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lyrehc

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  1. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from ajayghale in Communication/Media Studies Ph.D Fall 2016--Apps, Decisions, and Waiting...   
    If you have a low undergraduate GPA and a good graduate GPA then you should be okay. Most programs care about how you do in your field, and a 3.92 MA GPA should be fine -- especially because many students need extra time to mature and get serious about their studies. I can't answer for every program, but letters of reference are huge for many. In addition, if you have communicated with faculty at the programs you apply to and developed rapport with them that can also make a huge difference. 
  2. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from ajayghale in Communication/Media Studies Ph.D Fall 2016--Apps, Decisions, and Waiting...   
    Try not to get too discouraged. There are a lot of options available -- good ones. Finding the right schools and the application process is stressful, but if you are serious about the advanced degree there are strategies for getting admitted and funded. Hang in there! 
  3. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from ajayghale in Communication/Media Studies Ph.D Fall 2016--Apps, Decisions, and Waiting...   
    You have media studies listed. Are you also looking at policomm? If so, there are several good policomm/media programs out there.
  4. Downvote
    lyrehc reacted to sociologyguy12 in Applying to PhD Programs in Sociology With No Research Experience and a RADICALLY Different Undergrad Degree   
    ^ advising anyone to visit socjobrumors is a dumb idea. There's no discussion of actual sociology nor are there any "job rumors." Instead, it's just a bunch of graduate students moaning and groaning about dumb and sometimes racist stuff. It's extremelly unlikely that you're a facutly member at a top 20 university. Odds are you're a graduate student, especially given the way you articulated most of your points here.
     
    Also, it's unfortuanate that you look so poorly upon letters from people outside of sociology. If we want to add anecdotal experiences into the equation, I didn't major in sociology and only one of my letters was from a sociologist. I was fortunate gain admission into several top 30 programs and waitlisted at a few others. Prior to submitting my application, no faculty members at any institutions I applied to expressed concern over my letters. They all told me it would be fine.
     
    Other than that, I don't have a problem with your advice.
  5. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from ThePastelCalico in Anyone still looking for a program?   
    This was on CRTNET this morning.
     
    Suzanne Enck, Suzanne.Enck@unt.edu
     
    One Teaching Assistant Opening for Fall 2015
     
    The Department of Communication Studies at the University of North Texas is able to offer one more teaching assistantship to begin this fall! 
     
    Our graduate teaching assistants are assigned to teach a variety of courses. TAs most frequently teaching "Introduction to Communication" - COMM 1010 - during their first year and then adding additional teaching opportunities as students gain experience and confidence (other TA opportunities include guiding recitation sections for: Interpersonal Communication, Performance of Literature, Rhetoric & Argument, Communication Perspectives, Small Group Communication, Organizational Communication, Storytelling, and Communication & Praxis Capstone). Each semester, the assistantship provides a salary of $1,232.22 per month at
    .50 HTE for 4.5 months. Under the terms of this program, TAs will receive a 6-hour tuition scholarship each fall and spring semester (currently valued at $2,502.05) that will be automatically applied to their graduate tuition (TAs are required to take 9 hours/semester to maintain full-time standing). 
     
    UNT's master's-only program is designed to facilitate student mastery of theory and research in the field of Communication Studies, to develop student research capabilities, and to enhance student preparation for various career paths or further graduate study. UNT's Department of Communication Studies offers coursework in rhetorical/critical studies, performance studies, and social science traditions (interpersonal & organizational communication). Students are afforded opportunities to explore communication from applied and theoretical perspectives, using analytical, critical, quantitative, and qualitative methodologies. The graduate experience is enhanced by opportunities to engage in one-on-one research with faculty members, participate in regional and national professional conferences and performance festivals, and complete internships with corporations, social service organizations, and government agencies.
     
    For information about our program and how to apply, please visit us:
    http://communication.unt.edu/graduate-studies-overview
     
    Application to this program involves TWO steps:
     
    First, submit the following to the UNT Tolouse Graduate School:
    http://tsgs.unt.edu/admissions/programs
     
    --Online application (ApplyTexas) and $75 fee
     
    --Official transcripts from ALL colleges attended
     
    --Official GRE scores
     
     
    TO:  Toulouse Graduate School
     
    University of North Texas
     
    1155 Union Circle #305459
     
    Denton, TX 76203-5017
     
     
    Second, send all additional application materials directly to the Department of Communication Studies:
     
    --A signed application letter in which you address your purpose in undertaking graduate study in Communication. Please include professional aspirations, career goals, and areas of research interest as they relate to the UNT program in Communication Studies. Also indicate the semester and year you would like to enter the program.
     
    -- Vita or resume highlighting relevant skills & achievements
     
    -- 2 letters of recommendation (preferably both from faculty members who can attest to your abilities to succeed in a graduate program in Communication Studies)
     
    -- An upper-division research writing sample
     
    -- TA Application (from the UNT COMM website)
     
     
    TO:  Graduate Standards Committee Chair
     
    Department of Communication Studies
     
    University of North Texas
     
    1155 Union Circle #305268
     
    Denton, TX 76203-5268
     
    +++ Note, at UNT, we MEAN GREEN!  Feel free to e-mail these materials
    directly to the department: COMMStudies@unt.edu
     
    Review of applications are continuing until all positions are filled.
    For questions about the graduate program, teaching assistantships, or how to apply, please contact me via email at suzanne.enck@unt.edu or Dr.
    Brian Richardson (Director of Graduate Studies) via email at richardson@unt.edu.
     
    All best,
     
    Suzanne Enck
     
    UNT Communication - Graduate Standards Committee
  6. Upvote
    lyrehc reacted to TakeruK in English Spelling Code Quandaries - Reali(s)(z)ing Differences!   
    As a Canadian in America, I see this too. It's a little weird in Canada since we use some American spelling (e.g. we prefer "ize" over "ise" most of the time) but we also use a lot of British spellings (we keep the "u" in colour, neighbour, favourite, etc.).
     
    For my homework, I spell the way I want to. No one in my program will care. Sometimes, my friend is the TA and they jokingly "correct" my Canadian spelling but no points are removed. To me, it's like saying "to-may-toe" vs. "to-mah-toe". There isn't a right answer.
     
    I also keep speaking Canadianisms and when my American friends are confused, I explain to them what I mean. For example, in Canada, we don't say "freshman/sophomore/junior/senior", just "first/second/third/fourth year". Or "Grade 5 students" instead of "Fifth Grade". "Pop" for sweet carbonated drinks instead of "soda". Again, I think the "dialect" of English we speak is no more or less valid than the differences between American dialects in California vs. Florida vs. Boston vs. New York. 
     
    The only time the spelling differences actually matter are:
     
    1. Writing computer code. My variable names will have the "u" in them, e.g.  "starColour" etc. I guess this can be an issue when I share my code with others, or I edit someone's else code. When this happens, I use whatever spelling convention the original author/primary author uses.
     
    2. Writing journal articles. I always follow the journal's style guide, no matter what my own preference would be. When I write for American journals, I use American spellings. When my American colleagues write for British (or Canadian) journals (e.g. Nature), they use British spellings. 
  7. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from ballwera in Not sure if my research idea qualifies for exemption from IRB review   
    My department chair recommends always submitting to IRB. There are frequently times when they will kick back the submission with a note that IRB approval is unnecessary, but having it is protection in case someone questions you down the road. Often journals want that verification even if the university IRB doesn't care.
  8. Upvote
    lyrehc reacted to rising_star in The Ph.D. Pay Gap   
    I am really irritated with the argument that because some people persevered through rough circumstances, that somehow means that the system doesn't need to be changed. Yes, bsharpe269 and Chesire_Cat's dad persevered through this but, how many other people were unable to so we don't hear from them during this conversation (because they aren't on a forum for people applying to graduate school)? That's just like saying that because some slaves were able to escape from the South via the underground railroad, it's okay to keep the institution of slavery around. After all, if they really wanted it, they could just escape too, right? I mean, if they were dedicated enough and willing to sacrifice and not have a family, they could have their freedom. (Note: I realize that slavery and going to graduate school aren't literally the same thing. But in the sense that having a graduate education opens up new doors and opportunities that otherwise are not available to someone, it does enable them to find freedom in a certain way.)
     
    Like I said, this line of thinking is problematic because it really is "I got mine in spite of obstacles so you just don't want it enough if somehow you can't too", which totally ignores the very different realities in which people live. Just because one's parents went to college doesn't mean they're wealthy (for example, if your parents are public school teachers or social workers they may not make much). Until recently, not going to college didn't necessarily mean you couldn't earn a good wage. Think of the factory jobs with union wages that enabled blue-collar workers to have a middle class lifestyle. Some of those same workers likely put their kids through college, allowing their children to surpass their own educational level.
     
    On average though, academia is skewing toward the middle and upper classes for a variety of reasons. There are some very evident biases in what undergraduate institutions send their alums to graduate school. The threads on here from people concerned that going to "Podunk U" means they'll never get into a top graduate program are somewhat rooted in reality. So, how does one get into a good undergraduate institution? By going to a decent high school and doing well there. If your high school doesn't offer the IB program or AP classes, you're at a disadvantage when applying to the top undergrad colleges and universities. How do you get to go to one of those high schools with an AP or IB curriculum? In general in the US, you do it by paying to go to private school, living in the part of town that sends you to such a school (where rents and home values are generally higher), or by getting into a public magnet school (generally test-based so you have to do well on whatever admissions test they have you take in 7th or 8th grade). Are you really suggesting that none of that favors students who are from the middle or upper classes of society?
     
    Let's go on though, just in case. If you are taking out loans for college, will you also have money for application fees, to take the GRE, and to send your GRE scores and transcripts out to programs? Will you be able to get the credit card you need to pay for travel to interviews until you are reimbursed? If you don't have a credit card, then you're stuck paying those things out of pocket and waiting 2-8 weeks for reimbursement, during which time you've got no money in your account... (Note: I used a credit card to pay for an interview and they took... 3.5 months to reimburse me for my expenses. I used money from my savings to pay that off so that I wouldn't be paying 12.99% interest on the money I only spent because the department asked me to. If I didn't have savings, that missing $600 could've been an issue.)  The entire reimbursement culture favors those with ample savings or the ability to borrow money from their family/friends so that they aren't penniless while waiting on a reimbursement to arrive. I can go on if that would be helpful.
  9. Upvote
    lyrehc reacted to ProfLorax in The Ph.D. Pay Gap   
    Bsharpe: you are making so many assumptions. I didn't share my background because I understand that my own experiences are not universal. Do you honestly think you can speak for everyone who has faced adversity?

    And all those programs you mention only prove that there's a problem. Let's put aside the fact that these social programs are heavily cut every year, minimizing their impact, the programs you name are just bandaids. No amount of free lunch at school is going to make dinner appear on the table (yes, I know that food stamps exist, but SNAP has also been significantly cut). No amount of free tutoring is going to tackle the school to prison pipeline. And as psychkita points out, no amount of GRE fee waivers will make up for inadequate public education in poor areas.

    And with that, I will take a bow from this bizarre conversation and go spend time with the best bad life decision I ever made.
  10. Upvote
    lyrehc reacted to TakeruK in Form DS-160: "Person paying for your trip"? Is it my department or my parents?   
    I just want to say two things from the point of view of a moderator regarding the exchange above between thegraydude and bbdd2:
     
    1. There is a difference between saying that one's comments are racist/offensive and saying that a person is racist and offensive. I encourage everyone, when they hear from another person that their comments were racist and offensive, to first examine and reflect on what they said and try to understand the reason for the offense. Resist the urge to immediately defend yourself (because it is not you that is being targeted, it's your comment) and listen to the other person. Hopefully when this happens, we find an opportunity to learn and grow.
     
    2. Regarding "thread hijacking": GradCafe doesn't have policies that require a thread to stay on a particular topic and the original poster of the thread does not get to decide what is and what isn't discussed. Except in special cases, moderators here will not take action in this regard. Instead, we prefer to let the users and participants in the thread lead the discussion and the topic will naturally evolve over time.
  11. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from grad_wannabe in PhD Decision Making, Missouri, FSU, UC Davis, WSU, Texas Tech   
    The work you produce will have more of an impact on job prospects than the school you come from. If you're publishing and attend Podunk Hills University that will be better than not publishing and attending Prestigious University. 
     
    It sounds to me like your heart has already decided and you want someone to tell you it is okay to follow your desires. It is. What you make of your education will have the longest-lasting impact.
  12. Downvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from CommPhD in PhD Decision Making, Missouri, FSU, UC Davis, WSU, Texas Tech   
    The work you produce will have more of an impact on job prospects than the school you come from. If you're publishing and attend Podunk Hills University that will be better than not publishing and attending Prestigious University. 
     
    It sounds to me like your heart has already decided and you want someone to tell you it is okay to follow your desires. It is. What you make of your education will have the longest-lasting impact.
  13. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from funkydays in Does reputation matters?   
    I think both have equal reputation.
     
    I would hesitate to go to Wisconsin right now, though. I have a friend who is a full professor at UW-Milwaukee and the cuts being pushed by the governor are affecting everyone dramatically. 
  14. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from dr. t in Does reputation matters?   
    I think both have equal reputation.
     
    I would hesitate to go to Wisconsin right now, though. I have a friend who is a full professor at UW-Milwaukee and the cuts being pushed by the governor are affecting everyone dramatically. 
  15. Upvote
    lyrehc reacted to jujubea in Communication/Media Studies Ph.D Fall 2015--Apps, Decisions, and Waiting...   
    Congratulations!!!
     
    How about UPenn? Any flexibility on that visit day?
     
    If not, which one do you feel more unsure about (not the most excited about, but the one you really don't know about)? That's the one I'd attend.
  16. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from -hermes- in Questions at an Open House   
    Talk to the graduate students. 
     
    Ask about:
     
    Faculty dynamics - who works well together, who doesn't
    Interest areas - if you wanted would you be able to add intercultural and rhetorical and social influence scholars to same committee, that type of thing
    Department culture
    How interactive the faculty are with students - easy/hard to get appointments, opportunities to collaborate on research, what types of mentoring
    Community - what students you would teach are like
    Teaching opportunities - support/discussion sections, able to teach stand-alone courses, able to develop own curriculum
    Graduate classes - when taught, what faculty are like, how often the classes you really want are truly offered
     
     
    Another thing to consider asking the students is, if they were choosing which PhD program to attend now would it be the same.
     
    And also find out about the community where the university is located. Are there times when you aren't able to go anywhere because of activities? Are members of the community open to students/faculty?
     
    Good luck!
  17. Upvote
    lyrehc reacted to shadowclaw in Budding romance with student - FML   
    I am really intrigued by the different responses to this topic. This is how I interpret the OP's interactions with the student: the student is in his class, has probably chatted with him during office hours, and they exchanged phone numbers. Friendly texting ensued, and at some point the student suggested the possibility of relationship after the class was over, to which the OP said, "we'll play it by ear."

    The only thing I think the OP did incorrectly was say that they'd play it by ear. It isn't a horrible response and certainly doesn't commit to anything, but it does send the message to the student that you are interested in her romantically. A better response would have been that you couldn't discuss that at all until the semester is over.

    It's not clear if the OP and the student ever got together outside of school for any kind of social activity. I think that would make things murky. However, having conversations at lunch, in the office, etc. is certainly acceptable. I've spent many hours in the offices of my professors (of both sexes) talking about a wide range of things, from coursework to current events to movies, and so have many other students. I've also had professors who invited groups of students to their homes for dinner. So socializing in itself is not a bad thing.

    As for trading phone numbers, that's also something that I don't think is wrong. I have the phone numbers of several professors for a variety of reasons. Some gave out their numbers to everyone in class so they could easily be reached. Others gave them out only to advisees or students on field trips or research trips. Some who do tutoring give them to students so they can call if they really need help with something outside of regular hours (I did this as a peer tutor during undergrad). I think professors occasionally regret this... on one weekend field trip for a course, a bunch of us went to dinner and then to a bar, and several of the guys decided it would be fun to text weird pictures and memes to our professor.

    So yeah, having friendly text conversations isn't bad, but only texting this one particular student would certainly look a bit fishy if someone decided to investigate. However, having the same conversations with a male student probably wouldn't set off any alarms (excluding the bit about a future relationship, of course).

    So I really don't think the OP has seriously crossed any lines. Again, the play it by ear comment puts you in some murky territory, but the mere fact that you are interested in this student doesn't violate any ethics (as long as you aren't letting that interest dictate how you treat her in class), nor does having deep conversations with her. However, backing off may indeed be a good idea to help keep you objective as well as help keep her focused on the class.
  18. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from CaitlinMarie in Questions at an Open House   
    Talk to the graduate students. 
     
    Ask about:
     
    Faculty dynamics - who works well together, who doesn't
    Interest areas - if you wanted would you be able to add intercultural and rhetorical and social influence scholars to same committee, that type of thing
    Department culture
    How interactive the faculty are with students - easy/hard to get appointments, opportunities to collaborate on research, what types of mentoring
    Community - what students you would teach are like
    Teaching opportunities - support/discussion sections, able to teach stand-alone courses, able to develop own curriculum
    Graduate classes - when taught, what faculty are like, how often the classes you really want are truly offered
     
     
    Another thing to consider asking the students is, if they were choosing which PhD program to attend now would it be the same.
     
    And also find out about the community where the university is located. Are there times when you aren't able to go anywhere because of activities? Are members of the community open to students/faculty?
     
    Good luck!
  19. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from ashes_are_burning in Teaching Tips   
    Being called "Professor" isn't the norm in my department either, but there are TAs who choose to use that. My students call me "Ms. ___"
     
    I found this to be the most helpful pedagogy book. http://www.amazon.com/Critical-Communication-Pedagogy-Deanna-Fassett/dp/1412916267I also really like Paulo Freire's work. Using the dialogic model instead of the banking model of education as a core element in my teaching helps a lot.
  20. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from theoryoftheories in Fall 2015 Acceptances (and Rejections) Thread   
    I'm in my 40s and there are several students my age in my program. I'm in communication but I take sociology classes at my university too. At least one student is my age over there.
  21. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from ashes_are_burning in Communication/Media Studies Ph.D Fall 2015--Apps, Decisions, and Waiting...   
    I think the "impoverished international" was self-identification by the poster and not a label directed toward others.
  22. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from justastudent in Your #1 tip for an older student?   
    I'm 44, married, have 3 sons, and am in the 2nd year of a PhD program. I haven't found that there is a huge divide between me and other students - the person I'm closest to in my cohort is 21. I don't go out drinking but many of the other students aren't interested in partying, while some are. Personality plays into this as much as anything.
     
    The biggest thing for me is to schedule EVERYTHING. I tell my family all the time "if it isn't on my calendar it doesn't happen." Assignments due for me, assignments due for my students, activities for my children, appointments, etc. I put it all on a calendar. I am rigid about making sure I stick to my schedule because having a family takes time. Kids get sick at the least opportune moments. My first semester I got pneumonia and my father-in-law had a massive stroke - being scheduled kept me on track when it would have been easy to get derailed.
     
    I agree with the advice to stay involved. I moved from one office to another my 2nd semester, and being in an environment with a lot more students allowed me to connect with others better. My advisor told me that when I go on the job market prospective employers will care about the type of service someone has put in for the department as well, and those who can demonstrate participation do better.
  23. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from Threeboysmom in Your #1 tip for an older student?   
    I'm 44, married, have 3 sons, and am in the 2nd year of a PhD program. I haven't found that there is a huge divide between me and other students - the person I'm closest to in my cohort is 21. I don't go out drinking but many of the other students aren't interested in partying, while some are. Personality plays into this as much as anything.
     
    The biggest thing for me is to schedule EVERYTHING. I tell my family all the time "if it isn't on my calendar it doesn't happen." Assignments due for me, assignments due for my students, activities for my children, appointments, etc. I put it all on a calendar. I am rigid about making sure I stick to my schedule because having a family takes time. Kids get sick at the least opportune moments. My first semester I got pneumonia and my father-in-law had a massive stroke - being scheduled kept me on track when it would have been easy to get derailed.
     
    I agree with the advice to stay involved. I moved from one office to another my 2nd semester, and being in an environment with a lot more students allowed me to connect with others better. My advisor told me that when I go on the job market prospective employers will care about the type of service someone has put in for the department as well, and those who can demonstrate participation do better.
  24. Upvote
    lyrehc got a reaction from music in Your #1 tip for an older student?   
    I'm 44, married, have 3 sons, and am in the 2nd year of a PhD program. I haven't found that there is a huge divide between me and other students - the person I'm closest to in my cohort is 21. I don't go out drinking but many of the other students aren't interested in partying, while some are. Personality plays into this as much as anything.
     
    The biggest thing for me is to schedule EVERYTHING. I tell my family all the time "if it isn't on my calendar it doesn't happen." Assignments due for me, assignments due for my students, activities for my children, appointments, etc. I put it all on a calendar. I am rigid about making sure I stick to my schedule because having a family takes time. Kids get sick at the least opportune moments. My first semester I got pneumonia and my father-in-law had a massive stroke - being scheduled kept me on track when it would have been easy to get derailed.
     
    I agree with the advice to stay involved. I moved from one office to another my 2nd semester, and being in an environment with a lot more students allowed me to connect with others better. My advisor told me that when I go on the job market prospective employers will care about the type of service someone has put in for the department as well, and those who can demonstrate participation do better.
  25. Upvote
    lyrehc reacted to fuzzylogician in Good Enough?   
    I knew before I applied that I wanted to have a career in academia. That's a hard enough goal to obtain even when you are on paper stellar and come with all the bells and whistles, and I think it's exponentially more difficult when you don't. I ended up attending one of the top schools in my field, and it happens to also have excellent name recognition as well. My second choice school is also top ranked, but doesn't have nearly as good brand recognition. The reason I chose my school had something to do with that but more to do with other factors like geography and how I felt I connected with people at my school. At the end of the day, the most important thing is your research, but your advisor's reputation and school's reputation also matter. A better school can give you better resources and better support for your research. These things are all related--there is a reason why top schools consistently produce strong students. They can choose from the best, these people study with other excellent students, and they have access to excellent mentors. I wanted to be part of that, or I didn't think it was worth my time and effort. I didn't want a PhD just for the sake of having one, but as a means to an end. I also know that if a job in academia doesn't work out for me, I have other opportunities in industry because of the degree I have obtained and the reputation of the school that granted it to me. Honestly, I had no idea that I would be as successful as I was during my application cycle. But if I wasn't good enough to attend a top school, I probably wouldn't have the career I wanted and so it's no use even getting started. I aimed high because that's where my goals are. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend the application fees and not worry about it; I have to say, I considered it an investment, not a gamble. If things hadn't worked out, I guess I would have needed to rethink how much I wanted the education and career path and decide whether it's worth it to try again. I am very lucky not to have had to go through that.
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