AKCarlton
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Posts posted by AKCarlton
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Best of luck to you, busybee, knp, bioarch_fan and anthrostudentcyn!
soon all of you shall transition into the "refreshing of your inbox" phase
You'll be fine!
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On 9/4/2015 at 8:00 PM, TenaciousBushLeaper said:
Suggestions for places to shop for clothes? (Men's clothes)
What's your style? A very popular store opened up near the Downtown Crossing stop called Primark. Everyone comes out with heaping bags of clothes, and I mean, everyone.
On 8/6/2015 at 10:43 AM, Tairy said:I've been in the area house-hunting so I'm fairly aware of the situation. It's very typical to pay either first + security OR last, while a decent amount but not all request all 3 of those. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but considering the rent prices in this area, a little over 1k simply won't work. To rent a room in a house or something, you can expect to pay an average of say $900 (with several hundred dollars +/- of variance depending on number of roommates, utility situation, and so on) and generally a fair bit more for actual apartment buildings.
As a thought experiment let's assume you arrive with $1200 to spend initially on housing. If you work very hard you might be able to wrangle yourself a room at around $700. You'll likely be asked for first month's rent plus either deposit or last month's, therefore $1400 up-front costs. Obviously you can't pay that, and this is about the cheapest possible scenario. As an alternative, there are places that rent "month to month" as they call it which often don't ask for additional fees, but there don't seem to be tons of these offers and I find them a bit sketchy, but you'd be able to afford it.
The housing market here is rough and you can't really expect to get something ideal, you have to scrounge around and take what's decent as quickly as possible. My impression is that it's safest to arrive with something like $3000, $2k would be sufficient if you absolutely insist on not trying for any place requesting all 3 initial fees. In any case you're going to need some supplementary money in all likelihood.
Although this is fairly accurate, this does not apply to everyone.
I can safely say, my rent for a room in a decent apartment is below $500 including utilities. I highly suggest Craigslit. This will also allow you to get around the "realtor fees" that a lot of places in the Boston area try to tack onto your lease.
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Will the commute from Dorchester to MIT be a pain?
Nope...I live in DOT and my gf works over in that area...takes the Redline and gets off at Kendall/MIT, takes between 20-30 min.
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I would actually say this isn't entirely true anymore. I have found NUMEROUS MA programs that are funded. You just have to search for them. Most of my programs are funded in someway or another. Sure it's competitive, but most of them won't admit students they can't fund. One school in particular said she's only accepting one student because that is all she can actually fund.
I'm going to also corroborate this sentiment. My program is funded. Every student receives it. From my cohort to the new one.
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Best of luck to all of you!
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Have you considered any programs that offer degrees that allow you to essentially build your own path (i.e. Northern Arizona's masters in Research Anthropology, which allows you design your own research goal)?
Also, I only applied to four programs, and simply applied to the fourth for the same reasons you mentioned. I got into 3 out of 4, including the safety school I applied to, which gave me options to compare and ponder over. So, you never really know...if three feels like it's enough for you, then so be it. You said you're willing to wait another year, so it seems like you know what's best for you at this point in time, but if you're insisting on continuing your search, think about what I said earlier, programs that give you the freedom to create your own project.
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Awesome yeah! and I'd love to hear how Boston and the program is too!
Then we must meet up for a chat! DM me your contact info if you feel comfortable!
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BSchaefer, maybe I'll see you there? I'll be presenting a paper as well.
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Anyone attending the conference? Presenting? Etc?
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So I've been working on my applications and I'm finding it hard to find the length that the statement of purpose should be. Some of the departments have the length requirements on their website, whereas others don't. Does anyone have any tips on figuring this out? I don't want to make my statement of purpose too short or too long and risk the department not looking at my application because of this.
Thanks!
Most tend to be two-pages, but if you're concerned I would suggest contacting and asking.
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Hi there!
Just wondering if there is anyone out there who took a break between undergrad and applications to work in contract archaeology? Did you already apply? Did it seem to help your applications even if your plan is academia?
I'm curious about how/if CRM work had a positive effect on your portfolio.
I can tell you just from those I've met in my cohort, the cohort above me and the cohort after me...a few actually worked in CRM for a year or more and they made it into the program. So, I guess it's positive! It's more to do with what you plan to study and if the program would be a good fit for you.
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I'm curious about this. During my undergrad as well as my MA, both of which I completed in the UK, all assessment was essay based. Basically, I never had final exams but was required to write papers (usually 2 per module) and do presentations (1 per module ). Overall it was very research based. Is that similar to how classes are done in the US?
I gotta admit that I'm slightly uncomfortable when thinking about exams as the last time I had those was in high school about 15 years ago...
I had a comprehensive final exam in my Environmental Archaeology course and we all bonded over the fact that we hadn't taken a final exam in so long. Also, it wasn't an exam, but we had a Ceramics practical in another course. I guess it depends on your professor.
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Thank you!
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I'll add the following books:
- A History of Archaeological Thought by Bruce Trigger
- Contemporary Archaeology in Theory: The New Pragmatism by Preucel and Mrozowski
They were required in my theory class. But again, there were a few people in other cohorts with no anthro background and they did find. It's really up to you and and the effort you make honestly. Some kids just do the readings, go to class and do their assignments and they sail through...but I am asking questions, and trying really hard to learn everything I can (and I even have an anthro background), but I want to get the most out of my grad career.
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Most tend to say bachelors, masters or PhD....I knock out the bachelors, cause everyone has those these days...
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Hey there,
Apologies in advance if this topic has been discussed before, but I couldn't find a thread.
I'm in the process of a getting my Masters and just wondered if it would be worth it to continue on toward a PhD. What difference does that make? As in working in the field?
I know you need a PhD if you want to be a professor, but what about in the field? Is it just $$ in that sense?
Thanks in advance for all insight, consider it all valuable to me.
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I would not advise it.
I would actually disagree. I was in the same situation as you were Tairy...I was already in the process of moving for my fiance's job before we both moved again out here for me to start my Masters program. We came from Arizona and I had no money nor time to fly out here for apartment hunting. It took me a while but I found a really, really good priced-room in my current apartment and they accepted me without talking to me or skyping me, and have had no problem.
It's possible, you just have to take the time to find the people who are willing to work with you.
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Hi! I'm going to be starting at UMass Boston in the fall. Any tips on where in the area I should be looking for cheap apartments? It doesn't necessarily have to be nice or the safest area (I mean I am a twenty-something female so moderately safe would be nice). I'd really appreciate any advice!
I'd look in Dorchester and Savin Hill area or the area around JFK/UMass T-Stop. The Dorchester area tends to have a bad reputation, but I live here and don't have a problem at all, but I'm also right by a T Stop, so I just hop on and hop off without going farther beyond that. The prices are great...DM if you need more help.
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I did my undergrad in journalism at Arizona State University and loved it. I may be biased because I'm an Arizona native, but the weather is sunny, you'll never be cold. The university itself has four campuses spread throughout the valley, but they have a nice shuttle bus system to take you in between them.
The university has a reputation as being a party school, but you have the choice to live that lifestyle or not. A lot of people go there because it is much more affordable that nearby states and their programs, so the campus is very diverse as far as its student population.
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I think that this is of interest to many of us, especially the international students. What are the best and worst college cities for getting around without a car?
Boston. I ended up selling my car before moving out here and have not regretted that decision. The T is pretty reliable most of the time and you can even take day trips or multi-day trips to places like Maine and New York City and Rhode Island when you need to get away.
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I would say it depends on the museum and depends on your program and depends on your career goals.
The (small, lesser-known local museum) I interned at could be considered better than a (famous museum) because it provided an opportunity to work with the town's descendant community ... if you know what I mean?
A (famous museum) and a (lesser-known local museum) provide opportunities for public outreach opportunities.
It's honestly just a matter of what you got out of your time there and how you present that to your prospective program.
Experience is experience no matter where, at least that's how I look at this situation.
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Hi everyone!
So my undergraduate school has this thing called "Program II," where you're pretty much allowed to make your own major with a pre-determined set of coursework. My program is called Visual Anthropology, but it consists of only two actual Anthropology classes, which both also happen to be electives. My coursework mostly consists of Visual Media Studies and Sociology classes.
However, I'm heavily considering attending graduate school for Anthropology (Sociocultural Anthropology), and I was wondering if this would be an issue during admissions. If you look at my transcript, only one courses is listed under Anthropology, which may raise some red flags.
I also considered Sociology, which seems much more relevant to my transcript, but I'm more interested in fieldwork rather than quantitative surveys, and have more experience in fieldwork as well (mostly documentary and oral history work). I can also overload and take some required Anthropology courses, which I would also like to avoid if possible, so my GPA doesn't suffer from the extra work.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
If you apply to programs that best "fit" your needs and and provides ample research opportunities that again, "fit" your career goals, you should be fine.
You just need to make contact with POIs there, maybe visit the programs you're interested and write a kick-butt letter of purpose/statement.
There are a lot of people who are getting accepted to Anthro programs with diverse backgrounds such as yours. You have the drive, you have the experience, you just have to find the program that is the best "fit"!
Good luck!
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Congrats aaannnthroling!
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Realistic question: I'm graduating with both a BA in Anthro and a Bachelor of Journalism in May. I'm looking for RAships so that I'm not sitting on my hands/doing something entirely unrelated to Anthro/still learning (namely this last one). In a perfect world, I would LOVE to be paid, but I've recently been told that getting paid with just a BA might be a bit of a pipe dream.
Thoughts on this? I really enjoy being self-sufficient - my parents have already helped me out extensively with paying for undergrad, so I really would like to not have to further rely on (read: be a tremendous financial burden for) them.
Woo! Someone who has an identical background as I do! I can't help you very much as far as your RAship, but I would highly, highly suggest applying to scholarships and attending a field school...although I didn't have one coming into my current Masters program, not going to lie, there are moments where I feel like a fish-out-of-water because I know nothing of field work. I've had to work a bit harder and study a bit harder in regards to my assistantship, but I've also been told by professors that I'm learning and taking away a lot more than the others who seem a bit "comfortable" with where they're at ...
Are you applying to grad school and you're just looking for experience in between now and then? Sorry, a bit confused.
The GRE will be the weakest part of my application... what are my chances?
in Anthropology Forum
Posted
What everyone else says, GRE really doesn't matter. I took mine while wrapping up my post-bac by taking 6 courses at the same time and thus, didn't have time or energy to invest in studying for it...I still got into 4 out of 5 programs!