Which grad schools should I be aiming for? (Any help Prof. X?)?

Question

I'm a soon-to-be graduate of a well respected public university with a top ten department in anthropology (my major and intended field in grad school). I have decent GRE scores (around 80th percentile and I intend to take them again), a 3.7 GPA, and over a year of research experience in biological anthropology. With that said, I only intend to get a Master's degree and was wondering whether it would be more beneficial for me to apply to elite universities with lower ranking anthro departments (such as Columbia) or schools with poorer overall academic reputations that have top notch anthro. departments (like U of Arizona). I know Prof. X always says to apply to the best departments and then follow the money, but the reason I asked this question is because I likely won't be working in the field of anthropology.

Answer 1

Well hello there!

You sound like a very strong candidate, but still, I can only go so far with your question since I don't know exactly what you intend to do after grad school. If you intend to stick with biological anthropology (in a museum? in health and nutrition? in government, or NGOs? in the private sector?), my regular advice stands. Choose the programs with the best faculty in your subfield (ethnobiology, paleoanthropology, whatever), and follow the money. :)

Anyone (private sector, government, etc.) hiring folks with expertise in your specific area will know which programs are top-notch in the field and which are not. Therefore, the ranking still outweighs the "name."

Having said that, don't automatically overlook the "terminal Masters" programs in your field, since you're not Ph.D.-bound. But only apply to the ones with outstanding faculty in your specific area of focus.

Bottom line: in your case, the big factor is "fit." Choose wisely, and then follow.... well, you know.

Best wishes to you!

Answer 2

this occurs more suitable in a lot of cases than one thinks. i'd propose adversarial to it. straight forward reason: If it doesn't workout recurring, the fallout on your occupation will be devastating. when you're nonetheless planning to artwork interior of a similar field. yet i have seen it workout recurring. key isn't to end on a bitter note. otherwise, a powerful prof on your field can (and typically will) damage you professionally, even after commencement.

Answer 3

Go U of A!