Not sure where to start?

[gcyram]

I just graduated from Virginia Tech with two bachelors - one in French and the other in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in religion and culture. I'm staying here for a two year masters program in French and francophone studies but I want to go into. Phd program elsewhere afterwards In anthropology or cultural studies. right now I have a list of about 17 schools with related programs that I could potentially apply to. I have a lot more searching to do and it will be a while before I actually apply but what is the first step? My application process for my masters was super low key since I already knew all the faculty etc. how soon should I contact professors to talk about their research and the programs?

Also, I know this is arbitrary but I'm not sure what kinds of schools I should be applying to in regards to what I will be accepted to realistically. I know this is more dependent on what will be a good fit for both me and the professor etc but I really just don't know where to start with trying to figure out what range of schools to apply to (to ensure that I'll get at least one offer). I had a 3.83 GPA, two years of research and two publications in press. I haven't yet taken the GRE (wasn't required for my masters application) so I know that's even less info but hopefully someone can help.

Thanks!

[random_grad]

- Write your SoP. This will inform your choice of schools and vice versa

- Narrow down your school selection. Have a range of levels but focus on fit. Find out about personalities as much as you can.

- ask you LoR writers to write LoRs and for advice on school list

- (optional) apply for grants

- Take GRE

- complete dossier

- (Optional) Go to confs where profs of interest are presenting and ask smart questions, meet them

- (Optional) email profs in fall of app season

- submit!

All these steps are discussed on corresponding sub forums.

Imo the most important is to determine what you wanna work on. From there you will choose your writing sample and change its angle to correspond to your SoP; the choice of schhols will change and you ll also want to cite profs of interest if possible.

[random_grad]

PS: "write you SoP" being first on the list does not mean it must be done first. It s the most tricky piece of writing and needs to be perfect. I was modifying mine until the last minute. But you need to have the topic clear before doing the rest, and that s half the SoP

[rising_star]

Try to take some anthropology courses during your master's. That will help you narrow down the list of programs you want to apply to and give you the vocabulary needed to articulate your anthro/cultural studies interests in your SOP. If possible, do your MA thesis on a topic that shows off those same interests. That will give you a strong writing sample for your applications.