LAUREN BELL |
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Lauren BellGraduate School – Application ProcessHow did you select your graduate school and program?I chose to enroll at Northern Illinois University for my masters degree in anthropology because I attended as an undergraduate and had a positive experience. I knew that the faculty in the anthropology department were very knowledgeable. In addition, Northern Illinois University offered a program with a strong southeast Asian concentration, including several professors whose research is primarily dedicated to Cambodia. What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?I prepared myself for graduate school by engaging in numerous extracurricular activities to gain hands-on experience in anthropology. During my undergrad, I studied and conducted fieldwork at a lemur reserve in Florida. Through this experience, I enhanced my physical anthropology knowledge and narrowed my research interests. Also, I studied abroad in Cambodia to learn the Khmer language and experience the culture. It was an eye-opening experience to learn cultural norms and work with survivors of the Cambodian genocide in the 1970s. Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?Yes, my application requirements included GRE tests scores. To help prepare for the exam, I purchased workbooks to familiarize myself with the material. What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?In my personal statement, I discussed what I studied as an undergrad and why I wanted to study cultural anthropology at the graduate level. I specifically touched on my research interests, my goals for the masters program and my future career aspirations. How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?For my letters of recommendation, I chose faculty who knew me well and could speak to my academic achievements during my undergraduate studies. It is critical to establish close relationships with professors because letters of recommendation play a huge part in the admissions decision. Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in anthropology?I would tell students who are thinking about applying to graduate school in anthropology to explore different internship and volunteer opportunities to gain experience working in the field. Once students are enrolled in the program, they should know exactly what they want to study and research. I would also recommend that students get an early start on the application process to avoid feeling rushed. Students should leave an adequate amount of time to pick a school and thoroughly complete application materials. Graduate School – The ProgramHow long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?Although a masters program in anthropology is typically 2 years long, my program will take 3 years to complete because I am learning the foreign language of Khmer. My program is a combination of classwork and research and thesis work. For most classes, I read and discuss articles with classmates and write 15-20 page papers. Most of the material is presented in lecture and discussion format with an occasional movie or PowerPoint presentation. My classwork culminates in a seminar course during my final year. Although I haven’t reached this stage yet, I believe my seminar will involve meeting with my advisor and a few other students who are working in my discipline. I anticipate discussing readings as a group and meeting one-on-one with my advisor. What is the focus of your masters research?The focus of my masters research is the period of the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975-1979 and the subsequent genocide. I chose my research topic after becoming interested in mass violence in southeast Asia and conducting interviews with survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime in the Chicago area. Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your thesis?The process of writing my thesis includes writing a proposal and getting it approved by the IRB board. In order to conduct interviews, I must gain IRB approval to ensure questions and procedures will not harm the people involved. After I finish writing my thesis, I must defend it to a committee of 3 or 4 professors of my choice. Does your program have an internship component?My program does not require an internship component, although students could certainly seek out internships on their own. Students may secure an internship at a state department or NGO, or look on the American Anthropological Association website for a list of available internships. What role does your advisor play in your education?My advisor, who I picked based on our similar research interests, helps me navigate the program, find articles and books, and answer any questions I may have. I anticipate her helping me network and secure a position after graduation because she knows a lot of people and organizations in the field. Does your masters program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?Yes, my masters program requires a qualifying exam which asks me 3 questions regarding the area I study, the theory I will be using to write my thesis, and a question specifically related to the population I will be researching. How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?My masters program differs from my undergraduate study mainly in the amount of research students complete. While a masters program focuses heavily on writing and researching a thesis, a bachelors program mainly entails reading and discussing assigned articles and writing smaller papers. Graduate School – Paying for ItHow much does your masters program cost?My masters program costs $15,000 per year, which includes tuition and fees, books and other school-related expenses. How are you funding your education?I am funding my education through student loans and a FLAS fellowship which covered all tuition and fees, student health insurance and a monthly living stipend during my second year of the program. In order to qualify for a FLAS fellowship funded through the U.S. Department of State, I had to complete 1 year of training in a southeast Asian language and agree to continue studying it throughout the year. Graduate School – Living LifeWhat are the time commitments for a masters degree in anthropology?The time commitments for a masters degree in anthropology entails about 5 hours of class time per day as well as 2 hours of homework, reading and studying. On the days when I am not in class, I work on writing my papers. How has graduate school affected your personal life?Graduate school hasn’t affected my personal life too much. The only time I felt overwhelmed was when I was conducting interviews with survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects, I tried to remain positive by reminding myself that I was doing this for a good cause. The information I collected will help educate others on mass violence in the hopes of preventing it from happening again. Graduate School – After GraduationWhere do you see yourself in 5 years?In the next 5 years, I hope to be working for a NGO or nonprofit. Ideally, I would like to be working with survivors of mass violence and trauma, or refugees in camps. Also, I would like to teach cultural anthropology courses in trauma and violence so I can educate students about the importance of intervening during genocide. I believe education is 1 of the most powerful tools in preventing future acts of atrocity. Graduate School - AdviceWhat insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters degree in anthropology?I would advise prospective anthropology students to sharpen their writing skills. Anthropology students should expect to do some form of grant writing, so they must be strong writers. Also, I would encourage students to keep an open mind. They should be prepared to explore different cultures and modes of thinking. Students need to let go of their own biases and try to understand different perspectives. |
