rising_star

I would love to make $24K. If I did, I could totally eat out at least eight times a month, and not just at fast food joints or taco stands. Also, is it just me, or is $3600 on food a lot? I spend like $150/month on groceries for myself, which is under $2K/year.

AVOID! It's probably a complex that caters primarily to undergraduates.

I schedule it in. I do yoga twice a week, capoeira 2-3 times a week, and run or use the elliptical and lift weights 1-2 times per week. It really is a matter of being committed to doing it and not sacrificing it for anything else. Also, I get in additional exercise by using my bicycle as my primary form of transportation.

It's highly unlikely your offer would be rescinded. Just get your degree so you can go to grad school.

It can be politically sticky. There are lots of posts about this on the "April 15th Freakout" forum. Go read a few.

We have had a few conversations in the past about how to beef up "Officially Grads." I'd like to see it have multiple subforums, just likes "Applications" has currently. Perhaps sections relating to quals/comps/prelims, committee/advisor issues, writing issues, adapting to grad life, etc. But, to make subforums, we have to have a substantial volume of posts in each area (and, as mods, be willing to deal with the backlash that has accompanied every reorganization we've done). The key to beefing up the sections for existing students really do lie in having continued participation from many of the people that are around on the site right now and will be starting (or continuing at) programs in the fall. Send a PM to one of the administrators (either myself or bgk) and we'll take it from there. To be honest, we'll probably post an open call for more moderators once application season dies down a bit more.

This is my fifth application cycle on here. I do hope some of you stick around and even consider volunteering to be a moderator on the forum in the future.

You can always decline your acceptance and stay where you are.

Sure, other people take out loans. But, they aren't the ones that will be paying for your loans and they won't be the ones eating ramen to afford the $800/month loan payments. That would be you.

I decided by going with the person that I thought would best position me for the career I wanted. In the process, I got slightly less money.

Put everything you can into your car. What won't fit, mail via "parcel post" via USPS. If they are books, mail them USPS using "media mail". Alternately, fly Southwest where checked bags fly free.

I sent an email to the department on 4/15 and mailed the form letter in when I got back home. I think I told my POI in person because we were at the same large conference on April 15. That also meant that I got to tell the POIs and other faculty I met that I didn't pick their schools while I was there. I think a fancy card is a bit weird (and also sooo not my POI's style or mine).

Sounds like it could work out for you if you go there. It doesn't sound like a major gamble to me.

If you don't know how you'll pay it off, don't take it on. It's really that simple.

It's only two years, right? I say go to whichever will best prepare you for the career you want to have. Weather shouldn't be a huge consideration.

In my department, yes. There are only three pay rates in my department: students without a MA/MS; students with a MA/MS; students that are ABD. Waitlisters get paid based on which of the first two categories they fall under.

I'd be sure to ask about funding. Arizona is one of those states with a HUGE budget deficit and the state tries to balance the budget on the backs of the schools every year. FWIW, I wouldn't take the opinions of just two people to tell you about life in Columbia. Both Columbia and Tucson have their pros and cons.

I think people always wonder if the grass would be greener elsewhere. "The seaweed is always greener / In somebody else's lake / You dream about going up there / But that is a big mistake / Just look at the world around you..." To answer your question, I still ask myself "what if" and I'm three years into my PhD program.

If it's really going to drive you nuts, then you can contact the schools you turned down and see if one of them will still let you attend with funding. But, you should only do that if one of those schools is also a better fit for your interests or a better program overall. Otherwise, enjoy the freedom that comes with being single, go out with your cohort, explore your new city, etc. 90 minutes is plenty far away to avoid someone.

Are you for sure going to the program that's close to your ex? Or, are there other options for you to consider now that the relationship is gone?

We used to pay a grad student in our program to do web design for our department but now the administrative assistant does that. The switch is mostly because our college (within the University) recently standardized the formatting for all department websites so there's no real design to do, only updating content.

open an account with a local credit union once you move.

There's a lot of information in that may help you.

In my current department, the faculty WITH children leave as soon as colloquium ends (4:45) and are never asked to teach seminars that end after 5pm. Those without children routinely teach seminars that go 3:30-6, 4-6:30, or 5-7:30. Students NEED classes offered at those times because earlier in the day they are teaching or TAing.

This topic has been discussed multiple times: There are links to two other past posts on this if you follow the link above. I would also add the following: If you're looking at a condo, you need to check the history thoroughly so you'll know whether to expect an increase in the monthly HOA or an assessment to pay for a large project (repaving everything, new roofing, etc.). If you get a bill in the mail for a $10,000 assessment and it comes just after closing, what will you do? If buying a house, you absolutely need a reserve fund in case anything breaks. timuralp's point above about having to buy a new furnace is a good one. But other things can also go wrong and need replacement (air conditioning, water heater, plumbing, etc.) and not all of those things will be covered by a home warranty or a homeowner's insurance policy. If you can't afford the "Oh s$%*" aspect of home ownership, then maybe renting is better, especially if you will be cash-poor after making the down payment and whatnot. FWIW, I thought about buying a house/condo in PhD city and would have if I'd stayed in MA town for my PhD. At the moment, I'm probably paying more in rent than I would be for a condo. BUT, I'm also about to spend a year away from here doing fieldwork. If I were a homeowner, I'd have to find a renter or management company, and possibly pay my mortgage plus rent in another location. That would definitely be a headache. That said, given that I've moved 3 times in less than a year, I kinda wish I'd bought for the stability. Also, I'd look into the housing market more broadly. Are prices going up or down? (In my area, they are definitely going down.) How much work are you willing to put into a place? Will you be able to resell or rent it easily after you finish?