Neist

I have funding up to five years because the department rewards it in case I want to rollover into the Ph.D. program. That said, I probably wouldn't have enough funding to complete the Ph.D. with two masters in five, so eh... If I do get my Ph.D. here, I'll have to stay up to my comps and finish my dissertation after I get a job somewhere.

Hi, everyone! I don't have much to add other than I'm just tottering along. This semester certainly has had its up and downs, but I'm glad it's quickly approaching the end. And two years? I'd love to do that! I'm going to be around here for a total of 3.5 years.

I'm not sure how common it is, but my old boss' husband got off a waitlist with funding a week before school started. And I've heard a few other stories similar to that. I don't think getting off a waitlist in the summer is exceptionally uncommon, and even if you're lower on the list, you could still get into a program because everyone above you has already promised elsewhere.

I believe that it holds true in all cases. If I were in your situation, I'd probably mostly ignore a question of ranking or prestige. Both schools are good schools. But like I qualified, that's what I'd do in your situation. You need to do what's right for you.

It's personal preference, but I would always prioritize funding. That said, if both stipends are livable, go to a school where you believe you can grow the most as a scholar. Maybe that will be a higher ranked school and maybe it won't be.

Mmm. Braums. The secret that only people in Oklahoma know.

I'm just completing my first year, and while I am not a woman, I do have a few thoughts: As others have stated, don't worry too much. Unless you were pursuing an MBA, I doubt there is a tacit expectation. Even in law school (I worked in a law school for a decade), I saw a full gamut of levels of dress. Some people were super casual, and some people wore professional dress daily. Further, if there is a tacit dress code, I don't think anyone will fault you for not adhering to it at least immediately. I've dressed this first year very casually, but I'm probably going to formal up a bit more this next upcoming year. It just feels apt, but no one has ever even implied that I need to. If you check out the photos of the faculty members to gauge their levels of dress. If they seem overly formal, maybe you should be a little more so. If their picture is in the park walking their dog, they probably don't mind you dressing down a bit. I admit that I may be completely wrong, but it's some things to think about.

I'm not going to be leaving this state for a while, but I completely understand. There are a few museums that I want to visit that are highly particular. For example, American Banjo Museum, anyone?

I have found that this largely depends on the school. Most of the schools I researched when applying seemed perfectly fine with it, but a few sort of indirectly implied that it would be a poor idea. This is probably a good idea. I'm not sure if I'd specifically address my application into two programs in my application materials, but it's probably apt to discuss the possibility with potential PIs. They will likely steer you in the right direction.

This great advice. If you want to pursue a graduate degree, you have to think of your entire undergraduate education as preparation for graduate school. Foster relationships. Develop your interests. As @Reaglejuice89 stated, those faculty members will be the ones writing your letters, and I am absolutely certain that the relationships I fostered early on significantly contributed to my success with both acceptances and funding.

American History R_Escobar (20th century, American Indian), crazedandinfused (antebellum, intellectual), hopin'-n-prayin' (southern, religious), stevemcn (transnational), Simple Twist of Fate (early American), zb642 (20th century, labor/working-class culture), BCEmory08 (19th-20th century Catholicism, labor), irvinchiva10 (20th century, immigration/immigration reform) natsteel (early American political culture and intellectual history) unforth (19th century US political and military history, US Civil War) hbeels (colonial, early national, 19th century, transappalachain west, historical memory of these eras/areas) thedig13 (20th century U.S.; built environment, modern consumer culture, race, and immigration) Weepsie (North American Mapping, Exploration and Trade, Anti-Communism/Socialism in Interwar period, bit of a mixed bag) lafayette (19th c. 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I don't think that's all that odd, to be honest. A lot of library folk are more regionally locked for a variety of reasons. At least far more so than a lot of other disciplines.

I've said it before, but maybe I'll catch you at a Midwest Junto. Wisconsin is part of that group.

I've been reading Don Quixote. Why haven't a read this book? This book is amazing!

Congrats!

I managed to get off the waitlist for funding. I probably wouldn't be at this program if I hadn't been. Waitlist dreams do happen.

Follow the money. In my opinion, library folks don't make enough money to justify significant loans. And library schools are largely similar in that the students who gain the most from library school are the students who make the most of library school (i.e., most schools can be pretty good, if you make the best of it).

I watched a short documentary many, many years ago about a relatively heavy man who ran triathlons. Was very interesting. He never lost any weight, despite being incredibly active. Can't seem to find a version of it online.

Nothing's wrong with you. But, if graduate school were easy, everyone would do it, right? That said, you should research how schools get ranked. There's a significant number of factors which contribute to formal ranking systems, not just rigor of coursework. It's very possible that the 90th ranked school will be just as challenging as the 3rd ranked school.

Congrats! I think you'll enjoy yourself, from what you've written here.

This is a wonderfully articulated statement. And it highlights what I believe is a common assumption held by the general public that schools like Princeton are objectively better. They might be better, but only to particular ends. I agree with you, as long as we're discussing socioeconomic opportunity as broadly defined and complexly faceted. I think the greatest benefit in life is the opportunity, and I think opportunity does generally reflect socioeconomic class. But it's more than one school accepting students based on the size of their bank account. If anything, well-to-do students probably received better primary and secondary education, making them better applicants. Or more stable home lives. Or any other variety of reasons.

Something I've only learned with age is that success has more to do with perseverance than talent. If you keep at it, you'll do okay. Just be more stubborn than everyone else.

Granted, I applied last year, but I think I spent around $600. It helped that I didn't apply to many ivies. Their application fees are a wee bit expensive. I think Cornell's was $95.

I'm probably in a corner of the forums that I shouldn't be visiting, but have you considered the Biology and Society Ph.D. at ASU? https://sols.asu.edu/degree-programs/biology-biology-and-society-phd I'm unsure if it aligns with your more specific interests, but you might check it out.

Well, have you ever listened to many academic presentations? Academics are pretty poor public speakers, so you can't be too hard on yourself. At least that's what I tell myself.