Marshalltown

I received the housing assignment from the university I'll attend this fall. I had heard all about the amazing suite-style rooms available for graduate students, looked over the diagrams for the different types of suites, and numbered my choices from most desired to least desired. The housing assignment shows that not only will I have a roommate, but the two of us will share a common living space with two other students who will live across from us as roommates. The catch is that the three students listed are freshmen. Should I stick with it, see what the three students are like, and draft a roommate agreement, or am I in for some trouble living with freshmen? Would it be acceptable to ask for a different housing assignment, at least one where my roommate would be another graduate student like myself, or would that be perceived as bossy or snobby? Part of me feels like it won't be a big deal because these students have selected their majors and seem decent, but another part of me feels that as a graduate student I deserve a living arrangement that will allow me to study and work without the drama and headaches that can come from having a roommate or an underclassmen-oriented environment.

Not gonna lie, besides getting the diploma, the thing I was most looking forward to for graduation was the return to a normal life with animals within reach (if only for the summer).

I've been fortunate enough to be put in contact with recent graduates from the program I'm entering this fall, most of whom are female. I myself am female, entering a field which continues to have problems with sexism. For my own mother who attended grad school, she has warned me about the possibility of professors or internship managers/field work directors who are creepy, discriminatory, etc. Is it appropriate or a good idea in general to ask students about their experiences in the program or on campus with sexism? Has anyone else done this or wish that they had?

I got accepted recently for an MA program in Applied Archaeology at IUP (Indiana U of Pennsylvania). Still waiting to hear from University of Oklahoma - fingers crossed!

I'm looking to get a masters in Applied Archaeology or CRM, possibly incorporating GIS into the research I do (whatever that may be, still don't really know yet). I'm applying to these places for sure: Utah State University, University of Oklahoma, and Illinois State University. I'm still unsure about IUP because it popped up in a search engine when I was just looking for programs, and it seemed that it would help me with getting a job after graduation, but I've also seen negative reviews from undergraduates about the lack of passion from professors. I'd really appreciate hearing from people who are also applying to these schools or who have considered them but decided against them, and all the lovely reasons!!!

If you could go back in time and give yourself advice on applying, choosing, or preparing for grad school - what would it be?

I've been working on applications for these schools, and I was wondering if anyone has insight into how good the programs really are. The websites feature biographies and testimonials of recent Master's recipients, but I want to hear all sides! I've seen mixed reviews for IUP, but almost entirely rated by undergrads and art students. University of Oklahoma USU IUP Illinois State

I've been preparing a list of professors that I'd like to recommend me. In the process, I've considered my advisor, however I'm conflicted about contacting them. They have never pushed me to consider where I'd like to go to grad school, what I'd like to do in the next 5-10 years, or even given me advice. They even forgot an advising appointment that I set up with them and asked me how my time studying abroad went - when I didn't even study abroad! Here are my biggest questions: 1. Do grad schools care if you don't send them the email address/contact info for your advisor? 2. Is it acceptable to get advice on applications, schools, studying, etc. from other professors in the same department INSTEAD of your advisor? 3. Is there any way to insure that I won't get such a poor advisor in grad school? The only reason that I haven't switched undergrad advisors is that the other person I have considered making my advisor is leaving for sabbatical and cannot take on advisees.

I've been looking into a variety of archaeology programs, specifically ones for the archaeology North American prehistory. Searching has led me to find a number of my archaeology idols listed as faculty members at the universities, however a number of them are listed as "professor emeritus/emerita." Is it possible to still work with an emeritus professor, or are they retired for good and just listed with other faculty for show? [In other words, can my dream of working with one of these people come true, or is it time to crush this dream and move on?]