S.K.

So, if I do my homework, participate in class, go to my professors for advice on papers and such, write a decent semester paper (not a great one, because, lets be real, I'm European and there is no way that I will write an A paper in the first semester, mainly because I have no idea how to write in a different format and style) but lets say that my paper is decent. Will that get me an A-? just so that I can compare with what I'm used to here in Europe

As I don't really know how grad school works in the U.S. I kinda found it strange when I read that everyone gets an A? is this true? If yes, why do they even exist? I mean, they could give out Fail/Pass grades..... I imagined myself going through immense pressure to maintain the 3.5 and failing. When I will get my grades on Christmas and see the less the 3.5 (example: 3.2) than I can't even continue. I would fall out of good standing, and I would be out of the program! Or is there something I don't see?

Thank you for your kind words and advice! I have decided to bail, I am sure that I will fail. I am absolutely sure that I can not get A- in every class (yes my department requires of me an A- in every class for the first year). People have been telling me to try and that I can do it if I try hard enough but I can't. I know that, and I surely can't with the mentality I am having know. So I decided to not even start the program. good luck to anyone who is starting a PhD, I admire you, I wish I was as strong as you are.

Hello I am an international student and I have been accepted for a PhD in the US. I never left so far from home before, even as an undergrad I lived like a 30min car drive away from home. I've been with someone for 4 years and we have been always together, I was never away from him for long periods of time. 1 month was the most we haven't seen each other. He will come with me to the states and he will stay 2 weeks to help me settle in. My problem: I fly in less than a week and I'm having panic attacks, I cry all night, I can't concentrate and I'm really scared! I'm thinking of my family and my boyfriend who I will only see on Skype till christmas. The program I will start needs a 3.5 GPA in order to stay in good standing, this worries me as I have never been a top student. I mean, I'm an alright student, but I never went the extra mile, I always did what I had to do, you can call that lazy I would put me in the B range. I'm scared that I will fail and that they will kick me out after one semester. I even went as far as thinking that I don't really wanna do this. Did it happen to anyone? Am I just getting cold feet for being alone for the first time? Or should I really be concerned? I would appreciate any advice! Thank you

thank you that was really helpful

Hello, I was trying to find out how much international students get taxed.. I read about US taxes, for example if I have a 13.000$ stipend I would get taxed 10% for the 9.000$ and than 15% for the other 4.000$ + State Taxes. Is this overall correct? But, I'm an international student and I could not find any more information on how this works for us. If anyone can help me? thanks

Good to see more people here! I still have not heard back from any of the programs (except Texas-Austin) but it is still early.

Hello Sorry for seeing this now, I have a lot to do for application season, it's driving me insane. Anyway GermanGrad12 thank you for your advice, I would love for you to send me your write-ups regarding graduate admissions in the humanities. Are you already a PhD student in German? mind me asking where? As far as my plans go, I would love to go back to Europe but I don't want to limit myself to a certain continent/country, I always say "I go where the job is". If I find a job in Japan, I just go there I contacted Michigan, PennState, Indiana (they said that I fit in their program ), Colorado at Boulder and some others. I just ask them general questions about their program and admission to show them that I'm interested.

oh thank you much! I have not really thought about it, this is my first time writing a SOP, so I just started writing and writing and I know that its not good I have revised it about 5 times by now, but the info you gave me should help me a lot. Actually I am interested in two things: 1. various teaching approaches and testing 2. interaction of learners with different backgrounds and from different countries and how beneficial this would be in developing learning skills.

Hello I am currently writing my SOP for a PhD program and they want it to be 500 words + a research interest I don't really know, how I can convince anybody that I'm a perfect fit for a PhD program in 500 words or less... I welcome any critique on my SOP https://www.dropbox.com/s/kofpjubnsf93w0v/My%20Statement%20of%20Purpose.pdf thank you PS. I'm applying for language learning PhD's

Hello I'm considering to apply for PhD's in the states. I completed a BA and MEd. In Europe. I am interested in applied linguistics and second language acquisition, not so much in literature. Is anyone gonna apply this year? Where are you going to apply? I have only 3 schools right now: Penn State, Michigan (state), and Texas (Austin). Does anyone has an idea how hard or easy it is to get into those schools???? I welcome any suggestions, application tips and if anyone knows of other programs like the ones mentioned please tell me. Thanks

My School has a PhD program but I'm still gonna apply to other schools as well, the current graduates that are finishing their MA are leaving too (work or PhD elsewhere) Thanks a lot for your advice

That was really helpful, I should talk to them about it. But what is so wrong about doing a PhD somewhere else and not were you did your MA? I thought a lot of people do that... i was not aware of the fact that you should not change schools. I am thinking of changing schools after i finish the MA. But then I was thinking if it is a good idea in the first place, because if my school does not take it very well how will the new school take it? will they even consider my application?

Hello I need some advice... I am a Graduate student in the Humanities with a GTA. I have an MA from Europe and just started my second MA in the US and latter PhD. I already told the University that accepted me that I want to do a PhD. But, now I want to go to a different school for various reasons. Should I transfer or wait to finish my MA and apply to other schools for a PhD? I heard that its not a good idea to transfer and that I should wait to finish the MA in my current school and then apply for a PhD to a different school. Also, if I transfer during my MA will I get a GTA? Can you give me some advice? please!!! What are your experiences? thanks

well school 2 did not answer me yet so, i will probably say 'yes' to school 1 and stick with them. Its a nice university and they are funding me. One thing i like more in school 1 is the location of it. It is a better school (rankings) but i have no infos about funding and i'm running out of time