noodles.galaznik

Currently, I've got a 20-25 minute drive up to campus. It's not too bad, since I only have class three days a week and our graduate colloquium/lecture series is every other Friday, and we're not required to go. The only problem is that it has cut into socialization a little bit, since most of the hang outs are downtown, which is about a 30 minute drive for me. The parking here is also pretty terrible, and the least crowded of the commuter zones still fills up pretty quickly, so I usually have to spend all day on campus if I don't want to spend 30 minutes driving around the garage looking for a space. Those are the only downsides to my commute, so it could be a lot worse... but I definitely miss my commute last year-- a five minute bike ride to campus!

I'm a little late, but... I majored in anthropology and history, and the one grad program I applied and got accepted to is Sociology/Criminology.

Those are some awesome research interests! I definitely think you can tie in your current work to your research interests. Are you going to reapply to the this same school that didn't accept you? I'd say if you could afford it, take a class or two related to your interests. And as far as desirability goes...I don't think so! I've actually had several professors tell me that they actually prefer when applicants to their PhD program have been in the work force for a few years, since they tend to me more mature, motivated, and driven than those fresh out of undergrad. Also, if you want to message me for more advice, feel free! I think we have a very similar situation: married, limited to one geographical areas, reapplying for fall 2013. I also got rejected from the only PhD program I applied to, so now I'm in the process of trying to make myself a stronger applicant for the 2013 season.

Oh, I know exactly what I need to do! Now I just need to do it, hah. In undergrad, I didn't really spend a lot of time researching grad school or talking to professors about applying, and I'm really, really lucky to have gotten into any program. I had great stats, but the only really awesome and solid LOR I got was from my senior thesis advisor. Luckily, I've got all this year to fix that! Oh, and thanks for all of the advice, it is all definitely stuff I'm going to put into action!

I guess the thing that I was worried about (and I still kind of am) were the letters of recommendation. The PhD program I'm planning on applying to is very, very competitive, and the profs I want to apply to work with have really stressed just how important LOR are to them. My GRE scores are meh, but I was actually told to not worry about them, since they don't believe the GRE accurately portrays someone as a student. So, while I work on my MA, I'm going to really concentrate on getting to know profs better so I can have some stellar recommendations. They were good enough to get me into my MA program, but I definitely don't think they'll be good enough for a PhD program.

I actually switch between a tote, messenger, or a backpack. I've gotten a few very, very cute and sturdy Vera Bradley bags over the years, so I want to put them to use! They have pretty, colorful designs all over them, but I honestly don't think I've met a professor who would care. I only use my backpack when I'm hauling my beast of a laptop around, and for the rest of the time I stick to a tote or messenger since I only have papers and or my small netbook, and they aren't heavy. Whatever you choose to get, make sure it's something that's sturdy and doesn't strain your back!

Agreed!!

UPDATE: I'm going! I sent in my very, very rushed application, and it was accepted! I have orientation on Tuesday. I wasn't able to find funding, but I've started on a few fellowship applications to try and get funding for the rest of my MA. I actually was granted in-state tuition, so using loans to cover one or two semesters won't be so awful!

I wanted to take a graduate Criminology course, so I emailed him to see if he wouldn't mind me taking it. He asked what I was interested in, and when I told him, he suggested we meet. I did, and that's where he suggested I consider either applying for this fall or for next.

Great to meet everyone! I'll be starting the Sociology program.

Oh, sorry! I was a bit cranky that day, and sorry if it sounded like I was mad--I wasn't. Ok, glad to know that a sociology degree won't hold me back from an anth PhD program. I know what you mean about the people who want to be forensic anthropologists; I have several friends who want to be forensic anthropologists, and that's the only thing they want to do. I don't think they really know just how competitive it is, and just how few jobs there are. That's why anthro genetics are my main interest. Forensics are awesome, but I'm not banking on making a career solely based on forensic anthro.

I guess I'm really lucky that I don't have any student loans from undergrad--my parents saved up money while we were growing up to pay for my tuition and now my brother's. After I graduated, my parents gave me control of a savings account that my family and I have been putting money into over the years, so that should really help put off some of the costs of grad school. I expect to have a bit of student loan debt before I start a doctoral program, but hopefully not too much!

Didn't really answer my question, but ok. I'll bite. I'm well aware of the job prospects in forensics. Yet, despite after hearing everything about I still want to be involved in it someway. My interest is in biological anthropology, mainly in anthropological genetics. One of my sub-interests is forensic DNA. I don't want to do the whole forensic anthropologist thing, really, I want to analyze DNA in an anthropological context, and in a forensic context when I get the opportunity. So, it really isn't the only thing I want to do, but it is a major one. That's why I wanted to know if getting an MA in Sociology/Criminology would be of use. And who knows--I might get an MA in Sociology/Criminology and really love that, and stick to that. But I really just wanted to know if Anthropology PhD programs preferred you to have an MA in anthropology over one in a different (yet related) subject.

Thanks, I'm taking this in a month and your post was very helpful!

I feel your pain! I'd done well in all of my courses, and then I go and totally bomb the GRE (I got a 1070 overall)! I thought I had done pretty ok on the test, but my scores aren't surprising, given that I usually freak out during tests like that. I'd talk to POIs at the schools you want to apply to and get a feel for what kind of GRE scores they're expecting, and how much weight is given to them. Usually, there are other parts of your application that are much, much more important. For, instance, my POI said that she doesn't really care about GRE scores, since she knows that there are some people that just don't do well on standardized tests and the GRE isn't a really good measure of how someone will perform in a graduate program. With that said, I'd still retake it! Get a book, and just work your way through the whole hefty thing. The GRE can be studied for, and preparing yourself will give you a better idea of what to expect. best of luck!

Ultimately, I want to get a PhD in anthropology with a focus on forensics. However, I've done a lot of thinking and I don't really think I want to get a PhD without getting an MA first. I think getting an MA will give me time to consider if I really want a PhD, and would give me the opportunity to strengthen and mature my application. One problem is that the MA anthropology program at my top choice school typically doesn't fund students, and I've talked to professors who said that MA students might be able to scrounge up a little outside funding, but its very small amount which barely makes a dent and sometimes students at this program can take up to 4 years (eek!) to get their MA. So, as an alternative, I've been looking into Sociology programs with a concentration in Criminology. The program I'm looking at takes about 2 years and there is funding available for MA students. I think that this might be the route for me since criminology is related to my interests (it would give me a greater understanding of the legal and social side of forensics), and I would get experience in an MA program. My question is: do anthropology PhD programs prefer for you to have an MA in anthropology over other degrees? I got my BA in anthro, so it's not like I don't have any experience in anthropology. Thanks!

Definitely, definitely look at a place before you rent! Luckily, my husband and I were able to fly out to our current location to look at apartments before we signed a lease. We're really happy we did, because one of the places we found online that looked really, really super nice from all of the photos turned out to be an absolutely sketchy dump. But if you can't make it out there, definitely do a ton of research on potential places. I really like previous posts that suggested finding a month to month contract. That way, if you like it you can sign a long term lease, and if not, you'll have time to find a place to live that really works for you.

When I asked my POI about this, she said that it doesn't make much sense to pick up an MA along the way, just because of funding reasons--in this particular department, doctoral students can only receive departmental funding for 5 years, so tacking on an MA would probably push it over 5 years. Thanks for the advice everyone, there have been a lot of really great points made and I have a lot to consider. It seems like right now, an MA would be the best thing for me to do!

Burn notice is great! I forgot to add that to my list!

I tried to cut down on the amount of TV while during my later years of undergrad, and by the end, the only shows that I was keeping up with were: Castle Bones Modern Family The IT Crowd Sometimes I would just turn on the TV for a break, and I would end up getting sucked into Keeping Up With the Kardashians. I'm not keeping up with them anymore, since we no longer have cable. Probably a good thing.

Your stats seem to be pretty strong, but I'm going to have to echo the posts above. There are no safety schools in grad school--there are more applicants, programs are more competitive, and even some of the very best applicants get rejected.

Thanks! The graduate director said he might know of an assistantship, so if I can find some funding, that would pretty much seal the deal!