sierra918

Congrats! Where did you get in??

@nobonesaboutitGood luck on your applications! I got my M.A. at University of Tennessee. I am also applying to Vanderbilt and eagerly awaiting some response!!!!

Now that the deadline has passed, I'd like to wish everyone good luck with their applications!!

It really depends on the program. I had a professor at one department tell me that my GRE scores simply were not high enough and that I should not apply unless I could get them much higher. At my first choice program, however, I was told that GRE scores are not very important to the department itself. So, I would ask your POI at each program you plan to apply for.

I would certainly include it. You can listed it as In Review. This will still how that you are actively trying to publish articles. I put several like this on my application.

If it helps, my top choice program did not have a page limit, so I asked my POI. He said 3-5 pages is standard. My SOP was 5 fives long. So, if in doubt, contact the department or your POI, and they should be able to help you. Good luck!

Lightballsdeep, Hello! Yes, I've also had positive feedback from POIs regarding my CRM experience. I even had one POI tell me that their department prefers students who have CRM experience, even if it's not directly relevant to what they want to pursue in graduate school. I've been working in the Southeast for five years now, but I'm hoping to pursue Mesoamerican archaeology. I'm a Lithic Analyst, and I'm hoping to transfer my methodological skills to that region. So exciting to hear that I'm not the only one pursuing something a little out of my comfort zone!

Thanks!!!

This was also the case last year. I know someone who got the GRFP last year, and she had an M.A.

I agree. I've been working on my proposal since February, and although chances are still low, I feel very good about what I've put together. If nothing else, I have an excellent start on my dissertation proposal!

Thanks, MuyMal! This is an excellent resource!

FYI-The 2016 solicitations are up! They've moved the due dates up a bit, also. All applications are due in October this year. I've been working on my proposal all summer, so I'm going to make sure it still fits the requirements and get it submitted asap.

I just submitted my first application! This is my first choice school, so I'm glad I got it out of the way first. Has anyone else gotten started??

http://web.utk.edu/~anthrop/faculty/ddhr.html University of Tennessee has a Human Rights focus.

When I defended my thesis, the best advice I received was this: Nobody knows more about your thesis research than you do. Even if there are experts on the general subject matter in the room (i.e. your advisor, other professors), you are the one who has put in the leg work and worked so closely with the data. As long as you've put in the work, you'll be fine. Also, if you happen to be a women (like myself), don't wear high heels. That was a TERRIBLE blunder on my part!!! My feet started to ache about 10 minutes in! Best of luck to you!

Hello all! Some of you may think it's a litte too early to start this discussion, but I thought those of us who have already started preparing could start sharing our journeys and supporting one another! I am applying to a handful of programs for Fall 2016, and I'll also be applying to the NSF GRFP. I earned my M.A. in 2009, so I'll be applying under the "extenuating circumstances" qualification. I am an Archaeologist, and I've been working in CRM for five years now. I've been out of school for nearly 7 years now, so I'm a little nervous (but also very excited) to get back into academica. I've already contacted POI's at each of the programs I plan to apply to, and I've written a draft of the statement of purpose for my first choice program. I've also drafted an NSF GRFP proposal based on last year's guidelines, but I may need to revise it once this year's guidelines are available. Has anyone else gotten started? If so, please share!!

I completely disagree with those who say we shouldn't have children while in school. I know tons of people who have done it, and honestly, they are usually the most successful because there are more people depending on their success than just themselves. I'm applying to go back to graduate school in Fall 2016, and I have two children, ages 3 and 1. I want to go back for all the reasons you listed above-I love being a scholar! I also want to go back because I want to show my children (especially my daughter) that they can have the career they want without giving up everything else. You are leading by example. You should feel proud

I agree. I am sure if you explain the situation to your department, they will allow you to defer either a semester or an entire year.

Most schools will start accepting applications in the Fall, but some schools will start earlier. One program that I'm applying to is already accepting applications for Fall 2016. Contact the programs you're interested in, and they will be able to let you know.

I'm applying for Fall 2016, and I took it in April. That way, I'd have plenty of time if I needed to retake. You want to give 6 weeks for the scores to get to the schools before each deadline. As long as you do that, you should be fine.

I'm also applying to Anthropology programs for Fall 2016. I couldn't agree more that Fit is most important. I had a list of about 8 programs I planned to apply to. Then, I emailed potential POIs at each program asking if they would be taking students and to find out if they would be interested in working with me. From those conversations, I narrowed it down to 4 potential programs.

I started reading and writing my background and methodology chapters during the summer between my first and second years. I agree that reading all the relevant literature and highlighting or taking notes on anything you want to incorporate or cite is probably how you want to start.

I am also starting early for Fall 2016! I've written a first draft of my SOP for my first choice school. If you want to pm me, I'll take a look at yours if you want to take a look at mine!

Thanks very much!

SocProf, I am applying to Ph.d programs for Fall 2016. At my top choice school, which is very selective and only accepts a couple students per year, I've had excellent conversations with a professor there who tells me that he is VERY excited to work with me and expects that I should be at the top of the applicant pool. He also said he thinks he can make a very good case to the graduate committee as to why I should be in the program. I've heard that having a professor willing to fight for you is most important. Would you say that is true? Thanks very much!