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Thanks! I resisted coming on grad cafe after I got the news, but I just couldn't take it anymore. Of course, I'm totally freaking out now.

just to be clear, should I be logging on constantly to see if I have been accepted? or will I receive an e-mail?

I got my application in at the last second, I had positive feedback from a faculty member prior to applying so I got my fingers crossed.

wait listed. I'm super surprised, I didnt think I had a shot.

I got my first response yesterday and I think it was encouraging. The POI said that my CV was excellent, that he welcomed my application and should keep him updated on the status of my application. Obviously he wasn't going to tell me not to apply, but I think the rest of the response was encouraging.

I would say this is one of the most important things you can do. All the faculty members and graduate students in my department said that research along with strong letters and strong SOPs are the way into a grad program. Things like GPA and GRE are important, but certainly don't seem to be the most important aspects of your application (that doesn't mean don't study for the GRE though).

I just graduated from UCD with a degree inanthropology and I work in the archaeology labs right now (as i work on my applications). As far as I know the only masters the department offers (kind of) is in archaeology. this is what the website says: Generally students are admitted for Ph.D. study only, and complete M.A. requirements in the normal course of the Ph.D. program. The archaeology program occasionally admits students who intend to pursue only the M.A. degree; please consult with the archaeology faculty before electing the M.A. rather than the Ph.D. degree program. so davis might not be the best place for you unless you want to do a Phd. hope that helps refine your search, good luck!

I started today! But I will make sure to follow up closer to application time so they don't forget who I am.

Fantastic!

Hello All, I have a question regarding SOPs. How do I address the fact that I want to pursue graduate level research that is, in the same field (archaeology), but unrelated to the research I did as an undergraduate? I'm afraid I will not seem like a good fit for my departments of interest because I come from a different research background.

I participated in an archaeological field school where I learned lots of relevant skills to my field. I put this under academic experience (as it was a course that i received academic credit for) at the advisement of a graduate student in my department . However, I don't see how a skills section could hurt, especially if you have quite a few.

For sure, I will certainly be applying even if it is a bit of a stretch for me.

Thanks! I have basic understanding of some of these, just from intro courses as an undergrad. I suppose it is time to hunker down and do some close reading.

jmu, I think your assessment is spot on. additionally, it seem as if he oversimplifies in order to come a conclusion (reasonable or otherwise) that the lay public can understand.

Thanks for the suggestions, jmu. I see a few new names to check out. I also find his arguments interesting, and I can see some validity in them, but I would agree that the conclusions he comes to may not be solid as he makes them out to be.

Thanks for the suggestions keawood. I have read Guns, Germs, and Steel and found it to be interesting. However, it seems like Jared Diamond is a bit of a persona non grata in my field (at least this is the impression i get from talking with grad students and faculty in my department). I do think it is of value to understand varying points of view though, so perhaps a flip through some more of his work would be beneficial. I see your location is Davis, are you also an Aggie?

Hello Archaeologists/Anthropologists! I will be taking a year off before (hopefully) entering a grad program. Any ideas on what to read during this time, as far as theory goes? I'd like to have a more solid background before jumping right in. I'm interested in the origins of social complexity, inequality and power relations, if that narrows it down a bit. Any suggestions would be appreciated. thanks!

Thanks! I suppose I should be more worried about my LORs haha

Oh wow, that shady . thanks for the tip. I will certainly clarify that before applying.

Well then I suppose that will eliminate a few schools for me. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks so much for all your input everybody, I really appreciate it. I've done both lab and field work, however I have much more lab experience (archaeological chemistry). Perhaps getting more field experience would benefit me the most, especially because I don't think I want to focus my dissertation research on lab oriented data. As far as Masters programs go, I think I will focus on applying to Phd programs. Obviously, there are many people that benefit greatly from MAs (and I could very well be one of them) however, the thought of no funding really worries me. I'm curious as to which schools these are, do you happen to have any specifics?

mp429, thanks a lot. This is all making me feel much better. In your experience, what was the most value thing you did in your year off? Im trying to decide if I should focus on pursuing field opportunities or lab based opportunities.