Neist

Well, considering there's usually only around 2-4 awardees in history of science, I think the odds are fairly well stacked against me. I've more or less assumed I won't get one.

Same. There really is no benefit. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, oh well. Doesn't change the outcome of me getting it or not. I'm very boring at Christmas. Haha.

Rule #1 on the internet: Everything you read is probably a lie. I know I'm not the oldest person floating around on these boards by a long shot, but I might very well been on the internet longer than anyone here (since the early 90s). The above-listed role is the best sage wisdom I can provide. Heck, I was a beta tester on Friendster. Friendster. Man, I feel old. You're welcome!

I think she broke.

Is there any verification outside of the one person on Reddit that any status has actually changed to reviewed? Might be a troll. Maybe not, but you never know. This is the internet.

They'll last a while, but few will last a really long while. You can generally expect to get 600-700ish miles out of a pair of running shoes before they start to show some wear. They can sometimes hit 1000+ miles, but they'll start to get ragged. In contrast, a pair of well-made boots will last 3-4 times that long. I know the differences are moot at a certain point, but I walk a lot, so I've noticed it over time. I've recently moved to sport sandals because they can last a long, long time. A pair of Chacos might last 5-10 years with some minor repairs (which Chacos will do for a small fee). I'm currently wearing some Xero Shoes sandals. Their soles are warrantied for 5000 miles. Overkill for some, but I was tired of buying more shoes. Although sandals aren't exactly professional looking. Good thing I'm in the humanities!

Welp, I predict this thread might get quite a bit busier soon.

Yup, it doesn't really matter. There's probably a slighter higher proportion of Apple users in academic compared to the normal population, but there isn't any institutional preference one way or another, especially with an English PhD; I assume that's your degree based on your account. Hope that helps!

That's perfectly normal, at least it's normal in Oklahoma (and at OU). I've been attending OU for quite a long while now, and their estimates are always far more than necessary. Of course, you don't have to take out the full amount of loans, but I guess it's nice that they offer it.

I had very briefly considered applying to Harvard history of science, but I quickly gave up on that endeavor. Renting anything there is insane.

Comfortable shoes, but they aren't necessarily attractive, I admit. Also make you SUPER tall. Haha. In an unrelated noted, does anyone know of any book shelving that is desktop friendly, and stands high enough to situate a monitor below it? I'm fixing to lose quite a bit of shelving space, and I need a space-friendly alternative.

@marycaryne Answered your questions better than I could, so I'll leave them there. I agree with everything already said. Also, MaryCaryne, is that the same Wreck Room that used to be a goth club? I vaguely remember a Wreck Room goth club in the city about 15 years ago. It's a pretty generic name, so who knows? Also, @columbia09, I'll get in touch via PM when my acquaintance gets back in town. He had a death in the family, and I imagine I won't be able to get a hold of him for several days.

Okay, so as I'm not a woman, I'm not sure how well I can give recommendations. However, I have done kitchen work and am on my feet quite a bit, so I thought I'd share some brands that might offer professional-looking, comfortable options. Two brands immediately pop in my head that you might consider, and neither are especially cheap: Danskos or Eccos. Eccos are among the most comfortable shoes I've worn in my life, and they have quite a few professional, dressier options. And Danskos are incredibly comfortable and last forever. I'm a trained pastry chef and my Dankos have been put through the ringer. As long as you take care of the leather, they should last for a very, very long time.

I did a quick online search, and it seems to be inline somewhat with Norman, OK (the city OU is in). Depending on whether you wanted roommates or not, I'd say $450-700 for non-university housing, depending on size, roommates, and included utilities. I'm not sure how OSU is, but when you consider the cost of basic cable, utilities, and internet, university housing can be quite cheap. I found this info sheet. http://www.reslife.okstate.edu/Housing/files/rate-sheet_2015-2016.pdf Also, a few things. I mentioned Big Lots. Do you have those in NYC? Think of them as a sort of closeout furniture store with prices similar to Ikea. I just bought a couch from them at around $400, and I think they have options in the $250-350 range. Pretty decent furniture as long as you're not too picky about the selection. They more or less have what they have at that moment. Dallas is probably about 4 hours away. It might be more like 4.5, depending how fast you drive, but it's an easy drive. You start heading south on I-35 and you eventually hit Dallas. I-35 runs nearly directly to Stillwater. If it were 10 years ago, Oklahoma might have been more unfriendly to you, as a gay person. However, it's liberalizing slowly. I'm not sure how welcoming Stillwater will be, but it is a college town, and that means almost by definition that it'll be more liberal than the vast majority of Oklahoma. You might check out this website and see if there's any good info. Also, there's definitely more active communities in Tulsa and OKC (e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NW_39th_Street_Enclave). If you like, I can see if one of my gay acquaintances can give you some more concrete info. I'm sure they'd know better than I. Edit: I should also add that the 4 bedroom rate is probably one those shared living space college apartments, if you know the type. So it'd be at that rate for every individual, making the actual rent quadruple that rate. I find that those apartments tend to be expensive and badly managed for what they are, but if you enjoy the environment (e.g., a quasi-dorm environment), it's probably a good option.

Congratulations on getting into your top choices! Also, I was in a similar situation. Two programs. Both good choices. Eventually, over the course of over a month, I found myself needing reasons to attend one over the other. I took it as a sign. I know that's not the best of advice, but that's how I came to my final decision.

I didn't get any well-funded offers in STS programs, so I'm going history of science.

Generally, this is the process. I know it's confusing. If you need any help, I'll try to help if I can! Also, please excuse my wonky grammar. This was typed from a phone.

Perhaps, but only once.

Basically, yup. All new clothing. Usually name brand. Quite cheap. There's one close to my in-laws and whenever I visit I stock up on clothes.

Closeout stores are also pretty amazing. Some of my favorite pants came closeout stores. I have multiple pairs of Dockers slacks that I got for under 20 bucks a pair. Yay.

Wow, this is quite a change of scenery! I've lived in Oklahoma my entire life. A few thoughts: I'd definitely bring a car. There's very few places I'd live in Oklahoma without car, unless of course one wants to lead an ascetic lifestyle. If you can swing it, I'd consider bring a uHaul of stuff. It's more expensive, but Stillwater is bit away from everything. When you look at a map, the only real larger, urban areas are Tulsa and Oklahoma City and each's surrounding suburbs. Stillwater is a moderate drive from each, so purchasing furniture might be a little bit difficult. There is a Big Lots in Stillwater. That might be a good option for functional, cheap furniture if you don't want to bring anything. Apartments aren't necessarily significantly more expensive in Oklahoma if their furnished. The apartments I live in Norman are less than $100 furnished (I think it's closer to $50). The cost of living in Oklahoma is so low that most places can't get away with much of an up charge, even in college towns. I imagine any apartment in Stillwater would be acceptable for a college student, assuming you're comfortable with its distance from campus. Stillwater is little more than OSU, so the town is pretty much entirely OSU. However, I haven't been to Stillwater in several years. It's possible that it's developed more than when I last visited. Do you have any specific questions about Oklahoma? I mean, I don't even go to OSU, so it's not as if I'll sugar coat anything.

Well, what's your research focus? A medium-ish school could be anywhere, depending on your focus.

Congrats! That's a pretty amazing fellowship, if I can say so myself. Seems even better than the NSFGRFP.

Well, the Midwest is special. You get those Great Lakes weather patterns which makes states like Michigan or Minnesota among the coldest states in the continental US. Minnesota can sometimes dip to -30 to -40 range in the winter. In contrast, I have in laws in the Appalachians whom I've visited often in the winter (in northern West Virginia), and I've never considered even the high elevation areas all that bad. Prolonged winters, sure, but not so bad. I can't imagine much of Pennsylvania to be too terrible. Oklahoma is pretty mild, but we have to deal with crazy weather patterns. We almost have no seasons. Remember a few months ago when we had like half a week of raining at 34F? That was fun. You'll be closer to some fantastic national parks, too! I've always wanted to go backpacking in some of the more "deserty" parks.