msocean

After reading a few more of the posts...
 
A LOT is out of our control.  You can do everything in your power...write a great SOP, have fantastic LOR's, a respectable GPA, research experience...but you are who you are and there will always be someone better than you.  And there is never enough funding for everyone, especially this year.  I went to visit each of my potential schools, PI's, and their current staffs.  So meeting people can be a positive or a negative.  We all know people who look great on paper but you wouldn't want to work with them once you've met them.  So that can work in an applicant's favor...or not.  But I was able to narrow my application list by eliminating the schools/staff that were not a good fit for me.  I was surprised at how outdated and rundown some research facilities are.  And I surprised myself by knowing that there turned out to be certain locations where I could not picture myself living.
 
If I had to do it again (and I won't...WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!) I would have started earlier on my application materials, studied sooner and longer for the GRE (I underestimated the difficulty as I tend to be an excellent test taker with little effort in the past), thought deeper about my ultimate career goals since grad school can help that process down the road, and I would have looked deeper into myself about what I really want...not what everybody else wants for me.  
 
I have accepted at a school that will make me happy for an MSc.  And I realize that I have a bit of academic fatigue so I think I will be stopping for a while (maybe forever) after a masters.  I'm happy to have found a home at a smaller school in a smaller environment that suits me.  My particular situation is not about the most prestigious university or the most recognized in my field.  I found those programs to be too pretentious for me.  But I found that out when I was touring UG schools.   I could have had a full ride at Stanford but chose a smaller state school for my own personal reasons.  And it worked out well for me.  It pays to know yourself and what makes you happy.  I just recently saw a quote..."You have to turn your back on the audience to conduct an orchestra."  I feel that defines my views on my education...you have to go with your gut on what feels right, no matter what other people may think is right for you.

After reading a few more of the posts...
 
A LOT is out of our control.  You can do everything in your power...write a great SOP, have fantastic LOR's, a respectable GPA, research experience...but you are who you are and there will always be someone better than you.  And there is never enough funding for everyone, especially this year.  I went to visit each of my potential schools, PI's, and their current staffs.  So meeting people can be a positive or a negative.  We all know people who look great on paper but you wouldn't want to work with them once you've met them.  So that can work in an applicant's favor...or not.  But I was able to narrow my application list by eliminating the schools/staff that were not a good fit for me.  I was surprised at how outdated and rundown some research facilities are.  And I surprised myself by knowing that there turned out to be certain locations where I could not picture myself living.
 
If I had to do it again (and I won't...WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!) I would have started earlier on my application materials, studied sooner and longer for the GRE (I underestimated the difficulty as I tend to be an excellent test taker with little effort in the past), thought deeper about my ultimate career goals since grad school can help that process down the road, and I would have looked deeper into myself about what I really want...not what everybody else wants for me.  
 
I have accepted at a school that will make me happy for an MSc.  And I realize that I have a bit of academic fatigue so I think I will be stopping for a while (maybe forever) after a masters.  I'm happy to have found a home at a smaller school in a smaller environment that suits me.  My particular situation is not about the most prestigious university or the most recognized in my field.  I found those programs to be too pretentious for me.  But I found that out when I was touring UG schools.   I could have had a full ride at Stanford but chose a smaller state school for my own personal reasons.  And it worked out well for me.  It pays to know yourself and what makes you happy.  I just recently saw a quote..."You have to turn your back on the audience to conduct an orchestra."  I feel that defines my views on my education...you have to go with your gut on what feels right, no matter what other people may think is right for you.

I got my first credit card last year.  I've had an account with the bank since I was 14.  So they have been offering me a student credit card for a while.  It's important not to use your debit card for places where identity theft risk is high like online purchases or iTunes, etc.  The credit card has better protection, the theft of your debit card data could empty your checking account as well as any savings accounts that are linked.  
 
My parents taught me to save the receipts from credit card purchases and enter them into my Quicken check register (just like writing a check), deducting them from the balance.  When the bill comes at the end of the month, the money has already been deducted as I went along (no overspending) and I pay off the card in full, reconcile the line items in the register just like when my checking statement comes.  I name the payee on the register for my card, ie Visa, AmEx, whatever.  Then all I have to do is run a report for that payee for the month, check them off.  It's a good way to be sure that all of the charges on your statement are yours and correct.  I had one coffee shop run my card twice.  When I called them to correct it, they gave me a free drink!

I think it depends on how much you have in the bank, and how much debt you are willing to incur.  I have friends that will spend the rest of their lives paying off their student loan debt from UG and grad school.  They have told me that they will be in their 40's - 50's before it is paid off.  They are afraid that they will never own their own home or be able to provide themselves a significant retirement.  
 
Not in your field, but I've watched people dig themselves unbelieveable financial holes.  I would sit down and figure out what the acutal cost would be to attend Elliott and how long it would take to pay that off, underestimating the amount you would earn after...just to stay on the safe side.  If that make your stomach turn, then I would opt for Marquette and make the most of networking during the summers and at conferences.  If, on the other hand, you can manage the debt well then you should go for Elliott.  Is there any chance your current employer could adjust your schedule so that you could attend Elliott part time while still working?
 
Best of luck to you!

After reading a few more of the posts...
 
A LOT is out of our control.  You can do everything in your power...write a great SOP, have fantastic LOR's, a respectable GPA, research experience...but you are who you are and there will always be someone better than you.  And there is never enough funding for everyone, especially this year.  I went to visit each of my potential schools, PI's, and their current staffs.  So meeting people can be a positive or a negative.  We all know people who look great on paper but you wouldn't want to work with them once you've met them.  So that can work in an applicant's favor...or not.  But I was able to narrow my application list by eliminating the schools/staff that were not a good fit for me.  I was surprised at how outdated and rundown some research facilities are.  And I surprised myself by knowing that there turned out to be certain locations where I could not picture myself living.
 
If I had to do it again (and I won't...WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!) I would have started earlier on my application materials, studied sooner and longer for the GRE (I underestimated the difficulty as I tend to be an excellent test taker with little effort in the past), thought deeper about my ultimate career goals since grad school can help that process down the road, and I would have looked deeper into myself about what I really want...not what everybody else wants for me.  
 
I have accepted at a school that will make me happy for an MSc.  And I realize that I have a bit of academic fatigue so I think I will be stopping for a while (maybe forever) after a masters.  I'm happy to have found a home at a smaller school in a smaller environment that suits me.  My particular situation is not about the most prestigious university or the most recognized in my field.  I found those programs to be too pretentious for me.  But I found that out when I was touring UG schools.   I could have had a full ride at Stanford but chose a smaller state school for my own personal reasons.  And it worked out well for me.  It pays to know yourself and what makes you happy.  I just recently saw a quote..."You have to turn your back on the audience to conduct an orchestra."  I feel that defines my views on my education...you have to go with your gut on what feels right, no matter what other people may think is right for you.

After reading a few more of the posts...
 
A LOT is out of our control.  You can do everything in your power...write a great SOP, have fantastic LOR's, a respectable GPA, research experience...but you are who you are and there will always be someone better than you.  And there is never enough funding for everyone, especially this year.  I went to visit each of my potential schools, PI's, and their current staffs.  So meeting people can be a positive or a negative.  We all know people who look great on paper but you wouldn't want to work with them once you've met them.  So that can work in an applicant's favor...or not.  But I was able to narrow my application list by eliminating the schools/staff that were not a good fit for me.  I was surprised at how outdated and rundown some research facilities are.  And I surprised myself by knowing that there turned out to be certain locations where I could not picture myself living.
 
If I had to do it again (and I won't...WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!) I would have started earlier on my application materials, studied sooner and longer for the GRE (I underestimated the difficulty as I tend to be an excellent test taker with little effort in the past), thought deeper about my ultimate career goals since grad school can help that process down the road, and I would have looked deeper into myself about what I really want...not what everybody else wants for me.  
 
I have accepted at a school that will make me happy for an MSc.  And I realize that I have a bit of academic fatigue so I think I will be stopping for a while (maybe forever) after a masters.  I'm happy to have found a home at a smaller school in a smaller environment that suits me.  My particular situation is not about the most prestigious university or the most recognized in my field.  I found those programs to be too pretentious for me.  But I found that out when I was touring UG schools.   I could have had a full ride at Stanford but chose a smaller state school for my own personal reasons.  And it worked out well for me.  It pays to know yourself and what makes you happy.  I just recently saw a quote..."You have to turn your back on the audience to conduct an orchestra."  I feel that defines my views on my education...you have to go with your gut on what feels right, no matter what other people may think is right for you.

Humidity will bring bugs and spoil food.  I have visited many times.  My friends in FL keep one of those little hand-held vacuum cleaners on a charger to suck up the bugs instead of squishing/crunching them!  I think it's a great idea.  Bugs are everywhere.  You may find it works to keep things like flour and sugar in sealed containers.  Think Ikea!  I have always kept excess food in the freezer, like bread.  Food left out does not last long.  So most fruits and veggies will go in the fridge to last longer.  Take a cooler along to the grocery if you can, especially on hot days.  Frozen foods won't make it out of the parking lot without melting.
 
You...melting...always keep a water bottle with you.  Drink and refill often.  Rain will melt you.  Have several umbrellas...one in your office, one in the car, one in your bag, a couple at home.  It rains a lot, especially if you come from a desert climate like us.  It rains every day sometimes.  Have good tires on your car if you will be driving.  On the same note, find info about hurricanes and make it your business to put together a survival kit with water, food, cash, ...  
 
You will probably find the need to change up a few personal care products for your hair, soap, moisturizers.  
 
Don't plan too much for the first few weeks until you get acclimated.  Moving is stressful enough and we all have tons of obligations upon arriving.  I'm planning my move to a coastal state a month before I'm expected so I can acclimate.  I have too many non-school things to take care of...register the car, change car/renters insurance, change drivers license, find a vet for my dog, get started with filling the pantry, buy a bed (won't fit in my SUV for the move and I don't want a used one), figure out the university shuttle service and pucblic transportation in town, ....I have a huge list.

Humidity will bring bugs and spoil food.  I have visited many times.  My friends in FL keep one of those little hand-held vacuum cleaners on a charger to suck up the bugs instead of squishing/crunching them!  I think it's a great idea.  Bugs are everywhere.  You may find it works to keep things like flour and sugar in sealed containers.  Think Ikea!  I have always kept excess food in the freezer, like bread.  Food left out does not last long.  So most fruits and veggies will go in the fridge to last longer.  Take a cooler along to the grocery if you can, especially on hot days.  Frozen foods won't make it out of the parking lot without melting.
 
You...melting...always keep a water bottle with you.  Drink and refill often.  Rain will melt you.  Have several umbrellas...one in your office, one in the car, one in your bag, a couple at home.  It rains a lot, especially if you come from a desert climate like us.  It rains every day sometimes.  Have good tires on your car if you will be driving.  On the same note, find info about hurricanes and make it your business to put together a survival kit with water, food, cash, ...  
 
You will probably find the need to change up a few personal care products for your hair, soap, moisturizers.  
 
Don't plan too much for the first few weeks until you get acclimated.  Moving is stressful enough and we all have tons of obligations upon arriving.  I'm planning my move to a coastal state a month before I'm expected so I can acclimate.  I have too many non-school things to take care of...register the car, change car/renters insurance, change drivers license, find a vet for my dog, get started with filling the pantry, buy a bed (won't fit in my SUV for the move and I don't want a used one), figure out the university shuttle service and pucblic transportation in town, ....I have a huge list.

I figured out that moving cross country is expensive if I take the furniture that my parents have offered.  So for me it has to fit in my SUV...
 
1. Kitchen stuff...pots, pans, utensils, towels, travel mugs/water bottles, my favorite tea/mugs/tea pot, ... getting new dishes when I get there
2.  Bathroom...shower mat, shower curtain, pocket holder for back of door for all the small stuff to keep it off the vanity, towels, extra bottles of my favorite shampoo
3.  Bedroom...favorite comforters (bought vacuum seal, "suck out the air" bags), sheets, night stand, alarm clock/iPod dock, lamp...buying new bed
4.  vacuum cleaner, limited myself to one box of "my favorite things", laptop, bike, lots of sunscreen, first aid essentials packed by my mom (ibuprofen, bandaids, thermometer, instant gatorade and instant soup,)
5.  I'M TAKING MY DOG!!!!!!!  I've been looking at apartments online so far and most of them accept small dogs and cats.
 
My parents have also offered to get me a Costco gift card since I have decided not to break the bank with moving expenses.  That will help get me started with groceries, paper products, dog food.  And I'm hoping that any graduation gifts I get will be in the form of Visa gift cards...would love to buy some household stuff online since there isn't much in the way of shopping where I'm going, and I really dont have room for much more in my car.
 
And it's worthwhile to beg for any Bed, Bath Beyond coupons.  Instead of the usual 20% off entire purchase, they do it off each item in August.  You can order online and pickup in the store nearest to your new location.  But friends have told me it's good to have a coupon for each item if you want to maximize your savings.

I think it depends on how much you have in the bank, and how much debt you are willing to incur.  I have friends that will spend the rest of their lives paying off their student loan debt from UG and grad school.  They have told me that they will be in their 40's - 50's before it is paid off.  They are afraid that they will never own their own home or be able to provide themselves a significant retirement.  
 
Not in your field, but I've watched people dig themselves unbelieveable financial holes.  I would sit down and figure out what the acutal cost would be to attend Elliott and how long it would take to pay that off, underestimating the amount you would earn after...just to stay on the safe side.  If that make your stomach turn, then I would opt for Marquette and make the most of networking during the summers and at conferences.  If, on the other hand, you can manage the debt well then you should go for Elliott.  Is there any chance your current employer could adjust your schedule so that you could attend Elliott part time while still working?
 
Best of luck to you!

I think it depends on how much you have in the bank, and how much debt you are willing to incur.  I have friends that will spend the rest of their lives paying off their student loan debt from UG and grad school.  They have told me that they will be in their 40's - 50's before it is paid off.  They are afraid that they will never own their own home or be able to provide themselves a significant retirement.  
 
Not in your field, but I've watched people dig themselves unbelieveable financial holes.  I would sit down and figure out what the acutal cost would be to attend Elliott and how long it would take to pay that off, underestimating the amount you would earn after...just to stay on the safe side.  If that make your stomach turn, then I would opt for Marquette and make the most of networking during the summers and at conferences.  If, on the other hand, you can manage the debt well then you should go for Elliott.  Is there any chance your current employer could adjust your schedule so that you could attend Elliott part time while still working?
 
Best of luck to you!