Rejected--It burns, but I'm trying to fix it...

[phusion]

So I was just rejected yesterday from the only school I applied to for Fall 2010. I thought I stood a chance but I guess I was wrong. Life goes on...

Anyway...I decided to email the prof who signed the rejection letter and she actually called me today (I missed the call, damnit). But, she did leave a voicemail. She said that I was:

1) Rejected because I have no previous work in anthropology. My UG major was communications, but my minor was anthropology. I have probably 30 hours of anthro work. What's up?

2) My SOP was not focused. OK, not sure how to fix this but I'm sure I can work on it.

3) I was on academic probation my freshman year. This was 10 years ago. I did poorly my first couple of years in college but, once I switched over to the social sciences, I maintained nearly a 4.0 for the last 2-3 years. Are they really going to hold this against me forever?

She said that I was at first going to be wait-listed but there were stronger candidates that they could not admit right away so I was pushed off the wait list.

I have decided to attend my UG college as a non-degree student this upcoming fall and spring and take some grad courses and maybe a field course. I'm hoping this effort, along with a new SOP and LORs, will boost my chances at this school (and others) next year.

The prof who contacted me today said she would try me again tomorrow. Do you think it's worth bringing up the fact that my minor was anthro (surely that counts as something?) and that my academic probation was during my freshman year before I changed majors? Could I get them to change their mind or is it too late? What can I do to improve my app next year?

Thanks, this is a great community and I appreciate any advice!

[a fragrant plant]

You can certainly mention it but I don't think they would change their mind. Also, it's really rare that professor is so eager to give rejected applicants feedback about their application. For this reason I think you should take this opportunity to gather as much information as possible about your application (what went wrong and how could you fix it).

[hahahut]

At the very least, you could ask her why she thought your SOP is not focused, which is something you are not sure how to fix. Maybe nothing dramatic would happen (but who knows). But she is certainly being very nice. You could get some good advice on how to build a stronger application using the time you have till next application season, i.e. what course should you take? what work could benefit you?

Good luck!

[lily_]

Unfortunately, many anthro programs really want students to be totally committed to the subject matter, and require a major in the subject. What is your sub-field? I think you're on the right track taking non-degree courses. If your sub-field is cultural or archaeology I would strongly suggest trying to get some field experience. Also, use this time to read read read. Levi-Strauss, Childe, anything you can get your hands on, as well as newer things. A lot of the departments I applied to (anthropological archaeology) wanted SOPs to be clear, concise, and have an idea of what you wanted to pursue your PhD research on. I don't know what your SOP said, but taking some coursework and focusing on something more specific for next time might help.

But, I'm in the same boat as you, got rejected everywhere and now looking into pursuing a master's first. My advice for the rejection blues; don't give up!!! it's not over until you say it's over, no matter how many adcomms tell you they are not interested, and copious amounts of physical exercise. But that's just me.

Best of luck! and for the most part you're right, this is a great forum!

[lily_]

One last word of warning, I did the non-matriculated thing at University of Chicago (more prestigious, harder program than my undergrad) to alleviate my poor UGPA. I did really well in all of the classes, got a LOR and two years of field experience out of it, and it did not appear to help my admissions at all this time around. Your UGPA is probably higher than mine was (try 2 semesters of probation!) but the non-matriculated thing is a mixed bag.

Not to be a downer, but that's why I'm going for an MA before I reapply for PhDs!

[phusion]

Thanks for the replies... I am only applying to MA programs (archaeology) at the moment. Time to start looking for arch jobs, field programs, or even volunteer work this summer.

Best of luck to everyone in the admissions process, I hope you get to where you want to be!

[lily_]

If it's any consolation (well it gives me hope) the late great Kathleen Kenyon received mediocre marks all throughout her college days and would more likely be found playing football or drinking than in the library! Now half the world uses the Wheeler-Kenyon method in the field.

Edited March 10, 2010 by lily_

[coyabean]

I ditto the above about taking advantage of an uncommonly responsive prof. Now is probably not the time to make a case to be reconsidered. It won't help and it wastes a great opportunity to get first-hand feedback on your app.

I had a spotty UG, too, so I think that may be less of a problem than the SOP?

The thing with Anthro is that it has one of the highest time-to-completion degree averages (some schools, literally, TEN YEARS!) and I think that in this tight environment schools are looking for a hyper-focused statement to offset that trend. And it could well be that any concerns they had about your SOP you can already answer but it just didn't translate to the page.

And anthropologists do seem to be a jealous sort like lily said. So anything to show a commitment to the field is helpful. Join student chapters of all the biggies -- AAA, SFAA, etc. -- and put it on your CV and in your SOP. And I second the master's advice. Several of the Anthro folks I did informational interviews with last summer took the master's route. :/ Again, that looooooong timeline for anthro.

Edited March 11, 2010 by coyabean

[hogmommy]

I just wanted to chime in on this thread. Just out of curiosity, I searched federal archeology jobs just the other day and there are several open positions that you would likely be qualified for. That would definitely give you some experience and an opportunity to focus your SOP.

My story: I have been out of school, raising my kids for 7 years, but provided an extremely focused SOP. (I only applied to my own UG institution for a number of reasons, so I had a bit of an advantage.) I got accepted to the PhD program, but immediately informed them that I would only be completing the MA here, and would like to transfer to another school for my PhD. (I'm trying to avoid academic incest and my husband's company is opening an office in the city of the school I would like to get my PhD from.)

My new advisor said my chances at funding would be slim as an MA student, but agreed the the move after completion of my MA was a good idea. He knows the faculty there and is also a PI on an ongoing project at that school, so my chances are good at getting admitted 2 years from now.

I got my acceptance one month ago and discussed my research goals with advisor a week after that. I now have a (fantastic) thesis project and we moved the collection (which required NAGPRA approval) to my school early last week. Obviously, having an idea of exactly what I wanted to study really helped.

I also found out this week that I am, in fact, being fully funded.