manicape

I think this is a huge red flag and points to more than disorganization. Sending emails out late, no clear leadership, having a messy office, etc--that's disorganization. A strained relationship with the administration? How are you supposed to get external funding or permission to host events? What if you need your department's assistance in working something out with the university? Also--How can the "content" of a program be a good fit apart from the people who constitute the program? If the older generation are being forced to retire and the newer faculty can't seem to find a way to stay? Are the faculty you want to work able to stay? Do you really want to commit to a program that may not be able to commit to your project?

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. I meet with my graduate advisor this week and will keep you posted! 

This is saying that 5.5% of TT positions came from foreign institutions in general meaning, multiple universities. 21% of American graduates land a TT job, but they also make up 94.5% of TT positions. So actually, odds are very slim for foreign PhDs, unless you are coming from an high ranking foreign university (e.g. Oxford, Cambridge, Kyoto, etc.). 5.6% of PhD hired came from Chicago alone. That's one university whose graduates make up 5.6% of all PhD's hired versus 5.5% of a bunch of foreign universities. That's insanely good because only a few people are graduating each year with their PhD from Chicago, so most of them are landing TT positions upon graduation (theoretically). 
That being said, I don't know what the statistics are for how many graduates from foreign countries are trying to land a TT job in the U.S. (and what percentage of applicants for each position are graduates from foreign universities), so obviously that will affect how to look at this. I'm not trying to be discouraging at all, but just am being pragmatic so nobody is surprised if they go to a foreign university and find it extremely difficult to land a position stateside.
Also for those of you who are worried about going to a "lower ranked" school, look at biological anthropology (my subdiscipline). If you add up the percentages of the top 8 (including foreign) universities, they make up 32.1% of the market. That means 67.9% of the rest of TT positions are occupied from other U.S. universities! Other schools that aren't in the 90% percentile and above are likely not graduating as many PhDs annually, so that actually makes sense to me.
I'm at a smaller program, but almost everyone who has graduated has landed teaching positions, and most in TT positions. That being said, we're trained so we can also get positions at medical schools (anatomists), so we have more options.   
At the end of the day, if TT is what you want, just work hard on doing well in your program, keep applying and see what happens! You never know. I think it's just abysmal in general because people in academia don't leave until they're very old, and universities (apart from the top institutions) just aren't funding anthropology programs well. It's a bit of a crazy at the end of the day, because hiring programs are looking for such a specific fit. 

Does anyone else feel really frustrated by elitism in anthropology? It seems like such an ugly circle - everyone tells you "only get a PhD if its funded" and the only programs that seem to offer funding are elite ones. So you feel pressured to buy into the myth that these programs are somehow "better" while feel unworthy of studying anthropology if you don't get in. (And realizing, sadly, how many more resources these programs have to offer you so in some ways they are "better"). And at the same time, the consolation "no it's about fit!" is everyone's response, but who inhabits fit is clearly a racialized, gendered, classed thing etc. I'm wondering if it's even possible to engage in academia while rejecting its prestige politics or changing them in some ways. 
Sorry it all feels very weighty on my mind and I'm basically struggling to choose between "prestige" or not. Advice? Similar situations? 
 

I think there are ways to change the system, but it will probably be initiated/maintained by people who wield the most/enough privilege to speak up and risk changing the power structures they are able to navigate/engage it. The other thing to consider is that academia is not just "the work of the mind", which should be seen as an altruistic/noble pursuit beyond the mundane world... but it is most certainly embedded in capitalism. Again, the problem is that these programs and the people in them are juggling their ideals with the realities of economics, cost of living, exploitation, the privatization of the very institutions that are supposed to be "above" such concerns. Problem is, they rely on those systems (endowments, funding, etc) to exist...

Congrats to everyone!!! Especially for being accepted into multiple programs, job well done!
I spent about a year researching programs and got in contact with prospective advisers as soon as a program made it on my list. I have been ranking programs based off my interactions with POI, interests, funding package, department size and region. 
For me personally fit was more important than research interests (I feel comfortable saying this because I spent so much time selecting each program I could not go wrong with any of my POIs).  Based of my past research experience I have learned that I have a pretty big umbrella of interests (my interests even within my concentration are so niche having a big umbrella does not necessarily mean much). I hate the idea of being stuck with an adviser that I cannot get along with. It is something I had to deal with as an undergrad, academia is so difficult and stressful as it is I don't want to be in a situation where I am constantly second guessing every interaction. Under fit I would also include age. I spoke to a handful of grad students whose advisors were retirement age or close to and they felt like the advisor was a bit checked out and not as invested. I did not apply to work with anyone that was within a few years of retirement age.
Department size is probably the next thing I am most concerned about. I was able to interact with a decent amount of grad students leading up to applications. Some of these students were from big schools with big departments (I can tell you that these are schools a lot of people in the Anthropology forum have applied to) and most of them felt like they were on their own in the process. Advisers just do not have the time or head-space to prioritize students at any point in the year. The nice (kinda) thing about it is that students tend to band together and really help each other make it through but this also made the departments sound very clique-ish, a lot more room for politics. 
As I am typing this I realize politics is not something I have considered but may be important for others to think about. If you know anyone that may have insight they feel comfortable sharing you may be able to avoid an uncomfortable, drama riddle department.
I considered funding packages and region about equally. Because my interests are so specific I knew I would have less options than I already did if I spent a lot of time worrying about being in a "cool" city or town. I was more concerned about the funding package being enough to cover my expenses without having 3 roommates. I have struggled a lot  financially through out undergrad (and life in general), I wanted to make sure I did not need a part time job or to take on more of a teaching load than required to survive. I know I am a grad student and I will be broke anyways but I have a good idea of what level of broke I am okay with. 
If you have been accepted into multiple programs it means something. I know its a crapshoot but that it makes it more meaningful. Regardless of politics and funding constraints multiple programs chose you, do not be afraid to negotiate your funding package, you are worth it. 
@sawdust&diamonds aside from what I have mentioned lab resources are extremely important to me, departments that did not have access to the kind of resources I want and will need for my dissertation did not even make it on my list. I don't know exactly what you mean by strength of the department but I did look into what previous students of  POIs were doing. I did not look at the placement rates of the department as whole. Depending on your research interest a particular POI may have a lot of successful students because the POI has a lot of access to resources and a big network, this may not be reflected in the overall placement rate of the department. I did not consider faculty members that were not in my stream even if the department was great as a whole. I did not care if it was four field program, I actually prefer if it isn't (again because of the niche). I hope to have my mind made up two to three weeks before April 15th, I think that maybe just enough time for the department to offer my slot to someone else. Even if department does not have an official waitlist, I know some put aside applicants they won't reject until the last minute. I have been encouraged by both POIs of the institutions I have been accepted to and by one that has not made their decision but it is looking good to take as much time as I need. All three have encouraged me to visit other campuses, ask a lot of questions and take my time making my decision. Do not let anyone pressure you into making your decision earlier than you have to (https://cgsnet.org/april-15-resolution) from my conversations with POIs there are some programs that are notorious for pressuring students and it is highly frowned upon and seen as unethical. 

I saw this cartoon today and it cheered me up quite a bit re: this admission whirlwind. 

@charliekkk  Hey, I'm also bioanth (sorry!) but I'd like to reinforce what you've heard so far; i.e. that "holistic strength crowned with fit is the way to go." 
From what I've seen, any experience you can get that can go beyond the typical "did well in class" situation will put you miles ahead. It shows that you have dedication and have started the process of figuring out what kind of work you're comfortable doing. I know some people adore being in the field and others want a more mixed experience, etc. Of course, this can also be a financial burden since anthro isn't exactly known for paid internships...
But that's just one piece of the puzzle. I think that the writing sample, even if it's not perfect, can highlight different aspects of your education. Mine was styled after a Leakey Grant proposal, so even if it was a bit naive in the scope of its research (seriously, I think I included enough to last someone a lifetime of data collection), it showed off skills in grant writing. It can do a lot to show how well you can synthesize existing research or your precise involvement in a project, especially since you don't always get a lot of space in the SOP to elaborate.
As for interdisciplinary approaches, it's my personal belief this can only enhance your work, but everything will ultimately depend on fit. You can be a great student, and they can really want you, but if there isn't someone in the department that feels like you would be a good fit within their research, you probably won't be accepted. Happened to me last year ?

To my utter shock, I have been admitted to the biomedical anthropology master’s program at SUNY Binghamton! Was not expecting that, and especially not so early in the month! No word on funding, if any, but this is my first acceptance, so yay!

Just wanted to share this thread with y'all. I think we could all benefit from it. I am not a huge fan of the "look at all the things you have that other people don't and you should be thankful for that" shit because it personally makes me feel worse when I am already feeling down but either way it made me smile. Hope this helps: you are all truly great and I am rooting for all of us!
 
 

If you're looking for more data points, you can also go to http://www.phdstipends.com/
 

I think y'all will really start hearing back next week, based on how decision filtered in last season. Wishing the best for everyone, I hope everyone is admitted somewhere! Also, if anyone applied to Kent State, I think interview invites should go out later this week or next week. 

I still think it's a mistake and it will be revoked or something...but I was accepted to UNC! I...I can't believe it. I thought there was no way. Went there for undergrad and will be thrilled to be back on campus. Go Heels!

Hi @Ethy60! Don't want to disagree with @pmcol, but my experience was a bit different so I thought I'd share.
I studied hardcore the first time I took the GRE. Bought and read the whole Kaplan prep book, learned Greek and Latin roots for the verbal section, and did it all in the summer so I wouldn't be "distracted" by work back in school. The score I got was good the first time (v159/q161/w4.0), but I was disappointed because I got almost the exact same score as I got on a practice test I took before I started studying. I then took the advice of my professors and took it again. The second time, I was in school and didn't really have time to study, but somehow it worked out. I was doing more critical thinking in my every day with doing biochemistry homework and reading articles for my anthro classes. Even though I only cracked my prep book once between taking the GRE the first and second times (to read some examples of essays) my score improved quite a bit.
I guess my advice would be to take advantage of the "real life" critical thinking experiences that can prepare you for the GRE, rather than trying to memorize every piece of advice in a prep book (like I did the first time).
Hope this helped and good luck!

Hey everyone! Let's keep our hopes up and our chins up. I know it's tough seeing the decisions starting to roll in, especially if we're in our second or third application cycle (like me!). But, I am sure there is a place for each of our smart brains. Definitely, anxiety can creep up as the results (and anticipated rejection letters) unfold on gradcafe. Doesn't mean we aren't capable researchers. Whatever school we are admitted into will be the right one!

Got my first decision! Waitlisted at UIUC, I’m kind of hopeful, at least it’s not an outright rejection, right?  I am so not ready for the rest of the schools though...I am so getting rejected from Harvard and NYU ?
 

Hey all! Applying to sociocultural programs at Duke, Penn, MIT, Michigan, and Chicago. (Selection very limited by the fact that my partner is only considering law school in these locations.) Not really certain about my odds for any of them, so whatever happens happens. Couldn't help but notice that there was a Duke interview announced today--congrats!!  Does anyone know if Duke sends out interview requests all at once from one party or if individual faculty members send them out? 
PS: up this early just because I'm in London right now--being on this side of the Atlantic, especially during this snowstorm, has given me plenty of time to speculate and refresh my inbox lol

@Lemonsour123  Congrats! I have a friend going there, and they're loving it!

Hi! The Ohio State acceptance was me!!! I totally didn't expect to hear anything back this early but my POI emailed me this afternoon. As you said it is an incredible relief to have such a great option already, I hope everyone hears back from their schools soon!

@manicape Hey there! I’m currently at Kent State in the PhD program; feel free to reach out if you have any questions or just want to chat!

I'm bioanthro myself, and it's my second time applying to programs... I sent apps to UFlorida, NYU (like many others here I see), and Kent State. Good luck everyone!

Linguistic Anthropology: Penn, Northwestern, NYU, Arizona, Chicago, UCLA
I don't see many people applying for linguistic anthropology in this forum tho
Submitted everything before Christmas and it was such a relief!

Socio-Cultural: Harvard, Columbia, Duke, Yale, UC Santa Cruz, UVA, Berkeley, (Geography), Chapel Hill, CUNY (Geography), Tulane, LSU.
That's more or less order of preference though Harvard and Yale are wild longshots and really Duke/UVA/UCSC are tied.

I'm applying for bioanth PhD programs at NYU, Colorado Boulder, Nevada Reno, Ohio State, Arizona State, UNC, and UIUC. I still have to submit my Colorado and Nevada apps but they should be done soon. 
I have read so much on this site about how the waiting was the worst part but I didn't believe it until now. I can't wait until some decisions are made! 

I'm applying to MA programs in medical anthropology at Georgia State, Maryland, Colorado-Denver, Oregon State, Alaska, and the MA/MPH (epidemiology) dual-degree program at South Florida. I submitted all my application at the beginning of December, and now I'm just waiting on a few final LORs!
Good luck everyone!