Lexie16

Hello all, I have some questions about a grey area of self-plagiarism and whether you can reuse material that has been submitted for classes. I wrote a paper for a seminar last year on a topic tangentially related to my thesis topic. I pulled evidence and background information from sources, which I paraphrased in the paper and cited appropriately. I am now putting together a draft of a thesis chapter that will be submitted for another class. I would like to use some of the same evidence and background information in order to prove a different argument. I will not be using any of my original analysis. Can I use some sentences in the paper that I submitted for that first seminar in my thesis chapter? Is it self-plagiarism if I am re-using evidence from another author that I paraphrased and cited properly? In other words, would paraphrasing another author count as "original" work that I need to cite? Thanks!

There's some good info in the Lubbock thread!

@striped I heard something during this application cycle through the grapevine that a lot of anthropology departments are hesitant to accept students wanting to complete a project on topics within the U.S. Pretty sure it is due to our "us/them" mindset within the discipline that we've focused on changing. That said, and please take it with a grain of salt because it is a rumor, is it possible for you to change your SOP next cycle? I'm wondering if you phrased your project differently in a way that still aligns with your interests, you wouldn't have to worry about the above information possibly impacting your admission. tracyb gave some phenomenal advice! I would like to mention another thing to check out when looking at schools- the course list. While there were professors researching topics related to my interests, there were many schools whose curriculum had nothing to do with those interests. One of the largest factors that went into my school choice was "Are there classes that are related to what I want to research and that I want to take?" Also check out how often they're offered- if you struggle to choose at least 2 classes a semester that relate, I would be hesitant to apply. As far as finding MA programs, any possibility you would be interested in an interdisciplinary studies MA? Such as American Studies? Many interdisciplinary departments have funding for MA students. However, if you have a professor who is a mentor, I would ask them if that MA is likely to help you or if it can impact your PhD apps in a negative way.

Gingin, how awful. I haven't experienced something exactly the same, but when I got an acceptance a friend told me flat out that if they meant anything to me, I wouldn't go. In this situation, I think all we can remember is that this isn't a reflection of us personally, but rather a demonstration of the other person's maturity and what they perceive as their own shortcomings. That's not to say it doesn't hurt, because it does. I would suggest after a bit of time, if you feel comfortable enough with this person, you bring it up that it was hurtful and you would like an apology. Perhaps it will start a conversation that will be good to have. It also sounds like this person might be using your husband as a placeholder, when this person is the one that feels like they are being deserted. They might want you to succeed and they might love you, but this could be coming from a selfish place in that you're *so* great they worry what will happen to your relationship if you leave. They don't want your relationship to change, and they see graduate school as the catalyst for a lot of big changes that affect them. I do want to impress, though, emotional manipulation is never ok, and when you're ready I think you should make that clear to this person. At the very least, if this person reiterates what they said before, you know a bit more about them before making this decision. If you both can talk about this and move on, then I hope it only makes your relationship stronger. When this should be about you, they're making it about them and trying to guilt you into making them feel better. Best of luck. This most definitely would have put a damper on your day yesterday I think you rock for getting your acceptances!!! Congratulations

Hey piglet, any chance you would feel comfortable going to a coffeeshop? There's a good chance that it could have good wifi. Also, any chance you have a public library that lets you sign up to use computers? They possibly have a computer with a webcam. Also, my old university lets students check out laptops. If you have that option, maybe see if those laptops have an ethernet port? Good luck.

Who are the couple of Anthro people who have been accepted to UFlorida as well?? I would love to say hi and congratulations!!

What?!?!? That's amazing!!!! I am very envious the stipend is that high, and that you're guaranteed four years of awesome grad housing. That sounds like a dream package!!!!

Also, kasserole, in addition to the wonderful advice above, I would suggest contacting the faculty you find have the most compelling fit for your interests. While some of them might not respond, conversations with the ones who do reply can demonstrate your passion, dedication, and depth of knowledge in a way that your application materials cannot. You will discover pretty quickly if you two get along and if you like their advising method. This will also tell you if faculty are planning to retire (this happened to me at two different schools) and give you time to fix your SOPs before submission. Furthermore, contacting profs beforehand may result in said prof supporting your project, thereby allowing you to include a line in your SOP that "so and so supports my project" which is a fantastic place to be. Even if you cannot say this, many will give you feedback on your proposed project, and tell you if the department is looking for something specific that goes unmentioned on websites. I wish you luck as you prepare!! Be sure to keep us posted.

Hahaha I feel you too!!! The Bay Area is ridiculous, and that's what everyone in Boulder is worried about becoming with the Google Campus (whose idea was that, anyway?!). I also have relatives in the Bay Area and they were trying to convince me to apply to UCSF and I was like ".......mmmm the rent is wayyyyy too expensive!" hahaha. You don't need a life, you're being very helpful to others!!!!! It's using the knowledge you've accrued through the grad application process!!

@jellyfish11 Thank you!! Not to sound cheesy or anything, but this is something I've wanted for years. It's a little boggling to think that I'm getting there. Wishing you the best of luck yourself, and that you hear something soon!! You said you're archaeology? What region and topics are you interested in?

@coffeecupinhand Hey there! I also applied to University of North Carolina. I believe that if you contacted POIs before applying or if you have a project that fits in extremely well with faculty interests, you may not be contacted for an interview and be accepted. However, I think they use the interview portion of the application to ask any questions they may have, to meet you if you named them in your SOP, or if a faculty member you didn't mention read your application and said "I'd like to know more!" I believe someone was contacted a few days ago by their POI at UNC with an unofficial acceptance. So that means they're getting closer! Not sure about any of your other schools, but it's entirely possible any of them could do interviews if they want more information or want to meet you. I was accepted to University of Florida- if you want to read about my project, interests, and background, I posted it in the "Fall 2016 Applicants" thread in the Anthropology forum. I feel you about the possibility of being out of practice. It's nervewracking to talk about something that means so much to you! And have to say it eloquently. Thank you

Sure, I would love to do that. I was just accepted to the University of Florida's PhD program in anthropology. My undergrad GPA was 3.79, GRE (v/q/w) was 160/154/4.5. No masters. I am interested in the drug war and how enforcement of the law has impacted social order, definitions of security, and perceptions of peace. Topically, I'm interested in governance, law, violence, drugs, and Latin America. My BA is in anthropology. I have worked as a legal assistant and as a policy analyst. When I was in high school, two members of my family suffered from heroin addictions. As they moved through the criminal justice system throughout the next 8 years, it changed my perception of what is moral and how we should approach addiction and policing the drug war. Classes in college taught me that the domestic side of this issue was only a very small piece of the puzzle. The drug war is something the United States has pursued for decades and seen little to no improvement in stemming the flow of drugs; yet we have destroyed countless lives as result of our drug policies. We know how many people have died. We know how many kilos of drugs we've confiscated. Drug policy needs to change domestically and abroad, and I believe that people's stories are what we're missing. And I feel I can help get those voices into the open.

Oh my gosh, guys. I was just accepted to my top-choice program. Excuse me while I go bawl from happiness.

I may or may not have literally looked like this as the postman drove past my house today. I am getting too old for this anxiety. Also, I feel this one quite accurately sums up the entire waiting process: Me wanting to contact the department and be like:

Nope, no idea... It's possible the acceptances are informal and therefore from a few different subdisciplines, so the decision-making process hasn't really ended yet. Someone apparently heard from UNC-Chapel Hill informally, so my assumption is that they're beginning to make decisions but haven't finished. This is how I'm picturing the admissions process: everyone in the same rowboat, which has been lit on fire, in the middle of the ocean, without life vests... and it's like survivor, but with how long you can stand the anxiety of not knowing hahaha.