Thanks for the response, modernity. Also, appreciate the rant on the AWA -- totally agree (still not sure what a timed essay like that measure and anyway, I need several revisions before any of my work looks decent, and I believe that goes the same for most!).
Good idea about Cali schools -- the thing is, though, as someone mentioned somewhere else on this forum, the UC system is pretty broke at this point...so I wonder if it's worth it?
Also, your point about "safety" schools is well taken. I could only stomach a master's at some other schools I've considered applying to as "safety" to bolster my profile and get more experience (not to say it wouldn't be worthwhile to go there or anything, but I think my mind's set on a top school in anthro if possible).
In terms of Lambda Alpha -- honestly, it seems like a pretty minor honors society. They've got a website straight out of 1995 (complete with the annoying background MIDI music) and I've never seen it mentioned anywhere...like, ever, I believe. That said, I'm hoping it helps a bit, but I can't imagine it's a make-or-break sort of thing. That's just my sense of it, however, so if anyone else has any relevant input on that, have at it.
Thanks for the encouragement!
In terms of my reasoning for the other schools --- well, they're top programs and I've studied a lot of the people at those schools and their work dovetails with my own interests in some respects. Maybe not as overtly as religious movements, but in terms of thinking about modernity, yes.
Harvard - Ted Bestor and a few others
Chicago - Farquhar, specifically
Yale - I got a few positive responses there in my correspondence. Also, I may end up taking Graeber out of my the Yale version of my SoP - there was some controversy with his firing/nonrenewal of contract or something, possibly for unsavory political reasons or something like that. Anyway, it may not be a good idea to mention him.
Every school I'm planning on applying to thus far, I've contacted professors who work in Asia and at most schools have gotten a few good responses. But yes, "fit" is the operative term here. I may be investigating a few more schools this next week.
BTW, any of you anthro's out there going to the AAA meeting in philly this week? I'll be there!