Lizzy23

Hello Kee, My visit to Western went very well. I was the only one visiting during those three days, so I had plenty of time to look around and meet everyone. I enjoyed my stay and I got along very well with the students and the faculty. I am very glad to be going to an university in my home country. No visa, no customs, no green card... Now I only have to find the best way to move there! It will be my first time living in Ontario. Since I was accepted for a master, I will have to go through the whole application process again for the PhD, though...

No one?

Yes, I did for one. Found out that I had been discarded by mistake and received an offer soon after. Maybe I should have inquired about the others that refused me, but at that time I assumed that these things were not open for negotiation and that foolish mistakes related to grading conversion were simply not made... :roll:

I am from Montreal. As a French Canadian myself, I can assure you that most if not all the French Canadians you will meet will not care much about you being American (and if you try to speak French, you're sure to win some friends). Most people you will encounter will know enough English to converse with you, especially among the younger crowd. Do not be afraid to wander around. I have met way too many Americans and Canadians from McGill remained enclosed in the downtown section. There are great Museums (Pointe-

You should. Sometimes, the decisions are known as early as during the last week of March, though I was told that early April is the norm.

Thanks for your advices, both of you. I will certainly pay close attention to them. Ahhh, the joys of academic etiquette! A thread should be made about that. Lizzy will do, as we are two students chatting on a forum :wink: I have been offered to be put in touch with some students, but I should probably wait until I visit the department and meet them there. Odds are that they will be more talkative in person than through emails. I know I would. Unless told otherwise, I will address the faculty members as 'Professor' or 'Doctor', depending on whether the particular person is a prof. or a lecturer. I feel rather uncomfortable at the thought of calling them by their first name, so I suppose that 'sir/madam' will do for those who ask, until I get to know them better. I will dress rather formally (a nice jacket and dress pants/knee-length skirt or a nice black dress), without a tie. I will also pack a good pair of chinos, in case more casual clothing is needed. My mother always told me that it's better to be overdressed than underdressed (and we all know that mothers always know best :roll:). I am from a French Canadian university (UofM). Bear in mind that I speak from my perspective as a student from the department of Classics. Professors in other departments might not have the same habits (educated guess: business/law school professors might be even more uptight). As in most things, your mileage may vary. I am used to being referred as 'Miss', 'Miss Last Name' or 'Miss First Name'. In private conversation and seminars, professors that know me well will address me as 'First Name', though some keep using 'Miss First/Last Name'. 'Madam' is even used from time to time. 'Vous' is always used (formal 'you'). Some graduate students addresses their professors by their first name, but this is not the norm. Some professors would be deeply offended by being called by their first name, even by their colleagues. On a funny note, one of my professors has the peculiar habit of addressing his students by their last name only, during classes (Joe Smith would be referred to as 'Smith').

Thanks a lot. I am going there for the languages, basically. I was told by one of professors that two new Latin professors had been hired. Good thing, that (I'm a Latinist).

Looking for advice... The department to which I have been accepted (Classics @ Western Ontario) does not seem to plan visits for its chosen graduate students. However, since I asked, I was offered to come, with traveling expenses covered. The details have not been discussed (length of my stay, sleeping arrangement, food, planning, et cetera). As I do not want to appear too exacting, I was wondering what I should expect, what is usually customary as far as visits go... - How long are visits usually? It is a 15 hours bus drive just to get to Western, a visit that lasts less than a day would be rather disappointing. - Should I expect lodging accommodation to be made for me (with another graduate student? hotel? residence room?) or is it my responsibility? - Should I expect to be shown the city or only the campus? Can I attend undergraduate and graduate courses? Am I required to present a paper to the department or to have to pass any kind of examination? - How am I supposed to be dressed? This is a rather mundane question, but I have been warned by several American and English-Canadian friends and teachers that most departments are not as... uptight as mine (French department). Is a suit and tie required? Should I expect to be addressed by my first name (the professor who communicated with me certainly did, much to my surprise)? How should I address my professors and fellow students? Thank you!

Anyone currently studying there or going there for fall 2008?

Thanks a lot. I might be going there, funding allowing. Is there any chance I might be able to sublet my apartment during the summer? Since the student population probably drops during summer, odds are that I won't be alone trying to do that, really.

Got in at an M.A.. I don't know about funding yet; I am supposed to received a phone call about the details tonight. Boy, what an adventure it was. Crazy story.

Thanks for the info. I had read about their agreement with NYU and Columbia. It was one of the reasons that motivated me to apply. I must say that I'd really, really like to get in (now more than ever, since my boyfriend received a very generous offer from Yale, which isn't very far from Fordham...). I saw on this site that one person received an offer from Fordham classics, but that was for a PhD. Since I have just completed my BA, I applied for an MA. I wonder if I should start to worry... I have not yet heard from them :cry:

Well, I have applied to Fordham (how good is that place, by the way?)... still no news. Same thing for Western Ontario. I am so stressed. At least my alma mater had the decency to accept me, but they're not keen on monetary support. Beside, since they know I want to leave, the funding for the year was particularly bad. Darn! :evil:

I have applied to Notre Dame, but I have received no news from them. I guess that it means that I am not accepted. I am a latinist, though I have also a formation in French philology.

Btw, does anybody knows if Fordham's classics program is any good (and what about their placement record...)? And what about Western Ontario (MA)? I still don't have any news from the departments to which I have applied, so I'm contemplating what would happen in case nobody important wants me and I end up having to choose between the most obscure places... :cry: I've already been accepted for a M.A. at my alma mater (u of Montreal, nothing to brag about, really), so I could remain there if all else fails. I'm currently debating what would be the best move, in case I end up having to choose: PhD at Fordham, MA at Western or MA at UofM?