What to Expect

Physical anthropology students deal with human evolution and variations. The program also includes specialties like forensic anthropology.

Markus Dolson says he became interested in anthropology through Indiana Jones movies. "Although modern archeology and physical anthropology is not as romantic and glamorous as it is depicted in the Indiana Jones' movies, Jones definitely provided an impetus," he says.

Dolson says incoming students will have to adjust to a larger workload. "Homework in university is not as it is in high school," Dolson says.

"In most classes, the student is posed with tasks such as writing essays, labs and other such reports. I must emphasize that most of the workload in anthropology focuses on reading and essay writing."

The aspect Dolson most enjoyed about his anthropology studies was the hands-on experience in labs. "With courses like skeletal biology and human and primate paleontology, one is able to work one-on-one with skeletal and archeological specimens, providing for an intimate and personal experience," he says.

One course he particularly enjoyed was an upper-level skeletal biology course. Actually handling real human skeletal remains enabled him to view past human lives much differently. "One gains an almost sympathetic and compassionate understanding of the dead," Dolson says.

Jada Quandt took anthropology at the University of Arkansas. Her primary interest was in great ape feeding behavior, ecology and human origin studies.

Quandt says there are excellent opportunities for research and field school experience in anthropology. She spent one summer at the La Suete Biological Field School in Costa Rica, where she studied howler and capuchin monkeys and learned about tropical ecology.

How to Prepare

Quandt says high school students should focus on science and math. "I had a very strong background in science and math while in high school," Quandt says. "I found that it helped me to understand some of the concepts and research. I was also more prepared for writing technical papers."

Dolson suggests volunteering at local museums and other similar organizations. Students also can contact their city halls for insight on city digs and other related projects.