Apply to others or wait a year?

[trinx]

I applied to 4 PhD programs (probably too few, I know, but I am poor and could barely afford the transcript ordering fees for those I did apply to). I have received two rejections so far, and I'm starting to stress out a bit.

I am a returning student, about to graduate with a BA in Anthropology and a minor in Latin American Studies. I went straight to college out of high school, had some very traumatic personal events occur which led to some horrific grades and eventually to me dropping out half way through my sophomore year. I returned to school two years ago (after a 10 year break), and have ended up with a 3.86 GPA for last 60 units, but a 3.1 overall. I know that my GPA is hurting me, but there's not much more I can do about that, as it is my last semester. My GREs were just okay, 620V/680Q/5.0AW--I know I could do better, but again, cannot afford to take them again. My letters of recommendations were half and half; one was very strong, one was strong, and the last was likely mediocre--hard to build strong relationships with faculty with barely over a year at the school (at the time). I have a fair amount of experience considering I am an undergrad--two semesters TAing, Archaeology lab experience, paper presentation at a conference, and assisted in publishing a book (Archaeology-related).

I'm curious--should I last-minute apply to a few Master's programs whose deadlines are not until March 15th, or should I suck it up and work on my professional experience, publications, etc. and try again next year? I've received a couple of very promising emails from schools who are interested based on my GRE scores. The schools I would be applying to are not really exactly what I'm looking for, but given my history I am really set on getting my PhD before I'm 40. It was hard enough to go back to school after a 10 year break, and the prospect of taking a year off honestly scares the daylights out of me.

Edited February 26, 2010 by trinx

[res2135]

I think getting a Master's would probably really help you. It might be worth it to apply to 1 or 2 Master's programs for the fall and see what comes of it.

[Tiglath-Pileser III]

I am a returning student, about to graduate with a BA in Anthropology and a minor in Latin American Studies. I went straight to college out of high school, had some very traumatic personal events occur which led to some horrific grades and led to me dropping out half way through my sophomore year. I returned to school two years ago (after a 10 year break), and have ended up with a 3.86 GPA for last 60 units, but a 3.1 overall. I know that my GPA is hurting me, but there's not much more I can do about that, as it is my last semester. My GREs were just okay, 620V/680Q/5.0AW...

I'm curious--should I last-minute apply to a few Master's programs whose deadlines are not until March 15th... The schools I would be applying to are not really exactly what I'm looking for, but given my history I am really set on getting my PhD before I'm 40. It was hard enough to go back to school after a 10 year break, and the prospect of taking a year off honestly scares the daylights out of me.

Yes, your GPA could hurt you. Archaeology is a highly competitive field. The leap from a BA to a PhD is usually reserved for exceptional students. If I was in your position, and I was so I this advice I actually used, I would apply for a master's degree. Work experience is great, but it only goes so far. You may have to prove that if you are admitted to a graduate program that you will excel at it. One way to do this is by a master's degree.

[trinx]

I think getting a Master's would probably really help you. It might be worth it to apply to 1 or 2 Master's programs for the fall and see what comes of it.

I appreciate the advice. I am concerned, however, about the schools that I would be applying to--with Archaeology, geographic area of study is a fairly important consideration and none of the schools would be studying the areas I am interested in. Is applying still a good idea, or better to wait until next year (and apply to more area-appropriate programs)?

[trinx]

Yes, your GPA could hurt you. Archaeology is a highly competitive field. The leap from a BA to a PhD is usually reserved for exceptional students. If I was in your position, and I was so I this advice I actually used, I would apply for a master's degree. Work experience is great, but it only goes so far. You may have to prove that if you are admitted to a graduate program that you will excel at it. One way to do this is by a master's degree.

Thank you very much for your advice. I was applying for PhD programs in the UC system based on some friends' experiences who recommended UC due to their preferences toward not having to re-brainwash folks who already have their Masters; most do not offer Masters anymore, only accelerated PhD programs.

All of that aside, what about taking a year off and applying to more reputable schools next year versus applying to less-than-appropriate and lesser known schools now?

[mengniu03]

Your will is very strong and impressive,if i'm in your position, I will apply a dozens of Mater courses.A leap from BA to PHD is very difficult.

[res2135]

I appreciate the advice. I am concerned, however, about the schools that I would be applying to--with Archaeology, geographic area of study is a fairly important consideration and none of the schools would be studying the areas I am interested in. Is applying still a good idea, or better to wait until next year (and apply to more area-appropriate programs)?

I'm not really sure what to do in this case. I might still apply to one or two programs, see if I got in, and make my decision then. The worst that can happen if you get admitted is you decide to turn it down.

[johndiligent]

Hey! From someone in a cognate discipline:

You say you have lab experience, but do you have any field experience? Field experience is highly valued as an admissions criterion for North American graduate programmes (both MA and PhD) in archaeology (less so in the U.K. where archaeology programmes often emphasise theory over practice).

If I were you, I WOULD definitely apply for some Master's programmes, not least of which because once you have an MA in archaeology, then you'll be able to hold a dig permit in many jurisdictions. Then go for your PhD once you have more field experience and even a specific site that you've already worked on a bit in mind for your thesis. That's the norm in Canadian archaeology, at least.

[myrrh]

I am a returning student, about to graduate with a BA in Anthropology and a minor in Latin American Studies. I went straight to college out of high school, had some very traumatic personal events occur which led to some horrific grades and eventually to me dropping out half way through my sophomore year. I returned to school two years ago (after a 10 year break), and have ended up with a 3.86 GPA for last 60 units, but a 3.1 overall. I know that my GPA is hurting me, but there's not much more I can do about that, as it is my last semester.

Just some quick guesses. As the OP mentioned, s/ he has done two years of undergrad after a ten year break. I'm guessing that this background hurts.

1. As we could not suppose someone to remember what he/ she learned about ten years ago, the OP's background could be seen as a sophomore.

2. As we could not be sure about what can be built up in just two years (after a ten-year break), the OP would look only a bit better than someone returning to the academia after ten years. I'm not familiar with the OP's field, but I think "ten years outside of academia" would not be very advantageous for the admission from a quite academic program. See, it's not MBA anyway. The adcomm would say, well, this person has just done two years of undergrad after a ten-year break, how could we know that he/ she is truly willing and prepared to do PHD, or even if he/ she really know what he/ she is doing?

So my suggestion will be simple: if as it turns out the ten-year gap hurts, go to MA program and thus fix it. Also, try to publish the conference paper by all means. It helps, even an R&R could help, at least in my case.

GRE would be also a issue. I know the financial concern would be tough, but if you retake it, have an MA in your hand and perhaps some published papers, you will be a brand new applicant next time!

[Tiglath-Pileser III]

Speaking as someone in the field, I can say that the competition for PhD seats is absolutely cutthroat. Your best possibility is if one of your potential advisers sees something distinctive in your application and is willing to take a chance on you. Yet, given all the crap that's happened this year, advisers are behaving much more conservatively than they have in the past.

But then again, I'm just one of those brainwashed MA's in Archaeology.