mutualist007

Make that Hothlanta now I was somewhat put out at first because rejections without explanations sometimes leaves the details up to your imagination to fill in. IOW I assumed that it meant that no school would value my background a bit. But now I have a schedule interview with another program and I am really hoping it will work out. The program will lead to some really novel research and I think it may actually work better for me anyway. We'll see. Now I just need to figure out what to do and what to expect on interview day.

And most people say charm and personality only go so far. About to enter my rejection from Emory. I think I knew what would happen but I was hoping for at least an interview. I think this season may yet prove that going into an MA program was not a good use of my time. A professional Master's would have been good, but an MA does not create a useful stepping stone to PhD programs. I would have been better off if I had gone into a PhD program back in 2011 accepting debt knowing that I could have reapplied for funding the following year. I would now me in my third year and that much closer to a PhD. Now, I wasted 2 years on an abortive thesis experience, and I am about 1 year into an MPH that I'm not sure I want anymore. Even if I start a program in 2014, I will not have the benefit of transferring the courses taken in my Master's programs. My choice was a big mistake and I think the committees see that and see that I was not closely aligned to any of the faculty in my MA program, therefore showing also that I would not make a good doctoral student. I know I am ranting, but I am also making a testament here for the benefit of others considering a Master's in Anthropology who may stumble upon this page looking for advice or insight regarding that choice. Unless you are considering a professional vocational based Master's like one in Counseling Education, Business or Public Health, you are better off focusing your efforts and energy on experiential pursuits that will help you make a great applicant for PhD programs.

What if you only have 1-2 of those at the end of your Master's? I felt like I barely taught a class and though I have research experience I have not been asked to submit to major conferences (I found one myself - submitted - have not heard back. I am working on others). One publication may be on the way though but it's in a sub-specialty that is a little removed from my primary interests.

I just want the rejection letters sooner rather than later, although I can guess that I am not on the "in" list if word of interview invites have started and I know that I can't count my name among them :

There is the standard issue definition of "fit", and then I think there is something else altogether that so far remains intangible

Your response helped me a bit, but Nadi's response may yet hold true. We'll see. It would be nice if all schools sent rejection letters, and in them, explicitly explained how you could improve your application for the future. Wouldn't it be nice? I know it's asking a lot, but if they find time to find reasons to reject, why not make notes and have an assistant type those into the reject letters... Also. I'm more curious than ever about how faculty determine who has a plan and who is likely to succeed. I am also feel I would like to know a lot more about how "fit" is measured.

I would like to know more about what you think on this. The biggest issue I have is this: How do different departments define "fit"? We talk about "fit" a lot, and I had a prof of mine tell me that "fit" is what matters more than merit. So how can we operationally define "fit"? How much personal information (age and background, interests, academic socialization and network, conference exposure, etc) silently enters into the "fit" consideration?

Did they notify you by email or postal mail? Very curious, but also wary of disappointment. I have have not received either and may decide to take that as a sign to move on to Plan B.

When is the absolute earliest we will hear back from schools with December 1 deadlines? I am looking for Emory in particular. Emory was a long shot, and admittedly a pipe dream fantasy, but maybe there's a sparkle in the twilight ahead

A lot can change including you! Field schools I think are good, but personally, I would favor those that are educational, offer a credit or credential, and those that actively teach. Unfortunately, some "dig" schools do not offer credit, and do not teach. My Neanderthal dig was sort of like that. I thoroughly enjoyed the "experience", but if I had to cost-benefit it, it looks like I paid them so I could help them excavate and lab process material finds. Yes, they provided food and accommodations in a 8-10 to a room hostel, but alone that may have been less had I not opted to pay to work on the team. Interests: This sounds like an overgeneralized question -- What sorts of topics in the news and media interest you? What do you find yourself talking about or commenting on? Truly, what types of anthro articles can you read and really enjoy? Identify those foci and proceed from there to find your niche. Best of luck!

Thanks for the encouraging post!

Definitely the PhD! I think two masters, which already requires explanation, is enough. I appreciate the detailed feedback. I think I have a strong SOP that explained in detail my research interests, dissertation research approach, and the 'fit' with the 3 faculty members I wanted to work with. I've already met with my primary several times and she encouraged me to apply. Now it's wait and see

I am posting this just to get some feedback and thoughts. I am currently in two Master's programs: one is in Public Health Epidemiology, and the other is Anthropology. I basically started one then entered the other for background and decided to go ahead and finish both. I have some background coursework in molecular biology and genetics that was supplementary to my main program projects. I am trying to sell this to a program to study with a person who combines methods in imaging and genomics. I also have an interested in non-human primate work as well. My MPH will be used as a means to translate research into epidemiology and translating it to public health - healthcare settings. Are neuros usually taken from biology, neuroscience or psychology backgrounds, or can a case be made for someone coming in from a different flight path? Thanks in advance!

I love the subject line for this thread! I think you are where you need to be if your goal is to work outside academia. You might want to venture a little into environmental sciences or health too or take a course if you have room for it. What kinds of job postings are you following?

Reading is very important because it will expose you to new ideas and help you refine your interests. Being able to articulate your interests and make a case for 'fit' will be key in your applications. You seem well suited for paleoethnobotany, environmental anthropology, archaeology with a past environment ecological focus, or biological anthropology. Not sure if those translate to EU schools.

I will tag along on this thread. It could help others too. My question is similar, except in my case the choice is between someone I worked with GRA outside the department, someone in the department yet a cultural person, who helped me with an extended ethnography project; versus someone who is broadly in my sub-field yet never worked with outside of coursework and having them read my paper on my committee. Do I choose people I worked with on actual projects or GRA work, or someone I took courses from but who has a background more similar to the sub-field I am applying to work in next year.

The SOP is hard to address but basically I believe that the SOP should be written like a proposal. The most important idea to emphasize is 'fit'.

I am throwing this out here because it may be of concern to others who like me. So how much does previous CV type material like presenting and publications weigh in on decisions to accept a student? Is coursework really secondary in Anthro?

Read a lot or take a few courses as a post-bacc first. I agree though; the Master's in Anthropology on its own is not really that valuable in the US. Only do it if you have the following: 1) - Spare time. 2) - You receive funding. Funding will make it worth it and then you can use the Master's to build your background and focus.

Well you at least set me on another line of inquiry. Thanks!

Your story like many others is a tragic testimony to the ills of the capitalist survival games we must play in order to feel productive. Don't let them dictate worth.

You are much further along and better off than you think Stay in another year and retake classes if possible. I was in the same situation with my first undergrad degree at the standard age (22-23). And then almost 10 years later I went back to school as a transfer student. Fortunately for me the new school transferred my degree in for credits towards courses but did not transfer in grades. That meant that I could finish a new degree in ~ 2 years and this time I graduated with a 3.89 or something. Many colleges now offer undergrads the chance to retake to replace. Talk to a college counselor about your options. Short answer: You are still young despite what you think -- Stay in and retake some courses if you made less than a 'B', or graduate and transfer as a post-bacc like me and add another degree like maybe in Biology. Then take plenty of time to study for the GRE. Allow 6 months. Finally, don't be in a hurry to get out of your undergraduate degree. I was and I think it cost me. I should have stayed an extra semester and I should have sought out more experiential work and opportunities. PS - Are you amenable to seeking out professional help? My 10 yr old son was diagnosed as a toddler with PDD/Autism but now he is clearly high functioning with more Asperger's like traits. Since autism is heritable, I suspect that I am a high functioning autistic. I could also have Adult ADD with mild to moderate social anxiety. I know I have issues but I have never been formally diagnosed but I plan on seeking a diagnosis for confirmation. My struggle has been lifelong, but have finally made an appointment to get help and may even welcome suitable medication. I decided that the anti-cure philosophy is not for me. Please PM if you want to know more. I can also share my experience with medication if indeed I receive a diagnosis and prescription by next week.

I know I should have posted this earlier, but I was doing more solo searching (and soul searching) before I decided to post here. I could explain a lot more here, but I have my reasons. I will of course provide more detail if asked though. I am looking for programs with at least two faculty members who focus much of their work on applying genomic data and molecular principles to study health issues and the evolution of disease and disorders in humans. I think I have one or two now, but I need a few more.

Thank you so much for your useful input JennyB. I apologize for the late reply. Distance would be the issue. I have located a few within 6 hours of where I live now but I haven't made contacts with professors there yet. I've got a lot of issues that confound my decision making, including the family situation, but also my desire to be seen as a working professional instead of being a student who does part time work - but that's part of the sacrifice. I prefer to do more traditional lab work or work in human population genetics and maybe biomedicine at the population level. So I began to consider entering a Human Biology and Genetics program if I can do more background. With that in mind, I've considered putting off the completion of my MPH until I get into a PHD program so that I can make use of the time and get the MPH along the way. That means that next year I would focus on more Biology lab classes. I took Molecular Biology last year along with Biostats and plan to work through the Genetics courses if funding allows.

^bump^ I know its early, but maybe there is someone else out there who wants to tag on to this post. I'm looking for other ways and means to work on a PhD but I also want to start working. What may be more realistic is if there are PhD programs with lesser stipends but tuition waivers that will allow their students to work.