Hi!
I am a senior undergrad at Ohio State, and I am applying to graduate programs in Anthropology, specifically bioarchaeology and historical archaeology for the first time this cycle. My research interests generally surround the effects of changes in social and environmental structure in historic populations. Ideally, I would like to examine this topic in both the bioarchaeological and archaeological records. My dream time periods/places of study would be African Diaspora and the effects of changing definitions of race in Reconstruction era society, or the way that catastrophic events can alter social and environmental structures in historic Europe such as during the Black Death, times of war or famine, and the Industrial Revolution. Because my interests straddle both archaeology and bioarchaeology, I am mostly interested in M.A./M.S. programs or sequential M.A./Ph.D. programs that encourage some degree of exploration and the development of a broad base knowledge of multiple sub-disciplines before the deep specialization required for a dissertation.
Currently, I am planning to apply to UT Knoxville, University of South Carolina, UMass Boston, University of West Florida, and maybe several others. I have had conversations with POI at all of the schools I specifically mentioned and they all seemed at least cordially receptive to my interests. I am absolutely open to suggestions for other programs!
My current academic background is pretty heavy on bioarchaeological coursework, two different field schools, work in both a bioarchaeology and archaeology lab on campus, and experience with a program that does outreach to educate both children and adults about the field of anthropology.
My overall GPA is a 3.39 with two semesters left ( I had some serious health issues in my first two semesters that I plan to address in my personal statement). The last 4 semesters of my undergrad have a GPA of 3.71 with 3 semesters on the dean's list, and my major GPA is 3.88. I am hoping that by the time I graduate I will have at least a 3.4 GPA and an original GIS-based research project.
My current GRE scores are V: 159 and Q: 155 AW: 4.5. I am taking it again tomorrow (please cross fingers for me!!) and hope to bring my Verbal up to above a 160. Basically I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about where I might stack up or how I can improve my candidacy. I've already become an undergrad member of AAA and AAPA. I know that since this is my first application cycle there is a good chance I won't get in, but I am hopeful that I'll be able to get some feedback from different schools about how I can prep for the next cycle and become a better applicant!
