Expert: Ralph Salier - 1/23/2011

Question
QUESTION: I am considering Mercyhurst College in Erie Pennsylvania to study archaeology.  When I visited, it seems like a nice collge, with a good archaeology department.  However, I am concerned that it is a small college, without a big repuation....at least not a college I have heard of.

I am looking for an opnion from people in the field as to the ranking of Mercyhurst for studying archeaology.

Michelle
Somerville High School Senior

ANSWER: Hi Michelle,

It is a nice small private school with a reasonable program.  However, it is limited in scope and is fairly narrowly focused.  Do you know what cultural area you are interested in studying?  This is the primary parameter you should be using when selecting a program.  U. North Texas, Arizona, U of Florida, U. Chicago, Columbia, U of Penn, Seaton Hall all have good programs but tend to specialize in specific cultural areas.  U wash, and U of the Pacific concentrate on Asian and pacific cultures........

So, let me know what you are interested in and why and I will try  to point you to the programs that would suite you the best.

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

QUESTION: I am considering African culture, human ancestry or forensic archaeology. I have applied to Mercyhurst College, Boston University, Brown University, William and Mary, Washington College, George Mason University, and University of Delaware.
Can you tell me which of these colleges have the better programs for what I am looking for?
thanks again,
Michelle

Answer
Boston U, GMU are both good schools with good programs.  University of Tennessee and U of Penn are also  good  for these subject areas.  Also U wash of St. Louis and U Ill Chicago both have excellent programs.   William and Mary have a good archaeology program but it is focused on American History and specifically the Mid Atlantic.  They have done some work in Africa as it relates to the slave trade.

W and M is also a beautiful campus and steeped in history itself.  

Why archaeology? And do you have a back up plan like forensics in general?  If so then U of Tenn and their body farm would be an excellent choice since you would get both areas covered well.