AnthroScout

If you are okay with a bit of a drive, I would recommend looking at some of the surrounding communities and counties. The prices will be lower and you won't be competing with as many undergrads or other students for housing. The downside is traffic and paying for parking, but you can always park at a commuter/free parking lot and walk/bike the rest of the way. As for LGBTQ+ and persons of color, Charlottesville itself isn't a bad place to be. The further that you move from the University however, the worse things can get in a hurry. I'm not saying that you need to worry about your physical safety per se, but things might become at least socially uncomfortable in some of the really small towns or gas stations.1 On the other side of the same coin, there are places in Charlottesville that can be less than socially comfortable for white people. As always, be aware of your surroundings and if it seems or feels wrong, it probably is.2 My housing option fell through so it looks like I might have a bit of a commute from August to December. After that (or perhaps before), my wife and I are planning to buy a house; if anyone else is intending to do so, I can give my thoughts on staying in the area long term/areas in which to consider purchasing a home. This is a good calculator to compare buying versus renting. Notes 1. I grew up less than an hour from Charlottesville and have seen or heard of some less than stellar things happening. 2. I was also in the Army and a police officer; this is generally good advice no matter where you are and has kept me mostly intact ?

I will be quitting my job, finishing up as many art projects as I can, going to Pennsic*, and working on getting back in shape. I'll also knock out as much of my wife's to-do list as I can! *Giant SCA "war" in Pennsylvania. I'm super excited!

This has been my experience so far as well. I was told that the giant packet will be along in "a bit".

I got a call yesterday admitting me into my top choice from off of the waitlist. This is after every other school I applied to this cycle declined to admit me. Keep hope alive!

I think that it really does, especially since you don't appear to be of the mindset that "OMG a PhD is everything!". I have heard/read/seen a lot of people who do not seem to have a plan beyond finishing a semester/dissertation. While I have been in a similar place before, I think that it can hurt your chances when you get out into the "real world". It sounds like you have a roadmap to what you want to do and how to achieve it. Good luck! P.S. - I'm glad you're taking a stats class; stats have helped me so much in the real world.

church bells

I'm still on the anthropology program's waitlist for UVA and American University, both of which are financially viable for my family should I get in. I may be deluding myself but I think I have at least a reasonable shot of getting into UVA. I have no idea about my chances for AU. In the event that I don't get into either, I have a few options: - Accept the offer to attend an unfunded* MA program in anthropology and reapply to the school the next cycle. - Go to law school, enter politics, and defund public universities and education out of spite. ;-) - Start a consulting firm and *sigh* actually make money instead of doing what I love. I am completely aware how these are first-world problems but you asked what I plan to do. As always, if you've gotten into either of these schools and do not plan to attend, please let them know! *Might be able to get the VA to pay for it.

Pitch Perfect

mountain range

I am far from a traditional student and have a bit over a decade in both the private and public sector. I have friends at all levels of education and I have found that jobs depend largely on two things: availability of positions and how well you market yourself. To that end, I've taken the advice of a professor I had at Texas A&M which was, "Get a bachelor's in whatever interests you, because the actual degree normally doesn't matter. Get a master's in an industry field to make money, and get a PhD in what you love because ideally you'll be doing that for the rest of your life. When the economy tanks again however, that industry masters will help you get a job to pay bills over the person with a PhD in competitive underwater basket weaving." This professor was not an anthropologist (business/marketing actually), but had a few decades at senior levels of large US corporations. I've found their advice to be helpful over the years so far. I would say that if you are an anthropologist, look into certifications or additional courses that can make you more marketable in the public or private sectors. In my case, I'll be sitting for the PMP exam in a couple of months and also looking to see what other industry certifications there are that I can pursue. None of these things are directly related to anthropology but are in line with current market trends and demand. In fact, my industry master's would arguably help me make more money in the long run. I'm trying to do a PhD because it is what I love while still realizing that it may not help me bring home the bacon. tl;dr - Consider ways to diversify your experience and marketability across several sectors.

I'm wondering if anyone has heard anything from UVA as well? They were supposed to release results last week or early this week.* *Fully realizing it is still early in the week.

I would only send out an email to POIs or the DGS if you have something substantial to add to the ongoing conversation (article accepted for publication, won the Nobel Prize, cured "WaitingForDecisions-itis, etc.") otherwise I would say to take a breath, hope to get accepted, but plan for the worst news. Might sound a bit pessimistic but it is at least reasonably practical and is what I am doing.

I got married to my wife when I was in the Army and we hit our 9 year anniversary last month. We've been married/together through three deployments to the Middle East, two Bachelor's degrees, two Master's degrees, an Associates, and a toddler. At this point, what's a PhD but another thing? But seriously, the support system is awesome and the financial stability can help too.

Does anyone know if American University is dividing up their decisions based on sub-field? I have a friend who is an archaeologist who indicated that she had received word but I've heard nothing from the sociocultural folks (either here or on the results thread). I asked and was told by their graduate enrollment asst. director that decisions would be released the third week of February. Anyone heard anything?

UVA, William and Mary, American University

That blows, I'm feeling fortunate that my work is hopeful that I get in. I hope you can find something in the meantime!

The wait is pretty terrible. I did get rejections from UNC-Chapel Hill and George Washington; less than thrilled but at least now I know. Here's to hoping I get good news from the others soon!

I'm applying for the cultural side of the house as well and got the same email (with a follow-up the clarified no interviews). Unless this is an undergrad that they had told were a shoe-in or a similar situation, I would imagine there are still plenty of packets to review.

I'm not sure if they do the sub-fields separately or not. That admit seems early so I wouldn't give up hope yet!

UNC was a no for me but UVA is looking up. I think at this point George Washington seems like a no since I've not gotten an interview. Still keeping hope alive! In case anyone is wondering, William and Mary is starting their application review next week; their anthropology department does not do interviews.

I am 30 and am also a textbook non-traditional student. I did a few years in the Army, got blown up* so was retired, and then used my G.I. Bill to pay for my BS. I then somehow got an AA on my way to an MS, because that's the normal progression right ;-) ? While I am not as young as some of the people against whom I am competing**, I have already gotten all of the drinking and partying out of my system for a lifetime, have real-world experience in several fields, and at this point, am honestly feeling like the workload of a PhD program will be a break. This is not to say that it won't be intensive, challenging, and soak up my time, but I feel that it will take less weekly hours than working full-time and being a full-time student (plus ToddlerDad!). The benefit of being a bit older before starting down the path to a PhD (for me) are more stable finances, a better support and job network, and an understanding that the degree is just another step on my way to whatever my life goals are. I have several younger friends in PhD programs who are having a hard time imagining life outside of school; I keep promising them it is real! The perspective both my age and experiences have given me will help my in the long run... even if I end up having to reapply next year! * Don't get blown up, it hurts. ** Recognizing it is a competition was a lesson that took me a few years to figure out. It doesn't mean that it needs to be mean or ruthless; it is just simply a thing that is.

My plan: Talk to my wife about something mundane like picking up milk. Mention getting in as an aside. Continue talking about milk/whatever. ? Profit. And then get a celebratory meal at a grown-up's restaurant over the objections of my toddler.

What has gotten my hopes up several times when I open my gmail are the tabs at the top. I'll see something like "Admissions..." and then go to that tab and see "[Internet School of Total Legitimacy] has extended their admissions..." Talk about getting my hopes up and then dashing them!

When I did my two interview with professors at American, I had "cheat sheets" printed for each professor. They included their names (obviously), research background, a few recent publications or news articles about them, and their alma maters. I treated it just like I did for job interviews and important exams; study as much as you can and have the right information in front of you. I didn't rely on it, I was just myself for the most part. Having the information in front of me helped me to keep my head in the game and on track.

Museum_Geek, Thank you for your insight, I'm really hoping to get a phone call; UVA is one of my top choices! I will be sure to send you a message if I get a phone interview.