badgerina

Ah, ok. I'm planning on doing a thesis but I'm not entirely positive so I wouldn't have applied for the CGSA yet anyhow. I'm a bit worried about becoming overwhelmed, but I figured that I have zero chance of getting the TAship anyhow, that I can at least apply and see what happens. I'm nervous that they're going to be picky with my application (I'm out of field, but with pre reqs). I mean I have everything they want (except for a statistics course, but they said you can be admitted without and take it later), but still. Plus, Milwaukee has all sorts of places to do externships nearby because it's such a big metropolitan area, and you can really find everything there, so aside from Madison (pesky waitlist), it would be the ideal place to end up.

I applied for the only one I could find, the same one that they emailed to us. The only other one I could find was for those writing a thesis, which I don't think you can qualify for as a first year. I'm a bitnervous though since they said they will hire one assistant! Did they send out other assistantships? I couldn't find any others on their site.

Also, I got out a calendar and all of UWM's notifications have been on a Wednesday for all years listed, meaning it could be tomorrow! Luckily Wednesdays are busy for me so I'll be distracted.

How do you like the program at UWM? That's looking to be a top choice of mine, logistically and financially.

I just got an email from a university I applied to asking for donations. Ummm you haven't even admitted me yet! And I'm dying to hear from UWM, and historically they notify tomorrow! Tomorrow my email refresh button might wear out...

I do as well. I'm 26, but look about 18-20. I'm built pretty small, which doesn't really help. People have actually started asking me and my sister when we're together which one of us is older. She's 18, and doesn't look older. We're planning on messing with the next person to do that, I mean I'm CLEARLY older than my sister. A year or two ago I was out over winter break, and was accused of truancy by some lady. I was like...say what? To make it better, a few weeks ago I had taught one of the autistic kids I work with (age 9) that he can ask someone how old they are to start a conversation. Well he didn't take that to mean just kids, but everyone, including middle aged women. So then I had to teach him that you can only ask kids that, because some older people might be offended. When asked why, I told him they don't like to feel old. Later on, we worked on complimenting others. He informed me I look like I'm 12. I asked why, and he said I dunno, I don't know how old you are, and I can't ask old ladies how old they are. So then I wanted to give you a compliment and make you feel younger! I had nothing to say to that.

Haha I turn 27 this year (ok at the end of this year), and I feel so old! Luckily we dont' have a house yet, just an apartment. However, moving my husband can be very stressful. I find it best to give him specific, goal oriented tasks with the heavy stuff, then just strap him in the car while I do the rest. Luckily we have a priority list set up, so once I get into a few I can just go to the open houses while he talks to his district manager, and then we decide.

I'm so glad the mailman comes in the late afternoon, so on Fridays when I'm home all morning I'm not tempted to run out and check if he's come yet. Also, the icy sidewalk makes going for the mail a dangerous prospect.

I also might attend the open house on the 22nd! I have to fanagle my way out of work first (I'm an ABA therapist so it's not super easy...).

I do have something good to say about Marquette...I emailed Dr. Long about my missing letter, and not only did I have a very quick response saying he'd contact the graduate school and ask (and reassuring me that I really was accepted that it wasn't a cruel joke), he really did and I had a very apologetic answer this morning saying they just must have skipped over my name. Ha! But it's not always that you see a professor (especially one who has as much on his plate as he does now), at such a big university who actually takes that time, and so quickly. I've had way worse, and knowing he takes care of his stuff puts Marquette higher on my list of Schools I Cannot Afford But Might Attend Anyhow. Anyhow, my letter will be in the mail ASAP Now if the rest of those pesky letters would come...hooray for good news Friday!

Hey lissap08, Thanks for the info! I'll contact them about my letter, though I'm assuming I'd have gotten info by now had I received funding. That means at least I know I'm not out of the running for loans. I'll definitely let you know if I go. It seems like you're already from the midwest, but if I can give any WI related info let me know!

And it also doesn't mean I can't get loans, because I'll definitely need them!

I double checked, it's submitted to all my schools. If I have no info by the end of next week, then I'll call the financial aid office and just make sure I haven't missed anything. I'm not sure anything would pop into my portal before I've accepted the offer. So basically I'm not completely stupid with this whole FAFSA thing?

I have very high thoughts about Marquette. I haven't visited their program (didn't really think I'd get in...), but their campus is beautiful. It's an excellent program, second best in the state, and ranked very high in the nation. The only con is the cost to me. My only other thing is that I'm from Milwaukee (kind of), so I applied in other areas (and Michigan and Iowa) to see if I'd have the chance to go out and see something new, but hey, I'm cool with Milwaukee for two years. As far as other schools in Wisconsin are, obviously Madison is the top ranked. I went here for undergrad (though my original degree was German and Linguistics..useful, I know), and loved it. The other schools are also great, you can't go wrong with a WI school. Obviously some are 'better seen' than others especially depending on the field. For instance, Platteville is small, but great for engineering. Eau Claire is ranked third in the state after Madison and Marquette, and UWM fourth. It's also well known for those going into music/music ed. I applied to Marquette because my husband's job would easily transfer to Milwaukee. I have to coordinate with him a bit. In the end, if I don't get into UWM, but do get into Eau Claire (assuming no funding offer), I would likely still pick Marquette despite the costs because his job is decent, and it would be difficult for him to transfer to Eau Claire. I'd accept in a heartbeat, but I need to see if someone else will give me in state tuition first. Also...I've filled out my FAFSA and all that a few weeks ago. I'm assuming Marquette didn't give me an assistantship, but when do I hear if I've qualified for any of the unsubsidized Stafford loans? Or any other ones? My CheckMarq still says 'no financial aid found'...is that later, did I miss a form I need to fill out, or am I screwed? I don't have any other acceptances yet to compare with. Or is it in the letter we get from the postal service (that I somehow still don't have)? Help?

And someone posted an acceptance to Iowa. I have no email. I mean the chances were low that I would move there...but I'm sick of waiting for answers. My stomach feels worse and worse each day and is completely out of whack. I just want this to be over

Man...I'd hoped that the delay meant I'd still gotten funding. Oh well! Thank you!

For those from Marquette, have you gotten your 'official' letter in the mail yet? I still haven't received anything. And congrats all on acceptances today!

Yep! Though I'm hoping the climate and the fact that we're getting 8 inches of snow today will deter enough people from accepting to Wisconsin and I'll get off the waiting list!

I know Europe does it differently, so while they might recognize our certification, we would still have a hard time getting a job, except maybe with the government and expats. I lived in Germany for awhile and considered doing my degree there, but it wouldn't have qualified me to work in the US.

Nothing from Iowa yet. But UW Eau Claire apparently sent letters, but nothing for me yet

I can get Office very cheap. I'm not sure my institution covers it, but my husband can get it from work cheap I'm peeking online at various reviews of computers while pretending to finish my essay I'm going to try to go with a very small one, as carrying it around gets heavy. Maybe once I hear from more schools I'll head out to Best Buy see what they have in stock and what they can tell me. I'm really grateful for your advice, now that's one less huge choice to make!

I thought about buying an iPad to use in conjunction with my laptop (aka mostly broken laptop weighing a ton stays home, ipad comes with me to take notes on, etc), but since it can't run everything I'd need, I might as well use that money for a small laptop. But it's still cheap Microsoft or expensive Apple that's getting me down. Plus I'd have to buy office for either of them. Though after learning that SALT won't work on a Mac, I'm peeking into Windows 8. I guess a Mac will wait until I'm done with grad school. Bah humbug.

Odd that SALT wouldn't run on a mac...I had a professor who loved it and was a Mac addict, but I just looked up the site and it's not offered for mac. That would be something serious to consider. It's just such a debate, I've not been happy with my computers (I'm on my second after the first one broke), and my batteries always die so quickly, which made me look into the macs. Then again, I'm still on Vista, maybe Windows 8 is different. Thanks for the input!

I loved doing the post bacc there. The only downside is that each class is offered once only per semester, so you make your schedule around theirs, which can make it hard to work at the same time. I do ABA therapy with children, meaning I only had weekends to work (come on kids, here's some coffee, it's table time til 10 at night! Not). I've found that my professors are extremely nice and accommodating. The com dis building is also located right on the lake, meaning you can sit there and work with your clients with a direct view of it I see you have other acceptances (congrats!) so if you do decide to go to Madison I can give you all sorts of info It's great, I was so disappointed I'm waitlisted for their program, but that's life!

Toothbrush, did you get accepted to UW Madison's post bacc program with a guarantee to go there for the masters after or just to the post bacc program? I'm in it right now Also, I have a question for the computer knowledgeable people out there. My computer is on its last legs, and I'll likely need a new one for grad school. I want something small, light, and portable. I have the choice between: 1.) A cheap windows notebook with Windows 8 for about $200-300 2.) A decent computer with Windows 8 for $500-700. Not really thrilled with that though, but it would serve my needs. 3.) The 11" Macbook Air (with the bigger hard drive) for $1,035. Would be awesome, but can I justify spending the extra money (from a small bank account) on it? If I get funding anywhere, the Mac is definitely mine. If not....bah humbug. Opinions? Experiences with WiFi or computing on your campuses? Though I'm a post bacc, I'm doing it at the same place I did my undergrad. Something to distract us from admissions for a minute