Imaginary

Just a thought.. maybe we should be more concerned with all the people who come on Gradcafe and talk about the prestige of their undergraduate school, or its lack of prestige, or how the ranking of a school doesn't matter.. except it really does matter.. and those of us who didn't know any of this before leaving undergrad were sort of at a disadvantage. I realize the above isn't written very clearly, but I think it's important to remember that we are all just following our dreams and doing what we can to reach them, hopefully without hurting people. Just because someone's parents can pay for an M.A. doesn't mean that the standards are NECESSARILY lower, and I'm not sure I see how it's all that different from someone getting into a certain undergraduate institution (that will adequately prepare them for grad school) by virtue of who their parents were, or where they live, or whatever.

I am ridiculously (no, who am I kidding? There is no ridiculous about it. I'm just excited) excited about my acceptance to UCR's English PhD program, but I don't know if I will be able to afford to live there, despite a pretty good funding package. I am also working two part time jobs and writing my thesis, and I have other worries. It's stressing me out.

I, personally, believe the rivalry is a little overrated and over emphasized.

Ann Arbor is University of Michigan. Is that what you meant? Michigan State University is in Lansing.

Kamisha, Do you qualify for the Mitchell (Ireland), Rhodes, or Marshall scholarships? What about the Gates Cambridge?

Oh. Oops.

Wow. This question is loaded with worth assumptions, and frankly, I wonder what prompted it. At no point does she say she is the director's assistant. She says, "assistant director." She describes her job as "design[ing] curriculum and assess[ing] program outcomes." Let's just say, though, that she WERE the director's assistant. Often personal and administrative assistants do a lot of work behind the scenes. Edited to add: Sorry if I misread this. Maybe I just need more context.

I was at a coffeeshop working on my thesis and assistantship instead of my "day job," as there was a snow day. Bonus!

I really want to up-vote this.

Me, too! All of that - except I went straight to college after high school.

Can anyone recommend a good starting point for feminist theory? I am utilizing Andrea Smith's work and also Anzaldua's hybridity theory in my M.A. thesis, but I need some general overview.

Many people absolutely need their parents' tax information, and are not able to access it on their own. I worked in Financial Aid for a while.. there was a girl who came in, crying, because her mother refused to provide her tax information. She was told that she could fill out a form stating that she was not going to use her parents' information, but that she would be ineligible for anything but loans.

Well, I too was rejected from Duke. I don't feel too badly.

Ha! I got the email to check the website.. and I forgot my password.

I am not the right person to ask, because I'm not good with that sort of thing.. that said, I was asked if I had any questions. I couldn't think of any at the time and asked if I could email. After we made some small talk, I thought of a question. I was given lots of great information.

I'd like to own a small bookstore that sells the kind of books that I'd like to buy in my local bookstore but have to find on Amazon. It would also have coffee, crafts, and really nice reading and working areas. I would also like to run a community center.

I realize you asked about prestige- that said, I have a friend who is in the PhD in Writing and Rhetoric program at MSU and she is very happy with it.

I am feeling EXACTLY the same way. I got an email from the DGS, then an enthusiastic call from the graduate secretary, but there's been no word since then and I am thinking, "What if the grad division rejects me? Or they change their minds?"

Anybody know how they are going to tell their affiliation letter writers they were rejected? I made some great ties and actually would have liked to have gone to a couple of the schools. However, I have been accepted to my top choice here in the U.S. and I likely cannot afford to go to these schools without the Fulbright.

I would wait. I think you should be getting a call or email soon?

Something like that happened to me recently. I think that while you COULD get rejected by the grad school, it's not very common.. but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I didn't get recommended either. I had at least one affiliation letter uploaded (maybe two, if my FPA added it) and another one that came after the deadline.. Oh, well. I learned a lot, and made great connections. I also got some good news today, so it doesn't matter QUITE as much.

I got an email from someone on the graduate admissions committee at my top choice! I have no idea how to respond. Do I call this person "Professor" according to the signature; do I use first names? I don't think this is appropriate but then I feel weird because they might prefer it.. Also, should I only answer the questions presented to me, and wait until I hear more? Freaking out here.

I'm currently writing my thesis, too, and you are correct - Grad Cafe is a good distraction. A little too good.

Three years ago, when I applied for the first time, I got emails from the secretary letting me know about materials that weren't yet in (mainly a transcript). Obviously it wasn't all that much of a good sign. I was rejected, and pretty early in the process. I'm not trying to discourage you, just saying that it doesn't necessarily mean anything.