What are my chances? (Anthropology)

[Lemur_catta9]

I am yet another undergrad brat asking about my chances of getting into grad school. Evaluate if convenient please? It would be great to hear from some anthropology grad students

Here it is:

 

Program of Interest: PhD in Biological Anthropology

Schools: NYU, City University of New York, Rutgers, Yale (I doubt I can get into this one but it's a dream. I must try.)

 

Major GPA: 3.57

Cumulative GPA: 3.49

(likely higher after fall grades come out, those will only be in time to make Rutgers and Yale deadlines)

 

GRE Scores (New Scale): Verbal- 160

                                          Quantitative- 151

 

-I have three letters of recommendation from reputable anthropologists, one the former president of the American Association of Physical Anthropology.

 

-I currently hold two research positions in two different biology labs and have another position in an anthropology lab set up for spring. No publications >.<

 

-This winter I am attending a Primate Behavior and Ecology field school.

 

-I work at a ropes course but I'm told work experience is pretty irrelevant...

 

-I have expressed in my statement of purpose an interest in studying nonhuman primate communication systems in the wild.

 

Thanks ^.^

Edited November 28, 2013 by Lemur_catta9

[sunpenguin]

I have an MA in biological anthropology,  and I think your chances of getting into at least one of those program are pretty good. On the other hand, there are no guarantees, and in your place I would consider adding one or two more universities of interest to increase the chances...but that's a personal preference, and opinions on here differ vastly as to whether it's a good idea to apply to more or fewer programs.

 

Even though work experience is a very minor consideration in the application, it can't hurt. You could turn your current job into a plus with a line or two in your SOP, because it sounds like a good position for developing leadership skills, thinking on your feet (important for fieldwork in primatology!), and teamwork.

[Lemur_catta9]

Thanks for the advice!