firewitch

I had good grades and good references when I applied to graduate school anthropology programs, but in hindsight, I think what would have really helped me would have been to have a solid proposal for research, which seems to be highly valued in this field. This means really putting a lot of work into what you say you are good at: read the literature on the subject you are interested in (especially current papers), identify a problem that needs to be addressed, and in your statement of purpose you will tell them a succinct but specific plan to address that problem, complete with research design. This is something that inevitably changes after you begin the program, but being able to demonstrate your ability to understand the literature, identify an issue, and design a research proposal will really impress people. This should, naturally, be sent to schools where the faculty are working on similar issues and share your theoretical approach. Get recommendations from whoever you can. It can't hurt to ask those retired and absent professors, who you think have forgotten you. The specialized form is emailed to them as a link, and they can log in from anywhere and fill it out. You are doing well to come here and ask for help - don't be so hesitant to ask people around you for advice, too.

Hi Temerarious, I don't think that you need to stick to graduate programs in your major. Just look through the CV's of professors and you'll see that many of them have BA or BS in a different subject than their MA or PhD. As to GRE, I would say that there are some programs where they have so many fine applicants that they don't even look at the ones below a certain figure, and certainly there are programs that make funding contingent on GRE, so a good score is a good thing. Your grades look pretty good, I don't think they'll hurt you. Picking the right program to apply to (where there are people whose work interests you), writing a good SOP, and submitting a paper that shows you have writing skill and original thought will be crucial. Once you are in a graduate program, things can change. By terminal Master's, I presume you mean a program that only has an MA. I wouldn't worry about that, because if you do well there, you can move into a PhD program afterward.

Thank you to everyone who responded. It's really a lifesaver to have your input on such short notice! I know I need the signatures of every committee member. What I don't know is whether everyone is willing to sign. I will write to my advisor without CC'ing his wife, and ask him if she has already signed or is willing to do so without the major changes, and if he is happy with the document's current version. From the advice here, it sounds like this approach should clarify the matter for me without being taken as inappropriate or insulting to the other committee members, including his wife.

My Master's program requires four committee members, including my advisor, who must all sign a form approving my thesis before I can graduate. It is a smallish program, and one of my committee members is married to my advisor. I have finished writing my thesis and I know one committee member has signed, but my advisor has custody of the signature sheet. Everyone must sign before May 27 if I am to graduate in August. Problem: The last person to review my thesis (the one married to my advisor) has asked me to make some substantive changes (having to do with theoretical perspective). The advisor has said NOT to make substantive changes. I assume, but maybe I am wrong, that people who have already signed should have a chance to review my work again if I make any major changes. I don't know what my responsibility is. I could make the requested changes and probably those who have already signed would never know the difference, but that seems deceptive to me. I could make the changes and send it around to the committee members who have already signed, but hesitate to do so without going through my advisor. I could ask my advisor what to do, but don't want to appear to be going around the spouse who wants the changes made. I really do not know if the advisor is reading either my revisions or the email exchanges I've been having with the spouse. How does this work, and what is the wise course of action? Thanks in advance.