CulturalAnth

Congrats!!! I love San Diego! I wish there was a fit for me there!

It's official! I accepted at UNLV, and declined at WSU. I let all my POIs know, and my WSU POI was really happy for me and my choice to attend UNLV, and totally understood that it was the best decision for my family. Since I've made this decision I have been very, very much looking forward to moving to a new city (I was dreading moving to Pullman), and have been really happy overall Good Luck to those still deciding! P.S. Is it weird that I haven't heard from Oregon State? I should email them and let them know I've accepted elsewhere.

Ack! Now that I have pretty much made up my mind about UNLV, I feel like I am breaking up with my POI at WSU! I know she will understand my reasonings for choosing a different university, but I know she has also put a lot of effort into me, and I don't want to be a disappointment! How are you all letting down your POIs with the news of accepting elsewhere?

Sure, I'll PM you

I am going to sit on it for a few days, but yes, I think so. I also told them about my pregnancy and received yet another happy, positive response about it. They also told me that I could push back my acceptance for a year if I wanted to, but I think going part time will be just fine for me (I get bored staying home all the time, I NEED school!). I am feeling really good about UNLV now, especially now that I've told them my pregnancy news and got a positive reaction from them.

Well, I received a fantastic email from one of my UNLV POIs. I am going to temporarily post it here to get some thought feedback, removing names. I think this email seals the deal for me:

They do allow grad students to apply to the PhD after the MA, so long as one doesn't get their B.S/B.A from UNLV. When my POI originally emailed me the decision for an MA, she also mentioned that she encouraged me to reapply to the PhD after my MA, and that I would have a good chance of getting accepted so long as I do well with my masters. But, there is still a possibility that I wouldn't, and I have been thinking that I want to stay somewhere for a while, for my family stability sake. However, I was also thinking that I don't want to live in Pullman so much that after 3 years of being at WSU I was going to ask to move to the Vancouver campus, so that kind of contradicts that logic. lol.

Eco- I posted on the Waiting Game thread for Option1 Since my little confusion with UNLV surfaced yesterday, I am back to being torn between WSU and UNLV. Basically, where I've been was coming to terms with accepting WSU because I was accepted into the PhD, and at UNLV they said they accepted me into an MA (see Results thread). But, I am still not thrilled with the thought of moving to Pullman. I applied there because I thought I had a good chance of getting in, and it was #4 on my list of 5. I would be very happy living in LV. I have family nearby, I have friends already living there, my SO can get a fantastic-paying job, I can go PT my first year if I want (and I DO want to, because as most of you know I have found myself unexpectedly pregnant and due in the middle of Fall semester!). If, for some reason, I didn't get much or any funding at either WSU or UNLV it is MUCH cheaper at UNLV to pay out-of-pocket/student loans (almost half as much!). And finally, I need sunshine, and warmth, desperately! I am so tired of living in isolated, cold, small towns. So, here is my question: If UNLV made a mistake and I did not get accepted into the PhD, and only the MA (and still no word on funding), yet at WSU I have been accepted for the PhD and only have my first semester guaranteed funding- with the possibility of next spring but will be unknown until right before the semester starts for every semester . . . What should I pick? UNLV = happiness, family, financially comfortable, but possibly only an MA and uncertainty of maybe not getting into a PhD (if, in fact, it was a mistake). Or, WSU = PhD. Does my happiness (etc) weigh more or less than *knowing* I will get a PhD, for sure? What would you pick? Why? Thanks!

Eco- It sounds like option 1 will make you most happy as well as give you ample teaching experience- and that is something that you would really need for a long term prof. career.

UNLV does accept people for PhD without a MA.. it's called their "Streamline" PhD. And that is what I applied to, and my POIs know that is what I applied to as well. I figure it can go one of two ways: a) A PhD spot opened up and so they bumped me from MA to PhD, or since I applied to the PhD, the system or the graduate college put that instead of MA on my acceptance. I'm really hoping it's not a mistake. UNLV is so much better for me in a lot of ways.

Today I received a letter from the graduate school at UNLV that has said I was accepted into the PhD program, which contradicts the letter I received from the Anth dept. that said I was accepted into the MA, and not the PhD. So, I am confused. I emailed my POI about it, but received an auto-generated out-of-country response. Anyone know what I should think? If this does mean that I was accepted for a PhD, then I want to go to UNLV! The biggest thing leaning me towards WSU was that I was accepted for a PhD program. On another note, I talked to my POI at WSU today and she has been working on trying to get me some funding there, and has so far only been able to possibly get me a one semester RA position, and doesn't know if she can renew it for the Spring (15). So, funding is totally up in the air at WSU still, but I know that my POI really wants me there and is trying to work something out. I would love some advice, insight, etc.

If they tell you that you have until May 1, then that is your deadline, not April 15

Canis- Wow. I've always been told by POIs to put thesis/disertation research topics in the SOP, but that didn't mean after being accepted that I couldn't pick a different topic instead. On my SOPs, I mostly just said I want to work with POI on their XYZ research from which I will formulate my own research topic regarding ZYX, etc. There was only one that I was extremely specific what I wanted my dissertation to be about. My area of study is both very specific and very broad (reproductive anthropology), and I picked the few universities that have POIs doing that kind of work. Anyway.. I'm glad now you know and were able to make the best decision for you!

I'm also waiting to hear on funding. I got an email from my POI at WSU today saying she is still waiting to hear about funding decisions too, but will hopefully be able to update me by Monday. *crossing fingers*!!!

I am still waiting for funding decisions too!

You should dress business, and stay dressed that way. At the few that I've been to, everyone dresses business formal, or business casual, for the whole conference. How about printing out your abstract with your name and contact info. That way they'll remember your poster along with your email

All of my posters have been advertised with my university's research department... there is a state-wide one at the state capital (like the national one), and a couple state-wide conferences for student research. I just applied (sent abstracts) for them when they announced them, and they easily accepted me. With the national conference I went to, my undergrad mentor/research advisor invited me to co-present his paper (and also contribute to it) at a conference. I haven't applied for a national one on my own yet. I would suggest you sign up for the organizations/conferences you think you could present at, and when the Call For Papers arrives in your inbox, send something in

I've done a few posters. Besides all the other advice, my advice is to WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!!!

I can offer what I think worked for me with getting into grad school on my first try... - Get recommendations for schools, POIs, from your letter recommenders and mentors. Both of the schools I have been accepted to were referred to me by my undergrad mentor to POIs who were familiar with his work and respected his recommendation. - If possible, schedule a visit with the school, departments, and POIs. I visited the 3 schools that were in driving distance to me, and met with a few department professors (including my POIs), graduate students, toured their facilities, etc. By taking the initiative to go on your own expense, and on your own time, it shows that you are very interested and are willing to do what it takes to pick a good program. Two of my visits they scheduled an entire day of meetings, lunch, coffee, interviews, etc. - If there are any weaknesses in your application (GRE scores, GPA, etc), address it in your SOP. My GRE scores were mediocre at best. But, I was able to counteract them by highlighting all my strengths compared to my one "flaw" in my application. If you don't address it, they might address it for you, without highlighting all your strengths. - I "hired" (traded, actually) an editor.. an English professor friend of mine, to edit my SOPs so that they were very solid, well written, and department specific. If you have any English major friends, maybe that might be an option for you too. - I was advised to apply to several programs.. 2-3 "prestigious" reach schools, 2-3 in-between (solid reputations and research, but not prestigious), and 2-3 "back-up" or safety schools. This also worked for me.. While I didn't get accepted into my reach schools, I at least tried, and I did get accepted into good universities with great POIs and research possibilities. - Research/Teaching Assistantships, Field School, Conference presentations/posters, Journal Publications, Community Service, Scholarships, etc.. apply/get/do as many as you possibly can.

Hey I'm an "older" student too (32)! I didn't start going to college until I had a kid Lots of people go to grad school after taking several years between under-grad and grad school, so I'm sure you'll fit in just fine at your age wherever you end up.

Well, I got my rejection from WUSTL.. 120 applicants! Still waiting on Oregon State.

It's gone both ways for me so far. I had a great email relationship with two POIs from the same university, and got rejected. Had a great relationship with another 2 POIs at another university and got accepted, but for MA not PhD. And a decent, but not spectacular, relationship with a POI and got accepted into the PhD program. You never know...

CONGRATS!!!! That has to be such a relief that you can both go to the same school!!!

I agree with Forsaken.. I would especially take into consideration the happiness of the grad students you are talking to, because that will be you someday.

I've received two fellowship rejections from WUSTL, but still no word from the anth department. Basically, I'm just expecting a rejection from them at this point, and I am over it. Ready to move on with my life....