birchleaf

I'm writing this on the Cornell bus back to Ithaca from NYC. As someone who moved from a mid-size town to Ithaca, it was difficult to adjust. Plus, your boyfriend is right that you need your own "thing" while he's absorbed with law school. Is it possible for you to get a job with the university? Ithaca is also very safe, and unless you decide to wade into one of the gorges, I think you'll be okay! If you have any questions about the town, feel free to message me!

I also want to add (as someone currently in the Cornell MA program) that you don't "repeat" classes. Also, as has been stated previously, getting into the MA does not guarantee you a place in the PhD- a lot of people view it as "continuing on" but in reality you'll be up against everyone else in the same PhD applicant pool. If you have any questions about the program, feel free to message me though.

A bit late, but I wanted to thank everyone for their responses! I ended up winning #1 AND #3, so it's been exciting! I've reached out to the international center to see if I need to return unused funds, but no response so far. I re-read the application info, and it even encourages individuals to apply to multiple grants as it's competitive (I believe they awarded ~80 this round), so I think I'm in the clear. I'm going to schedule an appointment with one of my advisors as soon as I can, just to be sure, but I think it'll all work out! I'm still of course waiting to hear back from the prestigious one (#2), but more out of curiosity than need at this point. Thank you all again! I really appreciate it.

Hello all! I'm getting a little antsy and was wondering if anyone else had applied to the ASOR Excavation Fellowships this year? I realize it's a total shot in the dark to get one, but I can't for the life of me figure out when they're going to release results, or when they have historically. Or alternately, I would love to hear if someone's already heard back. Any info is appreciated!

What do you mean by exceptional admission for Cornell?

Hello! So I have a bit of an odd question, and please forgive me if this question is answered elsewhere or does not necessarily belong to this forum of Grad Cafe, or even if it seems a bit pretentious! I recently applied for three grants, all to travel and do work at my advisor's excavation overseas, for the express benefit of my MA thesis. He's wonderful and always optimistic, but told me that out of the three, 1 and 2 were improbable and number 3, originating from the international center here, was the most likely. I told him that I just wanted to demonstrate that I can apply to grants, to get the practice in for writing proposals. Additionally, that I wanted to demonstrate to the department that I had attempted to apply to other sources before applying to some smaller, more competitive & department-specific funding that's for MA students in my program. Well, as I was mall-walking my way to the bus today, running late, I got an email that I had won the full amount requested from the least probable source (#1)!!! Regarding this grant, my advisor said he's never had anyone win it before, and that they usually pass MAs right over. Obviously I'm intensely excited, but I'm still waiting to hear back about the other two funding sources I applied to. Number 3 in particular, as it seemed the most likely for me to win, the one from the international center. Additionally, number 2 is from a very well-known institution, and it would look the best on a resume (though still highly improbable). My question is, then; what's the etiquette for accepting funding? If I do end up wining two grants (which sounds so silly to say, believe me), I don't want to be guilty of 'double-dipping' despite all of the sources being from separate places. I also don't want to take funds away from people who would really need them. I went to an info session for Grant 3 and they said that they don't expect any portion of funds to be returned if some are unused. Grant 1 & 2 I am unsure. The grant I won (#1) covers travel, food, and local transportation; Grant 2 (from fancy institution) covers anything, no budget required; Grant 3 (international center) covers international transportation ONLY. Before you ask, housing is covered by the project I'll be on. All advice and suggestions are welcomed!

What's the UMich thing? I scrolled up and down (I'm on mobile) and checked Umich News but didn't see anything. Sorry if I'm missing something obvious!

Yes! I used to KILL my phone battery just refreshing my email all the time! And I've got plenty of friends who are waiting to hear back now for MA/Law programs. I don't wish that stress on anyone!

The only time I have ever heard on good authority that offers have been rescinded, is if students visit for Accepted Students weekend and are particularly unpleasant, rude, or are a potential harassment case. That being said, I've only heard of it happening twice. I definitely don't think you have anything to worry about!

Classes start up tomorrow, and I've been worried the entire break about a very high-level language class I was signed up to take. Originally I wouldn't have had to take it, but the next-level language class I should have taken (of course!) conflicts with the unexpected TAship course I received! Just got the news a couple of hours ago that there's a seminar I can take instead, which is amazing! The seminar of course conflicts with my intended TA office hours, but those can be changed. So happy!

You should check and see if your university has a published web page on stipend amounts. Those amounts can, of course, vary, but it would still give you a good conceptual baseline!

Our semester hasn't started yet, but we've got thesis proposals due soon and I have a significant amount of language work to make up between here and the first day of class. I resigned from a job I'd had for a few years, to give myself more time to do work during the week, only to unexpectedly be granted a TAship and appointed at a low-stress research position. So much for free time this semester!

Have you looked into applying for any grants or any outside sources of funding? Even if it's not for very much, even bringing something in with you not only decreases the amount of money the institution needs to give you, but demonstrates to them that you're capable of winning grants and funding in the first place.

Hey! I'm in a class that's about the state of the field and professionalism in it as well, and the idea of letters of rec came up. My advisor was actually leading the class that day, and he said that for one of his students he had sent a total of 35 letters through the course of having her as a student. As a courtesy you should make sure you're giving them a clear timeline, as well as updates and warnings for due dates. It might seem a little overbearing, but if you've ever peeked over the shoulder of a professor while looking at their inbox, you'll realize that they can often be very busy and forgetful (and for good reasons!). I wouldn't feel bad about asking for so many letters, just make sure you're doing it cohesively and as chunks, instead of random 2am emails a week beforehand. Two weeks out minimum is a good rule.

Hey! Just as a note on the Cornell MA - It's actually an interdisciplinary degree in the CIAMS (Cornell Institute of Archaeology and Material Studies) program, so it's not strictly MA. There's possibilities to work with faculty in a number of different disciplines, and to have a number of different course experiences. Though I think that last bit is true of any archaeology MA / PhD program. For me, all of my courses are 15 people or less. One of my courses has three people in it with hands-on archival work and a possibility of an installation at the museum from the term project. Another is discussion based with students from various levels and various departments, discusses current theoretical work in the field. Another is a seminar of rotating faculty giving advice about the state of the field and professional topics (grants, fieldwork, etc). So there's really no straightforward answer for you! If you're curious, I would definitely recommend getting in touch with POIs at the schools you've listed and see if you can either arrange a visit (if it's convenient), or just email a graduate student (which are normally listed on program websites) and ask them! We're all crazy busy at this point but I'd sure you'd get your answer.