AKCarlton
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Everything posted by AKCarlton
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Already planning a visit with the City Archaeologist! He said I can volunteer at the city archives! Woot!
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In Boston. Setting up the room, figuring out the train, exploring campus...very different.
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Ah...that's nice that they offer that over there...
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Regarding Publications and Research Interests
AKCarlton replied to Shaiya's topic in Anthropology Forum
I don't know anything regarding sociocultural because that's not my research area. And yes, 2 of the 3 I was accepted to offered full-funding packages...the third told me that they couldn't promise me anything the first year, but most 2nd year students had funding. I immediately cut that one because I had to have funding the entire program otherwise I couldn't afford it. Then I sat there, weighing the pros and cons...the locations...whether my fiance would be willing to move with me...and what each program offered and there was no doubt that UMASS-Boston was the best choice. I honestly don't know anything about the politics when it comes to grad school. I just kept in mind what someone told me once. When you get to grad school, you should have to pay little to nothing. -
What is MRes? I've never heard of that before.
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Regarding Publications and Research Interests
AKCarlton replied to Shaiya's topic in Anthropology Forum
I was the same, and every single program that accepted me offered funding. I wouldn't be too worried about funding because you'll get something, it's just a matter of if you're willing to help yourself in the long-run...I mean, you're applying to grad school because you want to go to grad school, you want to further your career...otherwise you would not even be considering it, right? I sat down with my parents and went over my funding package and came down to what I would have to owe out of pocket to see if it was worth it. And it was. I'll actually owe less with my masters than I do with my post-bac. And yes, I'll message you my SOP. -
I keep stressing that you can contact the department and ask what GRE scores are associated with those who they have accepted in the past...but I'll be honest, when I contacted the programs I applied to they said it didn't really matter...they're more focused on your GPA, which is indicative of your overall behavior throughout your college career, rather than an example of you sitting in front of a screen for 4 hours and how well you performed in that environment. Not lying...everyone said GRE scores were not their deciding factor...but again, just my experience. And my GRE scores were low...
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Regarding Publications and Research Interests
AKCarlton replied to Shaiya's topic in Anthropology Forum
This is me!! If ANY of you have questions regarding GRE scores and SOPs and somehow getting in, you are more than welcome to message me. My GRE scores were low. I had less than a month to prepare for it. I was finishing up my post-bac and taking 6 anthro courses at the time that I took it. I didn't have the money to spend to re-take it. I was too busy with my last semester and finishing up all my SOPs, remaining in contact with my POIs and sending out my applications to be worried about it. I had faith in my SOP, in my contacts and in my overall 4.0 GPA...and I got accepted to 3 out of 4 programs I applied to. I have not taken a field school yet. I have not done much more than volunteer in the archeology departments for maybe a month at two different museums. I have no research behind me. But yet, somehow I got in! I love archaeology, I love history...and I'm just going to assume that was what helped me get in...I would be happy to share my SOP with you if that interests you. Again, I'm here if any of you has questions or concerns. -
Regarding Publications and Research Interests
AKCarlton replied to Shaiya's topic in Anthropology Forum
You sound like me...I'll be honest...I really think you should start with a masters. The one SOP I spoke to over the phone during my process said that's the best route for someone like me who is interested in many different areas of archaeology and the masters will help me narrow down my research area and prepare me to be more successful when it comes to the PhD. I got accepted to 3 out of 4 programs that I applied to with never mentioning a specific research topic. I'm very much like you. I'm about to start grad school in two weeks not knowing what my thesis will be about...but I've been reassured that that's okay. I'll make an appointment with my adviser and get started on forumualting a project. -
Agreed...there's no point to waste time, energy and money on applying to a program just to be safe. This is grad school. You want to get the most bang for your buck, and the best education possible. I personally feel like the committees toss any application when it seems like their program isn't the best suited for their research area to begin with... I'll be honest. I simply Googled "historical archaeology grad programs" and went down the list...and even visited the list of higher education on the society of historical archaeology's webiste: http://www.sha.org/index.php/view/page/higher_education and clicked every link, went straight to the faculty and looked over their areas of research...crossed off any that were of no interest to me and then I made contact with the professors and went from there...
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Should be finding out today if my fiance got the job and can move with me...or whether we become another long-distance couple.
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I would probably address what improvements you've made to better yourself as a candidate. Did you study more? Retake the GRE? Volunteer at a museum? Partake in a field school? Just explain what makes you a better fit for their program this time around.
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$200 for six required books. Not bad.
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I may just have to do the Amazon thing...cause two of my books are on backorder and I want them before the semester starts...I don't care how used they are...I just don't really understand the online renting thing just yet to be comfortable with it...maybe next semester? I heard you get a "giftcard" back when you return the books as well.
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I didn't find this website until after I sent my applications out. I only applied to four programs. I thought that was the perfect number, until I came on here and noticed people were applying to like 7 or 10 programs. I got accepted to 3 out of 4....I'm with the opinion that if you choose the programs that are best suited to you...I mean BEST suited, as in you researched it, spoke with professors and looked at their studies...then you can devote a good amount of time to your overall application and relationships with the professors there and that is the best route.
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I'm not ready to move across the country...I'm not ready for any of this.
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And just to add one more note...don't apply to a school just because it offers your degree...there are some people on here who I noticed applied to 10 programs...It really made me consider applying to a few more schools for their historical archaeology programs...however, upon further investigation and serious consideration, I realized it would be a waste of my time and money, as well as their time to look at my application when I knew I wouldn't be a good fit... I can't stress that enough like everyone here...to me, it really comes down to fit more than anything else. A professor who you connect with based upon your shared interests will benefit you the most and help you move forward in your academic and professional career. I ended up only applying to four programs and was offered acceptance into three, and it was because I really narrowed it down, connected with the professors in each program and wrote a decent SOP...invest your time into your top choices and really construct an excellent application and maintain that communication with your POI, and you'll be fine.
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I don't know if this will be of much help, but a professor at my previous university was known for his folklore research. Taught an upper division course on World Folklore (http://www.mayaguate.com/ant_599.htm) as well as the lower division that specificalyl looked at folklore from the anthropological perspective (http://www.mayaguate.com/ant209.htm) .... He wrote an entire book on Mayan folktales: http://www.mayaguate.com/ Maybe you can write to him for help in narrowing it down? His e-mail: James.Sexton@nau.edu School Bio Website: http://nau.edu/SBS/Anthropology/Faculty-and-Staff/Sexton/
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Ok this brings me such comfort because i'm going into my masters program with no field school, but my program requires at least one field school in the summer...which of course, I'll be doing...but I was curious as to how many they expect you to have completed once you are applying to PhD programs. Thank you so much for your repsonses...both have been sufficient in helping me tremendously and I truly appreciate it.
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I know I'm only just begining my masters program this Fall, however, I'm already looking toward the future and wanting to get an idea of the expectations for PhD programs so I can adequately make the most of my time these next two years... For those who have completed their masters and were accepted or are currently undergoing their PhD programs...what is their expectation as far as field schools? Do they expect us to have completed more than one? What do they look for in their ideal candidates? Thank you, Prospective PhD applicant in two years time...
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I guess it really depends on how much they value GRE scores. I spoke to every one of my schools on how much merit they place in that, and almost all of them said it wasn't a big deciding factor, "it's just a one-day test, you're GPA, which shows how dedicated you are throughout your academic career seems more valuable to us" -- that was the kind of response I had...and again, my GRE scores weren't that spectacular but my 4.0 GPA apparently helped more... So before you go spending big $$$$ on courses and materials and tutors, I would suggest purchasing their study guide available through the GRE website and starting with that, which is what I did, and actually connect with your schools to get an idea of what scores they're looking for...the test is expensive but may not be worth multiple retaking in the grand scheme of things.
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Honestly, it's a mystery to me...but I'm glad it worked out. It truly is a matter of connecting with professors, your recommendation letters, your fit with their program (which is eluded to within your SOP)...I'm still trying to figure out how I got accepted but don't let anything deter you from your dreams...persistence and dedication pay off.
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So, I, um..purchased my one-way ticket to Boston.
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When I registered for this Fall, I was in shock that 3 courses that meet once a week in the evening for a couple hours was considered full-time...then I was reminded I'll be a research assistant and researching for my thesis, however, it still doesn't feel normal to me. Currently, I intern in the archaeology department at a museum in the city I live in, and my mentor mentioned how it took him 5 years to complete his bachelors because he didn't want to take more than three courses a semester. I took five to six courses a semester...I just can't fathom what it will be like only having three still, despite telling myself I'll be busy...
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What are your successful strategies to avoid taking out loans?
AKCarlton replied to MaxFreakOut's topic in Anthropology Forum
Thanks for the links everyone...despite getting a research assistantship and a teaching assistantship, I still want to apply to a few scholarships so I can try hard to not have to take out a loan to already add to my debt.
