longforit

I envy you that you could have everything you want in one school! Anyway, congratulations for finding such an ideal place!!! NYU has a truly great program and the city is exciting! Also, can I ask if you have been to Stony Brook's open house earlier this week by any chance? If did, can I PM you for some questions? Thanks!

Saw somebody posted a Stanford offer on the result broad. Whoever it is, congratulations! It's so good to still keep seeing good news in March (my results were all out expect one). Those who're waiting for their news, hang in there!

haha thanks all my linguist friends! I guess I know in my heart that I'll end up in Cornell but just hope to hear some "life in Long Island is not bad as you thought" words to make myself struggle even more..eh Thanks for bringing this up! I always have the same thoughts about relationships but just found out, yah, it applied to academics too! I guess I was thinking about what you mentioned in another thread about "more opportunities to grow as a researcher, learn new methods and become interested in other subfield". I think in Stony Brook I can easily see that happens (e.g. go into psycho/neurolinguistics) but in Cornell I may need to make more efforts. Also in Cornell I only have one major POI (in total they only have three phonologists/phoneticians) while in Stony Brook I have one major plus several others working on ph-ph--it seems ph-ph are the main specializations in SB vs. syntax/semantics in Cornell. This being the case, I can still see I'll have a happier life in Cornell. Well, giving up something is always a pain. So true

(SORRY FOR THE LENGTH!!!) I could post it on the linguistics board. But many of the peer linguists are still waiting for their offers and I don't want to bother them now, and I wish to hear opinions from others grad students/researchers too. So here I am. Here is my situation (the order of the points are roughly ranked from most to least important. But all of them ARE IMPORTANT) : 1. Research Interest fit--both good fit, but prefer Stony Brook: I consider my interest both theoretical and interdisciplinary. Cornell has this theoretical and formal (I like theoretical things, but not necessarily like formalism) atmosphere in general, and my POI there are working on some very interesting theoretical questions (which I love) with empirical studies (not necessary the most exciting-to-me approaches but I'm sure she is very knowledgable about all the other approaches). There are only three people working in the subfield I'm working on (language sounds), among which two are experimentalists (I like), of which one has been working on the research themes I'm really interested in (my POI). Students in their department theoretically can take courses in psychology/cognitive science, etc., but with no professor in such departments really working on sounds, I doubt I will benefit a lot from taking these courses or even have the chance to do some cross-departmental/interdisciplinary studies. On the other hand, Stony Brook is a much more interdisciplinary program, with at least two professors working on the issues I'm interested in and projects that really excite me. They also have closer relationship with related departments like psychology, in which a very famous psychologist is working on things closely related to the things I'm working on right now. Besides, my POI in this program has been working closely with my POI in Cornell and they're mostly interested in the same theoretical questions--and same as me. In all, I like the POIs in both programs but I see more potentials to extend to related subfields/interdisciplinary studies in Stony Brook. 2. Personal factor--my boyfriend is in Cornell He has joined a PhD program in Cornell two years ago and from then on going to Cornell PhD program is my biggest goal. I started to read papers of professors in that program (mainly my POI)as early as I began my study in linguistics and it attracted me into what I'm working on right now (modified later since I've been exposed to other studies but still aiming at answering the same theoretical questions). We have been together for 6 years and plan to get married the second year I join Cornell (if I would come). If I would go to Stony Brook, however, the transportation, housing, and everything "life-wise" would be a hell (I can't drive five or six hours because of my physical condition and taking train/buses would take more than 7 hours/one trip). 3. Advisors/academic environment--Both are fantastic! I learned to know how important an advisor is and this is one of my major concern in choosing schools. As far as I can tell from emailing them, they are both extremely patient and responsive, and I know from other sources that they're both super nice people. The general atmosphere in Cornell is also super close (as far as I can see) and I don't know about Stony Brook but I've also heard nice things about them. I'm still asking about the interaction/collaboration/communication mode in both programs and the specific labs I'll work in. 4. placement and reputation -- Cornell seems better Cornell as a whole may have better reputation, especially internationally (I'm an international student and may consider going back home at some point), and maybe better in terms of the department reputation; but I'm not quite sure about the subfield I'm working on. Placement-wise, since SB lacks placement records in the recent years, I would say Cornell might be better (both in academia and non-academic areas, and both in general and in the subfield I'm working on). 5. Finance and location -- Ithaca is far away from cities but much better in other aspects Not very comparable financially (28.5k vs. 17k+possible summer funds). Location-wise, Ithaca is isolated but I would have my (future) family there; Long Island is better but maybe not as good as "an-ideal-place-a-step-away-from-NYC". Scenery and campus in ithaca is breathtaking but not very impressive in Long Island. In fact, I've heard many negative comments of Long Island/Stony Brook campus and I wonder its reliability--if they're true, I might have hard time imagining myself living there for five or more years. In all, I would imagine a much better life in ithaca. That's the major points I'm taking into consideration. I guess Cornell is better in most of the aspects but Stony Brook has an edge on the interest fit. I love working on what I have passion for, and I also want to live a life which gives me passion. I'm leaning towards Cornell but I am really not able to let go the program/projects/advisors in Stony Brook. What should I do? Any comment is welcomed!

Now I got real setbacks when I came to our business office to set up the payment account. Turns out it's true I cannot pay out of my own pocket. And my PI hasn't replied my request for grants, which usually means a "no way". What should I do? I might wait until tomorrow to consult with our DGS what I can do under such circumstances. I'm really afraid my project would be stuck.

Congratulations! That's a great news!

My IRB application was approved and I didn't mentioned in it where the money would be from (I didn't know back then. I thought I could secure some funds from my program or the grad school). But since you mentioned it, I was wondering if I'd encountered problems when setting up the payment process? If it does happen, I might need to go back to my PI anyway.. But I doubt if I'd get anything helpful...

Thanks guys! But since it's my MA thesis and it's kind of independent from the research in my advisor's lab (she's still the PI of the project though), and I'll leave for PhD in another place, I guess I couldn't get funds from the lab. Could you explain a little why it's conflict of interest? So it's actually an against-rule practice in doing research? (neither my PI nor the director of my program have mentioned that to me..)

Congratulations to those who got in their top choice and cheer up for those who are still waiting!

Thanks Fuzzy. It's at least a relief to know that I'll not pay for my research in my doctoral study. I can see my research is kind of independent from the research in my advisor's lab, though to submit the IRB application, she still acts as the PI of the project. Maybe that's why I was told to seek outside funding. I has been confused now and then about the common procedure of the research during the whole process since it's my first time to do such a study and do it in the US and I have received little guidance. I'm glad by talking with peer researchers here I can have an idea of what the common practices are and hopefully after this first time I could be more clear about most of these things.

I posted this in the RESEARCH forum. I thought things might be different across disciplines so here I post it again: I'm doing my M.A. thesis research, which is a psychological/speech-perception experiment and that means--pay the participants. The expense is estimated $400-$500 and I will cover 60% of it by myself. I just want to ask is it common to fund one's own project (with relatively big budget) or usually there is fund sources (I have my program cover about 40% of it but I still need to pay hundreds), or it just varies from school to school. Not complaint. Just curious. Comments? P.S. people in the RESEARCH forum suggested I should seek funding from my PI's lab. But I suspect a Master student may not have the privilege to do so, especially I'm leaving to take my PhD elsewhere--at least it's a fact that it is my PI who asked me to seek fundings from elsewhere and I know PhDs (I don't know maybe undergrad's project too) working in her lab do get funds from the lab. Is it the issue of MA vs PhD students?

I'm doing my M.A. thesis research, which is a psychological experiment and that means--pay the participants. The expense is estimated $400-$500 and I will cover 60% of it by myself. I just want to ask is it common to fund one's own project (with relatively big budget) or usually there is fund sources (I have my program cover about 40% of it but I still need to pay hundreds), or it just varies from school to school. Not complaint. Just curious. Comments?

That's quite true. But I'm attracted exactly to the neuro-ling and interdisciplinary work in another program against my top choice. I know maybe reputation-wise, career-wise, finance-wise, and even academics-in-general-wise, my top choice would be better than the other. I guess I'm just wondering if the other one has the potential to train me into a more welcomed job candidate (I hope I chose the wording right). But you're right the trend can change in another 5 years...

Yes that's exactly what I'm feeling, I'm hoping and I'm doing. I'm asking suggestions from my current professors, but unfortunately I don't have many profs in my program in the filed I'm working on. I guess for those who have connections in other schools, they might also seek advices from them. And here on the forum we have some already-attending grads who have experienced all these and might provide some useful comments on it. I'm also asking the students in one program for the attitude towards cross-institute collaboration in that program, cause I really want to have the possibility to work with the professor(s) in another program if I don't attend to it (both are good fit to my interests but with slightly different emphases). And I'm also asking for general suggestions on the trend in the job market--like if interdisciplinary training/neurolinguistics/cognitive-science-wise studies are becoming more popular in recent years.

I thought I had made my mind (And told the professors in this program) long time ago. But the kind words and nice communication with the professors, and most importantly, the interdisciplinary collaboration mode of another program really shake my confidence.. I might turn down this program eventually, but I can only imagine how hard it would be to do so!

I don't have an answer, but I totally agree with all your concerns--that's basically what I'm asking/looking for on the program websites theses days!!! And I should add another one: you might also want to look into the job positions their alumni took in the past ten years, which is a very helpful suggestion from @Fuzzy. I would say most schools, except for the most top ones, don't have many straight-up top-program-faculty-position graduates, but you can still perceive some differences between programs. Let's wait for some more informative answers together!

Yes probably a better idea. I wouldn't have time for the visit either (if it's not during my spring break week)..

Thanks! I really hope so! Both of them are doing p-p interface but from slightly different approaches, both of which are very interesting. Do you think it is possible to attend their Open house (well they haven't decided whether there will be one, but if they had one..) even if I accepted another school's offer? I know it's not very "ethical " to do so and it will hurt others' chance, but I really want to meet the POI and start to establish the network... But maybe I'll have the chance after all in the future since the two programs are close (geographically) and the two POI work closely. Welllllll... Need time to think what to do.

Just got my acceptance from Stony Brook. Though I've decided to go to another school, I still think this program is one of the best fit. In fact, my POI in SB and POI in the other program were both from UCLA at 1990ish (probably even from the same cohort! ) and they have collaborated on a lot of work, including editing The Handbook of Lab Phonology. And they have amazing professors in the Psychology department who I really want to work with. Don't know how to turn this down ((But will gather my courage to do it!) and whether I should attend their open house. Hope I'll have the opportunity to work with them in the future!

Thanks guys! Seems a lot to consider here. I know both of you aren't a big fan of on-campus housing, but am I right in thinking that finding a good off-campus apartment seems to need more investigation in person (be in Cornell and talk to the landlord), especially for those in FC and downtown area where most houses are run by individual landlords, therefore on-campus would be a "safer" choice for the first-year grads? I'm specifically talking about Hasbrouck here. I don't mind isolation. The distance to the main campus (if there are only few buses) is my real concern.

Thanks Mystic! Do you know if Praat is a good tool to do Klatt? It seems pretty straightforward from the look of its instruction... But I don't really try it. Also, anyone knows if there are good resources for self-teaching guide for synthesis?

I know there are only a few phoneticians/lab phonologists here. But I would like to ask those who have experience in making acoustic stimuli: how long did it take you (or someone you know) to synthesize stimuli on average? I specifically refer to the use of Klatt synthesizer to create stop consonant continua like /b/-/d/ or /g/-/d/. My advisors frightened me with the difficulty and the painstaking process it involves. But I guess I would like to learn some more first hand experiences/opinions. Anyone? (Oh gee didn't notice I've already started so many new topics!)

Haha got the hunch that there will be no rejection school on your list! Congrats and hope you get off the list

Thank you to both of you! Thanks for bringing up the noise problem of the Commons. I only know Collegetown is a little annoying on this side and thought the Commons would be a better place.. Maybe not? I'm not a quite social person but I do appreciate convenient bus transportation and being close to the campus. So I probably will look for places similar to the ideal place in your mind. I've heard all these about Fall Creek. Seems to be a grad-gathering, nice and quiet place. But I couldn't find many apartments complexes run by bigger companies, nor enough comments online to help me evaluate the condition/landlord (very important part)/neighborhood, etc. Do you know any reliable landlords/companies that rent apartments in this area? I'm looking for 1 or 2 bedrooms apartment for a couple. A little more privacy would be better. And I hope the renting would be a little lower than that of, say, Fairview. (How about Fairview anyway? Seems to be liked by some and hated by some others ) Thanks!

It has been pretty quiet here the past a few days. Everyone clams down? Seems like MIT‘s sending out their notifications. Maybe bring up more discussions haha!