Anthropology PhD advice?

Momwaitingfornew
Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:44:15 +0000

To answer some of your questions:



1. How important is it for Anthro admissions that I have a specific geo area?



They won’t care about a general anthropology background upon application, but you will be required to state your area(s) of interest. Graduate school is for specialization, and you will definitely have to chose one within the field after your first year (or so.) Even more important, you will be accepted/funded if your interests match those of the current professors. You don’t want to say that you’re interested in symbolic anthropology if none of the professors specialize in it. Likewise, if a few DO specialize in it, you want to highlight your interest in it.



3. Taking a year off: good idea? What should I do to make it seem worth while–no, I do not hold a Fulbright or anything fancy. I’m not going to work at Starbucks either, but any suggestions for a student with a tight budget at best? (I mention this b/c I am often suggested international travel) Research? Teaching? Learning language?



Well, since you’ve already graduated, did you line something up? You may want to see if you can do research for one of your past professors. I know you’ve said you need a paid job, and your professors may not have adequate funding, but even if you work part-time at NYU, that will help. You can also contact professors at other unis in NYC.



4. Any advice you can give on finding the right school, program, steps to take now, GRE, GPA “requirements”—any relevant experiences you guys have would be so helpful!"



You should take the GREs soon – very soon. Grad school applications are generally due around December 1.