smg

http://linganth.blogspot.com/2009/06/universities-offering-graduate-programs.html

Shaving. K-cups. Personal Hygiene Products. Youths,.

I tried but complications arose.

Yes and no. I went to a no-name school with a so-so anthro department and things seem to be working out okay but a better school would have had more resources and opportunities that I could have theoretically made use of. If you want to be an anthropologist I would focus on getting into a school, probably any school with an anthro department will do, and focus on getting good grades. If the school you end up at has fieldschool or semester abroad opportunities jump on them. If you can TA as an undergrad do it. If you can snag a research gig for a prof do it. If their is an honour's program with a thesis option do it. Think about minoring in another discipline. It probably doesnt matter whether its philosophy, math, geography, computer science, chemistry, etc; this could augment your future research as an anthropologist in exciting and unique ways. Going to the best school wont matter if your an average student with average grades and average interests.

Just accepted my offer at WUSTL. I'm stoked.

Ditto.

I thought it was common knowledge too. I checked out faculty across departments when I was working on applications.

I'm not sure if I'm hating on this program. In my case it doesn't make sense since I have been accepted into multiple PhD programs. One with full funding. I also finished my BA a decade ago and since then have accumulated enough experience to make paying for an MA a poor decision. It's also worth nothing that many programs will require you to do a second MA since many PhD programs are MA/PhD programs. If your not sure you are ready for a PhD program and can afford MAPSS It's probably not a bad decision it might even be a good one. However, I'm going to reiterate and repeat that I think it's foolish to pay to play.

I know nothing specific about the programs you are considering but you might want to consider pulling in an Africanist from another department. Some programs want you to have someone on your committee from another discipline.

Mmmcheese I don't think their there is an abstract rule you can follow. If I was in your position I would touch base with the faculty you want to work with and get a taste of what they are all about. Your theoretical/topical and ethnographical/regional interests are likely to mutate and morph as you begin your research so at this point in the game I'd suggest making a decision that takes the personality and feeling of the department as seriously, or maybe even more seriously than the previously mentioned factors. Who would you go out for a beer or a cup of coffee with?

I know the chances of a good academic gig coming at the end of all this is pretty slim. Worst case scenario I spent the next 5+ years reading interesting books and doing cool research. Best case scenario the same plus middle class employment with some sweet perks. I'm cynical about the academic job market but I'm also cynical about there being meaningful work that pays a living wage at all shit I'm cynical about finding meaningless wage slavery that pays a living wage. We're fucked! I might as well get a PhD before the whole edifice comes crashing down.

Having a hot topic for US based research helps too. I happen to have stumbled onto one which seems to help. There are trends in the discipline it's worth paying attention them when your trying to sell your project to prospective schools.

Its worth practicing a little bit. Try a run through of the free ETS practice tests. If your quant is going to be in the 140s you should shoot for a verbal in the 160s. Their the least important part of your application but not unimportant.

Is it worth it? For me, hell no. For you, I don't have a clue. I don't think anyone should pay for a graduate degree in the social sciences. It's bad enough going into penury for a BA. If you can afford it without going into debt I'm sure it wouldn't be a bad choice. I'm sure folks are more ready for a PhD program after MAPSS than before. But there are other cheaper ways to prep for a PhD program.

Its a cash grab that gives you Chicago name-recognition, Chicago LORs and a new writing sample on your PhD apps next go around.

I dont understand Irvine over UNC either. UNC has a great reputation and it seems like the UC system is seriously strapped for cash.

I finally heard back from Chicago. No to Anthropology, Yes to MAPSS 1/2 tuition. Thanks but no thanks.

This is crude generalization but in Canada graduate students are more likely to be unionized and politicized as result. I think this a good thing.

How dangerous is dangerous in STL? I visited almost a month ago. I was told the city was terribly segregated even around the Danforth campus but no one mentioned any neighborhoods being dangerous.

I'm 99% sure but I'm waiting on the official word from the Dean's office.

3 out of 4! Not too shabby!

cream beam

I wouldn't spend a ton of cash flying out to check out programs I've been waitlisted at. I'd start getting in touch with students and see what they say about the program. Schedule phone or skype conversations with faculty you want to work with. That might give you a better idea of what its like there. This season I visited one school and really liked it there. They paid for the trip and it was before acceptance. However, I had already been in touch with students and they told me it was awesome and they had no complaints. The visit very much confirmed what I learned via email months before. It's true visiting a school may change some one's mind about whether its where they want to be or not. However, have you heard any horror stories about folks accepting an offer at a school they haven't visited and it turned out terribly? Probably not. I'd say its likely quiet rare. It should be noted I don't think there is some perfect school out there for each of us and we just have to find it. Ultimately, we go where we're accepted and there are probably good and bad things about those programs.

NOWAYNOHOW I don't agree 100% with everything you said here but I'm 100% behind your decision to post your perspective. Plus the comment on the white man in a pith helmet is pretty right on. I know there is a handful of us who are proposing projects based in US. I am and a large part of that is due to Anthropology's sordid past. I'm curious who else is proposing to do fieldwork in the US as a cultural anthropologist?

John Hartigan. University of Texas Austin. http://www.aesopsanthropology.com/blog/