phonology_rocks

Its hard to say how much you can visit. I just got engaged a few months ago and me and my SO are close to 1100 miles apart. Hes finishing his undergrad and will be with me but not until fall. I am lonely a lot because we see each other about every two months and because I am Canadian, I can't work there in the summer and yeah.... Anyways, I have a classmate who is two hours away from her bf and sees him every weekend. It works because her bf is a grad student too, so they study a lot when they are together. For us, that is essential, as our graduate program is demanding. In the times I have spent with my SO I haven't wanted to do any work (but have often had to do a little bit at minium). Its not that he would mind, its just that he doesn't have to do it too and we see each other so little that I just want to spend every minute I can with him, not working. Having said that, I have a roommate who sees her bf every weekend and usually doesn't bring her books. I think this is rare (but I really don't know). ANyways as for the distance thing, here is what I would suggest.... * Text a lot....I know it sounds silly but its nice to keep in constant contact. * If your program is like mine you may have a heard time schedualing skype time, but make sure you do once a week. * When you visit know when the next time you will see each other is, it makes it less sad to say bye if you know when you will say hello again. ANyways I hope I helped, long distance with the stress of grad school isn't easy (believe me I am counting the days until its over) but its worht it in the end.

wow thanks! I will look into that. Its hard being a grad student right now to imagine taking pre-req's prior to applying. I have no issue at all with graduation taking a asemester longer or more than that, compared with out of program students. However, I really don't want to (unless need be) delay applying any longer. So I will take a look at some of those schools, Thanks for the reply!

Sorry I posted this twice, I am not really sure what happened

In the fall of 2014 I will apply to SLP ma/ms programs. I have an undergraduate background in linguistics/french and education, and I will have a masters in linguistics from syracuse University. While I am at Syracuse I will be taking 24 SLP graduate credts and have completed observation hours. However, I will be missing a handful of courses (slp courses) that I think are required pre req's in most places like neuro, speech science and anatomy. I am also Canadian, and unless the sky starts falling (or some school gives me an amaizng scholarship) i will need loans. It is easier to get loans if you are taking graduate credits. Therefore I am looking for schools that will admit you with a partial background, and that will let you take missing pre req's as graduate credits. SYracuse does both of those things, however I want to apply to 8 or 9 so I was just wondering if anyone knew of anymore?

In the fall of 2014 I will apply to SLP ma/ms programs. I have an undergraduate background in linguistics/french and education, and I will have a masters in linguistics from syracuse University. While I am at Syracuse I will be taking 24 SLP graduate credts and have completed observation hours. However, I will be missing a handful of courses (slp courses) that I think are required pre req's in most places like neuro, speech science and anatomy. I am also Canadian, and unless the sky starts falling (or some school gives me an amaizng scholarship) i will need loans. It is easier to get loans if you are taking graduate credits. Therefore I am looking for schools that will admit you with a partial background, and that will let you take missing pre req's as graduate credits. SYracuse does both of those things, however I want to apply to 8 or 9 so I was just wondering if anyone knew of anymore?

I am only an MA student but the main points still apply.... 1. I agree with all the people who have said things about having a life outside of grad school. I am still struggleing with that, I feel like it consums my life most of the time. 2. Also agree with the comments about a list! I LOVE crossing stuff off of mine. 3. Make sure you make time to not loose touch with old friends. This may seem like a silly comment, but as many of us do, I left everything I knew to go grad school across the country from where I did my undergrad, and also far away from family. Anyways my finance and good freinds are all across the country. After blocking my facebook (I am easily distracted), and getting into courses and my RA position I quickly lost touch with almost everyone except my family and SO. When we got engaged and I started wedding planning I started to get sad because I realized how long it had been since I really had a talk with any of my bridsemaids. Now we schedual a time once a week to skype. Anyways sorry to go off on a rant, but my point is, stay in touch with old friends. 4. It may take you a while before you feel like you fit in with your co-hort. I found this really true, because (in part) many of them are from other cultures, and all of a sudden I was the odd one out. After finally realizing that I could reach out to them, to make friends I feel like I belong and I am a lot happier. 5. Its okay to admit you don't get it. I know that seems silly, but I don't think I am all that abnormal in that I could figure things out in undergrad with out extra help mostly. However, grad school is hard. After a bad mid term last semester, I started making regular visits to the professors office, and managed to wind up with an A in the course and after my mid term that is an impressive feat. This semester I am a regularly working with my peers and asking about things when I am not sure.

I am getting really mixed messages between other international students, the Univeristy I am at. Right now, I am an RA and an American school, but I am Canadian. I went to continue the RA in the summer, (even though I am not taking classes). It just makes sense given that I can do dissetation reasearch, and also I am in my first year, and my parents live in teh small town in the middle of no where there isn't a lot of likelyhood I could get a job at home. Anyways, I want to make as much money as I can, but I wanna make sure of a few things.... * Its illegal to work off campus right? (even though I think I could probably get hired with an i-9) * Can I work more then 40 hours on campus? (pick up a second job like at a little coffeee shop or something) My RA doens't cover tutition I have a scholarship that does....and becuase of the the nature of my program there is no need to take classes (also my schloarship wouldn't cover credits this summer) so applying for CPT is out Anywys the other thing is I am getting married within the next year, to an American, so as despert as I am to make as much money as I can I am not willng to breka the rules The issue is I know people who have worked off campus, but I also am fairly sure thats against the rules based on what the school says. SO I am more worried about the hours thing.....like they say I can't work two on campus jobs, but I have a feeling its a school policy and I could maybe get away with that given that my other one is tired to my graduate program. ANyways sorry if these are silly questions I just figured there had to be someone thats been through this too! Thanks guys

Thanks so much I would have never ever thought of that!

Well they are saying i'd be like a number but I agree with you 100% and thanks I more just wanted confirmation that it was a good idea.....I think I am applying to 12 (including where I am now) and will visit 5, 6 if you include where I am now

I will bea a 2014 applicant, I am currently a linguistics masters student at an other school. I have SOME background, I'll graduate with 18 ish graudate credits SLP (maybe more depending on where I go). The 18 is based on the schools program I am currently at. Anyways I have done my observing and am hoping I will be able to take clinical methodology in the fall (which would I am sure be an asset). My question is....what do you think of me, visiting schools next fall? Do peoeple do that?? I have gotten mixed opinions so far so I thought I would ask here. By that point I would have applied (or be in the process of it) and just be waiting for offers- rejections. I know a lot of schools do interviews (or some have prospective student days) so I was just unsure as to if visiting earlier and talking to professors if possible would be an asset or not?

Wow! Impressive reply, I just wanted to say thanks I 100% agree with your whole post! I too have a learning disability, and when it comes to school I think I have finally figured it out. As an undergraudate though I faced one hell of an ordeal (long story but treated extremly questionably because of my disability to the point that something happened, where I could have very easily been rejected across the board in my apps this year) and I thank god every day for the chance that my graduate institution looked beyond what happend and admitted me. I have, what I strongly believe is the best academic support possible (clearly I really don't know this is a fact, its just my support is so good its hard to imagine it getting any better). School isn't easy, its a fight for me. There have been times when I have been jelous of people who don't have to work hard, because I do, or when I have been so frusterated by school I become angry at everyone who didn't notice I was differnt (I wasn't diagnosed until half way through my undergrad) and sometimes become bitter at the struggles that could have been avoided. Now I have FINALLY not only accepted it, but have become proud of the fact that i am where I am now, with my disability. I am a 4.0 student at a highly rated school in my field and KNOW i'll keep it that way (sure grades aren't everything but given my situation, with applying next year they matter), I have the respect of professors, and my classmates and I am proud of that too. Sorry for comming off arrogant or bragging, (if anyone sees it that way), I just wanted to make the point that things happen for a reason, my undergraduate 'issue', which no one will EVER make me belief was fair, was the best thing that could have happened to me, my drive increased even more because I was scared of failing in grad school or not getting in at all, and as a result I have learned to live with my disability.

I wouldn't worry about it.... in my case, he came to me three times last semester and once over winter break and I went to him thanksgiving, (unfortunatly due to his program requirments and job situation we had to spend most of winter break apart). This semester it will be split, two and two ...anyways he met all of my professors at a socail thing we could bring guests too, and many of them ask me about him once and a while. When we got engaged (as a classmate informed all of them) I got several congradulations. I think what helps is I always work when are togehter, hes really understanding about that. As for teh profs I think if they see your effort, (and if you make little sacrifices like working while you two are visiting....I don't think you will have any problems.

Wow thanks!! I really appreciate all the advice

Thanks!

thanks! very much I'll give both of thoes a try

Thanks! I didn't eeven think about the credit card issue, but i'll try that! and seat sale thing sounds like a great idea!

Thanks so much!!

teethwax thats an amazing story wow what a great post good for you for pointing out facts like that and being incredibly strong...

I am sorry for what you are dealing with. I can't understand the pain and frusteration you are going through because I have never experienced it. I don't think its possible to understand what you've gone through... I had a pyschology prof say something along the lines of 'every experience a person has shapes there values, beliefs thus the reaction to a given situation is not the same for any two people', and he was right... I really can't relate to you directly but I can indirectly. At the end of my undergrad I (a kid with ADHD) got kicked out of my student teaching program. I had nothing but good prior evaluations and was treated very questionably (as latter proved legally of course after the application season)....but what got me removed was I was accused of something I didn't do, something bad, and unprofessional (although minor in comparision to rape), this hurt me on my grad school applications even though it couldn't be proven...I still couldn't get reference letters, lost trust in professors, was embaressed in front of my classmates, it goes on and on. I got into a good school (way far away) and went even thought it wasn't originally high on my list ....because the expeirence and what others thought (indirectly) already held me back a year ..... I have no doubt that the rumors hurt you, and that sucks. I honestly think that as hard as it is, the best thing you can do is hold your head up high and move on as best you can . As someone told me, l....you can't change the cards you were delt, or the hand you've played in the past, but you can control your future play. You got into grad school because you deserved it, so do whatever it takes to prove you are a good person, and thoes who are worth it, will soon see who you really are. However, I agree with the above poster you should talk to a councillor, its not a bad thing, and even in my case (no where near as significant as yours), a councillor helped a lot.

Thanks I'll look into that!!! I am already super glad I made this post

Thanks!!

I am now engaged and well that's great and I can't wait to get married, me and my SO are still spending the next nine months almost completly apart. The seperation is due to in part a nationality issue (I am Canadian and can't work in Minnesota where he is this summer because I am a grad student in New York, with a student visa). Hes still a student in Minnesota, and has to do an internship for this program in state over the summer. I by no means mean to complain, I know a lot of you guys have it worse and I really sympthaize with all the LDR's going on especially with teh stress of grad school. I am simply wondering if anyone knows of any cheap flight tricks? Where do you guys usually look when you have to travel? Any possible last minute deal sites? I have tired, and will be making the trip a few times, and same with him comming my way, but a figure it couldn't hurt to ask....because even a weekend when works tolerable, or in the summer, beats months of straight not seeing each other... Also I have to travel for some conference stuff, (have to is the wrong word I am choosing too because of the academic value) and figured it couldn't hurt to ask other grad students about cheap flights for that reason as well.

I am sorry you broke up, Its good to know you were able to spend some time together. I am kinda high stress, but now we are engaged I think I'll be okay he knows how hard I have to work. I dunno I have asked around and someone suggested trying to do most of my work at school, so that when I am at home I am acutally with him. I think I will try that. As for the no choice, aspect ohhhh belive me it wasn't a choice I was in a situation (american educated but canadian citizen) where it would have been hard to impossible for me to work out of undergrad because of the visa issues. I don't regret what I did, but only because I know it was the best option, and in the only one. The longer we are apart the more positive he seems about when we will be togehter, I have seen him very minimally sadly mainly because of money. Anyways, I did really well this fall, and a long lonley spring is about to start. I figure if he can accept the 'hell' of what will be almost a year and a half of very long distance, he'll accept it when we are togeter. Once again, I am sorry about your situation though.....

Linguistics 4.5 * The work is hard, but the professors could not be more supportive * I am getting great opportunities and exposure to other areas (I will apply to SLP programs in a year) * it took a while, but slowly as my classmates become closer its getting more and more enjoyable it took me a while to adjust to it, but I have learned to love where I am and what I am doing