gsams

Not only do I think a backpack looks clunky, it is just less functional for me. I haven't had one since high school when I would regularly need to lug 30+ lbs of books home with me. I have not needed to do that since then, so no point. My computer is a netbook, which fits in my book. I am a small person - 5' tall. Any backpack I find is too dang big and makes me look like a pre-schooler heading to school. When I get things in the backpack it never sits properly and the straps always slide off my shoulders. I also just can't get to things like my wallet, keys, or other important implements when they are in the backpack. Thus, I prefer a shoulder bag. I generally carry a small ladies brief or a large purse/messenger.

Have you thought about PODS? A move could cost as little as $1000.00 for you. You load it and unpack it yourself.

I am doing my undergrad at IU. We are well-ranked and have some excellent talent here, for sure, but I think if I was in theory, I would look elsewhere. I also chose an "unranked" for my PhD, but there placements are EXCELLENT - OSU has been the most recent, for example, but many are top 20 placements and currently 100% placement rate for students. If you were in comparatives (my specialty) or American, I would encourage you to take IU up. I am not saying that the faculty in theory isn't good, but comparatives and am pol dominate. The majority of opportunities seem to go to those two fields.

Yeah, Kinkos wants like $120.00 here or something crazy! I know the department usually doesn't make allowances, but I may have an in with my advisor and am going to possibly get it done for free or very, very cheap. I just had to ask the right people, I guess.

Anyone coming? I'm going to be there for a poli sci PhD program. Hoping there are more on here coming as well!

I will also be attending Mizzou with Left Coast!

1. My parents for being supportive of me even though they have absolutely no idea about what grad school entails or means. It's unchartered territory and they have been shuffling me around the US to interviews, visits, etc. 2. The relatives in MO who took me under their wing and pretty much helped me get around there, which made my visit really productive. 3. My thesis advisor who also wrote letters of rec and counseled me in what to do. He has been a part of my life for four years now and has been incredibly supportive in my research. 4. My LOR writers who also helped me with my PS's. They were very useful and demanding about what needed to be covered. 5. My academic advisor who is an amazing, amazing lady! 6. The people at the schools who chose my application based on my research. 7. My friends for being amazing through all of this and taking me out when I needed stress relief.

Plus loans have a higher interest rate and you pay interest from the START of the loan. A subsidized loan is interest free while you are in school and has a better rate.

Cheap laser printer (under $150.00). Mine has been a LIFESAVER with research. Incredibly cheap to print from. Something like $50.00 for a 5,000 page cartridge - so much cheaper than paying to print.

Well, I am going into the application an seeing no letter. Does the look of it change when they have the letter?

I know someone has mentioned Dell, but I caution anyone tempted to buy a Dell. Why? Well, I only owned Dells until about 6 months ago. I bought a top of the line Dell in 2008. My parents sent it over to me in England. Was the most expensive model they made. I bought it because I needed to be able to do graphics and photo processing and Mom and Dad REFUSED to spring for a Mac. I do photography, so I need a computer that can do that and school. Well, computer is fine for about 4 weeks. Then, the keyboard completely breaks. We replace it. Then blue screens of death become common place, Dell claims nothing is wrong. I come back to the US and start my final year of school. While doing thesis research, hard drive completely dies on the Dell. It takes 3 days to get a repair because 1. they have lost my account - transferred it to the UK PERMANENTLY when I told them not to 2. the person set to repair my computer is an idiot. The man replaces the hard drive, but I end up setting him straight in how to place it into the computer properly. He refuses to come to where I live on campus, so I meet him in a parking lot on a 95 degree day and then return home to spend 40 hours replacing all of my software. Well, things are good for two weeks. Then, it gets worse. Blue screen once more. Dell refuses to do anything, blames Microsoft. Microsoft runs diagnostics and it is not their issue. Finally, Dell agrees to send back the "repair man". He once again refuses to come to me, but I am tired, not feeling great, and have been without a computer for about a week again now. So, I don't really care. He eventually arrives, upset with me. He takes out my RAM and replaces it, which leads to the computer being inoperable. He calls up the service tech, begins swearing at him, threatens me, and then storms out. I was then without a computer for SIX WEEKS. They repeatedly lost my order and kept lying about when the computer would arrive. I was told I would get a new replacement of my old computer. Instead, I got a much bigger, much happier, and much different replacement missing much of the specs of my old computer. I had this for a week and a half and it started to fail. Dell refused to replace it. I had to email Micheal Dell and am still stuck with this HUGE 17'' computer. It took another 6 Weeks to get a computer. So, for almost an entire semester, I was without a computer. That is why I bought the netbook. I will never buy a dell product again.

<<<< Does not own a bike. Cannot reasonably afford a cab with those prices. I am very, very cheap. I guess I will just bust into the other set of grant money I have. Blargh. Thanks everyone!

I have seen both, so I think it is a preference. Some unis are more mac friendly than others. My UG institution has Macs and PC's everywhere. The one that is currently my top choice doesn't have a Mac anywhere on campus. Netbooks are good depending on what you are looking for. No, they will not run SPSS. That is why I have a home computer and a lab to use However, for word processing, email, etc, they are a solid choice. While doing research for my thesis this year, my $240.00 netbook was a heck of a lot more useful than my $2400.00 behemoth of a computer. It's a long story why I was stuck with a 17'' notebook, but I am not pleased to carry it around as I am a 140 lb woman.

The problem is I can't reasonably see myself having the ability to get there due to the lack of pedestrian walks. It would be rather unsafe. The other one is closer, but I wouldn't call $65.00 for a poster "reasonable" either. I don't know.

Contacted the GWU Poli Sci department. Was told that the committee finalized things on Friday. All decisions will be mailed. Seems as though "all decisions" will simply be rejections, however.

Where to go? All of the local places are super expensive and far away. Without a car, that is pretty inconvenient for me unless I want to walk 3 miles. I don't want to do that in a rainy season, so I would prefer to find a place on line. Time isn't an issue as I have three weeks to get the poster. I just need something simple. It's for my undergraduate thesis research project. I know I will have better resources in the department as a grad student, but my department is touchy about doing printing for us undergrads. The printing place on campus is ridiculous, as it will cost more than $100.00 to print a simple poster, which IMO is not in my budget. Any ideas?

Not living with a roomie - refuse to because I am a huge neat freak and love quiet. I lived around people for the last 4 years and had 4 roommates last year. Can't do it. Still, you are in the same boat as me. I am moving to a place I don't know (more than likely). Contact the grad office and ask if they offer a roommate service (some do). The uni I am hoping to go to offers a uni match service that is really great. They have a whole questionnaire of likes/dislikes, other issues, etc. Purdue may have something like this. I don't think you want to live close to campus. I am at IU (the sworn enemy of your school) but my Dad was a transfer from Purdue and we have friends there, so I have been to campus and so on. Unless you are not like me and don't mind noise,you will be around undergrads. I would look at the City board, as there is a good thread there. Public transit is pretty good at Purdue, although anywhere in the Midwest IMO you will need a car sooner or later. Find friends for grocery shopping and rent a zipcar if possible. Housing does fill up, though. Don't panic, but Purdue has a housing shortage on campus (or at least they did when I was applying there as a senior in high school), so many are forced off campus. Thus, rentals are a hot commodity. Call some prospective places and just ask. They will be frank with you. I am doing that right now. I, also, need to get applying because where I am going doesn't have a shortage of housing, but a shortage of GOOD, quiet housing that isn't sublet.

I was asked quite directly while visiting last week. I responded with an equally direct answer. Not only did I note another Big State School, but also a big rival in that region (the guy loved basketball and football and I am a sports nut). I am up for a fellowship and I would like to do anything I can to explain to them that they are my top pick, but right now without the fellowship, the other BSS is offering more money (even though this school is a way better fit and I would be very, very happy here).

And I bet you have a unique view of life thanks to that time spent learning the world. I spent the last year abroad and travelling around Europe. I learned a great deal about myself and thanks to illness and somewhat stressful situations, it wasn't always great. However, I wouldn't give it up for the world! And BTW, you are going to an amazing school! Congrats. I will be graduating from IU in May and I will certainly miss it. Beautiful place to live, work, and study. Beautiful, wonderful library, and tons of cool people!

I am getting a BA in poli sci. I love what I am doing, but would not refuse a full ride to get a degree in nuclear engineering. It is what I really, really wanted to do in high school. My mind really adores science and I am naturally talented at it. However, I love poli sci an the social aspects that come with it too much to give it up. Nuclear engineering is not as social.

Really anything can be useful in the long run (we may just not know it yet), so that is why it is important to keep an open mind!

Hmm... well,now the GWU form says submitted, but no result. Really odd. Accepted to Kent State with full funding, but will likely decline. If you applied and are waitlisted, I hope that makes you happy!

Kuratowski, I will be 22, but like you, I worry that I will be mistaken for a freshman, not a TA. Dress the part - you don't have to dress up every day, but don't dress like an undergrad in sweats and a t-shirt. Your dress and attitude (how you present yourself) should help differentiate you. I am often carded for drinks, movies - you name it, so go figure. My 18 year old sister who WILL be a freshman next year looks older than I do.

Yeah, I did call them to make sure everything was there, as one of my recommenders had issues, so I know it is fine. However, this just recently happened. I don't know. At this point, I am not too concerned about GWU.

It is a completely different system. In undergrad, you only do political science, but there was less independent thought expected of me as an undergrad. I learned more "canon" sort of work, but thought less, if that makes sense? You don't have extraneous "wild card" courses often like you must do to pass in the US. Thus, when you enter the UK PhD system, you already supposedly KNOW that "canon" of material. That was at least my interpretation. I think US undergrads write and articulate ideas much more clearly but know less about their disciplines over all. So, I guess that it is give and take. That is MY interpretation seeing both sides. I prefer the US approach because I believe it gives a better foundation, but I think much can be learned from how well-versed the UK students are on their discipline. American students in my discipline can be atrociously ignorant of those who came before them and who are worth noting depending on what they have been studying, who they studied with, and where they came from.