Maziana

Craigslist is great for rooming with people. I think it's only creepy when it comes to missed connections and casual encounters sections... I posted a ridiculously detailed ad and found an amazing roommate a few years ago. More recently, I posted an ad needing to sublet for a month, and a nice couple going on vacation immediately contacted me. I responded to ads a year or so ago and found an okay college house to stay in for the summer - they were nice and reliable, although not perfect. Have conversations before rooming, and sign a roommate agreement, and it'll be fine. I think for my first year in grad school I will room with someone, because it will be easier (since I may not be able to visit apartments before hand) and allow me to be more social. I like not worrying if I forget my key, having someone to chat with, combining shopping trips, and saving money. Later, I may get my own place for the quiet and freedom.

I tend to satisfy my love for cats by rooming with people with a cat or two... I've had 4 roommates with cats already, haha. I may try to do that in grad school. Then I can take work breaks by snuggling with cats, but then I can go back in your room and close the door if I want. And no litter box scooping necessary!

I asked some professors to talk about some of their most recent research projects. Some of them I already knew, but others had outdated websites. I found out about a really interesting new project that way. I also asked about the department mentorship model and opportunities for collaboration/internships. For some, I asked what their lab was like - how many students, and so on. I also asked about visitation weekends, and when I would hear about funding, and so on. One professor just started talking about the university and everything about it, while another just wanted to hear my questions, so, it varies.

Update: I went ahead and canceled. My prof agreed that it was a good idea to cancel and made me feel a lot better about doing so. I told them I was honored to have been invited (which is true!), apologized for committing, said I realized our research interests didn't fit, and I hoped to allow them to spend their time on another prospective student. United allows cancellations/changes with a $200 change fee. Well, that doesn't leave that much money left in my case... but I feel like I made the best choice.

:) I will see you at the visitation weekend!

Wow, that's really useful - thanks TakeruK! Still haven't asked other profs, but I'm definitely leaning towards canceling the flight, and since it was through United, this helps a lot!

So you were able to cancel, but you still didn't get a refund/anything else, right? Just curious...

Uh, there are way more important things than free drinks... Just saying. Although I really should stop following this thread.

Hmm, thanks for the advice. I will look at the refund polices more carefully. I will also check with another professor, to be sure they don't think that it is too offensive. I'll feel a lot better if a professor agrees with me that this isn't a bad decision...

Long story short: I made a dumb mistake. A program admitted me and I bought plane tickets to visit. Later, I realized that I don't actually want to go to that grad school, and another grad program has a visitation weekend at the same time. How bad would it be if I apologetically withdrew? It would save them time and money, and save me time (while costing me a few hundred in a non-refundable ticket!). A professor I work for says I should just visit the second school at another time, but I would like alternative opinions, since he seemed to be focusing on program rank (he's not in my field) instead of how much the research interested me. (I'm ehhh about the school I'm committed to - I COULD make it work but I'm not excited by it) Longer story, in which I can make justifications: I used to be genuinely interested in this school, so when they admitted me and said they would give me X amount of money for transportation, I immediately looked up the cost of plane tickets. They were nearing the maximum amount, so I quickly bought them. It was a busy week and I wasn't thinking. A few days later, I took another look at the program, talked to one POI, and realized that their research won't really help me do what I want to do. I guess my focus shifted a bit since I actually applied. If I withdraw, I have to take the plane ticket cost hit... which would be bad, since although I have some money saved, it's gonna be rather diminished by the time I go to grad school. Also, I might offend a few people, which would be bad, since a lot of my POIs at different programs seem to know each other. But I will have saved them money, and saved myself from feeling dishonest and ill-prepared. I'll also get to take a thorough look at the second grad program without using up too many more of my vacation days. And I'd feel better if I didn't visit a ton of grad schools. Maybe I'd open up a spot on the waiting list? If I go ahead and attend, I'll uh... have a weird sort of stressful vacation where I have to miss work, do a bunch of research beforehand, and wear my limited nice clothes? At least it'd be paid for though... I'm gonna ask another prof or two, but thought I'd check here too...

Not yet!

UIUC emailed today asking me to send my official transcript, so I guess that makes sense.

Not mine, unless I had reason to believe it wasn't a freak act of violence. It might affect my impression of the school, though, if it was one of my lowest choices. Maybe on a subconscious level. *shrugs* Also, I'd have to make sure my mom didn't find out, haha... But if I was seriously interested in a school, it definitely wouldn't stop me.

I think it wouldn't hurt to be honest! If I were you, I'd say I'm excited about the research of these 4 professors and want to talk with them all if possible. Since you'll be there for 3 days, it's likely you'll be able to meet all or most of them.

Interesting. I didn't consider not keeping my toothbrush and towel in the bathroom! My toothbrush is inside a little closet/shelf thing in the bathroom, which keeps it away from sun, but also keeps it away from the toilet? Maybe that makes up for it. I like to think that because I close the toilet seat before I flush, nothing gets out. Ignorance is bliss, so don't tell me otherwise. Recently, though, I've been good about switching my towel out every week.

Ahh, ok! That makes sense! Also, since I appreciate updates so much, I will give one to Minnesota applicants! We should hear back from UMinn in 12-14 days!! My POI called me! I'm so excited/hopeful!

Wow, Congrats! I'm surprised though - I thought IO Psychology generally doesn't interview? Maybe I was completely wrong about that, but I somehow got that impression...

I'm going to have a brief phone chat with one of my POIs in a few days! Of course, I'll know more about the department/school when I visit, but I can't turn down the chance to get a few questions answered now. Before I applied, I shot him an email or two, but he only said my research interests were definitely compatible with his and encouraged me to apply. Any ideas of what I should ask? I know I want to know what the lab is like, how many grad students are in it, what current projects exist in the lab, and I have more specific questions about his research... But I wanted to check and see if you guys had any ideas of things you'd want to know.

D'aaw. Sounds like good torture to me!

Pinkster... your comments have been kind of inappropriate. I didn't want to derail the conversation, but I don't think it's cool to 1) not provide advice or support, only unhelpful judgment in a totally understandable/common situation, 2) assuming that the OP has no options and should have to figure out everything on his own, 3) ignoring scientific data, undermining other people's experiences with birth control, and relying on your own prejudices and anecdotal experience about birth control... You're allowed to think what you want, but being a bit more empathetic or at least willing to consider other's experiences/points of views would make for better and more on-topic discussion. Ok, sorry for the derail. Again, good luck, OP.

Personally, I think it's unnecessary to imply that other people's usage of social media is dumb. There will probably be some older people on the committee who think, "yeah, the popular usage of social media is frivolous; what is up with kids these days," but others might think, "that's kind of rude; no need to make yourself seem better by putting others down." This is just my opinion, but I think it could come off the wrong way. At least I think you don't need two similar phrases; don't need to drive home that point too much: "While most view social media as an outlet to tell the entire known world every thought that crosses through their minds..... While most are posting their break-ups or lamenting about a pimple..." Other than that paragraph, I think your voice comes through nicely in the SoP.

I used to know two grad students who had young children, and they graduated on time without any issues. Even bringing their toddlers to the annual lab Christmas party. I'd recommend you talk to others in a similar position if you two decide to keep the baby. But rest assured it is very possible to complete graduate school with kids! I'm afraid I don't have any more advice, but I wish you the best of luck! It's so great that your parents sound willing to step up and support you.

Really? How many programs are you applying to? If you don't mind me asking; that seems pretty high. But what do I know.

I'd say no. I was meeting with my professor while he was checking his email. He briefly opened a letter from a grad applicant sending him a post-application email, and was sort of like "yeah, ok." I asked, "did this guy email you before?" And he was like, "I don't know," in a dismissive way. It's possible that he went back later and responded to the applicant. But it was clear he viewed his email as a mild nuisance, or at least as something unnecessary that he wasn't going to spend much time on. Maybe if he actually remembered the guy's previous emails, it would've been different, though. But I'd wait until you've been invited for an interview.

Now that (some) people are done applying... How much did the process cost you? Me: $400 in application fees (Applied to 9 schools; I got 2 fees waived) about $72 in transcript fees $150 in GRE score reports $150 for psychology subject test $185 for general GRE That's $620ish for my recent non-ETS-related costs, but about $957 total! Ugh! I could've bought a new laptop with that, plus some nice Christmas gifts. Well, it should be worth it. Sorry if this topic has been brought up before - I tried to look and didn't find anything.