alexis
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Posts posted by alexis
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I can give you a bunch of suggestions, but you should definitely figure out what you'll be using it for and your budget.
A MBP may be stylish and the OS is nice, but you can spend half of that money on a laptop with the same specs.
I agree, Macs are nice, but not worth it (in my opinion) if you're on a budget...
I have a Sony Vaio, which I love, and take with me to my grad classes. It is a bit more on the pricey end though of PCs. (And I got a white one, so it looks "Mac-ish." I know, I'm such a poser.) To be honest most laptops are fine, assuming you don't need anything fancy (i.e. a graphics card for gaming or something). It can be overwhelming to search for them if you're not a picky computer geek (no offense if you or anyone is!). I found it easiest to prioritize what I was looking for--e.g., long battery life, price, memory, aesthetics, etc.--and go from there.
I would also recommend not getting something with too big of a screen if that's not a priority for you. At least for me (I have a 14"), I find it easier to pack away and take from class to class, and it also fits better on those small desks.
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While I appreciate it, I cannot understand why any school would make its application free. It means giving up revenue and getting lots of applications from people who aren't that serious about the school.
I was thinking kind of the opposite...particularly if it's a lower-ranked school, perhaps having a free app encourages more people (and potentially good candidates, who otherwise would put their money towards top programs) to apply. And maybe that results in more applicants=lower acceptance rate to brag about? Free apps can add the "why not?" factor--although you do have to pay for GRE scores & transcripts.
I wonder if it's a private school thing (or more common among those). I've noticed private schools tend to have more of those "perks..." i.e. you can order your transcripts for free from some. (Of course, they get their $$ from their really high tuition.)
Who knows, it could be none of those reasons, I never get admissions offices and how they work!
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I'd also love to hear about these experiences, esp. from ppl who became new parents in a science/research-related field. I've heard from faculty that they best time to have kids is in the latter part of your PhD program (i.e., open schedule, can work from home, etc.), but the thought of being pregnant and therefore having to kick my caffeine habit while writing my dissertation....egh
Ditto, I've heard the same thing..also been wondering about this.
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My take on east coast cities (what I know the most about, but sadly I don't know much about other parts of the country).
Top cities for getting around without a car (i.e. very doable, extensive metro systems; if you're in the "city," you probably would be better off without a car anyway)
1. NYC
2. DC
3. Boston
4. London (ok not an east coast city but...the tube is awesomeness)
Can get around relatively easily without a car (has plenty of bus routes and trains, has metro but not as extensive; I know plenty of people who fare great in Philly without a car)
1. Philadelphia
Would not recommend- transportation is very spotty (Just the marta with very limited routes); city is quite spread out
1. Atlanta
I would also have to add that in Virginia, Charlottesville & Williamsburg are more difficult to get around in without a car. You could make out in Charlottesville with no car--I did for a few years--but if you want to get off grounds and the immediate area of town, it's not the best. Williamsburg, the same, perhaps even more difficult there.
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Why: B/c I have always LOVED school and want to stay in school forever.
I love that you said that, I feel the exact same way.
Studying: organizational behavior.
Why: Everything came together after working in management, getting my master's in HR & taking an org psych class. I realized, "aha! this is what I want to do." I want to help people have happier, better lives & relationships at work. I had always loved school, but didn't know what I would want to study in a PhD. I majored in history in undergrad, and realized that while I really enjoyed my history courses, I didn't like research in it as much. Then once I started doing OB/psychology research, I realized how much I love it, and now want to do a PhD in it. That way, I can keep doing school forever, and I think I'll really enjoy teaching as well. Took a few years, but I finally figured out what I want to do with my life. It's a good feeling.
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My late-to-the-party new favorites are
Movie: (500) Days of Summer
TV: Friday Night Lights
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Lastdazeman, thanks for replying. I think my situation is a little different than yours. In your situation it definitely seems wise to apply to both departments. The problem in my situation is that I would like to focus on something different in each department. In both I would be working with marine fish, but in one I would be studying aquaculture, and in the other I would be studying migratory patterns of pelagic gamefish. I would be absolutely thrilled to do either one, and if I could personally express this to the adcom, it is possible that they would understand, but I can't exactly put in my SOP, "this is what I REALLY want to do with my life...or this!" Now I am leaning toward only applying to one department.
I did the same thing as you and applied to 2 different departments/colleges within the same school. I would be SUPER HAPPY studying both topics & devoting my research to them (generally similar, like yours; much of it will be the same, including methodology, but different enough topics). If this is seen as lack of focus...well, I don't know. I went for it anyway. Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone.
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This is interesting. The CV I sent in for an application was asking for relevant professional experience only, and plus I read some advice from in-field people about how CVs for grad school should focus on that. I don't mention my military service at all, and have been cautioned about the aforementioned "liberal bias". Then again this is all foreign experience so that could be a factor.
It could be...however, veteran status is a federally protected status- it's illegal to discriminate on the basis of it (though I assume that's just as a US vet, not sure). You see a lot of universities that post this as part of their anti-discrimination policy. Also, maybe it's my own limited experience, but most liberals I know (myself included, of course) aren't anti-military at all.
I forgot to add: it makes total sense for you not to include it in your CV if it's not relevant to your field and those in your specialization advised against it. For me, it was relevant to my field, and I was asked to include a resume, not CV, so it's a bit different. Just saying that generally, I don't think it would necessarily hurt your application.
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Wow you guys reading books related to your field are seriously dedicated...over break, I like to zone out a bit before I get back to it
Sadly I'm not even reading a book at the moment. I'm behind on my Newsweeks. Hopefully I'll get some good books though on xmas day (probably fiction) that I can get into before delving back into my research...
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Anyway I'm really surprised you don't emphasize the military experience more... I feel like people probably emphasize way less formative experiences in their statements (One time, when on vacation, I totally saw third world poverty between my hotel and the beach, and it was like, really sad. I'm getting this degree to make sure I never have to see it again.). Are you guys worried about "liberal bias" or some such thing?
Well...it can kind of be a sticky issue, at least for me. One of my professors--whose husband is also in the military--said that some academics are skeptical of those who've worked in government, i.e. the military, because while we may have maturity, leadership skills, & ability to commit, we aren't really encouraged to "think outside the box," if you will. So she suggested I try to make sure I get across that I am creative, and can think independently. This is not to say that all academics think this, and being a veteran may very well help in the process. Also, for me, I did realize during this time that my "questioning" nature didn't really fit into the military environment. But, I had to word this to get across that I wasn't dissing on my former employer, and still performed well, and learned a LOT of skills that I can apply in my research and field of study etc., but realized (in combination with my educational experiences) that my calling was academia.
I don't worry too much about so-called "liberal bias." I'm a flaming liberal, but served in the military (and knew plenty of other Democrats in it too, even though we were the minority)...I don't see the two as mutually exclusive.
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I'm sure it will, Ma'am. (Can't help it. I sat up straight as soon as I read you were an officer.) I don't have mad skills anymore and that's what makes me feel so weird to have it on my CV. I didn't go anywhere near that stuff on my SoP.
Lol...I always hated people calling me that...not a fan of the whole hierarchy thing...I am so not the military type, ironically. But based on what you've said, I'm fairly certain you were in the same branch as me, which means we are super awesome
I did briefly mention it in my personal statement, but more so because my management experience is related to...well, getting a PhD in management
But you're right, otherwise, there's no real need to...many more relevant stuff for us to talk about on our SoP since we've moved on! -
To be completely honest, when I first read your mention of "combat skills" I totally thought it was a very dated Napoleon Dynamite-type parody, and thought "Oh God, those references weren't funny when the movie came out..." and then it took me two sentences to figure out you were serious as a heart attack. I also think a detailed record of your military training is good; I am applying to a bunch of programs outside of my field and they all emphasize a "willingness to be trained in xyz method". I'm impressed by military training, hopefully the adcomms will be too. Your maturity should stand out. All of my friends who enlisted or did ROTC matured really, really fast.
I've been reading this thread and smiling to myself...I'm also a former military officer (and went through ROTC, etc). I don't have as many mad skills as Lauren, but I'm hoping it does help in the admissions process.
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Many applications won't have the Fall 09 grades on there...I would just send what you have with your current GPA. I just listed my current GPA on my resume. I didn't say anything like "prior to Fall 09." If you want, you can send updated transcripts to the schools after January 4th.
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I personally wouldn't worry about it. It probably is because it's close to the holidays etc, and/or he liked it. I doubt he hated it though. If he did, and is usually fussy, he would tell you. My one prof, who is quite critical about writings usually, didn't give any detailed feedback about my personal statement other than she liked the content. I took that as a good sign; however, I think in part it was because she is busy with other things. Anyway, I think you shouldn't take it as a bad sign at all.
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On the contrary, there's plenty to lose. I absolutely agree the prof has been amazingly cavalier with someone else's cicumstances. The time is right for making a stink if it were something where the mindest of the person in question wouldn't matter. BUT, if the writer begrudgingly writes and finds the student to be a pest (and again, whether this perception is reasonable or not is irrelevant) what kind of letter do you think will be the result?
I know what you're saying, but I think it's worth taking that risk--if you don't get the 3rd letter, your applications won't be looked at at ALL and you won't get any admissions. There's way more to lose if that's the case. I'd rather risk irritating a professor (where, if he/she usually does like me, probably won't write a bad letter anyway) than basically give up all hope of getting into a program.
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I had to go to the settings and change my options to rich text--it won't let you in the basic/standard mode.
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I posted mine, then got paranoid
Thanks for the link though coyabean, that website is pretty cool. -
I'm no expert, also applying to similar-ish programs to study OB. My take: your verbal is good, I would say your quant might be considered a little low, but your great GPA & research experience are going to help a lot. I can't say what your chances are at those particular schools though, I don't really know much about them. Here are some good admissions stats from PSU's psych department though (although you may have already seen this):
http://psych.la.psu.edu/graduate/stats-IncomingClasses-AdmittedStudents.pdf
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Re clothing, I always feel very odd in fancy clothes. I started out wearing black pants and nice cardigans; the other interviewees mostly wore jeans and T-shirts, and so I soon changed to that too. My interviewers usually came in jeans and buttoned shirts. I don't think anybody got accepted or rejected based on clothing, as long as, you know, they wore clean clothes and didn't smell.
Side note: this is kinda why I love academia.
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Can you contact the department to see what they think? They might be able to give you some guidance. Usually they'll say their preferences, or might leave it open for you to decide.
I know what you're saying about the theatre world being different though (and MFA programs looking for you to "stand out" in an unique way). I have friends & a brother involved in it, and it's totally not the same thing that many of us are doing for our application to PhD programs.
Also, I had a peer reference when I applied to master's programs. Maybe a bad idea, don't know, but my program was more professionally based, not looking for all academic references, and left the guidance pretty open. For letters, I had one professor, one supervisor (I was working at the time), and a peer, though her letter was written as a co-worker and could attest to my work ethic, extensive projects we worked on, etc. I was accepted to the school that required a 3rd letter (as well as the other 2 I applied to), and it's the one I currently attend. I wouldn't do this for a PhD program. But I guess my point is: I think (based on the information you've provided) it would be okay to use this as a reference. The MFA route is unique and different from the ones we know about and are pursuing, and the best way for you to know is to contact the department or maybe talk to people who've been through the process, etc. The program should be able to provide you with some sort of guidance on what kind of letters they look for.
Good luck!
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Ah okay, guess it just depends on the hair then. My hair is straight and boring, and the only time I go to the salon is to get a fancy style, so I forget that others can get more "normal" styling done
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I REALLY don't think you should go to a salon the day of an interview. It depends on what type of hair you have, but if you go in for a cut or color, not usually a good idea to time those things right before an important event (in case they cut it wrong or something, etc.) And I mean, it's not like you'd want an updo like you were going to prom or something. I think the emphasis is to look polished, i.e. don't put your hair into a loose/messy ponytail. My take is to just look neat, same as you would if going to any job interview, etc.
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I wish I hadn't read these. I used the horrifying "putting a quotation in your SOP" rule, and I feel bad. I even managed work my entire essay around it. The only reason for keeping it was that everyone who read my SOP told me to use the quote. Oh well, it's too late now.
I'm sure you're okay, I think the point they were making is that some people force quotes into it or use ones that are cliche or aren't really relevant. If yours was meaningful and related to your field of study etc, you'll be fine
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I don't know the answer, but I've been wondering the same thing.
Not to increase anyone's heart rate...
in Waiting it Out
Posted
All I have to do is literally THINK about getting that email etc (especially rejection), and my heart rate immediately increases. I want to know so badly and I can't stand the waiting...but once the end of January hits--and I know a couple of my programs will be contacting people for interviews--and then February--every day I will wake up with my heart pounding.