AKCarlton
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Posts posted by AKCarlton
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From my experience...I had a journalism and mass communication bachelors and when I knew I wanted to get into anthropology at the masters/phd levels...all the schools I looked at highly HIGHLY recommend an undergrad in anthropology -- like rarely ever except people without one.
I knew I needed the second bachelors in anthropology to be able to compete for a spot in a masters program. So, I recommend you undertake a post-bac like I did...
Besides that...I'm gaining experience at the local museum here where I volunteer in the archaeology department, and also take part in anthropology/archaeology workshops around the state when those come around AND it is highly recommended (although not necessarily required) to have completed some sort of field school prior to masters program...at least it hasn't really hindered me getting into a program, I can't speak for the majority. However, I will be doing one for my masters because it is required.
Thus, I recommend looking into obtaining a post-bac in anthropology and also searching for field schools that interest you that way you can gain an educational understanding of anthropology, gain experience in the field and also network with professionals and professors who will be able to write your letters of recommendation.
Hope this helps and I'm sure you'll be receiving many other responses. Best of luck to you.
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Is it odd that I'm still waiting to hear back from West Florida? From past records in the Results section they have let people know in March and April, etc...I'm in contact with them and was told this past week that my application is Under Review, but seriously...how on earth can they wait this long to start looking through their applications?
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Haven't we reached the point where it's acceptable for us to contact schools who haven't contacted us?
When I called U of T to ask about my status, I said "I have another offer that expires soon, and I don't want to accept that offer without knowing the status of my application at U of T." The administrator immediately checked my status and let me know that I was admitted over the phone. From what I can tell, if a school has decided that they want you, the last thing they want is to lose out on a high-quality applicant because they didn't let that applicant know in time.
It's April. If you're in doubt, just call the department. The worst thing they can say is that you have been rejected, which means that you can start making other plans. And if you have been waitlisted, then at least you'll be able to relax a bit, since you likely won't hear back until sometime around the 15th.
I started asking for updates end of March...yes, I would start contacting them now. I've already asked for an update and was given updates and even told there would be more next week.
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Anyone out there still waiting to hear back? Aside from my two waitlists, I'm still waiting on CUNY... Haven't heard a thing from them.
I cannot believe April starts on Tuesday... I'm moving very, very far in four months, but I have no idea where yet.
I'm still waiting on the University of West Florida and noticed in the past people hadn't heard back until April 5...
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I would email or call at this point...every one of the universities I applied to have not updated their Website throughout this entire process...and after I contacted them myself I received feedback almost immediately.
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legendary character
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Hey guys. This year was a total wash for me. Honestly, I know I'm qualified and I know I have a pretty damn competitive application, I really think the problem was that I applied to do Maya bioarch with Andean bioarch POIs. I really don't think they're willing to consider anyone doing anything other than trauma in Peru! So next year my entire application strategy is going to be different. I'm going to focus on mortuary archaeology for those programs with strong Maya foci and apply to bioarch programs ONLY at schools with POIs who work somewhere other than Peru. I've only found two places that focus on Maya bioarch, and they weren't taking people this year. So perhaps it just wasn't meant to be.
Have you considered Northern Arizona University? One of my former professors Dr. Corina Kellner was a bioarchaeologist with a focus on Peru. She actually is conducting a field school this summer on adolescents and cemeteries in Peru. She's taking a sabbatical this academic year, but she may be back by the next, which is when you would start if you get accepted the next application season.
I worked her in osteology lab for an independent study this past semester. She has a lab and accepts volunteers, and she also sent an email not too long ago for a paid position in it as well. It receives skeletal remains quite frequently, especially since we're so close to Native American reservations. You'd have lots to work with if you considered it.
PM me if you have any further questions, but she is an amazing professor who is excited to discuss Peru and bioarchaeology...ALSO, she may be able to send you information about her former school in California where she received her past degrees and the professors she worked with, which might help you with the schools you select for next time when you're applying.
Edit: Apologies, read your post for the third time and realized you DON'T want Peru...but if you still want to do morturary and bioarch, I'd recommend getting into contact with her...she helped me a lot during my post-bac there.
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Personally, I'm in a similar situation where I'm using my masters as a stepping stone to my PhD...so that's why I would appreciate the smaller, more personable environment that McMaster appears to provide you. It also seems like a great place that would provide great recommendation letters once you start applying for your PhD? That's how I'm viewing it.
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I don't know what's worse...waiting on funding after being offered acceptance, being on a waitlist or still waiting to hear about decisions from another...
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inflated balloons
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What a wonderful analysis. Thank you!
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I did not apply to UCLA, but I've been following along because I'm really curious about this waitlist and you all are discussing an aspect to it I've yet to hear about...them slimming it down and making decisions...can someone who is familiar with this process explain it a bit for me?
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double check
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Just got accepted to Oxford
After 12 rejections, I almost lost hope...
Anybody else got accepted? Feel free to PM me.
Phenomenal! That is awesome news!! Very happy and excited for your new chapter to begin!
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Ah okay, makes a lot more sense...thank you for your responses!
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Can someone explain the April 15th deadline? I'm just confused because in my acceptance offer I was told I have until May 1st to let them know...
I plan to wait a while because I'm on wait-list for one of my other programs, and am holding out hope for it.
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Cheers fellow Lumberjack! Must make the school proud!
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This is great information...thank you. My current full-time position is practically library-like...help a customer when they come in when it's your turn (rotate between us sales people)...it's quiet..I sit at my own desk, have been refreshing my inbox every 10 minutes...can read a book and surf this site...so if I am able to transfer to another store close to my school, I think I could make it work.
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Wonderful and very much appreciated advice! Thank you!
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Apologies if this conversation topic has already been brought up, but I would like to know if it's feasible to work while attending grad school?
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Just got accepted to Illinois State University's Historical Archaeology program!!
- pears, JPG, anthropologygeek and 1 other
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Can anyone explain what the wait-list is like? How often have you been put on it and how often have you been offered a spot in their program?
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Update on William and Mary: I just spoke with the administrative assistant there and she said they are crafting the letters now and that's normally how they notify people...however, I emailed them myself asking cause I can't wait for a letter. My mailing address is my permanent residence down in Phoenix and I live two hours away in Flagstaff and I told my parents not to open anything until I could...so I prefer email and she said they MAY be emailing people as well since it's late in the game.
Update on University of Massachusetts-Boston: They are on spring break. (oh geez, thanks for making us wait while you take a breather from it all).
Research needed for admissions?
in Anthropology Forum
Posted
I have to respectfully disagree...most programs make comments such as this on their sites:
We expect applicants to have a background in archaeology, which is normally provided with a baccalaureate degree in anthropology or archaeology; however, undergraduate or graduate degrees in historic preservation, history, American studies, art history, Classics, Egyptology, sociology, and allied fields are accepted if the applicant demonstrates sufficient background and potential...Those admitted who show solid potential but insufficient background may be required to take select undergraduate courses in addition to the regular graduate curriculum to compensate for the deficiencies in background that might affect their performance at the graduate level. A better option for such students seeking admission – since they will be competing for a slot in the program with those who have the requisite undergraduate training – is to boost their background beyond the already-awarded bachelor’s degree by taking undergraduate archaeology courses before applying.
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Students with an MA that is not in Anthropology may petition the Graduate Committee to determine whether or not they are required to obtain a ... MA in Anthropology before entering the PhD program.
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Entering students should have a completed a bachelors degree in anthropology, history, geography, or a related field and have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a scale of 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work....Students with an undergraduate degree in related fields may apply to the program and, working with an advisor, they can devise a plan of study that allows them to overcome their background deficiencies.
And with previous conversations to the departments and professors...it is just a lot more effort and work to try and compete for one of the few positions graduate programs offer when you're competing against people with degrees in anthropology.
Sociology is considered a 'related field and like one of the comments stated, you would have to work to "overcome background deficiences"' ...
Thus, it is truly up to you, but I would recommend speaking with the graduate department at the schools you are interested in to see what your chances are...I think anything is possible...but again, you're going to be competing for a spot so you're going to have to work really hard and prove yourself.