mutualist007

I'm not in yet, but it's hard knowing that a couple of my top picks will allow very little of the Masters to transfer. I have a bad "feeling" about this season. Therefore, I am planning to apply to some Masters programs at State Universities. I'm, actually excited about one program that is very close to home, but I have some concerns that have nothing to do with the overall program. The faculty research works perfectly for what I am trying to hybridize and accomplish. One of the professors researches economic anthropology, and the other professor is invested in bioarchaeology and political economy. My only issue is the added time and funding concerns. I'm also worried about receiving too much of my education in one state. Maybe that's a false concern. I guess I'm mildly dismayed about my PhD chances this year, and a tad bit anxious and impatient for the yea or nay from all schools.

Does anyone advise against applying for PhD programs while in your first year of a Masters at a different school?

I am posting this just because I am tired and anxious from constantly checking the "Results" page for the schools I feel are doomed to reject me. You seemed to have been bitten by the anthropology bug like I was two years ago when I decided to go back and earn another bachelors degree. Other gave me the same advice: either take a large amount of classes, enough for a minor, and (important) get some relevant experience before applying for a graduate school, or put in the time to earn another degree and be that much further ahead. If you started now you could probably do it in less than two years with all of your previous bachelors work transferred in for credits. Your original degree is different enough to warrant this, unless you made the case to go into socio-cultural anthropology and study local economies or the ethnography of corporations. However, I would advise adding another degree for two reasons. You'll get more time to develop new contacts, and because you can graduate with a new and more recent GPA. Sometimes I think I'm crazy for wanting to continue (especially now with results waiting) but I do it because I think I am better wired for anthropology than I am for other career exploits. It's about my survival...

If I am turned down for my top PhD picks I will most likely go for a masters that will make me employable and then try again. At this point I do not know if a Masters in Anthro or a Masters in teaching science or biotech would be more profitable. Time to survey the job boards.

ZeChoc is partially right; you may not be able to transfer if you don't meet a GPA minimum. I was thinking the wrong scenario. What you may can do, though it's not an attractive alternative and will take longer, is recoup as much GPA as you can now, then graduate, THEN transfer in your post-bac credits. More often than not your post-baccalaureate credits will take care of the general ed requirements and a few others too, and all be "credit only" with no impact on your new GPA track. Just make sure you get in and aim for a very high GPA after that with a 4.0 in your major if possible. It might be possible to do a dual degree now, but your GPA may still be held back by your current tracking. Consider salvaging what you can in your current school, so you can strive for a fresh start as a post-bac transfer second degree student at another university. It won't be too easy but a little extra time will be worth it for a second chance. Going back to school after graduation may mean changing majors now so you can do your fav major later, or it may mean adding a new complimentary major later. It will also cost you an additional 4-5 semesters of time, but you can also work and do fieldwork during this time to further enhance your background. If you do decide on the second degree transfer in option, check the school policies on post-bac transfers before diving in. I wish you the best of luck!

I feel your pain. I feel that the odds are against me as well and I am trying to muster confidence and determination to finish this new path and succeed. I can recommend what I did and what allowed me to show my new academic record. Get a new fresh start. Transfer to another school and then finish with a near perfect GPA. Sometimes when you transfer, you will get credit for classes but you will not receive a GPA #. So if you transfer in passing credits and then take 60-70 hours at the new school, only your new work will count towards your average. It's not a complete "wipe" and reinstall, but it is a reboot. It is not cheating either. It is a method where you can let your new work shine without it having to suffer the tracking of past mistakes. Everyone deserves a second chance if they work hard. After that, work like hell to make amends, get a lot of experience in the field, mix well with your faculty and peers, and then consider getting a Masters and more experience first before attempting to break in to the PhD caste system. Get out of your current school and transfer if your GPA allows it. BTW - Don't overload and try to play super hero! In my first degree I was taking upwards of 21 hours, working and taking other gigs and it was simply too much. When I reduced my work load and applied myself, my grades shot up. Good luck!

I am applying to Anthropology PhD programs, but someone close to me is applying to Psych programs and she needs encouragement. I figure that cold facts and comparisons would help so here I am asking. Will a Masters in Counseling with a high GPA help offset a lower undergrad GPA? Her undergrad GPA from 2005 was in the 2.8-2.9 range I think, but since then she earned a Masters in Counseling with a GPA of 4.0. Her GRE score is around 1350 scoring over 600 on each portion. Major personal difficulties (triggering) and depression played a big role in her undergrad GPA. I am well aware of the opinions on counseling. Which specific programs are most likely to accept someone with a less stellar undergrad, and which schools accepted those of you from the same low undergrad GPA circumstances? Prefer Penn and Atlantic States, and/or Midwest. South is okay too.

Thanks everyone! The main purpose for a different Masters is three-fold (I think): Decrease the amount of time I have to wait to reapply to a top tier PhD program: the programs take 4 semesters.Increase broad marketability in the event that a PhD becomes impossible (economy, 2012, etc.)GPA and research padding to weigh against the GPA of my first degree, and the 1100 the first time around on the GRE. Second degree in anthropology is 3.82, 4.0 major. It all depends on how much credit I will be allowed to transfer. Someon programs allow very little and many allow up to a year of credit, which is not exact and seems vague. My other option is to work and do independent research and field schools and reapply next year. I just can't wait to get in somewhere; anywhere will do now. I feel that acceptance will release me from my grad school fears and anxiety.

It is still early, and I am waiting but it's never too soon for contingencies. I am anticipating rejections since the climate is tougher now, so I have devised another Plan B. Several of you confirmed the merit of doing the Masters first, but that was in support of an Anthropology Masters. To get through the master hurdle quicker, and to diversify my job prospects, I am considering a non-anthro Masters as the new Plan B or Plan C (what you will). My other choices are an MAT program for Biology OR a Masters in International Policy, or maybe Biotech. The most relevant and straight-forward is the MAT in Biology so that I am certified to teach Bio or Bio and some social sciences if needed. the time to complete any of these non-anthro options is shorter. The Masters in Anthropology would take 2 years and the MAT and other options can be completed in 4 semesters. I could finish by the summer of 2011 VS the Spring of 2012. Most Antho PhD programs only take up to about 1 year's worth of MA transfer credit. If I am facing that amount or less and spend two years on a degree that may not be credited, why not complete another masters program so I can be more employable in less time? I would also be showing evidence of success taking graduate level courses. I might lose out on the thesis proof of research angle, ye I could make up for that with more field school experiences related to what I want to do in a PhD program. Is this non-Anthro masters idea crazy, or would it work just as well as completing a Anthropology Masters program? Thanks!

I am fearing the same thing. My only really strong card is the most recent GPA of my anth degree, but even that is tainted by a lesser GPA from an unrelated first degree. Letters are good, and research mediocre to barely in. I am considering a Masters only program at one of the many schools near home in the southeast. Perhaps working on a masters can build up my research portfolio, GPA history, and new graduate school references. It may add a year overall, but the plan might work as compensation, and it allows me more time to research a real good fit for a PhD program. Consider a Masters first while building your research background and hopefully your thesis will be relevant to eventual dissertation. It will be easier for committees to make a case for you if you have proven that you can already cut-it in graduate level work. Good luck!

I am bummed because I am in danger of missing the deadline for GRE scores, BUT I think the misfortune may actually help me. It could delay my decision and help me rethink strategy retake GRE and score higher, and maybe get a masters and more research experience so that I have a more total package to offer when I apply. I know that most programs don't require a masters, but many of the current grad students admitted have them and beyond taking extra time, it can't hurt. Just depends on how much is allowed to transfer. Anyway my question is about the importance of geographic interest areas for "fit". How important is geographic reference? Is it more important than the actual methodology? I ended up finding another place to apply to which has a better fit in regards to an aspect of my research interests and in particular archaeology in the old world. What is more important?: finding the right lab, the right adviser methodology, a geographic specialty (like SUNY's) albeit with cobbled adcom for my fusion research interests. I need a com that includes bioarchaeology strong in osteology, archaeology of complex societies, and economic and or political anth.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I am going to write in more future focus and less background. I will also mention the professor interests up front first. Let them know where I am going.

Actually it wasn't coursework but a list of research projects and the classes they were for. Yeah this is one of the hardest things to write ever.

I went up to 1100 words and now I am whittling it back down. A good deal could be cut out by taking out the history of my coursework and its relevance to my current research goals. If I can just cut to the current interests, the length issue would be solved. Should coursework just go in a separate list or can it have a place in the SOP?

If the school does not specify a length for the SOP what parameters should be observed? Here is what U Pittsburgh states: Suggestions? Typical statement word counts from past applicants?

The boards seem quiet now and I appreciate that you are responding. I do not want to overuse the one experienced person who is posting, but I suppose I have to until others chime in. If the schools you mention are having some issues, what other schools would you recommend outside of Illinois? I am looking for some other viable options. Thanks!

I found Penn State's page and I am impressed. That may be my new top pick. Any comments on Penn State? I really should have been looking more in depth for the subject "fit" but I am in the now and I have to find my path. I'll keep looking for four-field bio arch, old world and economic anthropology if I can find them all together.

Add UNC Chapel Hill to my list!

I prefer the four-field approach and wish to go in the direction of historic bioarchaeology. However, many of the big name schools with other interesting faculty on the cultural or historical sides are no longer four-field. Duke and Columbia are two examples where the subfield was absorbed within an evo bio department. I'm also interested in agrarian studies progams but wish to do the study of past societies with skeletal analysis. I also have another complicating factor; I wish to study old world societies in either Europe or highland Asia. I might change my mind on that and go to Central and South America. Is it even possible to do bioarchaeology, political economy work in a department that is mostly concerned with paleohominid evolution. I now have several questions I need to sort before deciding where to apply first: Is going for the best fit still the best solution? Would a terminal Masters (no PhD route) at a school where the faculty is a good fit be a good move before attempting to break into a name school? What is more important in terms of job placement; a "prestigious" name school or a good fit program? Which schools offer the best balance between bioarchaeology and political economy, and name recognition? (I'm working on this and I can recognize good fits, but I do not really know who has the best reputation for placing graduates.) My preliminary list so far includes: ASU, OSU, UFL, UT Knoxville and Tulane. I also have a list of Masters only options if I need to do that to offer a counter boost to make up for my lack of a "prestige" background.

I am another person looking for a good Masters program in bioarchaeology. I'm considering UT Knox and Eastern Carolina because of faculty research backgrounds. My undergrad is a little known public university, though it is the 2nd largest in GA now and building its reputation. My preliminary, (basic and vague here) research interests are skeletal analysis for political economy; and a side interest in economic anthropology for comparative research. I prefer a four-field school to attend and I want to boost school name recognition before applying to PhD programs. Will a Masters help bring me closer to being accepted at a dream (my) school for a PhD? I welcome all suggestions.

I'm new and anxious and in good company as I am sure many others feel likewise. I am specifically looking for anthropology programs for bioarchaeology and political economy, with a side dish offering of economic anthropology. Those are my choices for research interests. I am being sold on the idea of tackling a Master first as a means to boost my chances of getting into my top choices for a PhD program. Where can I go to get the backgrounds mentioned above AND get some school name recognition to bolster my hopes for the dream PhD? (I prefer 4-field obviously; which eliminates a lot of namey schools and schools known for their strong biological suits.)