Ladylish

I'm no expert, but if you checked the box or filled in the field on the FAFSA that you are interested in student loans, your school's finacial aid office will calculate that once you've been admitted (and I think accepted) for that school. Usually you have the option of Subsidized Stafford Loans or Unsubsidized Stafford loans. These are through the federal government, deferred til 6 mos after graduation and the rate is set each year (in July I think) by the Federal government. If you have need, these are a much safer and better option than private student loans or credit cards.

I think an MA can help, but if you are considering finishing an MA in 1 year and reapplying for Fall 2009 for the PhD, I don't think it will. You have to remember the bonuses of working on a MA include getting to know faculty and them knowing you rather well, proving with your GPA you can do graduate work, and proving with your thesis you can do primary research and have a strong grasp of your field (both of which your major advisor can atest to in their LOR). If you are applying again by Dec 1, you wont have much time for faculty to assess your abilities, you won't have any graduate class grades on your transcripts, and you wont have much of your thesis written for your advisor to say you will be finished in time to start a PhD. If you are going to do a 2-year MA, then I think it would give you these added benefits when you get to Fall 2010 apps...but I'm not on adcoms.

Thanks to the forum and results, I do know that offers of admissions went out around the beginning of Feb., and even someone posted they received the email directing them to the website for their rejection letter. I have yet to receive any "offical" word and logging into the Applyyourself site shows no letter attached. Does anyone know if they have an unannounced waitlist or do they just not care enough to send out rejection emails to history applicants? I really would like the offical no, for the sake of closure :roll:

Unfortunately, EFC is based off your income from the previous year's tax returns...sounds like you had a good paying job. The first year you will not be eligible for as much financial aid (like loans) but this should not effect schools' offers of fellowships, TAs, etc. Good news, your second year if you are not working your EFC will be drastically lower. Hope that helps!

Really, this depends on your situation. First, rent...depends on if you want to live alone or have roommates. Best thing is to look in the local newspaper online and see what you come up with an average for the living space you require. Next, you have to figure in tuition and books...in state or out of state or do you get a waiver and only have to pay fees? Books also depend on your classes...look at the bookstores listing for this semester to get an idea. Then any debts you have (car payment, credit cards etc)...then you have to figure food, gas, electric, etc.