ak48

you can edit your etc/hosts file and redirect the traffic to null (127.0.0.0) so that you can't access certain sites. for example, if you redirect facebook.com to null, then whenever you try to go to the website you get a blank page. (removing the line will undo this). if you really want to, then you can remove it, but' i've found that the little extra labor helps prevent me from goofing off.

I've been told by a distant-distant relative (econ professor at usc) that Econ professorship is particularly nice because there's less supply than at other positions due to opportunity costs. top econ people can make WAY more money in the finance industry, which means most people don't want to invest 5 low-income years into a phd at low pay. so those who DO want to become econ professors generally have less competition than science and other fields. plus postdocs are rare in econ, so you get professorship even faster. i'd imagine a tenured professor has a pretty good career and less-stressful lifestyle than a high earning finance burnout (at considerably less pay, of course)

that's generally because lots of people take college as a time to be irresponsible and stupid. grad students generally have it together (although plenty of exceptions to be sure)

From what I know, departments usually throw mixers so you can meet people outside your study area. If they don't you should organize (or help organize) one! Joining an activity group (soccer, softball, ballroom dance, knitting, etc) is a great way to branch out too

With your choices, I wouldn't worry about prestige.

USC - specific questions will get better answers from current students and graduate staff (professors, directors, etc) than here

the problem isn't getting a recommendation, it's getting a good one. Recommendations are generally very important, so it's important to get at least one stellar one if you want to get accepted to a good school. if the only reason the professor knows your name is because you exist in a database, then your recommendation will likely come across as generic, boring and bland. After all, how could your professor (truthfully) say anything about you that's interesting if he doesn't know you?

looks like they sent out admissions a few days ago: http://www.thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=usc%7Csouthern+california maybe you're on the waitlist, but i can't say it looks good

why in the world would you want 2 master's degrees in the same program? makes no sense at all

I'm still waiting over a month . one week is really short, especially for money to be sent

I have heard that postdoc salaries are miserable. I have a hard time believing that you would even be considering a postdoc given those salary constraints. Am i being too pessimistic about postdoc?

that, and the whole 'living in near poverty' that may confront a lot of graduate students, particularly those who have been working for a while. As a recent college student, this will not be an issue for me

what a terrible school. you should be glad you won't be attending

I have absolutely no personal insight/experience to draw upon, but hope it works for you. Congratulations on acceptance. Will you be moving to a big city? I'd expect job prospects to be better in larger places (or at least offer more commutable options)

As jimmy said, I'd bet it's your English skills that are holding you back, as your 450/3.0 GRE score are very low. I'd imagine that your statement of purpose would be similarly revealing of language skills. Communication skills are important, even in sciences. Nobody will fund research that they can't understand

she'll be fine. from my undergrad experiences, 20-30% make you wonder how they got accepted, 60% are "smart because they're motivated", and about 10% blow you away.

hard to say without any mention of what you would be studying in either case, and what you want to do in the future.

Indeed, from the title of this thread OP seems to have conflated the two.

what are these "feelings" that you speak of? could i leverage them for success in the future?

the earlier the better.

Apparently if you've accepted an offer of FINANCIAL funding, (not merely acceptance), you should get a written release from Iowa state. if it's just acceptance, i think you're in the clear with just an email.

I'm sorry if your program situation is all that different from mine, but I am generally of the feeling that if you've done your proper homework on where to apply, where you eventually attend may not affect your eventual success, compared to your work ethic, networking skills and simply luck. Is choosing an offer difficult? certainly. is it important? of course. But to describe yourself as "emotionally troubled" and possibly writing letters "stained with tears" really comes across as melodramatic and drama queen. Again, as an electrical engineering prospective looking at largish cohorts and a vast, versitile academic field, i see your supposed anguish with some eye-rolling. As for burning bridges, i've been lucky enough that all my potential professors were quite civil and happy for me, not vindictive. I see it as evidence of hubris to think that a professor of a major university would be so desperate/pleased to have you that they'll be out for revenge should you decline. Remember, they've been through this before, both as graduate students and as professors.

hahaha my thoughts exactly especially wrt the response while crying/tearing up

This post is unreadable, with huge block texts and an unclear question/main point. what is the problem you're having?

Some professors asked me where I decided to attend instead; others simply wished me luck. Nobody took it too personally, as far as i can tell.