maelduin

Hah! Great observation. I suppose that could be true. I think I'm going to send them the mails though. I feel I'd appreciate the gesture, so maybe I should just go with my gut on that one. Thanks!

I just wanted to poll here and see what everyone thinks about this particular situation. I have had a pretty wonderful experience with some grad students in some programs. Would it be strange to send them an e-mail informing them of my decision (not to attend), while at the same time thanking them for their help? Some were actually incredibly helpful.

Kev, Thank you for the update! This really helps. Hopefully I hear some developments soon.

Kev, Yeah, no news yet. In fact--I'm not even sure what website I should be checking. What website did you use!? I applied through that applyweb applet, but I didn't get anything else to direct me to a different site and that website doesn't seem to update anything.

Kev, Eek!! When did they get back to you about it? Rather, how? Maybe the CFC only really accepts people with full funding packages?. It could be that the person you wanted to work with there couldn't find an applicable project to get you in under that would allow you to research without financial burdens. Really sorry to hear about that though.

Interesting. Yeah, I didn't get any kind of information from the graduate school specifically yet. I hope that information comes soon. I hope your Penn State decision works out!

Did you call/e-mail the coordinator to find out more?

Kev, Did you hear back yet from UM?

I was just wondering, I have been told I'll receive a stipend, but no definitive amount. Is it bad form to ask what the amount will be?

Thanks! Actually there's no definitive outlook yet from UBC, just good vibes. I probably spoke too soon. But I'm really thinking that UM might be the better school. It seems like it has a much more intimate and focused atmosphere. When I visited UW it was a lot of the same feeling. A small--dedicated building with really friendly staff. I think if you go there, you'd definitely enjoy it.

kev0476 thank you for the response! Essentially I'm weighing it against a program at UBC right now in Canada. I'm going to be joining the M.S. program in Systems Ecology if I were to go, and I wanted to get a good feel about the overall reputation of the school. Where about did you find information regarding the program specifics? That's awesome that you were accepted to UW. I applied--didn't get in. I went for a short visit though and fell in love with Seattle.

Just that last qualifying statement he had up there: FYI, many of my fellow graduates with similar GPAs are still unemployed while those who underperformed academically, attained very well-paying jobs. But yeah, bit convoluted, and honestly shocking. I'm a bit skeptical about graduate schools giving more money just because you're in a hard situation. But I suppose extraordinary things could happen. I just think that unless there is someone at that school who has a real vested interest in this potential grad, the probabilities are slim.

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone can give me a reliable look into the reputation of the UM Forestry and Conservation school. I've looked all around on the internet and I find some promising things. The school itself isn't very highly ranked, but this department seems rather strong. Does anyone have any experience with it or has anyone heard of it?

Rvict, I think he means he had a very high GPA with no real usable knowledge from it. Rather his good grades didn't actually describe his aptitude and therefore prevented him from good employment opportunities.

Everyone, thanks a ton for your responses. This helps me put myself a bit at ease. I think, first, I need to wait until I get both packages enumerated to a degree that I can weigh them against each other. One offers comfort, and likely a much more intimate approach to my schooling--the other a far more diverse school with more resources and likely more renowned professors. I'm not sure how much the renown matters in my own approach to education, but I suppose as some of you say there is some too it. I'll keep looking into things and trying to make the right choice. It's definitely hard!