Best UC for undergrad Anthropology?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
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<p>I plan on majoring in Anthropology with a concentration in archaeology and so far, I've been accepted into UCSD and UCR. I'm waiting on UCLA and UCB. If I do get accepted into UCLA and Cal, what school should I attend out of my admission selection? I know that names hold prestige, but it's more important that I make a decision based on what program and courses appeal to me. However, I am having trouble deciding because I am most certain that I will pursue graduate school focusing on archaeology. I don't know what I plan to do for a career, but I'm considering becoming a professor or anything involving archaeology.
It is also worth noting that my interest in archaeology mostly lies in ancient near east.
I've done a little research on each of their undergraduate anthropology programs and this is what I got from them:</p>

<p>UC Berkeley:
The courses they offer for undergraduates, especially in archaeology (labs and such), are very interesting and appealing. Supposedly it offers undergraduate research opportunities during summer focusing in archaeology and volunteer service at the Hearst Museum of Anthropology. However, I don't know if this is the best decision for undergraduate study because it is a more research oriented university geared toward graduate students. (could be wrong, let me know!)</p>

<p>UCSD:
It seems like there is a lack of diversity of the courses in anthropology/archaeology each quarter with not many to choose from. Although they are appealing, I'm not sure if I will be satisfied. On the plus side, they offer archaeology fieldwork courses in the near east and an internship for archaeology and ethnography at a museum. There are possible opportunities to be involved in research at this school as well.</p>

<p>UCLA:
To be honest, I did research a long time ago and I remember only being interested in their graduate school for archaeology. The only thing I remember was being interested in their extension program for archaeology, but found out it was not for me. However, I know it's possible to help in archaeology research as an undergrad (even if it's cleaning out test tubes haha). If you're a student currently attending UCLA as an Anthropology major please enlighten me.</p>

<p>UCR:
I don't know much about UCR's undergraduate program for anthropology, but if you're a student please let me know.</p>

<p>It would be much appreciated if anyone, especially students attending these schools for anthropology, can give me advice and the pros and cons of the school's program. Thanks</p>

2

<p>I’m also an undergrad majoring in Anthropology with a concentration in Evolutionary Anthropology.</p>

<p>UCSD seems to offer a lot of courses in Archaeology that might interest you:

[ul]
[<em>]ANAR 125 Weapons and Warfare in the Ancient Near East
[</em>]ANAR 140 The Foundations for Social Complexity in the Near East
[<em>]ANAR 141 Prehistory of the Holy Lands
[</em>]ANAR 103 Archaeology of the Holy Lands
[<em>]ANAR 185 Middle East Culture Ecology
[</em>]ANAR 190 Middle East Archaeology Field School - this is a 12 unit course
[/ul]</p>

<p>After doing some research, it seems like UCSD has way more to offer if you want to emphasize in the ancient east</p>

<p>These are the course catalog for anthropology for a few UC’s:</p>

<p>[UCR</a> Anthropology courses](<a href=“http://www.anthropology.ucr.edu/courses/undergrad.pdf]UCR”>http://www.anthropology.ucr.edu/courses/undergrad.pdf)</p>

<p>[UCSD</a> Anthropology courses](<a href=“http://www.anthro.ucsd.edu/courses/master.shtml]UCSD”>http://www.anthro.ucsd.edu/courses/master.shtml)</p>

<p>[UCSB</a> Anthropology courses](<a href=“UC Santa Barbara General Catalog - Anthropology”>UC Santa Barbara General Catalog - Anthropology)</p>

<p>[UCLA</a> Anthropology courses by quarter](<a href=“Social Sciences Classes Archive”>Social Sciences Classes Archive)</p>

<p>[UCB</a> Anthrology course by quarter](<a href=“http://anthropology.berkeley.edu/courses?field_division_value=All&field_semester_value=All&field_year_value=All]UCB”>http://anthropology.berkeley.edu/courses?field_division_value=All&field_semester_value=All&field_year_value=All)</p>

<p>For UCLA and Berkeley, you can check out the courses for every quarter for the last few years, it should give you a general idea of the type of courses they offer. </p>

<p>UCSD also has a [Major</a> in Anthropology with Concentration in Archaeology](<a href=“http://anthropology.ucsd.edu/undergraduates/majors-minors.shtml]Major”>http://anthropology.ucsd.edu/undergraduates/majors-minors.shtml) . None of the UC’s even offer something this close to Archaeology. I wouldn’t worry too much on your undergrad since you want to go to grad school. You can emphasize complete in the Ancient East once you’re at grad school. You’ll just have to find a program.</p>