How to boost application for Archaeology BA?

7

I am looking to apply for 2017 entry as a mature student, and as such guess I need to justify myself in terms of experience and/or interest.

I suppose "I have watched every episode of Time Team at least 3 times" doesn't do much on one's personal statement? I mean, it is probably one of the reasons I first got interested in learning about times gone by, but I don't want admissions tutors thinking I expect to be jumping up and down on top of cleaned sections waving my arms about enthusiastically!

I am going to (hopefully) get involved with my local uni's summer dig this year (and next year too perhaps) and also thinking about volunteering at the County Museum.

Anything else I can do, besides read any "classic" textbooks (suggestions welcome)?

Thank you muchly

Reply 1

hagbardceline

5

Original post

by tiffin_bits

I am looking to apply for 2017 entry as a mature student, and as such guess I need to justify myself in terms of experience and/or interest.

I suppose "I have watched every episode of Time Team at least 3 times" doesn't do much on one's personal statement? I mean, it is probably one of the reasons I first got interested in learning about times gone by, but I don't want admissions tutors thinking I expect to be jumping up and down on top of cleaned sections waving my arms about enthusiastically!

I am going to (hopefully) get involved with my local uni's summer dig this year (and next year too perhaps) and also thinking about volunteering at the County Museum.

Anything else I can do, besides read any "classic" textbooks (suggestions welcome)?

Thank you muchly

Hi, I am in a similar position as you other than I have applied for 2016 entry. I submitted my application in the first week of January and have received one offer so far.

By all means mention Time Team in your personal statement. I did, as it was responsible for my initial interest in archaeology but as you rightly point out, you will need more to support your application.

Joining the uni dig will certainly help, as will mentioning any relevant reading. Perhaps subscribe to Current Archaeology and/or British Archaeology if you don't already. Do you have any community archaeology groups local to you? If so, get involved as it is relevant experience. I have been on training excavations to gain further practical skills - you can find details on the Current Archaeology website, amongst other places.

I also contacted admissions tutors to enquire about entry requirements for mature students. They were positive and helpful - I spoke to one tutor on the phone which was really useful. My offer has come from that university. I don't know whether the phone call had any bearing on receiving the offer so quickly but it obviously did no harm!

So in summary, show that you have interest, motivation, some relevant experience and be proactive in approaching universities. I hope this is of some use and I'm not just teaching grandma to suck eggs.

Reply 2

PAStudent1996

11

Original post

by tiffin_bits

I am looking to apply for 2017 entry as a mature student, and as such guess I need to justify myself in terms of experience and/or interest.

I suppose "I have watched every episode of Time Team at least 3 times" doesn't do much on one's personal statement? I mean, it is probably one of the reasons I first got interested in learning about times gone by, but I don't want admissions tutors thinking I expect to be jumping up and down on top of cleaned sections waving my arms about enthusiastically!

I am going to (hopefully) get involved with my local uni's summer dig this year (and next year too perhaps) and also thinking about volunteering at the County Museum.

Anything else I can do, besides read any "classic" textbooks (suggestions welcome)?

Thank you muchly

Work Experience. I did two days as a Finds Processor at an Archaeological company.

Just get in contact with anything local and ask!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 3

Lucilou101

18

I would just point out that you don't need to have a vast amount of experience on dig-sites, as most people won't have access to this kind of thing.

You can definitely show your interest through wider reading, or any personal research into particular areas of archaeology or famous sites that you've looked into a lot.

As long as you actually do enjoy the subject, you can read about as many areas as you like that interest you, which you can mention in your personal statement and interview (if you apply to somewhere that interviews).

How to boost application for Archaeology BA?

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