pea-jay

Well said!

finger licking

Great list.

Hard to read but good info

As a Californian wanting to leave this state, for grad school I'd take a hard look at what programs you want to study at which particular campus. With budget cuts and continued state deficits, I would check each program to see if they can stay funded. Some programs have been axed to save money, class sizes are up and course offerings down. Not saying this will be an issue for your program but just be aware of it.

Admittedly I am an Apple fan but the idea of an iPad for grad school as a replacement for a notepad, some text books and calendar plus easy access to the web is intriguing me. Currently I have a MacMini as my main workstation. I do most of my work there and that probably wont change. My wife has a MacBook, which I also use from time to time. Watching the release of the iPad got me thinking about what I would find as a killer device for jotting down hand written notes (with a stylus) tagging them and annotating electronic reading assignments. On the other hand a full blown laptop would allow me to do more on the go. At this point I am waiting for the usual bugs to be worked out and useful apps to be released before purchasing during the back-to-school time frame (often when apple makes deals on educational purchases). The question for everyone is, would you get one of these devices instead of a laptop, assuming you have a dedicated computer at home? What would you consider a "must need application" in order for you to get one? Or is this some rich person's plaything?

A dad's perspective here. I became a father and went to Grad School in my mid twenties and at the same time tried to balance a lousy job (which I was later downsized out of), an infant and an overwhelmed wife that had no family or peer support to fall back on. Guess what? It didnt work. At all. Lost my job, our home and almost our marriage. Fortunately we got on our feet again. But the experience so spooked me I didnt even contemplate trying again until this past year when our youngest entered Kindergarten and we stopped hemorrhaging money. By the time I go back, the kids will be in first and fourth grades and not nearly so dependent.

Kids are expensive and consume lots of time, especially when they are young. The same can be said for grad school. Trying to mix both together is not for the feint at heart. Personally, I'm happy I delayed my masters for kids and not the other way around. I had a lot of fun raising them either as a stay-at-home dad, working low-responsibility jobs or entry level positions in my field that allowed a ton of flex time. Once I start my masters, that free time goes away and it wont improve after as I'm pursing managerial work.

My unsolicited advice for both genders: have your kids and wait until they are in public school before going back for your masters or get the masters out of the way before starting a family.

This thread makes me giggle...it is funny. It certainly isnt poorly reflective of you, but that certainly isnt the image I have of a prof. All but one of my profs were professional, staid and sometimes outright boring individuals. The one that wasnt, well...he HOSTED the keggers. Go figure!

pink eye

Ok this thread isn't to debate the merits or benefits of using Apple's iPhone or iPad in an educational setting. Or whine about Apple. Rather, I'd like to hear what APPs you use (or are interested in) that makes your educational experience easier. Obviously the calendar function and a To Do program are essential but beyond that, what's out there? I'm looking for some suggestions personally and would like this thread to be useful for others as well. Please make sure you include full name of the app so we can find it and at least a basic description. Kudo points if you tell us how it worked for you. iPad-specific apps are welcome here too. Links would be cool if you have them.

For example, I used 1,400 ESSENTIAL GRE WORDS by TotalTestPrep to enhance my vocabulary. This app has well, words that ETS has been known to use and presents them in a flashcard manner. Easy and cheap program to use.

Any topic area would be great from test prep to time management and so on.

Ok this thread isn't to debate the merits or benefits of using Apple's iPhone or iPad in an educational setting. Or whine about Apple. Rather, I'd like to hear what APPs you use (or are interested in) that makes your educational experience easier. Obviously the calendar function and a To Do program are essential but beyond that, what's out there? I'm looking for some suggestions personally and would like this thread to be useful for others as well. Please make sure you include full name of the app so we can find it and at least a basic description. Kudo points if you tell us how it worked for you. iPad-specific apps are welcome here too. Links would be cool if you have them.

For example, I used 1,400 ESSENTIAL GRE WORDS by TotalTestPrep to enhance my vocabulary. This app has well, words that ETS has been known to use and presents them in a flashcard manner. Easy and cheap program to use.

Any topic area would be great from test prep to time management and so on.

Ok this thread isn't to debate the merits or benefits of using Apple's iPhone or iPad in an educational setting. Or whine about Apple. Rather, I'd like to hear what APPs you use (or are interested in) that makes your educational experience easier. Obviously the calendar function and a To Do program are essential but beyond that, what's out there? I'm looking for some suggestions personally and would like this thread to be useful for others as well. Please make sure you include full name of the app so we can find it and at least a basic description. Kudo points if you tell us how it worked for you. iPad-specific apps are welcome here too. Links would be cool if you have them.

For example, I used 1,400 ESSENTIAL GRE WORDS by TotalTestPrep to enhance my vocabulary. This app has well, words that ETS has been known to use and presents them in a flashcard manner. Easy and cheap program to use.

Any topic area would be great from test prep to time management and so on.

Ok this thread isn't to debate the merits or benefits of using Apple's iPhone or iPad in an educational setting. Or whine about Apple. Rather, I'd like to hear what APPs you use (or are interested in) that makes your educational experience easier. Obviously the calendar function and a To Do program are essential but beyond that, what's out there? I'm looking for some suggestions personally and would like this thread to be useful for others as well. Please make sure you include full name of the app so we can find it and at least a basic description. Kudo points if you tell us how it worked for you. iPad-specific apps are welcome here too. Links would be cool if you have them.

For example, I used 1,400 ESSENTIAL GRE WORDS by TotalTestPrep to enhance my vocabulary. This app has well, words that ETS has been known to use and presents them in a flashcard manner. Easy and cheap program to use.

Any topic area would be great from test prep to time management and so on.

It may appear that I am venting or being overly emotional at this moment in time. I am not. This is not a fleeting feeling. The only reason I wrote about it today was because today was the last straw. I knew I made a mistake ever since orientation. I honestly wish someone would have warned me about this during my application cycle. It would have prevented me from settling.

All I'm saying (and maybe I didn't say it properly before) is: follow your heart to the school you love even if it costs money...at least you will be happy and engaged.

Hey Everyone,

I am not in graduate school as of yet, but I am and Undergrad who has been heavily involved in my own research... serious enough to be publishing. Consequently, I think my input isn't easily dismissed and might be directly applicable to you.

I have the 16 gig iPad with WiFi and it has exceeded my every expectation.

1) Typing was the one of my biggest concerns. Within a week I was typing fast enough where taking copious notes in lectures wasn't an issue. At this point I feel like I am typing just as I do on my Macbook. If you wanted to attach the keyboard doc to it you could, but it just seems antithetical to the point of having a tablet.

2) The publication process is much easier with this. No more awkward positions with my Macbook or hauling it to coffee shops to read articles in PDF forms. I can't tell you how many times I've fallen a sleep with my macbook just hanging off the edge of my bed as I spent the previous night reading articles into the wee hours of the morning while trying to get comfortable.
I find that whole process much easier to do, especially when using Papers. I can manage article databases and make notes on them that are easily shared electronically making manuscript write ups much easier. Yes, you could do this on a macbook too, but my main interest in having this device was ease of portability.


3) you can transfer data easily. I have some working databases in excel format on my iPad and it transfers to my Mac easy. The App cost 9 bucks. Apple does control the means for how this happens and the route it takes, but it isn't impossible to wrap your head around. Plug in and manage it that way or transfer it on your wifi network.

4) I have had no wifi issues like some who have complained. Been at a few universities and no issues.

5) Some apps aren't quite ready for prime time, but updates have fixed this easily.

6) Maybe the battery issue is legit, but I have never replaced internal batteries on any of my portable apple products. I still have a first generation iPod that works like a charm. The only battery I ever needed to replace on my laptop was due to manufacturing issues way back when there were concerns the powerbook battery would spontaneously combust.

7) Notes in meetings: no more loosing that paper!

8) Managing scheduling: Easier.

Is multitasking an issue? Yes and no. First, the new OS will most likely fix this if you care that much. It can be a pain in the butt, but it can also help keep you focused on one thing at a time. It all depends on what you want the iPad for. Is it a total replacement for a netbook? It depends on what you use your netbooks for. I have the macbook for heavy processing that I need to do for research...I use lots of media and there is no way I could swing that on an iPad or netbook.

The whole issue is about production and consumption to me. I'd much rather do my consumption (articles, searching article databases and all the other browsing and watching I use my laptop for) on the iPad. It feels right and is much easier to manage hauling from spot to spot to complete work than my laptop... not that that is huge.

I'd rather keep heavy production databases for research, media and research software and heavy work processing on my laptop.

So if you are looking for a device to supplement a desktop or a laptop the iPad is something to look at and is totally functional for class notes and basic research endeavors (article searching, highlighting, managing and database creation)


If you want it to be your sole device in grad school you will be disappointed.

It varies from school to school and probably within schools as ad-com members review applications. This subject is something that garners controversy and occasionally lawsuits. Im not an expert in this field and generally steer clear of of these discussions as I lack any substantive experience in this topic that would be useful for your situation

Wow! Going to date myself but when I was a freshman in college only the rich kid's dads had the cell phone and it was the size of a brick and only could make PHONE CALLS. TXTing? LOL. Back then we passed notes. And no iPods either. Just one of these:

Try listening to one of those in class

Plus there were fewer of us as HS Grads still had some viable non-college career options and werent pressured into a 4-yr institution they werent a good fit for. Geez, I sound pretty fuNking old and pathetic now.

Most useful: Any program that leads to gainful employment post graduation. Or improves the lives of others.
Least useful: The program that has the worst post-graduation prospects for employment and/or no benefit to others. Cant say what that special program is, but it's surely out there.

Wow! Going to date myself but when I was a freshman in college only the rich kid's dads had the cell phone and it was the size of a brick and only could make PHONE CALLS. TXTing? LOL. Back then we passed notes. And no iPods either. Just one of these:

Try listening to one of those in class

Plus there were fewer of us as HS Grads still had some viable non-college career options and werent pressured into a 4-yr institution they werent a good fit for. Geez, I sound pretty fuNking old and pathetic now.

Postscript: On the other hand it's empowering too.

I got into NYU but chose NOT to attend. It was strictly MY decision.

So I forgot about this forum until today -- it's great to find others who will be attending CUNY schools.

I'll be at Baruch's School of Business in the Organizational Behavior department. I live in the suburbs just north of the city and will be commuting in, but I've also lived in the city and am happy to be a resource, if needed.

Count me in for coffee -- I always find it really valuable to build a support network within my profession, but outside of my field.

Really? Does that mean that I can be a "black person" without being black? Because I've really always wanted to become the singer from the 5th Dimension but my pastiness and lack of soul is hindering my progress a bit.

Metro Card

Nobody likes being thought of as a failure, male or female. What makes the original post so yucky is it is just dripping in contempt for her man. Now I don't know what the poster is like in reality and how she *actually* treats her boyfriend, but it sure doesnt bode well for a good relationship. If this is really how you feel, do your man a favor and and end the relationship. And do it nicely.

Nobody likes being thought of as a failure, male or female. What makes the original post so yucky is it is just dripping in contempt for her man. Now I don't know what the poster is like in reality and how she *actually* treats her boyfriend, but it sure doesnt bode well for a good relationship. If this is really how you feel, do your man a favor and and end the relationship. And do it nicely.

Yeesh. I get that it is a stressful time right now for some people, but can't we all just get along? I'll have my values and you'll have yours and we will never ever ever date each other

I'm an engineer, I'm a realist, and I know that things like job satisfaction have a large effect on the success of a relationship. Mostly, I would never demand anything of a partner that I wouldn't do myself, and my personal definition of love is wanting the best for someone even if it means that I'm not it. (and yes my boyfriend has a job that would be a lot less interesting if he were to leave a short list of large cities).

You really can't plan life, and I know MANY couples who have broken up after one makes a big move for the other. So why plan too much, why not just encourage your partner to do everything that they can to be happy?

"When you find everything you've looked for, I hope your life leads you back to my door. Oh but if it don't, stay beautiful."

(however feel free to call me crazy for quoting Taylor Swift)