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There are many factors that go into the admissions process, and GRE is usually overshadowed by UGPA, a strong SOP, good LORs, and CV demonstrating your independent abilities in your field. That said, I would strongly suggested studying and taking a practice exam again. I talked to a lot of departments before applying this year (in the social sciences) and they all said that they use the GRE to eliminate people who score very low (below 1000 or below 1200). Brush up on your math skills (it's all math you have already taken anyway) and make yourself some flash cards. Relax, and just work on it, take a few more tests and try to raise your score. However, I have heard many varying things about GRE. Depending on your field, some departments might overlook it. Other departments might eliminate you without even considering all the other aspects of your application that make you a great candidate for grad school. I would start researching and asking direct questions prior to applying if you are unable to raise it. Also, are you a foreign student? It appears that GRE scores are less important for applicants who are not native English speakers, so long as their TOEFL scores are competitive. Best of luck!!!

My two cents: so long as the OP asked the professor to write him a positive letter of recommendation (sad that sometimes we have to qualify that huh?) then the professor should have done it. I'd assume that as the OP's undergraduate advisor he/she would be fairly familiar with the student's work and performance and thus be able to spend an afternoon writing positive things to say. At minimum, this person could have written a very standard formulaic response and have moved on. If you are specific with your LOR writers and say "Would you be willing to write me a positive letter of recommendation" and the answer is no, then they should say no. I'm sorry you had to go through that, and can relate to your concerns. However, if you received a positive LOR from a well-known and trusted scholar in the field (who would likely hold a lot more weight than an undergraduate adviser) I would imagine it would out-weigh what the other person wrote. And if your other stats are strong I'd relax a little bit. Best of luck!

I think for an MA, going to field school would be a great experience, however not all archaeology is anthropological, and not all field schools are the same. Likewise, I would not expect them to take the credits from the field school towards your MA at all. Shovelbums.org is a good resource, however, most of the digs in Greece and Israel run on a "pay to play" basis, meaning many of them attract tourists who want to go home an boast of an archaeological adventure in an exotic, historic locale. Supervisory or very technical tasks are left to graduate students while you are essentially performing the work that would traditionally be done by local workmen. It will look good on your application, especially if you do it for credit and can get a LOR out of one of the directors (especially if they are a well-known name in the field), but I would strongly consider if it's convenient and affordable to you to also look into taking a class or two non-matriculated in anthropology as well. Unfortunately, a lot of programs aren't looking for great field people. The attitude is a lot of times, well that's great that they are good in the field, but do they have the maturity and drive to perform well at the graduate level and undertake independent research and come up with interesting questions. Field school is a definite plus, and will look great on your CV, but for a lot of departments, it's not enough to push you over the top. I know a lot of graduate students in archaeology or anthropology departments who got in without any field training at all. That said, I would still recommend doing it. In order to pursue archaeology, you do need to do a field season to ensure that you actually like the work involved. For some, one season in the hot sun in the dirt is enough to send them to law school instead. For ones like me, it's like crack. Anyway, it would be an awesome experience for you, you would learn a lot, and most likely you'd have a lot of fun. I would think about what region and time period you are most interested and try to find a dig that is close to that to begin. And shovelbums.org is a great resource for archaeologists (whether grad school hopefuls or just...well...shovelbums!). good luck!

Congrats on your acceptances!

I've been wondering the same thing about those classes myself. They are super expensive, but could it be worth it? Have you heard about the new GRE coming this year? Sorry I don't have much to add, I raised my score by over 200 points the first time just studying, but I don't think I raised it enough, so I'm mulling over the classes as well. And, I'm in the same boat with you about my UGPA. People who say things like "you've wasted your life" or are negative nancies about getting into grad school kind of make me want to prove them wrong as well. Do tell if you end up taking the classes and break the 1300-1400 range and best of luck!

If you have received admission to a program where you earn your MA en route to earning your PhD there, I would strongly suggest not leaving right after you receive your MA. Some programs I have looked into, essentially give you the MA as a consolation prize for not finishing your work towards a PhD. Other admissions committees will know this, and it will look bad on your application. If you have your heart set on going to an absolute top school (and top 15-20 ain't have bad!) I would not take the offer and reapply next here, unless they have a terminal master's option (which will likely be unfunded). Best of luck and congrats on your acceptance!

If you have received admission to a program where you earn your MA en route to earning your PhD there, I would strongly suggest not leaving right after you receive your MA. Some programs I have looked into, essentially give you the MA as a consolation prize for not finishing your work towards a PhD. Other admissions committees will know this, and it will look bad on your application. If you have your heart set on going to an absolute top school (and top 15-20 ain't have bad!) I would not take the offer and reapply next here, unless they have a terminal master's option (which will likely be unfunded). Best of luck and congrats on your acceptance!

You're absolutely right. However, I was not smart or lucky enough to realize what I wanted to do with my life until the end of my undergraduate career. I have worked hard over the past four years to improve my record, make connections with professors and important individuals in my field, and am doing everything humanly possible to combat weaknesses on my application. I read the articles you cite about GRE and take your advice as far as researching programs, and I think others do as well. It's ok to be blunt, however some of the things you say are very rude and personally insulting. I'm sure you're not like that in real life. There is a better way to state your opinion, even bluntly, without being rude or insulting to others. I certainly doubt that if that friend asked you for advice you would not call him or her a child or outright laugh in his or her face the way you do on this forum. don't think it's ridiculous to be judged on numbers, I understand the nature of the beast so to speak. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be on the same playing field as those with perfect numbers. No matter how well reasoned your advice is, not everyone is going to take it and not everyone is going to agree. That's just life. There are a lot of examples of people who have failed before they have succeeded throughout history. At the expense of sounding like a cheesy Hallmark greeting card, I'd rather look back on my life and say that I died trying than simply give up and follow the path of least resistance. You're free to think that's foolish or childish, but that's where I'm at in my life. And I'm going to continue to show encouragement to those in my situation, a different situation, a better situation etc. That's just who I am. I don't really feel like this is the type of forum to make personal attacks on one another, there are plenty of other places on the internet to show your intellectual triumph and prowess over others if you feel it necessary to do so. Best of luck to you, let's end our "feud" and move on. Stepping off my soapbox...now!

Has anyone received an official rejection notice from NYU's anthropology department yet? I keep hearing this little voice in the back of my brain saying, "well you haven't received anything yet..." but I feel like it's hopeless! Just let a girl know!

If it's any consolation (well it gives me hope) the late great Kathleen Kenyon received mediocre marks all throughout her college days and would more likely be found playing football or drinking than in the library! Now half the world uses the Wheeler-Kenyon method in the field.

Of all the negative things other users have said about you, no one called you an idiot or claimed you know nothing of the GRE. I have read some facetious comments that say that you are secretly working for ETS, or an ETS enthusiast. No one doubts that you're intelligent. You're just very rude and when you open the door for the same type of comments you throw at everyone, people respond. To echo some advice you once told me, "life isn't fair." Congrats on your acceptances.

Yeah, I accidentally responded twice!

Unfortunately when attacked I'm prone to respond, and felt it was necessary to clarify myself. Still not stooping to his level!

One last word of warning, I did the non-matriculated thing at University of Chicago (more prestigious, harder program than my undergrad) to alleviate my poor UGPA. I did really well in all of the classes, got a LOR and two years of field experience out of it, and it did not appear to help my admissions at all this time around. Your UGPA is probably higher than mine was (try 2 semesters of probation!) but the non-matriculated thing is a mixed bag. Not to be a downer, but that's why I'm going for an MA before I reapply for PhDs!

I don't know anything about English or Bio programs sorry. However, I am balancing my career aspirations with my fiance's. This time around, it resulted in me only applying to two schools that were closeby. Fortunately, it works out that one of the most affordable MA's in my field is in our city. He is working on his PhD, and this winter it has required him to travel. If all works according to plan (which it likely won't, but hey here's to hoping) I will finish my MA around the time he finishes his PhD, so the next time I apply for the PhD I can look a bit further afield. It helps that we're in the same field, so when he has to leave to some remote place for 2 months, I can understand it, and know that when and if the time comes for me to go someplace for 2 months without him, he'll understand too. I know one couple (lawer and PhD hopeful) who simply applied everywhere. They found a place where he was offered a job and she was offered admission to a PhD program, so they were lucky. You probably really need to ask yourself what is most important to you. Is it this relationship, or is it pursuing your PhD in your field somewhere outside of the Midwest? Are you absolutely certain that there are no schools in the Midwest that you could come to a compromise with location? (There's plenty of great schools in Illinois, especially near and outside of Chicago for example, which is a totally different place than MN). Best of luck!

Unfortunately, many anthro programs really want students to be totally committed to the subject matter, and require a major in the subject. What is your sub-field? I think you're on the right track taking non-degree courses. If your sub-field is cultural or archaeology I would strongly suggest trying to get some field experience. Also, use this time to read read read. Levi-Strauss, Childe, anything you can get your hands on, as well as newer things. A lot of the departments I applied to (anthropological archaeology) wanted SOPs to be clear, concise, and have an idea of what you wanted to pursue your PhD research on. I don't know what your SOP said, but taking some coursework and focusing on something more specific for next time might help. But, I'm in the same boat as you, got rejected everywhere and now looking into pursuing a master's first. My advice for the rejection blues; don't give up!!! it's not over until you say it's over, no matter how many adcomms tell you they are not interested, and copious amounts of physical exercise. But that's just me. Best of luck! and for the most part you're right, this is a great forum!

Awesome! Congrats werd and best of luck!

I meant a small amount, meaning the first time I took it I didn't study, the second time I studied a little bit.

Master's programs tend to be less competitive than PhD programs, however I would suggest that you aim for over a 1200. However, considering your other stats a GRE in the 1000-1200 range may be overlooked. I would imagine that GRE is not everything for your field. Prior to applying to your programs though, I would ask the departments you're applying to if they have minimum GRE requirements (or even ask before you take the test) just to give you an idea. And study for it, a modicum of studying helped me raise my score the second time I took it. Best of luck.

I've heard mixed things about how the AW score is evaluated on the GRE, however I got a 6.0 both times I took the GRE and I will tell you how I did it. They want you to write your basic 5 paragraph essay responding to whatever the topic is. In your first paragraph, cite three main points and one that goes against them. Then, in each following paragraph, describe those points, and have one which offers contrary information to the point you are trying to make. The other type of question they ask if the one where they have an argument, something like "This species of fish in Mucluck Lake has gone declined 60% over the passed ten years and the EPA thinks it's because of pollution and an increase in fisherman." So, you come up with at least three points that counter this claim. Broach the question of what were the population rates of said species prior to the ten year study to see if this is simply a natural pattern of decline in a rise and fall cycle. Broach the question have any other species been introduced to Mucluck Lake in the past 10-20 years that may have had an adverse effect on the other species. Also, ask where exactly the pollution is coming from, meaning is Mucluck lake right next to a highway or nestled miles away from one in a forest preserve. And then wrap it up saying something like the statement about the fish population declining does not prove a correlation to an increase in pollution and fishermen. And of course take a couple looks over it to make sure that you didn't misspell things and edit it a little. They aren't testing you on writing the great American novel, they are testing to see if you can spit out a formulaic, logical 5-6 paragraph essay. I don't know about MS degrees, but the departments I've spoken with did not seem to indicate that GRE meant anything aside from if you scored below a certain level you were disqualified (like 1200 or 1000). You can always retake it and your other scores are pretty strong, and I'm sure if you have a great UGPA, strong LORs, a well-written concise SOP they will overshadow that 4.0. I am confident though, that if you do retake it, this is something that (at least I think so) is easy to raise. Best of luck!

I completely sympathize with you about having to hound professors about LORs. This time around, it was particularly stressful because one did not respond to me until she submit it, so I'm filled with dread that it wasn't good (even though I was the best student in 2 of her graduate level classes and have worked for her on a project for 2 years and produced something that she is mulling over for publishing in an upcoming monograph). However, I am always minimally 4 weeks in advance (with this last application I was exactly 4 weeks before the due date and apologized for tardiness) and always send out thank-yous about a week or so after the application is due!!! The other thing is that I follow up with e-mails and correspondence of what has changed, did I get in, etc. etc. I understand that they are busy people whose lives don't revolve around my (hopefully) burgeoning career, but I always thought if I wrote a letter for someone I'd like to know what happened in the end. Thank-you notes are something that everyone should do no matter what! Interviews, Christmas presents, cheer-ups, LORs, whatever!

The GRE really isn't everything on your application, at least that's what I've been told (however I am trying for social sciences rather than math so perhaps this isn't the best advice). I would assume that your quantitative score would be enough to get you at least considered. If you have good UGPA, your work has been in some way math related, and you have good LORs and a strong SOP I would imagine that score would make you a competitive candidate. I've heard things from the departments I applied to that they only use GRE as a cut-off for people who scored extremely low (below 1000) or as a means to decide which candidate to admit when all other things are equal. I have also heard that sometimes GRE scores can affect which applicants receive funding the first year, but I think that is something that is falling out of use (I'd strongly recommend only applying to departments that will fund everyone upon acceptance, I worked in a department for awhile where funding was extremely competitive and it was kind of scary - grad school is hard enough without that stress). Best of luck!

I agree, I'd go for the department or program that you are a better fit for, and then see you if can do interdisciplinary work with pertinent professors from the other department. Although we're all a bit anxious to get into graduate school, you don't want to look too anxious and they might view that as someone who is trying simply to get in, and not totally committed to the subject matter. If you have a hard time deciding which program to go for, I would try to meet with, call, or e-mail faculty members you want to work with in both departments to see who would be best for you to work with. I can't stress that enough, getting an idea of how your adviser is in person is so important, because you're essentially yoked to them for at least five years, if not the rest of your career (in some fields, I'm not sure if it's the same for everything, but in mine at least it is). Best of luck! I considered applying to two departments in the same schools as well and decided against it!

Yeah, I'm not sure if I'm going to retake it or not. I got a 6.0 on the AW. My LOR writers said that my GRE scores are fine, even though they are only in the 1200s. However, the new test covers essentially the same material minus the analogies and antonyms, and adding a calculator to the quantitative section, and allowing you to go back and change answers, which may make it easier rather than the CAT version now.

Hello, I was hoping for some constructive criticism on my SOP. It's 500 words for an anthropology department. I have completed a first draft, and anticipate the need for 3-4 revisions before the due date of April 1st. I would prefer social sciences/anthro grad students (or post-docs!), but anyone who has some insight would be great. Just message me on here, I'm not posting it on the forum. Thanks!