MsDarjeeling

Ditto. Also.....actually TALKING on the phone, handwritten letters, newspapers, actual books, and train travel (the old school ones, not these fancy subway trains).

I can only pick one thing? Geez. I'd have to go with my classmates. I find many of them so frustrating that I would rather just have classes all by myself and be able to guide the lectures toward my own interests.

watching sports, mustard, touchscreens, beer, facebook, twitter......... yeah they all have me rolling my eyes.

OP, while I'm in a non-cohort Master's program I have had similar experiences with a number of my classmates. I am flat out appalled at those who are investing so much time and money into a graduate program and show up completely unprepared for discussions. I can understand not reading every single article, chapter, etc. However, it is not hard to read some of the material and have a couple of discussion questions ready to pose to the class. I will admit that my reaction has been similar to yours and I too have been called judgmental and arrogant. It should be noted I don't care lol. I have no interest in socializing or studying with any of them, but am still polite. I am at times asked for help on assignments and I have chosen to provide limited information. First I reiterate what the syllabus says and what the instructor said, then I may suggest a resource that may help them get started on their research/get unstuck or a format for organizing their thoughts. I'm currently working full time in my field so I'm happy to share my work related experiences in my classes so that everyone can learn. I feel that is sufficient support to offer them, however. It isn't my job to carry them through the program and if they're struggling that much then perhaps they're in the wrong place. In my program I tend to spend more of my time and energy on what I need to get done and the extra projects I've taken on. I am doing very well in my program and at my job, so I understand why classmates will ask for help. I just don't want to get to the point where I am pretty much doing all the work for them, so I just provide limited suggestions instead. I also don't feel like there would be equal reciprocation if I asked them for help. My guess is since this is a doctoral program, very soon most of your time will be spent on research and you'll have less class time with your cohort. Assuming you still like your options for research advisors and projects then that is where you will focus the bulk of your attention.

In my classes there isn't really a need to ask for notes from classmates because the professors post their power points and the syllabus details all the reading. Even if you miss class it isn't difficult to fill in the gaps on your own. I find it odd that your classmate knew about this trip ahead of time and didn't ask you ahead of time if he could get your notes or if maybe you could bring his recorder to class and tape the lecture or something. I'd find the buttering up emails annoying, but that's just me. I think it could go either way here. If you don't want to share your notes then just say so and he can ask someone else. If you don't mind sharing them then make him a photocopy and call it a day. I don't think either decision is wrong, its really just a matter of personal preference.

The summer before I started my MA I worked, volunteered, saw family/friends, and started cutting my budget. Nothing super exciting, but I'm not the type to just sit around lol.

Well now you have options, this is good! More could come if you haven't heard from everywhere yet =)

A few thoughts come to mind as I read your post. First, while 3 application cycles is a lot and it is expensive there are students that have done more to finally get in. If getting a PhD really is your dream then you can hang in there for at least another round. Also your comments about the green card make me think you're an international student. I am not an expert on how best to come to the US to study, but I do understand the cost considerations when you have a family. I'm here in California where it is very expensive to live and work/study. Many of the international students/employees I've met chose not to relocate their family because of the cost. No that isn't easy and talking daily via Skype isn't the same. However that was more feasible for them and they just saved up the money to go home during winter and/or summer break. For many of them the separation motivated them to finish faster so they could get home faster. This could be an option for you depending on your family dynamics. As for the Cornell Masters, I'm guessing you applied to their PhD and they countered by suggesting you consider their MA? That could indicate that they found your application strong, but not quite strong enough to handle PhD work. They may figure that with a bit of polishing in an MA program you'd make an amazing PhD student and they want to be the ones to grab you up and take credit for that. I do not think it is a bad option to consider especially when it will give you the opportunity to study under new professors, expand your research training, and perhaps publish. All of those things will look good to PhD programs. You should definitely ask them about the success rates of students in their MA program going to their PhD program or other PhD programs. Also ask if its possible to talk to current PhD students that were formerly in the MA program. Now about the unfunded MA and if it is worth it. You'll get a variety of conflicting opinions on this and ultimately you have to decide what is best for your situation and future goals. I went through a couple of PhD application cycles and was unsuccessful. Finally I hit a point where I realized that my efforts to improve my application each year weren't enough to get me where I wanted to go so I needed to do something different. I talked to my LOR writers and other professors and their advice was going the Masters route. Many of the Masters in Psych are unfunded so I created a solid plan to finish on time, work my way through, and cut down on expenses. Is a Masters a guaranteed ticket into a PhD program? No, especially if your desired field is extremely competitive. It does however give you the opportunity to demonstrate PhD readiness, a new batch of LOR writers, broaden existing skills, develop new skills, network, and expand job opportunities. So ultimately I would say that it is a good option for someone who's been unsuccessful at a few application cycles.

While I doubt your prior degree will automatically deny you admission, it is likely that they will wonder why you're seeking a 2nd MA if your goal is eventually a PhD. That is something you could address in your SOP/PS.

If all of you are considering Master's programs to help you get into a PhD program, then the suggestions above to search threads here on Master's programs is a great starting point. You can also just do a broad Google search and find all kinds of listings that way, this was my preferred method when I was looking for programs. Now I'm assuming all of you know what kind of PhD you want to get, so when you find Master's programs that interest you and *might* help you reach your goals then contact the program and ask them. Tell them what your research interests are, what skills you're interested in developing, and what type of PhD program you're aiming for in the long run. Then directly ask them how their program can assist you on that path and about past students that moved on to PhD programs. They might even be able to connect you with recent graduates or offer to introduce to current students on their way to PhD's during a visit.

My field is psychology, but I have always maintained interests in other areas like cooking, nutrition, criminology, chemistry, mythology (all kinds, not just Greek), creative writing, anthropology, medicine, and more.

I'm with microarray. I just don't do all nighters. When I'm tired, I sleep and don't care what is still lingering on my to do list. The 5-6hr option still lets me function and not be cranky to everyone around me.

Glad I'm not the only wide rule paper hater lol. I like to have college rule notebooks, several packs of post it notes in different colors, several pens in different colors, and highlighters in several colors.