soulpower

I'm a junior in Iowa and I'm pretty interested in Grinnell, I haven't visited but from what I've heard it sounds like where I'd like to be.
I want to be an Archaeologist and I heard that Grinnell has an excellent program (anybody been in it or know someone who has?)
I have ~3.8 GPA and expect it to stay around there.
I haven't taken the act's yet but could get anywhere from a 27-30
I volunteer at the university of Iowa Natural History Musem, am looking into an internship with the state archaeological society, actively involved in band(showchoir band, top concert/jazz, pit orchestra, marching band), involved with our gay-straight alliance club, traveling to France in March, and most likely volunteering at the US geolical Survey in Colorado for the marjority of the summer.
For my senior year I intend to take a few AP courses (science and french), and take a post secondary course from the university (prehistory or something?)
If I have left anything please ask.
Thank you!

soulpower

geological*

bethievt

Grinnell is a great school, but I'd say Beloit in WI is better known for archeology/anthropology. Last I checked, they were #1 in producing Phds in that field. They have their own anthropology museum and an Indian mound on campus. I'd encourage you to apply to both schools.

Check out On the Trail of Roy Chapman Andrews - Roy Chapman Andrews Society about Beloit''s Indiana Jones and Anthropology about Beloit's program. I imagine Grinnell's program is good too, but you should definitely look at Beloit as well.

soulpower

Thanks! I will definately look into it!

soulpower

ps, any other knowledge of school with good anthropology/archaeology programs??

ana92ksa

Question
Dear Mr. Salier

I plan on majoring in archaeology in college. I was wondering what the top undergraduate archaeology programs are for a general springboard; i plan to specify later in graduate school. I am looking at Cornell at the moment as my top choice.

Answer
Hi Adam,

Well it depends on the type of archaeology you want to study. Are you interested in pre-historic, historic, "modern", North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia/Polynesia? Do you want to go for your PhD and teach? Do you want to be a shovel bum?

Personally, I prefer U. Arizona or Arizona State. Seaton Hall, U of Penn, U of Chicago all have very good programs but it depends on what you want to do.

I suggest that you also join www.shovelbums.com(org?). It is cheap but loaded with good stuff.

If you can answer some of my questions, I can be much more specific

check this site http://en.allexperts.com/q/Archaeolo...logy-major.htm

ana92ksa

Expert: John J. Shea - 9/28/2006

Question
What are the best schools for archaeology? I want to concentrate on Europe, Near East, and Asia but I don't have any particular time period in mind yet. I want to go to a school with a lot of research options and field work as well. Any suggestions?

Answer
Kayla
I have received several questions lately that are essentially the same as your. Have a look at the anwers I gave to those questions. If you don't find what you are looking for, send a follow-up question. Briefly, though, don't go to a particular school, just to study archaeology. Your interests may change during the course of your college education. Get a good range of courses in sciences and humanities and study hard. The time to specialize is in Grad School. If you get good grades in tough classes as an undergrad, the odds on your getting financial aid for grad school are much better.
For archaeology, any of the Ivy League schools are pretty good, as are most of the larger state universities, particularly those in the Southwest (UNM, U of AZ, AZ State U). Boston Univ. and UCLA have specific BA programs in archaeology.
Cheers,
John Shea

Archaeology: archaeology undergraduate programs, ivy league schools, john shea

Hope this will help!

WanderingTree

Soulpower,

I graduated from Grinnell a few years ago and majored in anthropology. Although there are a few students that go on to pursue archaeology, the department at Grinnell is much stronger in cultural and biological anthropology (esp. primatology). But the strength of archaeology in the department really depends on visiting/ non-tenured faculty. As far as archaeology courses goes, there are field methods classes, GIS/ intensive research courses (thematic mapping/cartography), summer research/excavation opportunities of Pueblo settlements in Arizona as well as classes focusing on specific eras/regions such as Aztec/Incas/Mayans and Classical Architecture. I started Grinnell thinking I wanted to be an archaeologist but changed my mind when I discovered how much math was involved - yikes. Plus, my Latin and Greek professors scared the hell out of me : - )

Other pts to consider: Grinnell has an atlatl (essentially ancient spear throwing) team that competes with other schools at the Cahokia Native American mounds in Southern Illinois. If you're interested at all in medical anthropology/folk medicine, the Amish, primates, global development and agriculture, you'll find kindred spirits very easily. Also, the department is pretty tight-knit and is housed in the oldest building on campus.

Youdon'tsay

Club atlatl???? That cracks me up. In a good way.