med latte

Perhaps it you could make a list of the specific things you like about your current school, you can better select a few others that have those same attributes.

Just curious how everyone shared their big news about starting a Ph.D. program. I'd love to hear your stories; especially how you shared the news with friends and family who are unfamiliar with the grad school process, confused about why you're excited about being a poor student for another 5 years, etc.

just bumping to see if anyone else is researching now for an application season in the future...

I made a very simple Wordpress site.

I'll be applying to Ph.D. programs soon, so I had some made up through YouPrint.com with my research interests and link to an online CV and portfolio. They turned out great, and I now use the jpeg in my email signature when I write to POIs.

I answer that I did my undergrad at X and got my masters at Y.

Bren, can you say more about the questions you got about your age? And was that phone call from a program that did or did not accept you? An HR rep could not (or should not) ask such questions during a job interview; funny that we put up with it from grad programs.

What is your level of education now? You may consider taking a graduate a class or two with the universities you selected (assuming they offer the courses you want online). I imagine they will be pleased to see your portfolio.

Is this for masters for Ph.D. programs?

Once you are ABD, could you write your dissertation in a location you like and meet with your advisor by Skype and occasional visits to campus? (Forgive me if this is a stupid question.....honestly wondering.......)

Did he or she explain why? Does it better fit your interests? Or are there changes pending at Wisconsin? Congrats on all your acceptances! Have you been able to visit each program? Perhaps anohter skype interview with each will help you decide?

Is this your program? http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-public-affairs-schools/environmental-management-rankings

Most fellowships I've seen are $15-28k a year, and RA/TA not much better....but I'm sure it depends on the field and school. Will be curious what others say.

You complete a new FAFSA form every year, so you can reconsider your financial situation every year. If you anticipate travel expenses only during your second year, you can decline aid the first year and then agree to a loan at the level you need when you submit the FAFSA for your second year.. (They will tell you what the max is that you can take out that year; and then you tell them how much you need the loan for).

Anybody else here reading these forums early -- you do not plan to apply for another 1, 2 or 3 years? Have these forums inspired you to take any specific action in effort to improve your application? I've been out of school for a while, but I am taking a couple of classes at the school I hope to attend full time later -- one of classes will be an independent research project that I'll start in the fall. I picked up a job teaching two one-day continuing education workshops in my field; it isn't the TA experience that other Ph.D. candidates may have but I hope it will count for something. Anybody else? Ideas for making the most of the year(s) before our applications are due?

Can you say a bit more about your past and ongoing projects? Will any of your letters come from the professors who signed off on the projects?

It was in Market Square. It looks like a new bookstore may have opened in its place. Sorry; I guess a lot has changed over the years. But ask around; maybe it is still in Knoxville. When I was there I started with The Women's Coordinating Council - http://activities.utk.edu/cpc/wcc/ lots of cool people were on the council, who introduced me to more people.... The Council used to have a large room with meeting space and a library just at the top of the stairs in the big student center / student union building (I forgot what its called).

I went to UT-Knoxville 15 years ago, and there was a cohesive community and one or two queer student groups. Is there still a women's center on the second floor of the big student center building? They would have flyers on the student groups and other ways to get connected. The place to hang out was an independent women's bookstore downtown; is that still there? I remember Tori Amos hung out with us there before doing a concert at the civic center. (yes, I'm old......) I am blanking on the name of the bookstore, sorry, but it should be easy to look up. Also check out the listing of the campus groups and see if anybody kept the queer student group alive. I hope so!

I think those who applied to the program and later received an email from the school -- any email, about anything -- probably assumed they were admitted. Either way, I hope all involved have good news from other schools by now.

Did anybody see this? Talk about a roller coaster of emotions! http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-12/mit-mistakenly-tells-prospective-students-they-ve-been-admitted.html

I plan to apply to PhD programs next fall, so I've been wondering how competitive I am on my research experience. I have some good research experience but it is all industry research from my work. (I didn't take advantage of research opps while I was getting my MA.....kicking myself for that now). Thoughts of industry v. academic research and how schools view it? Most of what I've done is qual and quant research designs for community health needs assessments and community health improvement plans. (and public health is not even my field, but it was all good experience). Thanks for your input.

Look on the program websites for each school you are considering. Many will state what the minimum or average scores are for acceptance.

I got a partial scholarship for my MA, but it was not a named, endowed (read: prestigious) scholarship, but rather a general scholarship from the department fund. It certainly helped my debt load, but is it worthy of mention on a CV?

Have you talked with her about it? May not hurt....

I'm 37, and my future mother-in-law is ticking the biological clock for me. When she hints about wanting grandchildren, a part of me thinks "But I am giving birth! I'm having a dissertation!" (maybe)