UC Riverside

[strudelle]

Hey guys, just out of curiosity, does anyone know anything about UCR's anthropology program?  For reference, I'm a biological anthropologist interested in all things paleo, osteo, evolutionary, and genetic. 

 

I met with a potential advisor from UCR and the meeting went incredibly well.  She says she does a lot of interdisciplinary work with the biology department, which I love as I'm very bio focused and I was concerned that the department wasn't very biological.  She is the only person in the department who does what I'm interested in and the only one I would want to work with - should this be a deterrent for me? 

 

Her current graduate students seem to be doing some things I'm interested in, and there is a visiting professor there who is studying literally exactly what I'm interested in - at the same time I don't know the graduate students at all and the visiting professor will probably be gone by the time I attend.

 

This school is currently my top choice simply due to my perceived fit with the potential advisor, affordability, location (not my ideal location - but close), the diversity of the campus, and the potential to get funding and a TA position.  But I would really like some more input about this school if anyone has any!

 

Thanks!   

[strudelle]

Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, all of the schools I'm applying to only have one person who really does bio anthropology and is supported by the biology department.  Maybe this is more typical in anthropology than I thought...

[imwalkingwest]

i don't have much to add to help you here, but 1 professor doing what you do isn't bad. Having a diverse group of professors will give you a better education in the long run, you don't want just one person in the whole anthro department. UCR is also my top choice. my former advisor got his PhD there, and loved it. they do support all students in some form or another, and have good opportunities for research. my POI there is just starting to take on students, so that's good. I don't know what type of work you do, but they are having retirements kind of shake up the department, at least in the meso side of it. 

 

otherwise, hope we both get in (fully funded, of course)!

[strudelle]

Thanks for your input!  I applied to UCR and UCSD too so maybe we could end up going to school together

 

I have heard about some changes in the department, but I also heard they're adding someone in meso.  It's really nice to know that someone else has heard they have good research opportunities and student support.  I also feel like a well-rounded approach is best in anthropology, so I think the department will be good. 

 

Do you already have a master's degree?  I got the impression that they only accepted PhD applications, so I only applied for the PhD, but now I'm wondering if they're going to think I'm unqualified because I only have a bachelor's degree :/

[imwalkingwest]

I only have a BA (and some graduate school in anth, but no degree). I spoke to the professor that retired and he told me that they have no problem accepting students with just a bachelors, because you'd have to repeat credits anyway, so it's really best to just go straight to PhD if that's you're end goal. People seem to be quite split on that advice.

The new Meso hire is my POI. He as a good relationship with my former advisor (undergrad honors thesis) so I'm hoping that helps my chances. He also is transferring from a university in Mexico and is currently has no students yet, so I'm hoping that helps as well. We had a skype meeting a couple months ago and that's what he told me. I'll cross out fingers for both of us! I also applied to UCSD but my GRE isn't high enough for funding from there. Braswell told me in an email that they like something in the range of 165+ on both qual and quant and 6.0 for writing to even be considered for funding. So I'm out in that regard ha. Putting most of my eggs in the Riverside basket at this point!

[strudelle]

Whoa those are some pretty crazy requirements for funding.  Thanks for letting me know that!  I definitely didn't do well enough on the GRE for funding at UCSD.  But my POI at UCR said I would qualify there.