaeology), and I know some of the grad students there. From what I can tell, they have pretty solid community, but you can be as involved or uninvolved as you want. The department holds a lecture series every other wednesday and it is usually really well attended by both grad students and faculty. If you go to those, you will get to shmooze and drink wine with the visiting lecturers and the department, and I found this to be really beneficial (and enjoyable!). The students who go to those lectures seem to have much closer connections with each other and with faculty than those that don't, so I really recommend going. I've heard some grad students say that the Archaeology contingent is more closely knit than socio-cultural students, but I honestly don't know as much about that. While I was there though, it seemed like many of the professors (particularly the ones technically at Barnard) are very open and easy to talk to, plus many of them are really supportive and give great advice. It's up to you to reach out and form community, but if you make an effort it will be repaid in spades. It is definitely not a cutthroat or mean environment, it is pretty supportive. Hope this helps!