morfinx
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Posts posted by morfinx
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Good info hydnsare. I can't speak for other sciences but I know for engineering, the undergrad programs are generally speaking very challenging. The undergrad attrition rate is up to 70% (71% in 2004 at my school), so those that made it out are already hardened with the work load and the stress for 5 yrs. I always joke about the lack of free time/personal/love life, perenial sleep deprvation, and constant stress. So to me, grad school is just going to more of the same. But I imagine for some other discplines, the amount of work involved in grad school may come as a shock. I think this may explain the lower attrition rate in sciences.
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I think many of us are the in the situation as you. Just realize that you've already made the qualification process where else many people did not. Thus, you have already been deemed worthy by the school. Grad students are expensive for a school, so they don't just randomly pick people out of a street. You'll do fine
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rethinkinng, don't worry about the whole "screwing people over" bit, that's just one person blowing smoke. In my opinion, if a student is teetering on the edge of acceptance so much that not admitting one person would make the difference of acceptance and rejection, then that student hasn't worked hard enough in the first place. If that student is more qualified than you, then he/she wouldn't even be in that kind of predicament. So don't let the guilt trip get to you and do what you have to do.
Having said that, I noticed you mentioned "financial stability and a fulfilling personal life". That's also my goal as my grad work is aimed squarely at industry work rather than academia. You did not mention what field you are in, but it sounds like you are leaning toward industry work. What is the alternate route if you do not go to grad school? I agree with the others that if your school allows deferrment, go ahead and do that and think it over over the next yr. However, if they do not, I would lean toward the alternate route if it is immediately viable. Based on everything you've said, I feel that is the more suitable course of action.
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guesteroo said:BTW, Morfinx, are you from GT? If so, could you give me an idea of what campus life, academics, social life, etc... is like at GT. Just a general idea of what its like down there
I'm not from GT, although I have lived in Atlanta before for a short time. I'll be heading to GT in the fall for ECE. Check out this thread for information about Atlanta and GT:
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If you accept an offer to one school's PhD program, how easy/frowned upon is it to try and switch to another program after you get the masters along the way (probably after the first year)? Would the school you want to transfer to care more about your grades in graduate coursework? Would they look down on you for transferring from another place? Can you still get LORs from your professors/advisor from undergrad (since you knew them longer than your grad professors/advisor)?
Im thinking of trying to switch to the PhD program in Bioengineering at Berkeley, Stanford, or MIT. I'd be going to Georgia tech in the fall.
Thanks in advance for your advice
Is there any reason why you would want to transfer? GT's bioengineering ranking this year is #3, ahead of the 3 schools you want to transfer to:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/r ... _brief.php
Besides, GT by itself is regarded as one of the best engineering schools out there. You already have a great financial aid package, I personally see no reason to transfer.
I do not know the procedures in Bioengineering, but for ECE, you can petition to change your status from PhD student to terminal Masters, and if it is approved, you can leave with just a master's degree.
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Hey Morfinx, this is Girrums from USnews forum. I got in Gatech too, for PhD in Aero. Most prolly will take it over UMN. :roll:
hey man, good to hear from you again. I take it you liked your visit to GT better than UT and UMN? I didn't know you are from Germany, that's a long ways out!
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Hey guys, me going to Gatech too for PhD in Aerospace. Nice thread you guys got going. Hi to Morfinx from Usnews forum.
hi girrums, glad to see you could make it
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Please tell me about it!!!
You going to UU? I grew up in SLC. It's a nice place that is nestled in the valley. It's a very beautiful city in my opinion. You can definitely get around the campus without a car, there are shuttles and also busses. My father got his PhD from UU, so I used to walk all over the campus to see him by myself. Back then I wasn't old enough to drive so I had a bus pass and went everywhere around town with it. Streets are very easy to navigate, everything originates from the city center which is the Mormon Temple, and streets are all numbered, such as N 1100th St. The streets are all perpendicular to each other. People are generally very nice, although if you are not white, there are a few closet racists. The weather gets cold in the winter, but not bitter cold. It does snow often in the winter, so winter tires are a must if you plan to drive.
Anything else just ask.
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depends on field and program. for a masters program I think that would be considered very good. for phd it's on the low side (probably $15-16,000 is more typical), especially considering it's a large urban area, but again, in what field? also, you should consider whether there are other benefits included? if health insurance fees are included, that's worth another $1500-2000. not all schools cover that in addition to stipend. it's worth investigating before you dismiss it out-of-hand. also, there may be room for negotiating this, if you have higher offers elsewhere.
MS Electrical & Computer Engineering, and health insurance is not included as far as I know.
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12.6k stipend for Georgia Tech in Atlanta, I think it's the lowest amount I've seen anywhere
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oh, industrial/organizational psychology. simply put, it's workplace psychology.
Ahh cool, I learn something new everyday. When I saw that I automatically thought "Input/Output Psychology", but that can't be it!
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I am!!! For I/O psychology. What about you?
I currently go to GA State, so I'm really just moving down the street...
I'm in for MS Electrical & Computer Engineering. Pardon my ignorance, but what is I/O Psychology?
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Well the only funding usually for graduate students are assistantships or fellowships. If you don't get either, then the next best option is probably Stafford loan. Once you get your foot in the door, you can try to get an assistantship position by the next semester.
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You mean... sport and gt6 are one the same? :shock:
I've actually spent quite a lot of time looking over Google map (I even memorized the address: 777 Atlantic Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322), and checking over the parking site. I'd rather not pay the $520 if I don't have to, do you think it's doable to not park on campus? The SmartPark commuter pass does seem interesting, and could come in handy during adverse weather. But it says you can only park in W23 and E81:
http://www.parking.gatech.edu/parking/1 ... rtpark.php
Parking Map:
http://www.parking.gatech.edu/info/1_ma ... N_2005.pdf
Looks like W23 is only steps away from Homepark, so after I park I would still have to get out and walk to where I need to go.
By the way, how long does it take for you to walk from where you live to the engineering building?
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I'm doing aerospace masters this fall. However, I went there for undergrad aerospace as well.. so really, I'm just staying here.. :wink:
Excellent, I went to Emory for 1 semester then I realized I'm poor
So I went back to TX. This year marks my triumphant return to ATL. *insert maniacal laugh here* -
I'm doing MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering in the fall, how about yourself? Since I'm out of state right now, it is somewhat difficult for me to personally check out the houses. But I do know someone that is living in Homepark right now, I suppose I can always ask him if a certain house is always rowdy or not. How safe is the Homepark area? It looks to be walking distance just looking at a map, but is it feasible to walk or ride a bike to class? I'd get a parking pass but it's pretty expensive, and I heard parking on campus is hell.
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Anyone going to GT in the fall?
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In terms of housing at Georgia Tech, you have several options. They have graduate only suite style housing available that is not too bad. They also have apartment style housing for grad students, however, these are intended more for graduate students with families who need more of a traditional apartment housing situation (kitchen, washer+dryer, etc).
There are several neighborhoods near Tech (such as Homepark) that have a good bit of houses for rent.
There are also several new complexes that are either recently completed or going to be available before fall semester. They include Metropointe lofts on the west side of GT, Atlantic Station lofts north of GT, and another complex ("100 Midtown" http://100midtown.com/index.html on the east side of GT. All of these facilities offer suite style living, where you would have your own bedroom, but would share a kitchen and living area with a few other roommates. Of course, these will probably be occupied by undergraduates for the most part, so you will have to put up with undergraduate behavior.
Of course, there are also dozens of other housing options available. Personally, as a Tech student, I have done everything from freshman dorms to suite style living, to off-campus house rental. All of them have their ups and downs, but I think when I start grad school this fall, I will look into a nice loft in the heart of midtown. Ofcourse, those will mostly likely start around $1000/month, but I think the privacy and lack of distractions, along with the opportunity of true urban living, will be worth the price. I am ready to settle down so I do not want the distractions that come with living with roommates.
Hey sport, I did look at a few places around midtown that have $700+ studio apartments. They all seem very nice and I'd love to live there, but unfortunately I was only offered a 1/3 time assistantship to start with, that is 12.6k a yr stipend (*fist in the air*). So sadly I can't afford to have my own place, at least not til I can get 1/2 time assistantship. I've been recommended to the Homepark area that is directly north of the Tech campus (Terrel St, Tumblin St, Calhoun St, Atlantic Dr etc). The prices seem reasonable and some of the houses are within walking distance to campus, although the downside is that I'd have to share a house with 3-5 other people, but I get my own room. I've been told most people that live there are grad students. What are your opinions on those houses?
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Can anyone comment on Georgia Tech housing? I'm probably going there for grad school. I've been told living in Midtown would be the best bet since public transportation is not so great, and even if you don't live too far off campus, you'd have to get up at 6am just to beat the traffic. Anyone had any good experiences with any particualr apartment complex?
Funny thing is, I started undergrad at Emory, but had to transfer soon after since Emory was too expensive for me. I was only there for one semester, and I never really left the campus much, and when I did I rode in friends' cars. I just remember the traffic and the way people drove made me uneasy even in the passenger's seat.
Moving
in Officially Grads
Posted
I'm actually moving almost the exact # of miles as you. So I've done a bit of research as to the cheapest way to move, check out this page:
http://www.moving.com/Moving_and_Planni ... p?wtid=300
You will receive discounts at Budget and Penske if you use the link on that page. You could also consider ABF, it may be cheaper, for me it came out to be about the same. I don't have a ton of stuff, so my estimated moving expenses is about $1,000. Unfortunately unless someone is moving to the same place around the same time and want to share a truck, I don't foresee the cost dropping.