Expert: Ralph Salier - 2/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: I want to know whats a good college for roman archeology and how much it will cost to get in their.

ANSWER: Hi Sterling,

Some questions first.  

Are you in college now and if so what are you studying?

If not, what year are you in high school?

Why Roman Archaeology?  The reason I ask is that this is a very narrow field of study.

Have you taken Latin and Italian as languages?

Do you want to study abroad or in the USA?  and the related question do you live in the US?

If you would answer these questions, I will be able to better direct you towards your desired goal.

Ralph

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QUESTION: No I'm not in College yet. I'm in ninth grade and i been always been interested in the roman and would also do some Archaeology in France and Greece in that general area. I wouldn't mine studying the Carthage or Mesopotamia area. I'm currently learning Italian i was hoping they would teach Latin in college. Don't they? I want to study abroad. I do live in the US but i like Europe allot so thats why i want to do Archaeology in Europe.

ANSWER: Hi Sterling,

A few more questions now that I know you a little better.  Does your school have the IB program (International Baccaloriate)?  And if not can you do AP (Advanced Placement)?

The Romans are cool people and they spread their technology through out their empire.  However, it is important to know that they did not live in a bubble.  They had to deal with many "barbarian" societies and that they learned a lot from them as well.  Thus study in this time period should include all of these lesser known tribes and peoples.  

To do archaeology I would recommend that you study Chemistry, Biochem, as much math as possible and of course history, history, history.  (all in high school).  

At the moment, the best colleges for this subject are Columbia, Cambridge and Oxford.

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QUESTION: yes i Do have AP

Answer
Take the hardest classes you can.  Do your homework and work hard including community service like working for the food bank, habitat for humanity, meals on wheels etc... Try your best to get the best grades you can so that you can get into one of these universities.  They are not easy to get into.  Especially the ones in the UK.  If you get the chance, volunteer on archaeological digs in your area. (this may count as volunteer or community service).  

The other thing I want to do is give you some very wise advice that I got from none other then Mary Leakey the famous paleontologist.  "Become an archaeologist BUT also study economics, get your teaching certification, plumbing something that would allow you to find work if you can't find work as an archaeologist".    I took her advice and I am very happy I did. It has come in value more then once when jobs were thin.

As you get closer (Junior year) come on back with more questions and ideas.