I want to study anthro, but I’m finding it hard to find schools that are actually well known for it or have especially good programs. I know all the ivies probably will have good programs, but anything in particular that stands out? I’m looking for schools that aren’t super tiny and rural.
Can you tell us your GPA, class rank or approximate percentile, test score, and whether you have a “hook” that would give you a better chance at admission, such as being an URM, first gen to college, legacy, wealthy donor child, recruited athlete? Many schools have anthropology departments, but knowing how competitive an applicant you are would help to direct recommendations.
1 Like
University of New Mexico is well known for anthropology and the price will be right.
4 Likes
The strongest anthropology programs tend to be the broadest, and will offer courses in several subfields within the general concentrations of cultural anthropology (including linguistics) and archaeology. These may be referred to as “four field” programs. The hybrid major of geoarchaeology also may be available. In general, colleges in which anthropology appears in a distinct department will be stronger for anthropology than colleges in which anthropology and sociology appear together.
1 Like
As @merc81 mentioned, anthropology is a rather broad discipline that includes not only cultural anthropology – by far the most commonly offered – but also biological/physical anthropology, archaeology, and linguistic anthropology. Additionally, medical anthropology is increasingly common as a fifth subfield.
No colleges are equally strong in all subfields, and many offer only one or two of them, so that’s something to keep in mind when selecting colleges.
Additionally, many departments specialize in particular regions. For example, Tulane has the best Mesoamerican offerings in the US and is one of the very few places you can study languages like Classic Maya and Nahuatl as an undergrad.
1 Like
UCLA
University of Michigan
University of Arizona
UC Berkeley
Biased toward archeology because I’m an archeologist.
University of Texas at Austin
Texas State is building a strong program
2 Likes
Oh interesting, I hadn’t looked at Tulane! Thanks.
1 Like
University of Wisconsin. Beloit College is great but you said you don’t want small but might be worth checking out
1 Like