Expert: Ralph Salier - 10/3/2010

Question
QUESTION: I've been interested in archaeology for a few years now and I'm beginning to
look at colleges. Most of the schools I've seen that have archaeology
programs are top notch and very expensive. I'm an a very small budget and
without a full ride scholarship, which would be nice but the prospects are
very very small, I would be unable to attend. Do you know of any lesser
expensive schools that still have a decent program?

ANSWER: Hi Hannah,

Many state schools have fair to good programs.  For instance, Texas Northern has a good program, ASU (Arizona State) has a good program as does UFlorida.  Let me know what state you are in and what you have available in  terms of financing and I'll give you some additional direction.  When I was interested in schools, I had very little to work with also, so I do have some ways to recommend.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm in Indiana, but I'm looking in the southeast region. Financing wise, my
parents would pay not even half, the rest would have to be from scholarships
and student loans.

Answer
Hi Hannah,

Indiana University has a well respected program.http://www.indiana.edu/~anthro/archeo_anthro.html

Since it is a state school and you are a state resident, you should have a lot of opportunities there from good financing to potential scholarships for instate students.  

Joint www.fastweb.com and www.scholarships.com and start applying for them.  Since your folks can't afford a lot, then you may be elegible for Stafford loans etc...

Since my parents couldn't afford for me to go away to school at all, I went to a local community college for the first two years.  I contacted several universities I was interested in to find out if they would accept my AA degree and allow me to enter as a Junior.  And so that is what I did.  Community colleges are very inexpensive and it covers most of  what you would need to take in the first two years any way.  There is also abundant money available for two year programs.  Some community colleges even have archaeology programs or anthropology classes that would give you a head start.  Study computer science, geology, biology while in the community college and  this will set you up for greater success in university.  

During the summer, I went to field schools sponsored by universities and got credit from them and of course the credit transfered to my university when I entered as a junior.

I hope this helps.