Advice! Anthro PhD

[elendiriel]

I'm hoping for some advice regarding my chances for acceptance to a PhD program in Anthropology (I know, another one!). I have a very specific field of interest (medical anthro) in a very specific region of the Middle East, so although there are several schools that are possibilities there are really only a couple that have faculty whose interests are close to mine. I have wanted to do research in anthro since my senior year of high school (and my first mini-course in anthropology) and since I graduated from undergrad I have been debating when I should apply to grad school.

Graduated from a university that was not top 10 (USNWR), but close.

Majors - Anthro and Middle Eastern Studies

Minor - French

GPA - 3.57 (I know it's not great, but there was a definite upward trend)

GRE - haven't taken yet, planning on it in October

Member of Lambda Alpha

Also studied Arabic for two years - one semester in the region where I'd like to do research, a summer on the Critical Language Scholarship program, and at my home university.

Other experience: I have spent a year teaching English in Africa as well as a year of study abroad in Europe. I volunteered teaching English abroad for a summer as well, and have completed two internships (one at a Middle Eastern embassy and another for the government). Right now I am working with refugees near my hometown (only been out of school a couple of years).

I do not, however, have any formal research experience. While in Africa, I made great efforts to get to know the Muslim community and befriended some families and spent time with them. I attended the mosque's events for women and tried to locate people for interviews, but due to transportation issues and time constraints (since my main job there was not research and getting to know the community took the first half of my time abroad) I did not complete enough interviews to really make any conclusions or produce a written piece of work (in addition, I am out of undergrad and uncertain of where or how I would go about publishing anything I did on my own while abroad without academic supervision).

I have contacted most of the universities that I'm considering (9 or so), and most have written back at least expressing interest in my research and encouraging me to apply (even if they say they are not on the decisions committee or say that the school is low on funding for that year). My first choice (because the faculty member I'd most like to work with is there - we have very similar interests) was especially encouraging and also informed other faculty members about my interest and encouraged me to write a good personal statement.

I know that this is all very vague and it's difficult to judge but I was wondering if you had any thoughts on my possibilities for acceptance? My preferred schools are definitely ivy. Should I apply this year if I score well (1300 +) on the GRE ? Should I attempt to gain other experience or what could I do to strengthen my application for these programs? How could I go about getting research experience (published?) since I'm out of school? I am concerned about waiting too long to apply but also about applying to my dream program and then not getting accepted. I could really regret not gaining more experience beforehand and I'm not sure how applying a second time at an ivy would look...

I have considered extending my stay in Africa to continue what I'd hoped to be substantial research, but because of financial reasons I can't. I am a first-generation college student and have pretty much no money and no family support, so I am limited on my ability to move to other places or take jobs that aren't going to allow me to pay for my living. That is why I did so much in undergrad - I wanted to try everything I could while I had scholarships and grants and assistance. Now that I'm out, I am kind of lost as to what direction to pursue! All I know is that my goal has always been to get my PhD in Anthropology - so any advice or your experiences with similar programs would be great!

[anthropologygeek]

Well have you thought about doing a masters first since you will still have to go extra years even if you went straight to phd? Another thing is there's about a five percent acceptance rate at best. So even if you are the perfect fit, it still involves luck. So be prepared to apply to lots with a low success rate. The most important thing is fit and what have you done to show this and then recs and then everything else. Also keep track of what scores each school requires on gre since all you need to do is reach that min. Also, its about who you studied under not where you go so ivy isn't so important. I know of the perfect school for you based on interest but its not ivy but you could get a better job since they have tremendous job placement in both academia and private.