University of Virginia (UVa) Reputation?

[wishuponastar]

Hello! I hope that everyone's application season is going well!

 

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the reputation of the anthro department at UVa, relative to other programs? The advice I've gotten from a couple of people is "it's frustrating, but in this job climate attend the most highly regarded/prestigious program that will take you", so I was wondering where UVa stood?

 

Thanks for your help!

[anthropologygeek]

Wish- I feel it's all about your adviser. Go wherever you adviser would be best. They can open many doors for you.

[JHC90]

I can't speak for UVa, but that quote is pure trash. Like I tell all students agonizing for the "top schools", going for higher education is like driving a car. Even if you have a REALLY EXPENSIVE, if you're a sh!tty driver, it doesn't matter what kind of car you drive, you'll still be a sh!tty driver.

 

Don't think about reputations, it's a waste of time. You can make any program, with any adviser prestigious it's all up to how much effort you put in.

 

sorry for the rant, I grew up on Southern California riding the "reputation" theme to death

 

Good luck

[anthropologygeek]

NBC- I disagree. Advisers mean everything. I know this from experience. And yes for my specialty my adviser literally wrote the book on it so I'm learning from the best in my field with many connections. And those connections are already paying off for me.

[wishuponastar]

Thank you for all the feedback guys, this was quite helpful! I'll definitely focus more on my potential advisor than the overall reputation of the program when making my decisions.

[shockwave]

NBC- I disagree. Advisers mean everything. I know this from experience. And yes for my specialty my adviser literally wrote the book on it so I'm learning from the best in my field with many connections. And those connections are already paying off for me.

Do you think an adviser with more connections in your area of specialization is essentially better than a prestigious ranked degree with an adviser that isn't as familiar with such an area?

[argotiquely]

I am by no means particularly knowledgable about the relative reputations of specific programs. (Minus the obvious. Chicago and Harvard? I think they might be alright. ) However, when I was accepted into UVa, I spoke to one of my undergrad advisors about it and she seemed to think pretty highly of many of the people there and the department in general. I'm trying to make my decision about which offer to accept right now and it is definitely high up on my list.

[anthropologygeek]

Shockwave- yes, program rank means nothing. The last ranking was 93 and only including the schools that asked to be included so that ranking is worthless. As for program, a program may be ranked high because of culture and if your physical it means nothing. From experience adviser means everything. However, if you don't plan on working hard it means nothing. Most grad students are lazy and just happy to be there. They go through the motions and then graduate and say now where's my job. It's hard work but adviser with connections is also a must.

[interestedwilling]

uva isn't bad. they usually offer multi-year funding packages. but most of their grad students are too comfortable.

Edited March 26, 2013 by interestedwilling

[wishuponastar]

uva isn't bad. they usually offer multi-year funding packages. but most of their grad students are too comfortable.

Thanks for the response What do you mean by too comfortable though? would you mind elaborating?