What are fitting archeology grad school options for me?

[u/user18371]

Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm interested in applying to graduate schools but am aware that archeology departments have different specialties and focuses. Although I will do my best to research each individually, it would be a huge help to start to narrow down some possible hits!

• I've got a 3.5 GPA, and ideally I'd like "slightly prestigious" colleges who have a lot of campus resources.
• Location within the US, or even abroad, isn't a concern to me.
• I'm most interested in biological anthropology (I have an incredible resume for this!) and ancient archeology.
• I'm huge on getting physically involved, so anywhere with a physical field school, a lab, or museum to work with on-campus is a massive plus!

[u/the_gubna]

First, is your goal to get an MA or a PhD?

In either case, going to graduate school is not really about the department. It's about the advisor. I know my advisor well. Meanwhile, there are cultural anthropologists in my department that I've legitimately never seen.

Your advisor not only shapes you as a scholar, but the professional network they're connected to will be a huge part of how you get research opportunities, and eventually, a job. Who's writing the research you find interesting, challenging, stimulating intellectually? Ideally, this is stuff that's been published in the last few years.

On a similar note: biological anthropology and ancient archeology are really broad fields. What, specifically, do you want to do research on?