Bschaefer

TL:DR - Look at the fit w/ the PI, then the stipend (and location of school/cost of living), and what you want in a program. Also, it is very acceptable to give your decision on 15 April - they hold your place in the program until then unless otherwise stated.
For me, the biggest factour was the fit with the PI. Since you’re going to be in the program for at least 4 years, this is a huge commitment to study with someone so if you fit better with one over another PI then put it at the top of your list (or at least I did). Overall, you will be forever connected to the person (unless you switch subdiscipline or projector schools) so you should think how their tutelage is going to help you post-PhD. For example, if you got into a program for anthropological archaeology in Africa and your PI did work there once or works in Middle East area whereas another program your PI actively does research in Kenya and has other students doing research throughout East Africa, then that might influence your decision. For me, I’m an Andeanist so ultimately I decided on a PI that does work in the Andes in a program with a specific research focus in the Andes as opposed to a program where I was told doing Andean is fine but I would have to figure everything out on my own and they would be there to “loosely guide” me which did not sound appealing. 
The next thing I would consider would be the stipend, how much they are going to ask in fees (some school tariff international students more than domestic so be sure to get an idea of what you are expected to pay), and where the school is. Some schools have higher stipends and are located in the city whereas schools located in rural areas have somewhat lower stipends. I don’t see this as ‘better’ schools having more money for students, but that the cost of living is higher in NYC than say Binghamton, NY. I’m not sure of the specific stipends for different programs but they seem to vary starting around 17K to 36k at some of the Ivys. Additionally, some schools do not let you work outside of the PhD program so you are only getting the stipend with no additional income. I marked this second on my list last year because I was between moving to Chicago, rural Connecticut, staying in Atlanta, or moving back to Western Massachusetts. Each school offered different stipends but I had to factour the cost of living. I think it would be worth asking the current graduate students about this becuase they are actually living with this reality as opposed to the professors who are actually salaried.
Every school is going to have pro’s and con’s and the strength in my opinion is debatable becuase everyone values something different. I study Biologial Anthropology and so the programs that have 1 Bioanth or none - to me - are not strong becuase I would not apply or get accepted. That doesn’t mean that they are strong in sociocultural theory or linguistics, just that the department is not really applicable to me. So for this, I would think about what is important in the program, the school, and they types of support you can receive from them. Plus, theoretically, every anthropology program in the United States (with a few exceptions) are 4-field but if they are absent on one of the 4, it’s not necessarily a disadvantage - just a different organization of the program/school/department. I would also look at nearby universities with Anthro departments or similar depts. to your research. Usually they will have an agreement for you to be able to take courses and maybe use lab facilities once you’ve developed a rapport with other Anthros. 
Hope this helps. 

First third of February - applicants a) are rejected (usually via snail mail), b) asked to provide transcripts, OR c) hear nothing, which seems to have been a very good sign in years past. The lucky 60 and their alternates (out of this year's pool of some 1100, or so I hear) will be notified in April. Best of luck!

I see what you're saying. And I am also guilty of saying "only go if it's funded." Here's why: chances of getting a job in the field that pays even decently after graduation are slim to none. The point is not that going to a funded program is going to a better one. The point is that an anthropology degree is genuinely not worth paying tuition AND not earning any salary at all for 5-8 years. 

Acceptance from Columbia. I have some questions for someone who might have the low down on housing and summer funding..just general logistics stuff
 
 
Unknnown: Harvard/ University of Toronto / WUSTL / Vanderbilt
Interview :Stanford
Accepted: Princeton // Columbia  // U of Illinois Champaign Urbana
Other: CUNY, 2nd round but turned them down
 

I saw this cartoon today and it cheered me up quite a bit re: this admission whirlwind. 

Thank you so, so much for taking the time to write this detailed, thoughtful response. You've given me a lot to think about, and honestly I have to say, simply reading through your post clarified for me which school I will be likely be choosing. So really, thank you!
 
Thanks so much! So because I am an international student, I feel like for me job placement is slightly less of a concern. I am somewhat certain that I would like to return to my country after my PhD and try and teach here, but you're definitely right that it should still be a factor worth considering. All the schools I've applied to are R1, what does that mean exactly? I'm not too familiar with this ranking system.
 
Thanks so much for your input. Both from yours and Bschaefer's post really reminded how excited I was initially by a couple of schools because of the POIs, and how that should continue to be a factor in my decision. 
Cost of living is tricky, I feel, and something I am now doing deep-dive research in. In a sense, all the universities seem to be funding commensurate to the cost of living in their town/city, from what I can tell, but some universities have more information up about the cost of food, transport etc, which are important to consider. And the one Ivy I have been accepted in seems to have more discretionary funds than other schools, which is also worth considering.
Thank you all again for your comments!

TL:DR - Look at the fit w/ the PI, then the stipend (and location of school/cost of living), and what you want in a program. Also, it is very acceptable to give your decision on 15 April - they hold your place in the program until then unless otherwise stated.
For me, the biggest factour was the fit with the PI. Since you’re going to be in the program for at least 4 years, this is a huge commitment to study with someone so if you fit better with one over another PI then put it at the top of your list (or at least I did). Overall, you will be forever connected to the person (unless you switch subdiscipline or projector schools) so you should think how their tutelage is going to help you post-PhD. For example, if you got into a program for anthropological archaeology in Africa and your PI did work there once or works in Middle East area whereas another program your PI actively does research in Kenya and has other students doing research throughout East Africa, then that might influence your decision. For me, I’m an Andeanist so ultimately I decided on a PI that does work in the Andes in a program with a specific research focus in the Andes as opposed to a program where I was told doing Andean is fine but I would have to figure everything out on my own and they would be there to “loosely guide” me which did not sound appealing. 
The next thing I would consider would be the stipend, how much they are going to ask in fees (some school tariff international students more than domestic so be sure to get an idea of what you are expected to pay), and where the school is. Some schools have higher stipends and are located in the city whereas schools located in rural areas have somewhat lower stipends. I don’t see this as ‘better’ schools having more money for students, but that the cost of living is higher in NYC than say Binghamton, NY. I’m not sure of the specific stipends for different programs but they seem to vary starting around 17K to 36k at some of the Ivys. Additionally, some schools do not let you work outside of the PhD program so you are only getting the stipend with no additional income. I marked this second on my list last year because I was between moving to Chicago, rural Connecticut, staying in Atlanta, or moving back to Western Massachusetts. Each school offered different stipends but I had to factour the cost of living. I think it would be worth asking the current graduate students about this becuase they are actually living with this reality as opposed to the professors who are actually salaried.
Every school is going to have pro’s and con’s and the strength in my opinion is debatable becuase everyone values something different. I study Biologial Anthropology and so the programs that have 1 Bioanth or none - to me - are not strong becuase I would not apply or get accepted. That doesn’t mean that they are strong in sociocultural theory or linguistics, just that the department is not really applicable to me. So for this, I would think about what is important in the program, the school, and they types of support you can receive from them. Plus, theoretically, every anthropology program in the United States (with a few exceptions) are 4-field but if they are absent on one of the 4, it’s not necessarily a disadvantage - just a different organization of the program/school/department. I would also look at nearby universities with Anthro departments or similar depts. to your research. Usually they will have an agreement for you to be able to take courses and maybe use lab facilities once you’ve developed a rapport with other Anthros. 
Hope this helps. 

TL:DR - Look at the fit w/ the PI, then the stipend (and location of school/cost of living), and what you want in a program. Also, it is very acceptable to give your decision on 15 April - they hold your place in the program until then unless otherwise stated.
For me, the biggest factour was the fit with the PI. Since you’re going to be in the program for at least 4 years, this is a huge commitment to study with someone so if you fit better with one over another PI then put it at the top of your list (or at least I did). Overall, you will be forever connected to the person (unless you switch subdiscipline or projector schools) so you should think how their tutelage is going to help you post-PhD. For example, if you got into a program for anthropological archaeology in Africa and your PI did work there once or works in Middle East area whereas another program your PI actively does research in Kenya and has other students doing research throughout East Africa, then that might influence your decision. For me, I’m an Andeanist so ultimately I decided on a PI that does work in the Andes in a program with a specific research focus in the Andes as opposed to a program where I was told doing Andean is fine but I would have to figure everything out on my own and they would be there to “loosely guide” me which did not sound appealing. 
The next thing I would consider would be the stipend, how much they are going to ask in fees (some school tariff international students more than domestic so be sure to get an idea of what you are expected to pay), and where the school is. Some schools have higher stipends and are located in the city whereas schools located in rural areas have somewhat lower stipends. I don’t see this as ‘better’ schools having more money for students, but that the cost of living is higher in NYC than say Binghamton, NY. I’m not sure of the specific stipends for different programs but they seem to vary starting around 17K to 36k at some of the Ivys. Additionally, some schools do not let you work outside of the PhD program so you are only getting the stipend with no additional income. I marked this second on my list last year because I was between moving to Chicago, rural Connecticut, staying in Atlanta, or moving back to Western Massachusetts. Each school offered different stipends but I had to factour the cost of living. I think it would be worth asking the current graduate students about this becuase they are actually living with this reality as opposed to the professors who are actually salaried.
Every school is going to have pro’s and con’s and the strength in my opinion is debatable becuase everyone values something different. I study Biologial Anthropology and so the programs that have 1 Bioanth or none - to me - are not strong becuase I would not apply or get accepted. That doesn’t mean that they are strong in sociocultural theory or linguistics, just that the department is not really applicable to me. So for this, I would think about what is important in the program, the school, and they types of support you can receive from them. Plus, theoretically, every anthropology program in the United States (with a few exceptions) are 4-field but if they are absent on one of the 4, it’s not necessarily a disadvantage - just a different organization of the program/school/department. I would also look at nearby universities with Anthro departments or similar depts. to your research. Usually they will have an agreement for you to be able to take courses and maybe use lab facilities once you’ve developed a rapport with other Anthros. 
Hope this helps. 

I got an acceptance email from Grad director. I still have yet to receive an email about the nuts and bolts of the whole thing, or the official acceptance letter. Also received POI emails over the weekend. I assume this coming week we will see formal emails for acceptance etc.
Applied : 9 |  Accepted: 2 | Interview: 1 | Rejected: 0 |
University of Toronto, Princeton University, Stanford University, CUNY GC, U. Illinois Champaign-Urbana, Vanderbilt, Washington University in St. Louis, Harvard University, Columbia University

I think y'all will really start hearing back next week, based on how decision filtered in last season. Wishing the best for everyone, I hope everyone is admitted somewhere! Also, if anyone applied to Kent State, I think interview invites should go out later this week or next week. 

Hey everyone! Let's keep our hopes up and our chins up. I know it's tough seeing the decisions starting to roll in, especially if we're in our second or third application cycle (like me!). But, I am sure there is a place for each of our smart brains. Definitely, anxiety can creep up as the results (and anticipated rejection letters) unfold on gradcafe. Doesn't mean we aren't capable researchers. Whatever school we are admitted into will be the right one!

Hi! The Ohio State acceptance was me!!! I totally didn't expect to hear anything back this early but my POI emailed me this afternoon. As you said it is an incredible relief to have such a great option already, I hope everyone hears back from their schools soon!

I'm interested in zooarchaeology and applied to the UNC-Chapel Hill Anthropology PhD program and the UChicago Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations PhD program (both due SO early in December). Currently in a one year Master's in York, England! 
Best of luck everyone!

I'm bioanthro myself, and it's my second time applying to programs... I sent apps to UFlorida, NYU (like many others here I see), and Kent State. Good luck everyone!

I'm applying for bioanth PhD programs at NYU, Colorado Boulder, Nevada Reno, Ohio State, Arizona State, UNC, and UIUC. I still have to submit my Colorado and Nevada apps but they should be done soon. 
I have read so much on this site about how the waiting was the worst part but I didn't believe it until now. I can't wait until some decisions are made! 

I'm applying to MA programs in medical anthropology at Georgia State, Maryland, Colorado-Denver, Oregon State, Alaska, and the MA/MPH (epidemiology) dual-degree program at South Florida. I submitted all my application at the beginning of December, and now I'm just waiting on a few final LORs!
Good luck everyone!

@civitas, @Bschaefer  and @AP, thanks for your inputs! It's extremely helpful. 
Let me also clarify that when I say undergrad, I refer to my Masters GPA . Since it was an integrated course, I only had one cumulative GPA at the end of five years, and thus was concerned, especially given that I'm shifting disciplines into Anthro. 

Choose the school you want the most, and send your LoR that statement. They don't need to tailor their letters as specifically as you - they just need to know, in general, what you're interested in and where you plan to go.
If your statements WIDELY vary (like you're applying to study faunal archaeology at one school, but human variation at another), then you might want to actually talk to your LoR about that.

I started my PhD program at 30 with 2 kids under 5. Two years later, I now have 3 kids, ages 6, 4, and 2. You're not too old, and wanting kids shouldn't prevent it either. That being said, after working for many years as a PM in CRM, I can tell you that a CRM job is far less a desk job than academia. So, if what you do not want is a desk job, CRM may be the better option. 

I know someone who is doing this at Indiana, and I've heard of a few other programs, also.

OMG!! Last year I followed the same spreadsheet system and I even added names of letter writers in different columns to track the progress and which writer require little push. It was really beneficial though and most importantly I would be doing it again this application season, Sigh!!

Hey Everyone, 
There was a great article on application advice for those getting ready for this application season. I would highly recommend following some/all to help get you prepared and ready so you’re not scrambling before the deadline. Also check out some of the other fora that more senior PhD students have done too. 
 
https://anthrodendum.org/2018/07/31/the-hiddencurriculum-of-applying-to-graduate-school-for-anthropology/

Hey Everyone, 
There was a great article on application advice for those getting ready for this application season. I would highly recommend following some/all to help get you prepared and ready so you’re not scrambling before the deadline. Also check out some of the other fora that more senior PhD students have done too. 
 
https://anthrodendum.org/2018/07/31/the-hiddencurriculum-of-applying-to-graduate-school-for-anthropology/

Hey Everyone, 
There was a great article on application advice for those getting ready for this application season. I would highly recommend following some/all to help get you prepared and ready so you’re not scrambling before the deadline. Also check out some of the other fora that more senior PhD students have done too. 
 
https://anthrodendum.org/2018/07/31/the-hiddencurriculum-of-applying-to-graduate-school-for-anthropology/

Hey Everyone, 
There was a great article on application advice for those getting ready for this application season. I would highly recommend following some/all to help get you prepared and ready so you’re not scrambling before the deadline. Also check out some of the other fora that more senior PhD students have done too. 
 
https://anthrodendum.org/2018/07/31/the-hiddencurriculum-of-applying-to-graduate-school-for-anthropology/