beccamayworth

Well hello everyone!! Just accepted my offer from USC today. It feels good to join the Trojan family.

Hi! I go to SDSU and I've never felt unsafe. Yes, there's some crime, but most of it occurs with people that are walking alone late at night (past midnight). I actually find the campus to be a very safe environment, and extremely pleasant. If anything, I'd just say that the area around campus is a bit boring and packed with undergrads. I live in Normal Heights and absolutely love it. I'd highly recommend living in Normal Heights, Kensington and North Park. The SLHS department is absolutely fantastic, the Professors and students are all extremely competent and friendly.

Hi Tsareva, Professors vary a lot in the way they advise... some are more hands-on, some more hands-off. I'm sorry that your advisor's style doesn't seem to be a good fit for you, but it seems like the most productive thing to do now is to work with what you've got; try your best to work independently, maybe seek guidance from the other Prof you mentioned. Good luck!

Yes that's another good point; having a car in San Diego is great but not as necessary as everyone seems to think, I've been living in SD for 3 years car-less and it's quite alright. Again, Normal Heights is a great central location, but also any area near a trolley stop would be convenient.

Is there any way that you could change your thesis topic in a way that would make you feel better about it, and still finish your program? I completely understand you wanting to quit/change, but you're so close to finishing! Good luck!!!

good luck!!! I'm on my way to my final visit tomorrow... here's hoping it will bring clarity!

Maybe you're right. It's just my experience has been completely different, so I am just questioning the events presented here. I tend to believe that questioning, looking at both sides, and talking about leads to a constructive experience - I'm sorry if you feel differently. I'd never say that certain terms don't have a role in a type of discussion (with the exception of hateful terms), because for it to be a discussion, people need to be able to express their thoughts/opinions freely.

so what you're saying is that the fellowship doesn't really have an early deadline, this is just the department's way of hooking good students early... I'd say in this case that the department must know they're playing a risky game (they're forcing people into making difficult decisions, and they're aware people might still receive better offers). And if you're correct that the fellowship doesn't have an earlier deadline, then they can still offer it to someone else, right? I agree that it's unethical to go back on your commitment - but I also think there's room to discuss how ethical it is to put applicants in this position. Also, the other school the OP mentions said they'll only make their funding offer on March 17, which makes it sound that in his field funding offers might not be as early as you mentioned. I must admit, I didn't know some fields made their offers that early. Most of mine came within the last few weeks, and I'm still waiting on one. Also, I'm very glad I haven't been pressured into making a commitment that early.

Yeah I'm not sure I get it. They said they needed his response by Feb 28th, and then when he asked to extend it they said "the department is also under a deadline to submit a name for the fellowship." So it sounds like either the Fellowship did have an early deadline or the department made it seem that way... no? I didn't mean the department would save the fellowship money, I meant the university would.

it boggles my mind though why the University would set up a fellowship for graduate students with such an early deadline when they know all about the graduate admissions process and the April 15th deadline. I can't help but wonder whether they do this on purpose hoping many of the fellowships won't be used due to issues like this, and they'll be able to save the $$. Or maybe there's a lot to it that I am not aware of.

I agree with everyone that said you should definitely go to the school that offers funding, and that you don't necessarily have to do psycholinguistics work if you chose Davis. I'd also like to add that if you do become interested in psycholinguistics, that's okay too - even if you don't have a background in it yet. I'm sure you'll be able to develop your knowledge and skills during your PhD.

Hi! Yes I live with two roommates in a house (although honestly my room is tiny, I suppose it's probably an office and not a room); I found this one through craigslist, but I do think you'll have better luck through an agent (sorry I don't have any suggestions!) Do you know if your program has a students association? It might be worth it to look them up (website, facebook) and try to contact them; let them know you're visiting, ask them if anyone is looking for roommates, that sort of thing

I think this is good news, and that your chance of getting in are good It depends of course on which two places, but from what I gather, it's fairly common to get in from the waitlist. The part that sucks is that you might have to wait until April to know.

I agree with everything Fuzzy said - seems like Cornell is the place that will make you happier overall. I have to say, I do understand your hesitancy in letting go of Stony Brook. I'm going through a similar experience. It's a good problem to have, but still tough - good luck!

I don't think it would hurt to contact your POI at Stanford and let them know of your situation (that is, when you do find out about the grants/fellowships).

CONGRATS!!!

Will you have a car? I currently live in Normal Heights and I honestly believe to be one of the best options in town - it's cheaper then most hip places (North Park, Hillcrest), there's a lot to do around (restaurants, bars) and it's pretty central. I don't drive, and I get to SDSU in 10-15 min by bus (most people take longer than that to park, lol). Living around Campus is very practical but there's really not a lot to do. I think I'd try to contact the new people in your cohort, other grad students, etc. to see if you could find a roommate. Do you know anyone in the area?

Just saw this question on the English/Literature or something Forum and I absolutely love it so I had to steal it: "If you had to make a monument to the four faces that are attached to the bodies of the four scholars or theorists whose work you most admire or has most influenced you, who would they be?" I think my Mt. Rushmore would be: Ferdinand di Saussure, Michael Halliday, Ellen Prince and Paul Grice. But I don't know. I might have to come back to change this.

Finally received my rejection from Chicago, so by now I've heard from all the schools I've applied to! Whew. Good luck to everyone waiting... this will be over soon.

I'd see that as a good sign!

I'm curious as well! Good luck!!

Yup. I have the same question. I don't know how specific to get!

Hah I thought this thread was going to be totally different. My biggest pet peeve is to be called an "alien". lol

If Professor X is really Professor X, I say go with that one. Mutant school is where it's at. But all kidding aside, I think bsharpe made really good points. I would add this one: who do you like more? Have you met both in person? You're going to work with this person for five years... better make sure you get along.

Kwikki, please don't feel that way; there's nothing wrong with you! So many great, qualified people don't get in, so many people apply several times before they are accepted... I applied to a few PhD programs years ago and didn't get into any. Went on to do an MA, and applied again.