anthropologygeek

It's easier to get into a masters program for soft sciences and everything besides the hard sciences which its easier to get in a phd program.

Yes you can change what you do. However I wouldn't recommend a drastic change but you can even change everything about it

Well with this economy it will be tough. What you can do is go to the results page type in anthropology and then go though each program and decide if they fit you. Also you can see who inspires you and where do they teach and better where did they go. There's a lot of programs out there and I don't know what exactly interest you so I can't give you a list because it could be terrible for you. Like a list for bio would be different than a list for forensics. I just threw forensics out there since I noticed a lot of forensic programs on your list.

Other than they are big 12 and require 1100 on gre I don't know much about Penn state due to lack of common interest when I was applying.

Out of the schools you listed for bio a lot are in crisis. ASU is in a horrible budget crisis. Tenn is going through a transition with new faculty. Florida had one faculty leave so they are in the process of figuring that mess out. For jobs it mainly matters who your adviser is not so much the school.

By asking here, the majority of the responses is don't go without funding. My attitude is, do cost benefit ratio. If let's say you take out 40k in loans versus a funded program but it will lead to a better job with better pay its ok. And about loans, if someone takes them out they won't admit it to a stranger.

I remember when I was applying 3 years ago. I was so unsure about everything. Since I have obtained some insight into the process and thought I would share to hopeful. 1. Start early and stay organize. Know who you recommenders are for each school (yes some schools require different numbers of recommenders) and how much the application fee is. Along with transcripts, personal statements, writing samples, and anything else they require. I found doing a spreadsheet was most beneficial. It along me to stay organize and have one less thing to freak out about. Make sure you don't miss the deadlines. 2. Should you visit before applying? I got into some I didn't visit and I got rejected from some I visited. It mainly depends on the program but they won't tell you. So when in doubt, visit especially if it is your first choice. 3. Personal Statement and writing samples are the only thing fully in your control. Spend some time on them, and make them the best and unique to every school you apply to. 4. Emailing them to see if they are taking students. If you don't do this by the end of the month don't worry about doing it at all since by then you should of already started applying to the school. Also, with this economy I would be shocked if any school said they weren't taking students since they need the Application Fee. They might not be taking students but they might is how they justify it. Also, they have no idea who they are taking until they see all the applicants so don't get to low or to high based solely on the email before the decision can be made. 5. School secretaries have no role in the decision. It will take as long as it does. This site can give you a good idea when to expect it based on past years but it does vary. Maybe one prof is on sabbatical and holding up the decision. Generally someone else on this site applied to the same school and will post on the results page. This will allow you to be ready for it. 6. People lie on this site. Human nature is to stretch the truth in both their profile, their results, and any inside information. Relax when someone post something you don't like until it is either proven right or wrong. 7. LUCK has a role in it. How is someone suppose to really decide between two equal candidates? They accept one and not the other. I hope everyone here gets into the school of their dreams and are happy once there. I remember the anxiety I experience and I am sorry each of you will be going through it, but I ensure you it is worth it when you are at the right school.

I remember when I was applying 3 years ago. I was so unsure about everything. Since I have obtained some insight into the process and thought I would share to hopeful. 1. Start early and stay organize. Know who you recommenders are for each school (yes some schools require different numbers of recommenders) and how much the application fee is. Along with transcripts, personal statements, writing samples, and anything else they require. I found doing a spreadsheet was most beneficial. It along me to stay organize and have one less thing to freak out about. Make sure you don't miss the deadlines. 2. Should you visit before applying? I got into some I didn't visit and I got rejected from some I visited. It mainly depends on the program but they won't tell you. So when in doubt, visit especially if it is your first choice. 3. Personal Statement and writing samples are the only thing fully in your control. Spend some time on them, and make them the best and unique to every school you apply to. 4. Emailing them to see if they are taking students. If you don't do this by the end of the month don't worry about doing it at all since by then you should of already started applying to the school. Also, with this economy I would be shocked if any school said they weren't taking students since they need the Application Fee. They might not be taking students but they might is how they justify it. Also, they have no idea who they are taking until they see all the applicants so don't get to low or to high based solely on the email before the decision can be made. 5. School secretaries have no role in the decision. It will take as long as it does. This site can give you a good idea when to expect it based on past years but it does vary. Maybe one prof is on sabbatical and holding up the decision. Generally someone else on this site applied to the same school and will post on the results page. This will allow you to be ready for it. 6. People lie on this site. Human nature is to stretch the truth in both their profile, their results, and any inside information. Relax when someone post something you don't like until it is either proven right or wrong. 7. LUCK plays a role a lot. How is someone suppose to really decide between two equal candidates? They accept one and not the other. I hope everyone here gets into the school of their dreams and are happy once there. I remember the anxiety I experience and I am sorry each of you will be going through it, but I ensure you it is worth it when you are at the right school.

It's really not so much about the name of the college as it is the name of your advisor. Advisors are the most important aspect of graduate school and moving on from there. WHo has influenced you the most? Where do they teach? Who has graduated under them and have the same opinions? This will show you where to apply. Or you could go down the rankings and apply there but I think the other way will help you more in obtaining your goal. This is what I did two years ago and I am thankful I went to who could help me the most and not just a number on a rankings list.

Go with the one who knows you best because they will write the best letter.

Don't waste space on course work they can see that. Also a lot of places have a page they want you to put relevant course work and the grade you got. SOP is for you to show them why you would be so valuable to them they can't reject you. And for that its all about fit since you must have the stats for them to ne looking at your app at all

With anthropology you would need to make sure and take the basic anthropology courses.

Well since you should find schools that fit you instead of trying to fit into a school only a paragraph or two needs to be changed per school.

Take one day just for you. Either sat or Sunday. It helps. Also you will learn when to relax and when to work insane hours. Like. This week my ga is five 2 hour labs plus grading on Monday and Tuesday combined. I have an exam weds Thursday and Friday. So I'm exhausted but must keep going buy Friday night ill sleep and sleep some more

Every school I've looked at has had it posted. Average and min posted. Some easier than others to find. One actually took me 45 minutes to find but I was able to.

I've never heard of a gre cutoff being above 1200. NW might be at that 1200 but your above it. It may affect funding but then again it may not. I know schools only look at gre to see if you reached the min and value everything a lot more

This is the single most important thing you can control. Recs are out of your control and at this point gpa is set. Gre isn't very important once you get above schoold magic number. And here's the kicker everyone and every school likes a different style so its ok to agonize over it. Good luck and make sure to cater to each schools and be specific but not to specific.

One is fine. All that means is your app goes directly to them and if they say no they won't waste other Profs time.

Well it depends on where you want to apply. Most schools it will be fine but some its not.

If the job is in your field it looks good. If the job isn't in your field it won't help.

I would apply to both and if you get into both then your have to decide.

You can send transcripts before your finished. That's what they essentially are asking you to do

In anthropology some top ten only require 1100 on gre. But then again you'll be missing that ma in anthropology so you might want to get a second ma in anthropology first.

It really depends on your field. All I can say without knowing your field is it can't hurt.