Is either one of these programs definitively better than the other?

[Ilikekitties]

I’ve been admitted to Oregon State and Mississippi State for MA degrees in applied anthropology. Both programs are funded.

Based on advisor, I’d pick MSU. Is either one of these programs definitively better than the other, or can I make a choice based on advisor? Funding situations are about equal, with MSU being in a cheaper location.

[rising_star]

For a MA, you should definitely pick based on advisor. You're only going to be there for 2 years so you want to do the best work possible in that time. Having a good fit with your advisor will facilitate this. 

[Ilikekitties]

9 hours ago, rising_star said:

For a MA, you should definitely pick based on advisor. You're only going to be there for 2 years so you want to do the best work possible in that time. Having a good fit with your advisor will facilitate this. 

Ok, thanks. I have a “gut” feeling of where I should go, then.

[oroanthro]

First of all. Congrats on both acceptances  Having done two MAs already, I would caution that it can't just be about that one single advisor--what if you get there and that person goes on sabbatical or turns out to be an unworkable, inflexible jerk? The former is happening to a friend of mine right now, the latter happened to me.  Yes, the question of which advisor you want to work with more is certainly the most important. But I would encourage you to ask which program has a better team for you. Can you envisage a full committee (if you need one) or do you see more stuff that interests you happening at one or the other program? Because it's only two years, you don't have time to futz around, TA for a bit, figure out a new lab/site/project if your one person turns out to not be your one person after all. You've got to be able to recover from any surprises or shocks and keep going on to your ultimate goal (I'm assuming a PhD).

I know this sounds overly negative because it assumes that things can and will go wrong. I hate to be the Sour Sally here, but its too easy to get derailed and spend 3-5 years trying to finish an MA in an uncooperative program these days. I've seen it happen and I'm still seeing it happen. 

 

 

[bioarch_fan]

17 hours ago, orangeanthropologist said:

I know this sounds overly negative because it assumes that things can and will go wrong. I hate to be the Sour Sally here, but its too easy to get derailed and spend 3-5 years trying to finish an MA in an uncooperative program these days. I've seen it happen and I'm still seeing it happen. 

 

 

Well thankfully Mississippi State's MA program is designed to be a 3 year program. We require our students to do an internship, as well as thesis, for cultural students and an internship, survey field school, excavation field school, and the thesis for archaeology/bioarchaeology students. So this takes time to complete.

[oroanthro]

42 minutes ago, bioarch_fan said:

Well thankfully Mississippi State's MA program is designed to be a 3 year program. We require our students to do an internship, as well as thesis, for cultural students and an internship, survey field school, excavation field school, and the thesis for archaeology/bioarchaeology students. So this takes time to complete.

You're missing my point. My point is not about the time commitment. My point is that a graduate student (MA or PhD) can get lost if they go to a school to work with only one person and that person leaves, loses their funding status, turns out to be a terrible advisor, etc. When picking a program, it should be about more than just the one advisor, even though I agree that it is the most important question.