mmace

I just applied to a dig in Mongolia that was accepting volunteers. It just so happened that through networking, apparently a friend of a friend of a friend is on that dig and told me to inquire to the director before i applied. I did that and the director got back to me saying their roster is full. He told me that i should apply anyway since people have dropped out in the past. I just sent in my application. I'm not expecting anything but i'm hoping for the best. Deadline is February 20th and its full already, i guess that isn't surprising.

I speak very good Mandarin and Cantonese (the two largest Chinese dialects) with very minimal reading and writing skills. My Japanese languages skills are mediocre being I have decent comprehension, below average speaking, poor reading and writing. My Korean languages skills are basic and since the reading and writing are fairly simple i can write and read well (i won't understand what i'm reading or writing without a larger vocabulary). I'm not exactly sure yet what region i want to specialize in but i do enjoy both Korean and Japanese culture but I find Chinese history the most intriguing. Sadly, i've never actually traveled or been on vacation. I didn't have much money or free time growing up. During my undergrad, i tested the waters in many different majors. I ended up in Business Administration studying business law and minoring in Japanese (did not finish writing my thesis). Every summer instead of travelling or going on vacation i decided to take language classes or classes for me to catch up to finishing on time. Every term i maxed out 20 credits sometimes i managed to slip in up to 23 credits without paying any extra. I have decided it is a lot more logical to go for my Masters first. One to raise my GPA, two further my education in the field of anthropology/archaeology, and three it gives me to build in field work experience and recommendations. I'm not looking to wear a cool hat coupled with a bullwhip if you guys think that's the reason i'm getting into this. I have a fascination with languages/cultures/history/traveling/ and finding things that explain the past, present and possibly future. I also am really interested in middle eastern history/archaeology/languages but i can't have it all.

Hi Everyone, I'm aiming at pursuing a Ph.D in archaeology. I graduated in 2009 with a BS in business administration concentrating in business law. I don't really have any relevant experience. I was a finalist in a business concept competition at Drexel university, currently an research analyst at a financial company on my way to becoming a senior analyst, I have volunteered at homeless shelters and stay active with basketball league. I'm also a former all american swimmer. Sorry nothing relevant but its better than nothing i guess. I definitely have a passion for archaeology/history/anthropology. I read a lot of cultures, wars, and history. I am currently studying for the GRE's and i am aiming at a score above 1300. My GPA was a 2.33 cumulative. I switched majors multiple times which sucked. I'm am trying to work on finding an opportunity to work on a dig sometime this year which i will be saving all my vacation days for to build some experience. I am willing to go back and get a post-bac, masters, second undergrad degree, etc. to get into graduate school but i would like to save money if possible on schooling. I want to pursue East Asian archaeology and so far i have found that Boston University and Harvard has these programs. I have emailed BU graduate admission to schedule a meeting/figure out what i can do to get in. Is it possible to get in with no relevant experience if i get volunteer dig work, good GRE's and undergrad gpa of 2.33? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks, MMAce