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.

Now that the X-Files has returned to television, I find myself drawn to once again exploring government conspiracy theories At least it takes up time, right?? What I find funny is that waiting for results is really showing me which school is my top choice by a long stretch. It's the only one I'm really anxious to hear from, and I'm laughing because this will make any decision extremely easy, if I'm given a choice I never realized that waiting for admissions results could bring those subconscious leanings to the surface so easily!!!

My thoughts go out to you- I received my first two days ago, so I feel you on that front Although, it just means we probably wouldn't have been happy there because it wasn't a good fit, right? Also, ethnomusicology is intense, and I can only imagine how the music performance proficiency makes your application cycle even more intense. I wish you luck with your other schools!!

@Pink Fuzzy Bunny I PM'd you!

Ahh, housing in Boulder. Depends what kind of environment you want. First, I would say get to know current grads, because you will find the best deals that way. A lot of places that are cheaper and nicer never hit Craigslist because they're already spoken for through networking. Second, call up Housing Helpers. Even if they don't find a place you like, it is a great way to see some listings within your price range/area you want to live. As far as the type of living situation you want to be in, absolutely avoid The Hill (west of campus, it hugs Broadway from almost Arapahoe to Baseline, pretty much). It is a major undergrad and party area, and is atrociously expensive. A lot of the houses are also very dumpy for what you pay. This is also where the frats and sorority houses are located. I like quiet when I'm at home, absolutely no noise from parties, so I would suggest living close to the BioMed Sciences building off of Colorado between Foothills Pkwy and 30th Ave. It tends to be pretty quiet in those apt complexes and the neighborhoods. I lived in Wellman Creek my senior year, which is one of the only low-income housing subdivisions in Boulder. A lot of people buy the townhomes there and then rent them out, so if you know someone moving out you can get a pretty cheap and nice townhome with a garage and such. Living closeish to Pearl is an option, but the real estate there is expensive. You can sometimes find a deal through a friend, but because of the location's desirability you will pay more. A lot of the neighborhoods north of campus along Arapahoe have a lot of students, and can be loud occasionally due to people walking to the bars on Pearl/house parties (nowhere near as loud as The Hill, though). I've known a few grad students who have lived in grad housing and they didn't say it was bad. The kitchen is quite small, but it's a quiet community and helps you get to know other grad students. No idea how expensive it is, though. I know you said roommates aren't your thing (totally understand) but another option could be to look for a family/couple who rents out a portion of their house. I've heard positive stories from people who made sure to make it a good personality match. Usually you'll get your own bathroom and Boulder families are very invested in their homes, so this can be a good setup if you want people to do their dishes, clean their spaces, etc. Moving further north is a possibility. The further north of Pearl you go, the further you are from campus (and undergrads). If you stay close to Broadway, there are some good quiet neighborhoods and you're near a bus line that goes straight to campus. I recommend living near Broadway and Alpine, as there's a little shopping center with a grocery, restaurants, coffee shop, and urgent care. You could also go even further north than that. An extreme possibility, depending on how much money you want to save on rent, is to live in Gunbarrel/Longmont/Broomfield/Westminster. These places are cheaper and there's a bus that travels along the highways to get you to Boulder (but alas, a lot more traveling time required). TL;DR: try to get to know some current grads that could pass on some sweet housing deals to you. Check out Housing Helpers, and CU grad housing. Then check Craigslist Hope that gives you some ideas to start your search!! Be sure to start early- a lot of places are taken by March. Good luck!!!!

Congratulations, Pink Fuzzy Bunny!!!!! Awesome job I went to CU Boulder for my undergrad, and they've got a positively kick-butt physics program, so my hat goes off to you and your admission!!!!! Boulder is a pretty cool place, if I do say so myself

Hahahaha, apparently!!! We have finally all found each other to commiserate. Ok, bummer. I was hoping we'd have already met!! Still, small world it is if we end up attending the same university Anyone have any great coping mechanisms for impatience? I keep trying to read literature for my area of interest and work out a lot, but other than that I'm just impatiently checking my email!!!

PhD, baby!! Just so I can sign the next 7-9 years of my life away becoming an expert on something Maybe we will see each other! Did you go to one of the Rutgers Departmental Open Houses, by chance? We might have already met!

I applied to UFlorida, Rutgers, Duke, UNorth Carolina, and Notre Dame for Cultural Anthro. I'm interested in the drug war in Mexico and how enforcement of the law impacts societal order.

Haven't heard anything from the schools I've applied to, either. The only notification I've gotten was from Notre Dame, who said we would be updated by January 20... but I haven't heard a peep My impatience has ramped up this week. Anyone remember that meme from "The Help" going around that was a picture of the toddler pounding on the window and crying? I feel a bit like that, as I'm saying "Accept meeeeee!!" I'm coping by eating a lot of cheese and working out a ridiculous number of hours each week, hoping each time I check my phone post-workout I'll see an acceptance email. Here's to hoping everyone gets into their dream department with their dream advisor/committee!!!!

I was totally going to post that one, you beat me to it!! That one gave me a chuckle, for sure. I also like this one: UCB-UCSF Bioengineering "Expected... But still my first Rjection. So I'll remember you like this, Berkeley." ??