EvelynD

Yes, I'd love to read them!

Hey guys, Last year I got rejected from the 4 programs I applied for. I learned a lot from my first application cycle and I understand why I didn’t get in. No hard feelings! This year I am doing things differently and or practice I am now writing a full-blown research proposal instead of ‘just’ a statement of purpose. Once it’s time to start working on my statement it is going to be much better than last year because I’ll know so much more about my subject! I’m also applying at universities in Australia and New-Zeeland, and I’m giving it another go in the US this fall. I’m spreading my chances. There is also a vacancy at a European university I am interested in, however, the topic is different than what I have in mind. The last couple of months I have really been investing in my own research ideas (in the literal sense of buying books, but also learning about the culture/subject itself). The PhD vacancy I found is about the same broad anthropological research interest, but instead of focusing on subject A in country B, it focusses on subject C in country D. The methodology and theoretical framework is also different. On one hand I think I would be stupid to pass down an opportunity like this (full tuition, good salary, benefits, good university, etc) but I’d be giving up on my dream subject and project. On the other hand, what if I don’t make it in Australia, ZN, or the US, and I let this opportunity pass by? I might end up with nothing at all. What would you guys advise me to do? Applying doesn’t cost my anything (besides having to write a completely different research proposal on a subject I know nothing about, and I’m already struggling to find the time to develop my current proposal), and it also doesn’t automatically mean that I get in. Shall I just take it as an exercise and go for it?Or am I wasting my and other peoples' time?

This has crossed my mind for the last couple of years too. About 2 years ago when I had just graduated from my MA I was really honest during job interviews because I thought that within a year or so I had found a PhD position. That didn't turn out to be true but, some employers didn't hire me because I couldn't give them a long-term commitment. The same happened when I then said that ‘probably within the next couple of years’ I would start my PhD. And I just wanted to be honest and be transparent about my future goals! Five months ago I was hired at my current job. I work in a team of 3 people who highly depend on each other, but during the last couple of years many people were hired for this team and then quit again. So I'm already thinking about how to bring the news if I finally find a spot. Or worse, if they require me to visit for the interviews (I live in Europe so that will take up a week).

There have been some developments: I'm taking to a professor in New Zeeland, and I'm in the process of applying for a position in Australia. The two research idea's I have a slowly (thank you, day job) turning into real proposals and on top of that a PhD had opened at my home university. Not a 100% match, but close enough so I'll apply. This is going to be a very busy summer!

Do children count?

Congrats with your admission to the MA! I did a research master about Native American cultures (mainly Mexico) at our faculty of Archaeology. So technically my MA is in archaeology, but in reality it was more like a blend between archeo and anthro. Our Mesoamerican studies professor researches prehispanic manuscripts and does not excavate. My own thesis was about traditional Mexican dress in relation to stigmatisation and racism. But on my diploma it says my degree is in archaeo, so that’s what schools care about. Although I’m still very passionate about traditional dress I don’t see a future after the PhD. I’m also struggling with the idea of studying native peoples. I’m now focusing on animal studies (human-horse dynamics) from an anthropological perspective. I’ve always loved horses but never had a lot of luck with them. My parents didn’t support my passion and I never really developed as a horsewoman. Doing a PhD in anthropology about horses is me taking my life into my own hands.

Same here, applying is even more of a challenge for us as international students. I also applied to for big schools, but I work in a niche ánd I did my MA in a different field. Although I'm excited to try agian I'm also getting a bit anxious. What if I doesn't work out again this year? How many times am I going to give it and will my proffs be willing to write letters again this year?

Probably the same schools: UCSB, Notre Dame, and Toronto. A bit on the fence about Michigan since I didn't really get a good feeling about their application proces, but I should have applied to anthro instead of sociology. I'm also thinking about a school in Alaska, Duke (didn't hire last year), and Austin. I'm also going to look for schools that offer human geograpgy (with people focussing on animals). Lots to figure out! Good luck, you must keep us updated about everything!!

Thanks! You are starting with your PhD this year right?

Hey guys, Unfortunately, like many others, I did not get accepted in the 2017 cycle. After taking some time off from my research idea's and this forum, and focussing on my great great job in customer service I started working on my proposals again a week ago. When I applied last year I had no idea what to expect and what to do. This year I'll be better prepared and hopefully not the third, but the second time’s a charm! To make a long story short, how are you preparing for the 2018 cycle? If you got rejected last year what will you do different this fall? I'll start: 1. I re-read the feedback I got from two PoI's and realized they were actually pretty positive! They did not say 'you and your ideas suck' but 'your idea's are interesting but your SoP has to be more theoretical in this competitive field'. When I got rejected I was so sad that I couldn't see the feedback for what it was. 2. Improve my SoP. Since I'm not from the States I had no idea how to write a good SoP and nobody proof-read it for me. I'm now writing a more European-style proposal (very extensive) that I'm going to narrow down for my SoP. I'm also going to send it to as many people as possible. 3. Apply to more schools. I only applied to 4 schools because I was thinking too much inside the box. This year I’m not only going to apply to anthro departments, but I’m also going to try my luck at Human Geography and Latin American Studies departments. Fire away!

Whenever I feed sad I develop these crazy plans, like working with horses on a tourist ranch in Mongolia, or working for an NGO in the depths of the Peruvian Andes. However my rational self tells me to stay put and work so I'll be financially prepared if I get into gradschool at one point. I've been working at a callcenter for about 6 months now which originally was only a temporary solution between graduation and gradschool. However, now I've been rejected I'm starting to think I should get a more advanced job. Not only to increase my pay but also to develop myself professionally in case I never get into gradschool (its better to be prepared). In the Netherlands the job market is so thight that a university degree means very little, especially a degree in archaeology. Iget rejected for everything I apply for unless its other callcenter jobs. Ain't life swell

Thanks guys! After I got the initial feedback I realized I didn't tackle this bit very well. In my SoP I talked about how my interests came about (both anthropology and animal studies), but I didn't say anything about the relevance of animal studies in anthopology in general, and how my research could be relevant for animal studies specifically. The 2018 cycle is going to be different ant better! And more sigarets, probably.

Hey guys! I'm picking up the pieces after my 4 rejections and I've on new research proposals. One of my PoI's told me that my research wasn't contextualized enough. I've been thinking about this for about two months and I just can't figure out how to tackle this problem. I know what I want to do and what I want to investigate, but I don't know what theories to use and what angle I should use towards this. What would you guys advise me to do? I've been reading a lot of literature, comparible research, etc. but I'm not there yet. I'm at a point where I'm not moving forward anymore and I want to tackly this!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm into 'animal anthropology' too. Not in the gross way of course. I think this is a real niche, difficult to find a spot (I didn't get accepted this round).

Congratulations, you did great!!!!

Me too! I also get rejected from all of them. I'll start a topic for all us rejects soon, if you want to join?

The dark side welcomes you @suavesana All jokes aside, I'm sorry you didn't make it this cycle. Did you only try at 3 schools?

Good for you!!!!

Do you think it would have to be an ethnographic fieldschool, or would volunteer work do? Is there such a thing as funded fieldschools, or scholarships international students can win? Paying the amounts I've seen online so far just isn't an option

One of the reasons I got rejected this year was that other applicants had an actual MA degree in anthropology (mine is in archaeology) and that others had more research experience in the field. I'm not in the position to obtain another MA degree and relevant jobs are non-existent in the Netherlands. It seems that to gain more relevant research experience I need to do something else. What about an ethnographic field school during the summer, do you guys think that would help me? Or maybe a training program, online course, etc. My finances are limited since I have a low income and high rent, so I won't be able to afford a 4000$ tuition fee.

I've been rejected to all 4 schools I applied for. I got very valuable feedback and I'm going to try again next year, but I feel anxious. What if I get rejected again next year...I can't go on forever.

I got my last rejection letter in the mail today, from Toronto. I'm officially rejected this cycle. Urg. Hopefully I'll do better next year.