Fritzie

I know! I couldn't believe it when I saw that. And because I have so little experience with academic writing in Japanese, now I'm freaking out a little wondering if I completely f*#%@$ up my chances by writing in the wrong style or something. As if this wasn't difficult & stressful enough already! Edited 'cause I screwed up the quoting.

You could also just call up your lender directly, and find out what they need. That's what I did - luckily, since my school didn't report, or they didn't get the report, or something got screwed up with the report - and all they needed was a copy of some paperwork from my school. Every situation is different, of course....

A) Fit with faculty research interests is important, but not quite as crucial for terminal-MA programs as it is for PhD programs. That's not to say it's not important at all - tistre gave some great advice - just that other things (GREs, undergrad GPA, other experiences) are considered a bit more for many terminal-MA programs' admissions decisions than they are once you get to the PhD level. Fieldwork experience is a big plus, but not essential, especially if you've got the academic background. You'll have a tougher time if you're switching fields completely AND you have no experience. Not impossible, but definitely more difficult. Look for field schools, summer volunteer opportunities, whatever you can find - now is the time to set up that kind of stuff and get involved if you're thinking applying this fall for 2010. C) There are a good number of terminal MA programs - a very quick search of the AAA guide turns up over 300 programs (although I'm sure a large number of those don't offer the concentration you're interested in, fo course). But, many of them are not at big-name schools, and many of them are not at schools that offer PhDs (like where I'm at now). Also, many schools don't have just an anthropology department, many are anthropology/sociology, which presents its own challenges. And finally, many of these smaller schools with terminal-MA-only programs don't have much funding, so be prepared to hunt down your own sources of funding/work part-time (preferably an on campus assistantship)/take out loans. Good luck! If I can be of help, just let me know. =)

So, any other grad cafe-ers heading to MSU? Anyone in East Lansing have any more info on good places to live, good ways to find apartments, etc? Or other any other advice on EL/MSU....?

Michigan State for me!

So, who got the acceptance from ASU today? First of all, congrats! Second - what subfield? =)

I don't know if it helped me or not, honestly. Beyond helping me avoid wasting money applying to schools where there actually wasn't anyone I could work with, so I would have had zero chance of getting in (see my earlier post). I know it's a good idea, but at this point, I can't see how it helped me at all yet. I've been accepted to one program, where I wrote to a guy who never responded (but who was assigned to be my first-year advisor, according to the letter from the dept). And I had a couple very nice, detailed, lengthy email exchanges with profs at two schools that I really would like to attend, and I've still not heard anything - am assuming the worst at this point (rejected or unfunded, which are basically the same thing....). So, yeah, this whole thing is completely screwing with my head at this point.......

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Sorry, needed to get that out of my system. It's not a scream of rejection, just frustration... another week down, and still only 1/2 of one response........ I really don't know how much longer I can take this! Ah, well, back to the grindstone. :x

Sorry, I knew I didn't stand a snowball's chance of getting into UPenn or Columbia, so I'm not really familiar with the details of their programs or their application procedures. You can always call or email the department secretary or graduate secretary/coordinator in the department, they're usually very nice and helpful - especially if you aren't bugging them about application decisions! I'm sure they'd be happy to clarify anything you may have questions about, or point you in the direction of more specific information - just be sure you ask an answerable question, give them some idea of what you need to know, not just "please tell me about your program". =) Yes, I'm (hopefully) finishing my MA in May, and right now I'm waiting... and waiting... and waiting... to hear back from the schools I applied to, whether or not I'm accepted, and of course about their all-important funding decisions. I hate waiting. And I'm sick of my thesis. Which is why I'm procrastinating! :roll: Since I didn't do one, I have only limited knowledge. The people that I know about mostly worked in museums, and one did some kind of research project with the military. Basically, they have no interest in pursuing academia beyond the MA, so they're getting real-world experience and connections instead of doing the huge thesis research project. As far as human evolution and bioanth goes, you don't have to like it particularly, but you do have to know it for most programs. After all, anthropology is at the most basic level "the study of people", which includes how people became people. The way it often works (again, every school is different, so I'm trying to be general) is that there are just a few required classes for all grad students, maybe one basic seminar in bioanth, one in archaeology, one in cultural, and everyone is required to do some kind of methods or research design class in their subfield of specialization. Then, other than that, you work with your adviser to decide which courses you need for skills & electives to prepare you and get you the knowledge you need, and to cover whatever else is required for the program. Good luck!

I know, I know, it kills me too... all that studying and stress for GREs, and for what, exactly? Pfffft! :roll:

Okay, I

No idea, sorry. But she's in a different area than you, so at least you I can reassure you that she didn't take your spot! And come on, GREs aren't the only thing that matter, you know that! =)

One of my friends applied there, and she was freaking out last week 'cause her status said the same thing. She got in. So, I promise it's not necessarily bad news - it just means that they finished making decisions and mailed letters. What subfield are you in, again?

It does seem to be going by subfield - and a lot of places seem to have started with bio & bioarch, so they may just not have finished yet. I'm in that boat, I'm trying to do cultural, and we're at the back of the line - not sure if it's just because of numbers of applicants, or money, or luck of the draw.... But, there's plenty of time left, don't freak out if you can help it (says the girl who's freaking out since she hasn't heard anything from anyone yet!)

510bones - same boat here, so confused... the way I figure it, each day that it doesn't say "Denied" is a good one. I'm also hoping that the prof I corresponded with prior to applying might come through with an update soon, even if it's not official enough to put on the website. Fingers crossed!

Ha! One of my thesis committee members told me that it was a good thing my internship had already offered me a f/t position after graduation, 'cause it wasn't likely that I would get into most of the schools I applied to. Although I might not get automatically rejected from the "lowest" one, according to her. :evil: I've received 0 notifications of any kind to date, FYI - acceptances, rejections, waitlistings, nada.

You know why Sunday is my new favorite day of the week? You KNOW there won't be any mail, no one is at work to send emails or make phone calls... it's the one day a week I can relax because I'm certain I won't get any updates (i.e., rejections). Sunday=bliss. =)

I know it sounds totally stupid, but it truly does make me feel a little better knowing that I'm not the only one feeling this way, even if it's just some faceless internet-person. You guys are wonderful! Also, Oh, yes! I know it's bad for me, everyone around me tells me it's bad for me, and now I almost I feel like I'm standing beside myself, watching myself freak out, seeing exactly what the constant checking & checking is doing to me... but I can't stop!

*&^$#&^@#$%!%&@^)*$@#^%(% ?!?!?!?!?! I think I need something stronger than a turkey sandwich after this.... I think I can officially declare that I have now lost it.

Who posted the acceptance at Boston University? What subfield are you in? Congratulations, btw! =)

It's another one of those days... got a telemarketing call from the same area code as one of my schools while I was in class, was about ready to pass out before I got out and could check voicemail: "Congratulations, (YIPPEE!) you're eligible to enter for a chance to win... (&*^%@#*&^*$*@^#%$#!)" :evil: My sanity is a fragile, fragile thing right now.............

Chin up, Tonights! It's their loss - and it just leaves you free to accept an offer from another great school, which will turn out to be an even better place for you in the long run! As for the tattoos, I think they should include some other element... perhaps a turkey sandwich & a giant burrito battling to the death with light sabers?

Sympathy, support, and meal-planning too - you guys are awesome! Super-duper-good-burrito-juju for everyone!

Yup, powerless describes it quite well. I really just hate not knowing what I'll be doing in a few months, if/where I'll be moving... I hate not being able to start planning and doing research for my new home. =( I almost wish they'd all just reject me now, so I could at least know. At least then I could be sure I still exist! And regarding loans - I'll work if they pay me enough to live on, no problem. But I'm NOT taking any more loans - I'm going to be repaying until I retire as it is....

Hmm... I'm really hungry, & I was just considering making some eggs & toast. Perhaps I should have turkey instead?! I could do with some good juju right about now. In addition to the waiting, which is horrific enough, my (MA thesis) advisor is leaving for nearly a month, and will only return a mere 2 weeks before the theses are due in to the grad school office. :evil: I was hoping the suckiness would be over now that last week ended.... Hopefully Monday will bring good news, or at least less suck! :roll: