Strength of Undergraduate program vs. Overall rank of school

<p>Im an anthropology major at a lower level university and have an opportunity to transfer to a higher one. Im on the fence only because I think the anthro program at my current university is better than the one I would transfer to. So, my question is: Do grad schools take the strength of the major into consideration? or does the overall rank of the school matter more?</p>

<p>The rank and strength of your program is going to be a lot more important than your overall school rank. If you are planning to go to an anthro PhD program, the anthro program cares about how strong your anthro classes/background is, not about how great your general ed math or gym class is.</p>

<p>However, generally speaking if both of these are decent and well-reputed universities a few places’ difference in the rankings is not going to get you in - or keep you out - of grad school. With that said, if the school to which you are considering transferring is a better fit for you and you can afford it, go ahead and transfer.</p>

<p>Department over school.</p>

<p>thanks this is good info. would any happen to know where I could find a ranking of anthro programs, so that I know for sure which of the 2 programs is better?</p>

<p>You might try the Graduate Admissions forum at [Urch</a> Forums](<a href=“http://www.urch.com/forums/]Urch”>http://www.urch.com/forums/) but I don’t know. They’ve got a separate Political Science and a separate Econ forum but Anthropology is probably in the vast Sea of Other. Good luck.</p>

<p>Or just Google “Anthropology departments rankings.”</p>