sunshine6

Hey there numerical person! Intimidation disappears with familiarity, so start doing some research...What would you want from a grad program? (MA or PhD?) Are you interested in ethnology or cultural from older societies? What are the regions/topics are you most familiar with, and are they interesting to you? The most important thing to do, now, is to read lots of research from lots of professors. Find some researchers that are working with issues that fascinate you, then email them and politely let them know your interest. In other words, begin to cultivate some sort of professional relationship with people that you would want to work with in the future. Your current profs should be of some assistance in how to begin that process. These relationships may prove helpful if you are applying and a researcher already knows who you are. Or adversely, you find out in advance if someone is retiring/not taking grad students etc. Look for a GRE prep class at your school (ie before you have to pay for one) and take it seriously. A good score on your GRE never hurts, and could smooth out any rough spots come application time. I agree with the last poster, and I cannot stress this enough, do undergrad research! Even if you don't have to, ESPECIALLY if you don't have to. It makes you stand out and helps you decide if research (grad school) is for you. This effort will also help you to define your interests. Also, even if there is a school that you are interested in right now, try to keep an open mind. My dream school at the start of this process didn't even receive an app from me, because after looking extensively for other schools I realized its program didn't offer some of the neat-o stuff that others did. Beware of "ranking" sources when it comes to anthropology. A top ranked school may only be the top in one specific sub-field, and weak in others. The best way to find out the dirt on a school is to email the existing grad students and ask honestly what they think the program excels in/is weak with, and take even that with a grain of salt. Good luck!

I didn't get anything. Hello heavy debt!

I am!

Looks like I am also headed to OU, Zygo... Look forward to meeting you!

I am still waiting too Zygo. I am picturing adcom folks partying it up for spring break, laughing and having a blast, never considering poor little me checking the mail constantly. Sigh.

Thanks everyone, I really mean it! I send out all the good vibes to you guys!

I think anger is understandable, yet that isn't what my intention was with posting this topic. It was to try and bring us together in someway, not to start fighting.

Thanks Zygo and Tonights. Return Hugs..... Seriously, I don't know what I'd do without this board. Lose it entirely probably. :roll:

Guys, I need a hug. 2 rejects in one day. The real bummer is that all my phd programs are rejects, so that means I have to go through this crap again in a few years. Now I get to go to work at a job I despise. Yay.

Anyone else feel like they are completely isolated in this process? Even my SO is starting to think I am crazy, checking board results and status again and again. It helps to be on this board, but the process is really getting to me. I am having mood swings, anxiety, patience issues, and altogether feel like no one else "gets it". I even have a friend applying to one of the same programs, but our situations are so different that she can't even identify. (She's applying for the hell of it for some reason, while a life in academia is my dream.) I am happy to have one accept, yet I feel like I can't move forward until all the results are in. To add to that, my programs are waiting to the last possible moment, and I am worried about having such a limited time to make such an important decision, not to mention moving and paying for school. My state of mind is suffering, but I have no one to talk to, it's very lonely. I am sure I am not the only one, should we start a grad applicant therapy group?

You bet Zygo! I recently visited the campus, have you been there? I certainly left with a favorable impression of the program! What is your sub-sub field again? You can send a pm if you want, I also may have some info on their funding situation,...

After all this mess, we should all go out for a drink. It sure would be nice to have a conversation with all of you. Think of the networking!

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I took all possible classes I could at my community college before transferring. It is not being cheap, it is being fiscally responsible! No one even brought it up during the app process. Put it this way, most grad schools are most interested in your grades in your last 60 hours (last two years) than anything in your freshmen and sophomore years, because it is these upper-division classes that are more intensive. Worry less about the transfer school and more about standing out among your peers and DEFINITELY take the extra initiative to do seek out undergrad research/research assistantships in your junior an senior years. I really wish someone would have stressed how much of an edge can be gained by doing this. Also, cultivate relationships with your advisors and professors. (for those letters you'll want later :wink: ) Seriously, CC has no bearing. The only other advice I can offer is not to worry about grad school right this moment, and concentrate on getting into your transfer school. Otherwise, you'll run into that whole cart before the horse problem

sane

Breathe Barry, Breathe.... And try not to accost the mailperson! (I say this, but my hands have been shaking all day.)

Thanks Sachi, that makes me feel better! Although I will admit it's kind of a long shot with my GRE... but thanks for giving me some hope. Here's hoping my sanity will hold out until that letter gets here. Any idea what kind of envelope her acceptance came in? Is my desperation showing again? :oops: (I am applying to forensic and bio-arch programs.)

Dude. My status in Utenn's page changed from "sent to the department for review" to "Your file is complete. A letter has been mailed to you." That sounds bad. In fact, I would bet $100 bucks that can be no good. :cry:

Who was the the poster with an acceptance to Oklahoma U in bio arch? I got in to, would love to meet someone else that is going.... Send a PM?

If you scroll down a bit, there is another post on Norman with several replies...

Oh, and to respond to the other post, if you don't like the undergrad party crowd, then don't live in West campus. That is what it is there for, like it or not. If you aren't into the hippie/freegan thing (whatever this implies,) than don't hang out with hippies or "freegans". I am not a huge hippie fan, but they have the same right to live here as me, even in all my tattooed, loud music loving, cowboy boot wearing, glory! Amen.

First of all, I assume you are not talking about motorcycles! Urban biking is feasible, if imperfect. I am not a biker myself, but the people I work with do it daily. There are bike lane maps located online, although they won't be much good to you until you figure out where you want to live, work, etc. The city as a whole has been making an effort to make biking safer and more standard, but I know plenty who have had run ins with drivers. Among bikers is the "hey, we are part of the traffic system too, watch out for us!" And from the drivers' perspective, "well then follow traffic laws!" There is a is no small amount of people (because they are so "badass yo") who refuse to play by the rules, just as there are conscientious bikers and drivers. But you will find that a large portion of the cycling population are commuter-bikers. These are the folks you find at the safety meetings trying to help the city protect its cycling community. All that being said, some streets are just simply not bike friendly. It takes some time, and advice from the cycling community. Not knowing where else to start, I would suggest looking up the "Yellow Bike Project" for links/info. If you are going to bike to school, and want to avoid the annoyances of frat houses/not choke your BF with university, the Cherrywood neighborhood is for you. This is across I-35 from campus(east) extending north from Manor rd.(manor rd = east 24th+ east Dean Keeton, weird but true) to beyond 38 1/2st st. (Don't however, venture south of Manor on the east side, it is pretty sketchy. Seriously it's only one road cross from each other, but these neighborhoods somehow don't mesh.) Here is a sort of map: http://www.cherrywood.org/map/CNAbndry.pdf I really miss this area, and it sound just right for your situation Lizzle, lots of homegrown restaurants, and next to a grocery store + campus.

AAARRRRGGGGGGGGGRRRRAAAAA! My status at my favorite school just changed to "Final/Dept Review" I know it means nothing probably, but suddenly I am having breathing trouble.... wheres that paper bag? *hyperventilating*

My ASU status changed to "denied" last week for the bio-arch program FYI. I assume they are going through them again this week?

Who posted the rejection by phone from UNM?? Did you call them? PM me, I am dying over here!

I think you should visit, and then worry about it. A visit to my bottom choice made me realize I could be quite happy there. You never know!