foxes

Hi, I am a 100% anthropologist- however I have scores of friends who come from other departments- Pol Sci, History... who got places in top Anthropology programs. Methodology is not important at all in your statement- Anthropology is mainly qualitative, but it is also such a syncretic discipline, and you will have to take research methods courses like anyone else- they don't expect you to have read research manuals! What really matters, in such a competitive sector where 5 people are selected out of a 100 or 200, is your fit with the department and the people you want to work with. This has to be quite specific. Be very specific on your research interest- and make it sound concrete and intertwined with some part of your personal/ academic history. I don't have stellar grades or GRE- I got accepted with very good financial offers in both top and average schools where I had some meaningful contact with professors, and got rejected in top and average schools where, honestly, there was little I could do for my research project and interest and I would have been unhappy. So the trick is: passion, a story to tell, an idea you want to explore, and some indications that you have already started to explore it. Good news is, you don't have to force yourself/lie/freak out about not having the best grades in the country (yours are high enough to pass the lawn-mowing selection)- just bring up your passion and, as other have suggested, contact people. Early on! September is a good month to start. Good luck!

Thanks for this very long explanation, it will surely be useful to many other students as well. I presume you are a student in the department and things have been quite hard for you on the financial side... I know this might all seem like a downer, but I feel it is important that someone tells you this before you accept a position here.

unfunded MA to me as well- that's the surprise, I knew there was a surprise... I see it as a "thank you" note. So- NO funding AT ALL?

Thank you so much! What do you mean with "traditional"? That can mean so much in anthropology! My department now in "traditional" in the sense that the emphasis is on theory theory theory... Do you know where you will go next year?

This is my story, which reinforces your perception (sorry): last week I emailed them, and I got a very gentle reply saying that those admitted had been notified the week before, and that I was not one of them. ... But I think they meant it as a joke, and I am sure a real acceptance offer is going to come out of an easter egg.... Hope we all get one!

Hello, I am wondering if there is anyone who can tell somthing about BU's anthropology program? I have mixed feelings about it, it is just never mentioned anywhere. Or so it seems. Any info- program, reputation, student life, quality of training, would be much appreciated! Thanks and... good luck to all those who are waiting to hear the last replies!

I am sooo sad! so sad, so sad....

Absence fosters love. Any other tormented soul waiting to hear back from Comumbia? And... many congratulations to the mysterious admitted poster!

Bof. They wait until EVERYONE ELSE has given replies, they admit "unofficially", rumors circulate about intra-faculty conflict, hardly reply to email (mine at least)... Sure we really want to hear back? I am really annoyed with the department now. ... The "fox and the grape" story.

I was stalking the results page and I saw one admitted to CUNY! So the gates are open.... Any other lucky one?

Come on Columbia, take us all!

Hello hello, have you heard anything after the interview? Any informal hint about when decisions would be made? I hope you will receive a positive reply (and...one for me as well, please :-)

They have given notice of acceptances last week. All incoming students are guaranteed 3 years TAships at least. I suggest to contact them to check on the status of your appication. Good luck!

Yes, I can confirm that.

I am only talking about cultural anth., I don't know if other branches have different schedule. So, admitted (few people) were notified last week. Waitlisted people (whom I presume have all been interviewed) are being notified these days. Only 21 people out of 149 were interviewed, and I was told in my interview that the cohort of admitted students would be 6 or 7. Don't take this informations as definitive- better email/call them. Hope this helps!