enfp

Posting here instead of starting a new thread - I'm filling out my DS-160 for my F-1 visa and there's a section that asks me to fill my university attendance dates. For my latest degree (an MA from the US), I'm confused as to whether I should write the dates I was there physically, or the date I received my MA degree. I was in the US from September 2013 to July 2015, but then came back to my home country and finished up my MA thesis from here, after which I officially received my degree in Feb 2016. In short - would my dates of attendance be Sept 2013-July 2015 or Sept 2013-Feb 2016? Any help would be appreciated, it's kind of urgent! Thank you!!

Meeting professors comes through presenting at graduate student conferences - now that you're going to be at MAPSS, make sure you apply to at least two! I presented at one during my MA and it's the same one I'm going to be attending for a PhD this year.... when I got in touch with my POI, I made sure to mention that I had met her during the conference, and that she may remember me. She did! Not a guarantee of any kind, but definitely a boost. Also, everyone I know who has attended MAPSS accepted that it's a tough situation to be in; they also grudgingly admit that it played a huge role in getting them into grad school. MAPSS whole claim to fame IS getting their students into PhDs, if people pay through their nose to attend it's because they really do work on getting a funded PhD offer for you - that comes at the price of a lot of stress, but it seems you are set on getting a PhD and for that purpose, MAPSS will likely be worth it. Edit: Also; keep in mind, it's pretty easy to get funding for conferences from your department/school!

Also, a year out of undergrad is nothing! Don't feel like you're running out of time... I'm going to be attending school in Fall 2017, but graduated from undergrad in 2011

I came across this article on rejections by an anthro PhD candidate who was successful this cycle, it might be helpful: https://qz.com/950763/how-to-get-into-graduate-school-according-to-current-phd-students/ I know it's kind of trite, but the author does lay out the basic skeleton of what one should be thinking about. Also, as many have said - your GRE only matters to the extent that it's not terrible, what's important is fit, SOP and recs - my GPA in undergrad was terrible (3.16) but an MA degree from Columbia, good recs and a strong SOP helped me get into a top program this year. And yes, sometimes, it's just really horrible, horrible luck. Good luck, and don't get down - I have a friend who got into UCLA on their third PhD apps round, and another who was rejected from everywhere in his first round but in his second round (after completing an MA) he made it to 3 top unis including Chicago and Duke.

If there's anything this process tells you, it's that rejections are often a matter of politics, bad luck, and frankly statistics - i.e. apps are a crapshoot. If, for example, Columbia is taking 8 students out of approximately 200 applicants, I for one refuse to believe that means there were only 8 qualified candidates! It's a matter of a very limited number of seats. There's lots of people on this forum who've been rejected in previous cycles and are now getting into several schools. For one @AnthropologyNRT (don't know why I'm not being able to tag them, but shoot them a PM in case they don't see this?) was accepted into all three programs they applied to this year after two failed cycles. And yeah, this isn't to say your app can't be improved - it always can. It was good enough to get an offer from MAPSS, which as mentioned above is actually a very competitive program and is definitely not a mere consolation prize. Edit: Just to add here: From everything I hear about Chicago, they're definitely not the kind to feel sorry for people lol. So there's that

As someone who has an MA in anthropology, I have a few thoughts on this. I really, really benefited from getting an MA but I think those benefits apply in very specific circumstances. Firstly, my MA (health insurance and living stipend included) was fully paid for through an external scholarship (Fulbright). Secondly, as an international student who had never studied in the US, it made me understand how American academia works, what it tends to reward/dismiss, and a better understanding of anthropology as a discipline at the grad school level. Thirdly, given my undergrad GPA was average at best, having a US MA degree from a 'big name' school, a solid grad school GPA, and recommendations from well-known academics in the discipline, all helped my case this PhD cycle. Most of the other people in my MA program consisted of either scholarship students like me, or those who didn't have to worry about money. Those who did have to worry about money had a tough time. So, to sum up: If you're going to have to pay through your nose and take out more loans, I would advise against it. Research/field experience in your intended area of interest is just a better way to go. PM me if you want more details! I understand I was very lucky and few people would get to do an MA in the same circumstances as I did. But from what you describe of your own situation, I just don't know if it's worth it.

You might want to check out the Notre Dame PhD program in Anthropology and Peace Studies (part of the Kroc Institute). For Medical Anthro in general, check out Hopkins and Berkeley.

I had an interview with Hopkins on the 17th of Feb, (notified of interview on 15th) and was accepted on the 22nd. Good luck! Their admission process is confusing, I noticed on the results page that two people were admitted even before I had my interview.

Nice! That's a lot of acceptances, you're spoilt for choice! Glad we're being kept in the loop, and good luck with UVA!

Where are you at on your list @museum_geek? Confession: Was following your extensive list of schools as I followed this thread and now I'm pretty invested

Generally, the MA pool is considered after the PHD pool of candidates at most universities. Good luck!

Thanks guys! Maybe Hopkins/Toronto are still options... @TP24 channel your anxiety into research and prep - maybe reach out to current students to get a feel of how Stanford interviews work. May the odds be in your favour.

Whoever posted the Stanford interview for sociocultural - Congratulations! I'm out of the picture I guess (no interview) and it's breaking my heart because Stanford was number 1 for me. I'm currently standing at 5 rejections (presumably Chicago, Stanford and Toronto and officially Brown and Michigan) and 1 acceptance (UC Davis). Only waiting on Hopkins now and the way things are going, I'm not expecting anything. If anyone hears anything about Hopkins interviews, please let me know so I can accept the one offer I have! And to everyone still waiting: Hoping for the best for all of you! I knew this process was going to be brutal, but you're never completely mentally prepared for it.

Yes, a friend at Chicago just confirmed the interviews are all sent out so unfortunately for those of us waiting, I think, as @farflung points out, the wait is over. Oh well! Has anyone heard anything from Hopkins?

Sure! Will message you. And thanks! Don't assume it's a rejection just yet though! Sending good vibes to everyone waiting to hear good news.

So I'm socio-cultural and from what I understand, evolutionary and sociocultural operate pretty independently of one another. I don't think they have sent out all acceptances because I just got an informal email from my POI saying they've admitted me, and she'll let me know as soon as she has details about funding. She then emailed me saying we can discuss the offer further on Skype (my call is scheduled for tomorrow). Not sure how much of this is normal protocol, but the impression I get from this thread is that some people do get informal acceptances/rejections (across universities) from POIs before official decisions are sent out. And thanks!! Glad to know I have somewhere to go, if I get a visa to enter the country that is. (international, Muslim, yada yada)

Congrats to the Brown acceptance but also, it's making me so nervous!! It's weird no one else here seems to have gotten an interview? Really, really hoping I hear back from them, it's one of my top choices and a perfect fit for my interests, although some of the pressure is off because I have an acceptance from UC Davis at least now. @purple hibiscus sorry you're getting bombarded with questions, but was the admit email from your POI or graduate admissions?

Thanks for letting us know @Archaeodan What's taking them so long to notify?! ugh so annoying. And good luck @EvelynD ! And I'm sorry it didn't work out @Archaeodan, Good luck with the rest of your apps!

@Archaeodan Any idea if those international students who've been admitted into Toronto have been notified? Haven't heard anything from them either. And does it include all sub disciplines?

@Archaeodan @busybee Thanks for the kind words. All I can do is sit back and wait, and hope my one Canadian application comes through

On a somewhat unrelated note, can I just say as an applicant from a Muslim country (not on the banned list, but chances are it may be soon) I don't even know what an acceptance would mean at this point (I've gotten no acceptances or rejections so far). I did my MA in the US and had an amazing experience. Never thought I'd be questioning if applying for my PhD to the US was a good idea. But I am absolutely doing that right now. //rant over//

@EvelynD If it makes you feel any better, My prof submitted her rec to one of my universities SIX days late, and they took it no questions asked. It's a pretty competitive place too. And she seemed really lax about making the deadlines, and specifically told me recs can get to universities late (in the US at least). She's extremely well known in anthro circles which means she probably has to write recs all the time, so she knows whats up. It'll be fine, don't worry if the professor is late! Also re: typos, I forgot to add a reference mentioned in my writing sample in the bibliography

@Bschaefer Sociocultural! I emailed Jessaca Leivaweaver, the DGS. She said submitting one is fine but that some people submit two to show range. She emphasized it's unnecessary though. Submitted yesterday, so nervous! Brown is kind of the dream.

Anyone applying to Brown? Any idea if they require more than one writing sample? The application gives an option for two uploads and the department website isn't clear about it...

Hello all, first time poster, long time lurker. Nice to 'meet' you all! Dancinfool, I have no idea how to remove your blurb from my reply (obviously taking my time to get used to this interface) but wanted to know if anyone here is applying to UC Davis? I'm filling out the application and there's a section besides the personal/diversity statement AND the SOP. It's called "research/specialization essay" and I have NO idea how that's supposed to be any different from SOP. Thanks in advance!