ThisGuyRiteHere

True

This is true. guess the stress gets to people

I havent had any exams. It is all on essays. I am from a quantitative background where we did not write much, but moved into the social sciences.

I am not failing. Thank God. But I am making straight B's. I cant seem to get an A on anything, other than quant work. Any advice on how to get A's in grad school. My funding is dependent upon me making an A average...So I am worried. I only take Saturday night off, Thursday night off (after 10pm on both nights) and I try to work out a hour a day to stay sane. So I am putting in a ton of hours. Also, when there is "grade inflation" in grad school. Does that mean professors drop down the grading requirements for A's. For instance, instead of a 90 being a A, they may drop it down to a 80 for a A? Everyone keeps telling me (students), that its ok and dont stress, but my old college NEVER inflated anything (unless you were in engineering). If you got a 79.9, that is a C.

Can't focus...any advice?

Well its good that your having a good time so far. Too bad you had to drop a class though. That sucks.

Good words so far. Well, I just got SLAMMED by my professors in terms of reading amount. I guess it begins now.

Hey everyone. I am nervous about my first year. Anyone who is currently a 1st year feeling like this? Also, what should I expect? Any experienced people have any advice for us new students? I am worried about the amount of time TA'ing is going to take away from my work. Should I try and publish something this year? Should I start thinking about my dissertation or just finish classes? I was told I should always be thinking about my dissertation...

If you dont want to go into law, why are you holding an offer that you do not want?

If you can afford it and not send off any crappy apps...apply to as many as u can afford. I would say you have a decent profile.

These last 2 weeks are going slowwwwww

i was under the belief that your sop was explaining what you would want to study.

What classes do you guys plan on taking (or recommend) to be taken outside of the department to stregthen research?

jeez

I think we have 8-10

So let's say that you have multiple research interests in different categories (IR, CP, PT or AP)...How did you decided which one you would: A. Write about in your SOP B. Study Further in graduate school C. Write your dissertation on I have structured this question so pretty much everyone can respond somehow.

One notch down is what I told. If you went to UHouston, you can expect to teach at south texas college (small colleges), teaching unis or go into the public/private sector. If you are ok with that, than go. I know this because I grilled Houston after I got accepted on their placement. Alot in public policy (some dc, most texas), small colleges, etc.

Business PhD's make good money. And you may still be able to research international tax policy. MUCH more tenure track jobs in business. Stipends are much higher too for TA/RA. My UG that was unranked in business had AP's pulling 80-100k their first year with a pretty laid back tenure requirements (from what i know/heard).

Congrats. I almost applied to Portland State for their PhD in Public Policy. Seems like a good school

In terms of the waitlisting, I have been told not to apply to the same school again unless there has been a substantial difference in your application (better test scores, better LOR's, New SOP, etc.)

This is good advice. I took mine in November and did not have time for a re-take (or the money because it was short notice)

I am just going to live up everyday and relax, read and sleep.<br /><br />I dont know how i feel about moving to the country for 5 years...but atleast i can get some studying done until the cows come home!

I feel the same. Do you live in Illinois or are you going to move? I want it to come, but then I do not want it to come, because when it does, it is a 5 year struggle commencing lol

I asked this in another thread, but: How is the job market? Specifically, how to do you get an academic job (or how have you seen others do it)? What are these "job talks" and other things that students do? So lets imagine your defending your dissertation next may (2014), and you are hitting the job market. What would be a good timeline of things to do from now until you graduate next may?