<p>To answer some of your questions:</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>You should take the GREs soon – very soon. Grad school applications are generally due around December 1.</p>