<p>It seems to me almost everyone in this board is obsess with GRE scores and Ivy League schools that IMO are more about the brand name rather than the education. </p>
<p>My top choices for graduate school now are Penn State, University of Wisconsin/madison and University of Vermont. These are my top choices I guess to some here these schools aren't even worth considering, but to me they are just as good as the Ivy leagues or top tier schools.</p>
<p>Nope, its not just you.</p>
<p>I think folks obsess about GRE scores because
1) its one of the few factors you can still control (a little)
2) most folks just plain don't like standardised tests.
3) realistically, the GRE does tend to be the gating factor for university wide fellowships. </p>
<p>As for the Ivies - you really only see that from the newbies - as soon as they do some serious research on their programs they find out what the real deal is. (Which may well be an Ivy, but maybe not).</p>
<p>My top picks for Classical Archaeology are:</p>
<p>Virginia
Cincinnati
Texas
Minnesota</p>
<p>Each of those schools has one or two specific professors whose research interests match mine and all have the ability to graduate new PhDs in reasonable timeframes. There are Ivies with GREAT programs but I know exactly what I want out of grad school, and those 4 schools will provide it, along with a reasonable cost of living and job opportunities for my spouse. (And, it is true, less competition for admission.)</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>
[quote]
My top choices for graduate school now are Penn State, University of Wisconsin/madison and University of Vermont. These are my top choices I guess to some here these schools aren't even worth considering, but to me they are just as good as the Ivy leagues or top tier schools.
[/quote]
It really doesn't make sense to talk about whole universities in terms of graduate education, since standing within your specific subfield is what's important. I'm at an Ivy League school for my PhD, but I absolutely didn't choose it because of the Ivy label -- I chose it because it has some of the best professors in my field.</p>