ohno

I guess my main concerns are finding an apartment and my belongings. I live in San Diego and will be moving to Chicago, and I currently have a 40+ hour job that is breathing down my neck, so getting the time off to find an apartment is looking rough. I'm taking the first week of July off regardless (you won't approve my vacation time? ok... I'll just call in sick for a week... sigh.) I have an extensive record collection (1,000+), so I am going to ship those to my new address (once I get one, of course.) I also have collected mid-century furniture for years, so I will be freighting (either Roadway or PODS) my favorite pieces. I know that freighting it will end up costing significantly less than replacing particular items. I also have a cat, so I need to start researching airlines that have a good reputation of transporting animals (I've heard some horror stories...) As far as apartments go, I have never been to Chicago and I don't know anyone who currently lives there, so that's a little tricky. I'm planning on going for 5-7 days, and using Craigslist and the apartment people as my main rental resources. I've researched the neighborhoods, so I have a good idea of the areas I would like to start looking in (Bucktown, Wicker Park, Wrigleyville, and Pilsen.) If anyone has suggestions to any reputable airlines or freighting companies, please let me know!

I also applied to the NYU visual culture program (PhD.) Have you heard anything back? Why did you only apply for the MA? The NYU program is my top choice and I have a similar sounding resume as you (tons of work experience, strong relationships with my professors, mediocre GRE scores, etc.) Good luck!!!

What is your focus? Where did you apply?

I'm interested in contemporary visual culture... which has led me to apply to a variety of programs: NYU- Visual Culture (PhD) Stony Brook- Art History (PhD) Boston University- Art History (rejected) SAIC- Visual Studies (MA) Hunter- Art History (MA) WUSTL - Illustration and Visual Culture (MFA) CUNY- Art History (PhD) My undergrad is in Art History- thesis about contemporary Iranian/American visual culture.... so, wish me luck!

I just graduated from UCSD and I live near downtown, San Diego. La Jolla is a nightmare, so head south. I prefer artsy/dive bars/mom and pop shops- so I live in downtown/Golden Hill. Hip/Artsy: Golden Hill (victorian homes, cute coffee shops, eateries, little shops, park overlooking downtown, close to all highways) South Park (northeast of Golden Hill, lots of cute homes, shops, no freeway access) North Park (up and coming area, cheaper rent, directly east of Hillcrest and UCSD shuttle) University Heights (near Hillcrest and UCSD shuttle, quiet gay-friendly community with beautiful homes and shops) Busy/no car needed: Hillcrest (shuttle directly to UCSD, bustling/busy gay-friendly neighborhood, very popular amongst UCSD students) downtown (busy, expensive, and interesting...) Bankers Hill (north of downtown, lots of homes, small shops, near harbor) Mission Hills (north of Hillcrest, fun and cute area with a few small shops, overlooks all of downtown and harbor) Beaches: Ocean Beach (known to be laid back, hippy friendly, awesome co-op) Pacific Beach (undergrad party central, a little too manic for me) Mission Beach (family friendly, mainly vacation rentals) La Jolla (too expensive and you'll end up driving to all the other areas listed to hangout and get out of La Jolla) Good luck finding a neighborhood! Although I felt the student body was a bit stuffy and unfriendly, I did enjoy my undergraduate experience there. They are building a wine bar on campus and have hired the BEST interior designers, so there will soon be plenty of neat hangouts on campus. Other than that, the campus is beautiful- I think you'll enjoy going to UCSD.

Anyone hear back from Stony Brook yet? It's killing me....

Hmm.. waiting it out... I have: Got a third job. Yes, third. High paying, but not in my academic field. All to save for graduate school. Started to work out. Yay! I have been forcing myself to leave my house and go out! I can't just sit and panic about getting accepted all day. January was horrible! All I did was have mood swings and talk constantly about grad school! Started reading fashion editorials. Started tutoring undergraduates in writing! I have finally been able to start reading non-academic literature. I am going to start visiting museums, galleries, and the beach on a very regular basis.

My first response and first rejection was also from Boston University! Maybe we should compare our 'red flags' and determine our downfall! Mine may be my low verbal GRE score, but hey- I'm an outstanding candidate in every other area!

I also got my first letter/rejection yesterday! It was a safety too!! I feel so nervous that this could start a horrible trend in my mailbox! AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!