UC Santa Cruz or NYU

[Yeahcat]

Hi everyone,

So I'll apply this year for 2012 Fall. All the stellar anthropologists on this board, plz help me out!

Both NYU and UC Santa Cruz have a great fit to my research topic and very strong faculty members. The things I don't know are the differences in job placements and how prestigious these two programs are.

I know UC schools can be short of funding, and NYU is great with its location and resources. Regardless of funding/location, what do you think of these two schools ? I mean in terms of overall quality, prestige and job placements?

Btw, I'm in socio-cultural.

[UNCAnthro]

Honestly, I'm relatively new to US anthropology so I can't answer with any confidence. You should check out www.phds.org if you haven't already - very specific info on job placements, funding, reputation, etc. for each program and an easy way to compare programs across the discipline. The only negative is that you can't sort by socio-cultural, archeology, medical, etc, but you already have that figured out anyways.

[samjones]

Hi everyone,

So I'll apply this year for 2012 Fall. All the stellar anthropologists on this board, plz help me out!

Both NYU and UC Santa Cruz have a great fit to my research topic and very strong faculty members. The things I don't know are the differences in job placements and how prestigious these two programs are.

I know UC schools can be short of funding, and NYU is great with its location and resources. Regardless of funding/location, what do you think of these two schools ? I mean in terms of overall quality, prestige and job placements?

Btw, I'm in socio-cultural.

nyu anth is a VERY competitive program. for example, they received hundreds of applications and accepted no more than 10 of those applicants across the board (subfields including). i think it's the name recognition of the school and the earned popularity and esteem of the faculty that attract applicants. nyu is also ranked pretty high.

[newleaf]

UCSC is less competitive, but its still competitive. I suggest you apply to both and then see what your options are...that goes for all schools. Anthropology programs especially among the "top tier" schools are super competitive...apply to 6-8 schools that are good fits for you, a couple "reaches", a couple "back-ups"...see where you get in and then decide where to go based on where you get in rather than counting a school out before you apply.

Hi everyone,

So I'll apply this year for 2012 Fall. All the stellar anthropologists on this board, plz help me out!

Both NYU and UC Santa Cruz have a great fit to my research topic and very strong faculty members. The things I don't know are the differences in job placements and how prestigious these two programs are.

I know UC schools can be short of funding, and NYU is great with its location and resources. Regardless of funding/location, what do you think of these two schools ? I mean in terms of overall quality, prestige and job placements?

Btw, I'm in socio-cultural.

[Yeahcat]

Thanks guys.

Could not sleep, had midnight gloom, but now your kind advices have totally cheered me up. Yay SOLIDARITY!

Yes, I am gonna apply for both schools, among others (probably Temple and CUNY). The reason I wanna figure out which one is a first choice is because I considered applying for law school during college, and the law professors I talked to told me "Never lie to schools about which one is your first choice". As I will start contacting professors this summer, I guess I should figure out which school is my top choice (at least to myself) before writing POI and describing both NYU and UCSC as my dream program. This might sound a little old-fashioned, though.

It's so true that NYU is unimaginably competitive! I have heard people say that it's even more competitive than Columbia anthropology. I wonder why...

I've never really paid enough attention on program rankings. Shame on me; I thought I had a good reason: previously I thought that unlike college, a perfect fit counts most when it comes to PhD programs. Well, it is now when I am seriously starting to prepare for application that I realize how much prestige/ranking matters. Because there is the final destination: job placements! And that is where prestige/ranking/quality of the program really matters, matters a lot. Anyone knows about Cornell? A POI of mine might be hired in Cornell very soon. How would you compare Cornell to UCSC and NYU in terms of overall quality and prestige?

Look at me; I am bambarding you guys with so many questions!

Edited March 18, 2011 by Yeahcat

[newleaf]

You're making good moves, I think!

If you could describe your project or interests, it could help situate which programs are better for you. Also funding might impact your choice.

As for the "top choice" deal and the advice of your law school professors, I think its a bit different in phd land, or at least is in my experience. You can tell both NYU and UCSC that they are "ideal" departments for your project. You dont have to tell one school "This department is the one that I am most interested in out of alllll the departments in the world please love me." People apply to a few schools and tailor their applications accordingly...a good application will demonstrate that you're serious about that department specifically, rather than in law school applications where its more about omg look at me, not omg look at me in relation to your faculty's work.

Thanks guys.

Could not sleep, had midnight gloom, but now your kind advices have totally cheered me up. Yay SOLIDARITY!

Yes, I am gonna apply for both schools, among others (probably Temple and CUNY). The reason I wanna figure out which one is a first choice is because I considered applying for law school during college, and the law professors I talked to told me "Never lie to schools about which one is your first choice". As I will start contacting professors this summer, I guess I should figure out which school is my top choice (at least to myself) before writing POI and describing both NYU and UCSC as my dream program. This might sound a little old-fashioned, though.

It's so true that NYU is unimaginably competitive! I have heard people say that it's even more competitive than Columbia anthropology. I wonder why...

I've never really paid enough attention on program rankings. Shame on me; I thought I had a good reason: previously I thought that unlike college, a perfect fit counts most when it comes to PhD programs. Well, it is now when I am seriously starting to prepare for application that I realize how much prestige/ranking matters. Because there is the final destination: job placements! And that is where prestige/ranking/quality of the program really matters, matters a lot. Anyone knows about Cornell? A POI of mine might be hired in Cornell very soon. How would you compare Cornell to UCSC and NYU in terms of overall quality and prestige?

Look at me; I am bambarding you guys with so many questions!

[samjones]

Thanks guys.

Could not sleep, had midnight gloom, but now your kind advices have totally cheered me up. Yay SOLIDARITY!

Yes, I am gonna apply for both schools, among others (probably Temple and CUNY). The reason I wanna figure out which one is a first choice is because I considered applying for law school during college, and the law professors I talked to told me "Never lie to schools about which one is your first choice". As I will start contacting professors this summer, I guess I should figure out which school is my top choice (at least to myself) before writing POI and describing both NYU and UCSC as my dream program. This might sound a little old-fashioned, though.

It's so true that NYU is unimaginably competitive! I have heard people say that it's even more competitive than Columbia anthropology. I wonder why...

I've never really paid enough attention on program rankings. Shame on me; I thought I had a good reason: previously I thought that unlike college, a perfect fit counts most when it comes to PhD programs. Well, it is now when I am seriously starting to prepare for application that I realize how much prestige/ranking matters. Because there is the final destination: job placements! And that is where prestige/ranking/quality of the program really matters, matters a lot. Anyone knows about Cornell? A POI of mine might be hired in Cornell very soon. How would you compare Cornell to UCSC and NYU in terms of overall quality and prestige?

Look at me; I am bambarding you guys with so many questions!

fit is more important than ranking but i wouldn't be able to tell you how competitive your fit is because i don't know your research interests and how they match up to NYU's program. it is really important to gauge your fit with a program because that will heighten the likelihood that you'll be admitted AND that, if you choose to matriculate, you will be happy with the program you're entering (because the profs will be offering courses that you feel are relevant to your interests).