yezzy123

All programs have their problems. However, I have tended to see some activist-oriented work come out of American University, CUNY (see specifically Bianca Williams), and UT Austin (see Christen Smith). Also, depending on what you are doing, maybe Duke. I haven't been to those places, so I can't say if those departments treat (and pay!) those students well and as if their ideas and practices are of (equal) import. I just know the kind of work that comes out of there. 
And I always say: I'm at Rice. I love it. I would recommend looking at the dept at least. We have had Brazilianists here and lots of people do politically-oriented work, but I would very much distinguish that from applied anthropology. Feel free to DM. I'm always down to chat about my experiences at my program.
 

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. 

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. 

If you're looking for more data points, you can also go to http://www.phdstipends.com/
 

Retention Rates
Graduation Rates 
Job Placement Rates 
Cost of Living
combination of many things. I also heard that where you live should be another factor: will you be happy or not there for 5+ years?

Just a note about grad life at Berkeley. It's striking to me how many students on Grad Cafe express their unwavering desire to attend Berkeley for doctoral work. And when so many don't get in, how disappointed they seem on the results page & forums. As someone who has spent the past two years in the department (was rejected for PhD in 2016, but offered a funded MA degree, which I accepted), I just want to say that, your rejection to study at this institution is not actually a loss on your end. Support from faculty is minimal, more students seem to be unhappy than happy with the program overall, funding is not good - especially when weighed with cost of living in the Bay Area, teaching jobs can mean you are responsible for 80+ students per semester (the school loves to have you as a laborer - not a researcher), average graduation time is 8+ years (again, due to lack of support, terrible funding and other factors). Once you get to know it, Berkeley is not the thriving, energetic place of your academic dreams! In fact, the hallways of the anthro department are stagnant & silent with every professor's office door shut. This is all coming from someone who is, on the whole, optimistic; I haven't had a bad time at Berkeley, but this is my honest reflection as I leave here for another program. I think we should all realize that the status of Berkeley's name does not reflect the actual experience of being a grad student here. So don't be hard on yourself for not getting in, and know that there are other programs out there that are less 'famous' but far more supportive. 

Omg.....I got the Enhanced Graduate Scholar Award for Penn State...my funding offer just jumped...a lot...holy shit  (Follow your dreams, kids, and you too may someday be crying in your office unable to believe that people think you're smart and capable)   

Omg I just got accepted to Cornell with full funding + summers !! So excited! 

I don't know, but I am applying there too and almost had a heart attack when I saw the results today. But it looks like the poster meant Penn State. I wouldn't be too worried as of this moment. Hope that helps. 

Got an email for an interview- MIT! I'm floored and SO excited!!

Got an email for an interview- MIT! I'm floored and SO excited!!

Got an email for an interview- MIT! I'm floored and SO excited!!

Got an email for an interview- MIT! I'm floored and SO excited!!

Got an email for an interview- MIT! I'm floored and SO excited!!

If the research institute is somewhere you think you will work at long-term, then I would definitely take that into serious consideration. It also depends on why you want to get your PhD! If you're going in order to secure a job similar to the one that you are being considered for, then there's no point in getting a PhD. If you want to run your own lab, head some research, and/or teach, then you need a PhD. 
I definitely don't think it's crazy to consider it! Especially if that RA position could lead to you getting a PhD there; that's a win-win  And at the end of the day, the RA is research that you know you want to do/will like. There's no guarantee elsewhere

I typed a whole thing and the page timed out ?
So shortened: I have a related but not matching research interest. Here are some folks you may want to take a look at that study the anthropology of specifically medical humanitarianism:
Catherine Panter-Brick
Peter Redfield
Joao Biehl (less about humanitarianism and more about global health, but I believe he has a background in religion)
Byron Good (recent work on medical Humanitarianism and has done a ton of work on E. Asia)
Nicole Berry (again, not humanitarianism but her work on medical missions may be of interest. She discusses "warm-glow giving" which you may find interesting)
 
Hope this helps!

UPDATE: I found out that I can take one more class and get a certificate in public health instead and that would be MUCH more useful to me than a full degree and shouldn't mess up my CV. For anyone stuck in a similar situation, I recommend this route. I'd also say that if you're not sure about an MPH, start in the certificate program. You can always transfer into the masters if you DO like it.

You will definitely want to read Clare Wendland's book, A Heart for the Work: Journeys through an African Medical School (a classic in your line of inquiry) and Summerson Carr's Scripting Addiction. Indiana and U Penn both tend to be strong on the anthropology of education front, although I agree with the comments above that your work is probably best located and framed within medical anthropology. Start with med anthros, see what kind of interests they express in your research plans, then try to find a program where faculty are also interested in the anthropology of education, anthropology of expertise, etc.