Expert: Ralph Salier - 8/10/2007

Question
I am planning to study MesoamErican archaeology on phd level in the United States. My further interests involve method and theory in archaeology.
Which universities or professors would you recommend?
Is this discipline too competitive in terms of accepting foreign students?
Do GRE scores and GPA have vital role in acceptance?

Answer
Hi Banu,

In order to help you, I have some questions for you:

1) What aspect of MesoAmerican Archaeology: Aztec, Maya, Olmec, Huchoyo, Carib,.....??
2) What nationality are you?
3) Finding jobs in the field are some what competitive but that also depends on what you want to do.  Do you want to teach? dig? supervise? work in the lab or field?
4) both GRE and your GPA could be critical to your accpetance into a program.  Also if you are a forigen student they may also require the TOFEL (English language proficentcy examination).  
5) There are some universities that specialize in MesoAmerica but you will need to focus as noted above.  

6) what is your current background and where do you have your BA and Masters from and in what fields?

Thank you,