<p>A.) does Yale offer this major, or would I have to "design" it.
B.) Is it an obscure enough major to improve my chances? For all who don't know, it is a subset of Bioanthropology. It is basically the study of biological anthropology in an archaeological context. It's a relatively new field of study, and not many know of it, so can anyone provide me with any incite? I know that, for example, if you want to major in Latin, your chances at getting into HYP are exponentially higher. Is bioarchaeology too common of a major? </p>
<p>As for “bioarchaeology,” there’s no way you could let Yale know of this (except if you discussed your interests in an essay or in ‘additional information’) because the online version of the Common App only contains a drop-down menu for the question “What major are you most likely to choose at Yale?” As bioarchaeology isn’t a major at Yale, and likely at any other college in the US, you would not be able to select this. That said, you could major in archaeological studies ([Archaeological</a> Studies | Yale College Programs of Study](<a href=“Yale College”>Yale College)) with a concentration in bioarchaeology (i.e. you could write your senior thesis on something related to bioarchaeology, etc.). The complete list of majors at Yale can be found here: [Majors</a> in Yale College | Yale College Programs of Study](<a href=“Yale College”>Yale College)</p>
<p>Also, don’t quote me on this, but I don’t think Yale allows you to design your own major. The only thing you can create is your concentration within your choice of major.</p>
<p>Bioarchaeology is “relatively new” or “obscure” only if you happen to know nothing about archaeology. Contemporaries of mine – people in their 50s – have been doing it all of their professional lives, and they didn’t invent it, either.</p>
<p>I don’t know that any American university has a “bioarchaeology” major. Yale has an interdisciplinary Archaeological Studies major, and an Anthropology major with four major categories, one of which is biological anthropology, and another of which is archaeology. (The Archaeological Studies major looks like it could be less technical than an Anthro major, and include more things like ancient history and classics, art history.)</p>
<p>Anyway, no prospective choice of major is going to increase your chance of admission “exponentially”, or maybe even at all. I’m sure you would get points for being interested in something specific and sophisticated, and for having learned something about it on your own, but no one is saying “Oh, we need more bioanthropologists!” It’s the kind of thing most people learn about after they get to college, and the faculty is reasonably certain, I’m sure, that a few students every year will get interesting enough to pursue it more. Having learned a little about it in high school doesn’t put you meaningfully ahead of the pack.</p>
<p>To add to JHS’ post, colleges understand that undergrad students often change their majors, so an applicant’s projected major is generally insignificant from an admissions perspective. Citing interest in an under-enrolled major may help a bit, but only if the applicant’s stated interest is accompanied by tangible achievements in relevant academic areas. You can’t game the system by pulling a supposedly “obscure” major out of your hat.</p>
<p>Well I apologize for my lack of knowledge in this then. I just remember reading about an intended major in an obscure field helping an applicant. I’m fairly certain there is a section in “300 secrets high schools don’t tell you, and parents don’t want you to know” that says since so few students major in classics, that expressing it an your intended major greatly increases your chances. I will also contend, however, that that particular book is <em>extremely</em> hyperbolic, so I don’t know… </p>
<p>And for clarification, I didn’t exactly mean ppl haven’t practiced bioarchaeology for a long time, but simply that it has never really been considered a major field in anthropology until about 20 or so years ago. Then again, I could be wrong. </p>
<p>Also, I know a lot about bioanthropology and have fieldwork experience Not just a little something I’ve learned in high school. In addition, my cousin majored in anthropology with archaeological studies, and I have learned a great deal from him. Furthermore, extensive job shadows have taught me an enormous amount about the field. I hope to publish something within the next two years, but we’ll see. </p>
<p>ANYWAY, this clears up my question a little. Thanks for the responses.</p>
<p>Hm, others seem to agree to a certain extent as well. Take for example…</p>
<p>"What about passion for a study that a department desperately needs?</p>
<p>Like…you’re the ONLY kid the application pool who’s saying “I LOOOOVE ANCIENT GREEK, I LOVE LATIN, I LOVE SANSKRIT, I’D LOOOOVE TO STUDY HITTITE!”</p>
<p>And the Classics Department is like “YO! Grab that!”</p>
<p>And the admissions department is like “Step off!”
But the Classics/Linguistics department is like “Biotch, admit this kid!”</p>
<p>Could that happen? Even if that’s not what they would say verbatim?"</p>
<p>Any more opinions? And this applies mainly to really obscure fields. I realize an anthropology major is not an unheard of thing Just want to generate some ideas about classics majors.</p>
<p>As the mother of a Yale Classics major I can tell you that my D met with professors in her field at Harvard, Yale, and Columbia when she was applying. They were all very encouraging, and happy to talk to her…and all told her flat out that they had absolutely no pull at all with the admissions office.</p>
<p>A fair number of kids with a good background in Classics apply to the tippy-top schools every year. The admissions office is not amazed or impressed by this: while most colleges have some sort of Classics/Classical Civ. major, many don’t have the depth of courses to satisfy someone who’s already had multiple years of Latin and/or Ancient Greek in HS. Yale and most of its peer institutions do, and there are plenty of would-be Classicists who are rejected by them every year.</p>
<p>The bottom line is that if you think you want to major in a certain field, say so. If you have the background, it certainly can’t hurt your application. But there’s also no guarantee it will help.</p>
<p>Some universities like Berkeley release admissions data by major, and there is no indication whatsoever that choosing a less popular major (e.g. Assyriology) is a boost in admissions.</p>
<p>I second Booklady. While some schools do allow professors to have a say in admissions if they have students they want to recommend, Yale is not one of them. I met with faculty on my visit and they were wonderful, encouraging, they were thrilled in my interest in their department. But they did also mention that they have absolutely no power in admissions (not that I asked, of course).</p>
Not just a little something I’ve learned in high school. In addition, my cousin majored in anthropology with archaeological studies, and I have learned a great deal from him. Furthermore, extensive job shadows have taught me an enormous amount about the field. I hope to publish something within the next two years, but we’ll see. </p>
Just want to generate some ideas about classics majors.</p>