crackthesky
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Posts posted by crackthesky
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So I have a question about parking...
I'm moving to Brighton this Saturday. I've recently been informed that I will need a residential parking permit to park in Brighton outside of my house. To obtain this permit, I need to have Massachusetts registration and insurance. Unfortunately, because I am moving in over the weekend, all RMVs are closed (and Monday is a holiday.) On Tuesday classes begin and I have meetings, orientation and class from 11am until 6:30pm. Thus, I don't think I will be able to get my registration and make it over to City Hall for my permit until Wednesday.
I called City Hall and explained my situation but they were unable to provide me with a temporary permit. The school I am attending can provide parking for me from 8pm on Saturday night until 8pm on Tuesday night.
Has anyone else here dealt with this change of registration coming from out of state? Did you move on a weekend? Is there anywhere I can park Saturday afternoon so that I won't get ticketed? My other dilemma is finding a place to park on Tuesday night until I can make it to the RMV and City Hall on Wednesday after class. Any suggestions?
Also, will I need a Massachusetts license or just a MA license plates? I've been told mixed things by different people at the RMV.
Thank you so much for ANY advice/tips you can give!
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Thanks so much for the advice everyone!
I have officially started looking in Brighton. It just sounds like that might be the most convenient for me.
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Perhaps you're right! My SO went there for undergrad and said he was only able to park because he was taking evening classes, but perhaps he was wrong or things have changed!
Maybe it's different for grad students? Either way, definitely worth looking in to because if you're right, that makes a huge difference as far as housing goes! Thank you for the heads up!
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The Watertown to Newton commute during rush hour should be fairly irritating due to this one really awful set of interchanges at the Mass Pike. That said, there are ways to get around it (and it's not IMPOSSIBLE, just irritating), so I would look into back routes for rush hour. At off-peak times it's extremely easy. Depending on where you are in Watertown, I'd expect a 15-20 minute drive.
Thanks! Hopefully all of my classes will be at strange, off times. I haven't registered for anything yet. I might take a class or two over at Harvard, as well...
Have you looked into getting parking at BC? It can be pretty tough
Oh no, really? I talked to a few grads and they mentioned BC parking being very affordable and they all had passes. I didn't know there was any competition! Hmmm.
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71 is a bus number (part of MBTA), the T is the subway (also part of the MBTA).
The 71 will run you to Harvard or to Watertown square, where I think there's a bus that'll run you to Newton/Boston College (no 57).
I cannot speak to driving it because I have never driven in Boston. Public transit all the way!
Thanks! That transfer might be a pain. Hmmm. I will definitely have to check this out.
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What school would you be going to, and how far is the room from Belmont St or Mt Auburn (the bus routes). You'd be dependent on buses a good part of the year, which I personally try to avoid but can be made to work, especially if you're going to Harvard. I've only spent a little time there, but it's close enough to Harvard that for the most part that will be where you are able to be out and about. There was also a decent bit of activity on Mt Auburn in the areas that I was looking at, with a number of shops/restaurants and grocery stores as well. I'd always advise being closer to the T though unless you have a car, but you can make it work as long as you're close to the bus.
Thanks! It looks like I'm less than half a mile from the 71 stop on Mt. Auburn Street. I will be going to Boston College. I will also have a car (with a parking spot at the house I'm looking at and a parking spot on campus.) How do-able is driving from Watertown to Newton with traffic and all? Would you recommend taking that 71 bus instead? I'm not even sure if the 71 is "the T".
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Does anyone have any thoughts on living in the Watertown area? I found a pretty inexpensive room for rent there but I have no idea what the neighborhoods are like.
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You don't need to be present outside of class. I don't think any professor would care and even if you were hanging around campus everyday they likely wouldn't notice you. Do well in class (spend adequate time on assignments, papers, and participate in class) and you will do just fine.
As far as building relationships with professors, this has also mostly been my experience. Significant contributions to class discussions are often the best way to initiate relationships with professors.
As far as forming professional relationships with other students... the situation may be different depending on the ethos of the program. Does your department have a graduate lounge? If so, sometimes these are great places for students to connect with others in the department and also to form a community. At my alma mater, the grad lounge was basically where everyone congregated, shared ideas, and worked. Also, there are usually departmental grad student activities going on throughout the semester (like retreats, or even home gatherings for food and fellowship!) Attending these will definitely help you to build relationships with other students and can be a fun outlet for spending some time away for your studies.
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Any suggestions at all on how to find an affordable apartment (if you live abroad and can't visit)? My dilemma is that I absolutely want to live alone, but don't know how ti make a living on maybe $1300 to $1400 a month.
That is more than enough to live on in Pittsburgh. You can find a studio in Shadyside or Squirrel Hill for $600-$800. They are probably even cheaper in Oakland, but Oakland is a bit loud and full of undergrads. You might benefit from checking Craigslist if you haven't tried that already.
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I will be attending!
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Now that it's public knowledge...
Boston College: Theological Ethics
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Ahhhh one of the schools I declined an offer to apparently did not receive my official statement. I just sent another e-mail to clarify and decline so hopefully a spot opens up for someone!
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Which offers?!
Sent you a PM.
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I declined two offers today. Hope it helps someone wait listed on here!
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Ugh....that's definitely a dealbreaker for me. I've got cats, so I expect landlords to give at least 24 hr notice so either my husband or I can be there to make sure they don't get out. :-( Sorry they're being annoying to you!
Does anyone have experience with Forbes, Franklin West, Shadyside Commons, or Regent Square? Also, most of the grads I've spoken to live in the Shadyside or Squirrel Hill area--are there any other neighborhoods that people recommend? Do students live in the Strip District at all? Some of those lofts are super cool....
The lofts in the Strip definitely look cool, but are way off limits on most student budgets. The strip district is great for going out to dinner or for their Saturday morning farmer's market (cheap, fresh produce!) but I would shy away from living anywhere downtown. The first time I visited Pittsburgh, I thought it was the most boring city on the planet because I only visited downtown. I assumed that in a city, most exciting things would occur where the actual city is. In my experience of Pittsburgh, this is not the case. Downtown is mostly just the business district. Living there would make things like grocery shopping a bit difficult. The surrounding neighborhoods are where the majority of graduate students live. Most graduate student life also takes place in these neighborhoods.
Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are definitely the two neighborhoods that I'd recommend but Regent Square is also nice. It's a bit more residential and not a ton of grads live there, but it is definitely a pretty area and very close to Frick Park. It's about a five minute drive from Squirrel Hill so you would never be far. If you do end up checking out apartments or houses in Regent Square, don't forget to visit D's Six Packs and Dogs! It's like a hidden beer treasure in Pittsburgh. They have over 1,000 beers in the back that you can use to mix and match your own six packs. They have everything from Miller Lite to rare Belgian Tripel Ales. It's awesome. (I'd recommend staying away from the Miller Lite and diving straight in to the better beers!) I looked at apartments with Franklin West. They were very kind when I was looking but I never did rent with them so I'm not totally sure. They seemed very expensive, though.
Another question--I know that in some cities its free for the renter to use a realtor to find a place. Is this the case in Pittsburgh? If so, anyone have any realtors they recommend?
If you're looking for an apartment, there are so many different agencies that it's pretty easy to take a few days to come to Pittsburgh on your own without the use of a realtor. If you really want to use one, though, I have no idea if it is free. I don't actually know anyone that has ever used one for apartments! If you're looking for a house, on the the other hand, that's a different ball park.
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Scratch the nice things I said about Mozart Management.
They just gave me two hours notice to show my apartment five months in advance even though I asked that they not show it and they gave me so little notice I can't even go home and lock up valuable items.
I am so irritated.
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Sending you a PM.
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For anyone else waiting, I finally received an official rejection online. It was a surprisingly kind letter.
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Thanks for all the great advice in here! I'm pretty sure I've made my decision. Visiting one of the top schools again next week because they have invited me to. If all goes well, I believe I will be accepting. The cost of living is what I'm most concerned about so I'm anxious to take the time to talk to students there.
Thanks everyone!
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Hello all! It's looking more and more like I'll be going to Pitt, so I'm starting to look at my relocation options. I'm thinking Shadyside, but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with rental companies in the area? Any companies in particular I should stay away from, or ones you can recommend? Thanks in advance!
Living in the area, I've heard to avoid Lobos Management like the plague. I've heard Walnut Hill is nice. I've lived with Mozart and they've been pretty good to me. 24/7 emergency maintenance which I always appreciate. I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to housing, though.
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Thanks. The wait is driving me nuts. I need a definitive answer!
Well hopefully good things come to those who wait!
Did you specify how you wanted to be notified? I think I remember checking off on Fordham's application that I would prefer to be e-mailed which may be why I didn't receive a call.
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I was told long ago in UG that, generally, Protestant schools are less likely to hire Catholics (or those with degrees from Catholic schools), while Catholic schools are more likely to hire Protestants. Having attended two flagship universities of both sides, I can say this seems to be the case. Though, attending one of those 'top' universities, regardless of affiliation, will likely not limit your job prospects. The only exception may be some of the more conservative schools (the above post mentioned Southern Baptists). But chances are if you are attending a more mainline uni you are not planning on ever teaching at such an institution.
cheers
Thanks for the advice! The university is definitely a mainline one. I feel a little better about this. Maybe it isn't as unusual as I thought it might be.
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Sorry to hear.
I still haven't heard. Are Fordham's emails coming from the GSAS? I think I'm prepared for a rejection...
My email came from GSAS with an attachment from the Dean.
Boston & Cambridge, MA
in City Guide
Posted
Thank you so much for these replies. Also, thanks for the website link! I hadn't seen it before. I guess while I'm at the RMV I should pick up one of those liquor permits. Not to sound like a raging alcoholic or anything...but I can see myself becoming seriously annoyed if I'm not allowed into a bar with a valid out-of-state license!
I like the idea of parking my car overnight at a T station. I kept trying to explain to the woman at city hall that I was trying my best do park legally (I'm pursuing a degree in ethics, after all!) but she kept telling me that my best bet would be to park illegally and hope I could fight off tickets
....it seemed like a strange solution to me.
Thanks again!