U. of Tennessee Application Question

[redscarf]

I've tried contacting people in the anthropology department about this but I haven't heard back from anyone, and since I need to know soon I thought I'd ask here. Does the anthropology department ask that letters of recommendation be submitted on the university's general "Graduate Rating Form" or do they have their own form? Or do they prefer an actual letter, with no form? The university website noted that some departments have different policies, but the anthropology department's page didn't indicate one way or the other and I want to be sure.

And on a side note, I think this whole application process will drive me insane. I'm so terrified I won't get in anywhere - I'm just ready for it to be over!

Anyway - anyone know? I'd really appreciate it - thanks!

[anthropologygeek]

When I applied there a couple years ago I had my recommenders mail it in. Also there online status will drive you crazy when midmarch it changes to decision has been made and a letter is in the mail

[clashingtime]

Hey, I'm applying to UTK too! What subfield are you looking into?

As for your question, I don't think it's need for the anthropology department since it isn't specified on their webpage. I look at some other departments to see if they mention it, and some (like sociology) do mention that they want it. So, since they don't explicitly say to include that form, I don't think it's needed.

[redscarf]

Thanks! So just a letter written on the university letterhead and the typical sign-across-the-back protocol should be fine, then? A bit of a relief - that form is intimidating.

Clashingtime - Awesome! I'm in biological anthro, and I'm hoping to concentrate on forensics and osteology. What about you?

[clashingtime]

I think so- on their site it just says that they want a LOR, so that's what I'm giving them.

Cool! Forensics is really interesting. I'm hoping to go for genetics, ancient DNA and modern identity- kind of a mix of biological and cultural, I guess.

[anthropologygeek]

At least there's no competition here.

[anthropologygeek]

Its been a couple years, I believe it had no form they had to use. They just typed out a letter and mailed it in if I remember correctly

[redscarf]

Oh, that sounds really interesting! I bet there's some great funding, too, since it involves genetics work. My Mother keeps telling people I'm majoring in "graduate school and unemployment."

Thanks!!! It's such a relief to get an answer for that.

[clashingtime]

Oh, that sounds really interesting! I bet there's some great funding, too, since it involves genetics work. My Mother keeps telling people I'm majoring in "graduate school and unemployment."

Thanks!!! It's such a relief to get an answer for that.

I have heard pretty much the same thing from the moment I chose my major. As for forensics, a prof at my school that does pollen forensic work for the CIA said that forensics is becoming bigger, and places like the FBI and CIA are really great about hiring people who have that kind of expertise! So, I don't think you're majoring in unemployment.

[anthropologygeek]

Just saw this is wanted to explain to everyone before they get disappointed. No where do you get a degree in forensic anthropology. You get a masters/phd in forensic science or in anthropology. Forensics falls in the subfield of physical anthropology. Most forensic anthropologist are professors and teach physical/biological anthropology. However, most do this on the side with their interest being in the field of anthropology. Only a handful of jobs are out there for straight forensics and they are all taken with people with no retirements in site.

[clashingtime]

Just saw this is wanted to explain to everyone before they get disappointed. No where do you get a degree in forensic anthropology. You get a masters/phd in forensic science or in anthropology. Forensics falls in the subfield of physical anthropology. Most forensic anthropologist are professors and teach physical/biological anthropology. However, most do this on the side with their interest being in the field of anthropology. Only a handful of jobs are out there for straight forensics and they are all taken with people with no retirements in site.

I'm going to have to second this. I remember freshman year after taking the intro biological course, when we finished up our unit on forensic anthropology we were all super pumped and in love with forensics. She quickly squashed our dreams by telling us that there are only a handful of forensic anthropologists who do that full time, and the rest do contract work, and may get work in forensics once or twice a year. It's a really popular field, and she made sure we all knew it wasn't going to be like Bones, and it was really tough to get work in. There is also anthropological work that doesn't involve the biological factor per se- I work in a palynology lab, and the guy who runs it does contract forensic work for the CIA and FBI involving pollen. But that's only contract work- his full time job is to teach.

With all that said, I wish you the best of luck!