ScreamingHairyArmadillo

I don't think I'd be getting money from the grant, I just wonder if she'd want multiple people on a project? You know when I say it, it sounds stupid...why wouldn't she want an essentially free pair of hands?

Now that I've finally decided on a school (yay!), I'm starting to think about potential projects. I'm doing the MS first and going to be supported by fellowships for 2 years (there is a half year RA available for me if I need it). This obviously opens up a lot of time for me to develop my own project. My POI works on urban farms, which I would love to study. Obviously, I could carve out a piece of this field because it's fairly new. However, my POI recently got a grant to work on the chemicals found in bee foraging areas along an urban to rural gradient (awesome). She and I have been talking about this project for awhile, and she knows I'm really interested. However, in the grant there was money requested for a MS student. So, do you think she'd rather me do another project so this money could be available for someone else? I don't know if anyone else is looking to get in on this though. Obviously I could ask, but I was wondering what you all think. Also, she hasn't actually told me she got the grant yet - I read it on the lab blog!

IMO: 1. I think the hesitation is merely the fact that you've invested so much time into each school, it's extremely hard to actually tell them no. If you know you'd rather go to 2 out of your 4 programs, tell the other 2 thanks, but no thanks. 2. Personally, I would just wait. They already know you're a competitive applicant and have other offers. I don't know if just saying you have more offers will change anything, though I don't think it would be pushy, per se. 3. If they are willing to negotiate, try to do so, and probably in the way you stated by mentioning the high cost of living. Though I'm not really sure on this one; maybe you can just ask for a specific offer.

I just attended a conference where people (students, faculty, and government!) were asking me to take my shoe off so they could see my insect tattoo.

He just emailed the secretary. It's worked out, we both got funding from OSU. But still, from what I gathered from UMD's site was that they try to fund everyone. Oh well.

I would definitely write them back, though it sucks to do it if you've actually met them and like them on a personal level. I wrote to my POI at UMD and felt like I was going to die. I just told her I really regret not being able to work with her too, but I'm sure we'll cross paths again (there are only so many people in an entomology sub-sub-field ). Just stay professional and thank them for all their support. They know you can't choose them all.

I know that not everyone accepted to Maryland is getting funding. My boyfriend got nothing! I wish you better luck.

There's a prof at my school that got his BA, MA, and PhD at, well, my school.

He works from home and you're going for a 2 year degree? Go there. He needs to get over it.

That is fucking insane. Your real work can't make up for your UG career from over 10 years ago???? What do these people want??

Some resume/CV copies maybe, if you meet with a prof you haven't contacted previously. However, your file should be electronic, and most profs will look at it before they meet with you. All you really need is confidence and good conversation skills!

I never paid for meals I attended with faculty and/or students. After one they even let me take the leftovers!

The only one I would suggest you do not ask for a letter is the 3rd one. Otherwise, I think all of the others would have a good enough insight of your academic motivation/level to write a great letter. Also, I meet with my UG research advisor much less often than you do! But he wrote me an excellent letter - when we do meet I tell him all he wants/needs to know. He doesn't prefer to have "control" over UG projects anyway, unless he thinks the students need it. I take it as a compliment that he isn't always over my shoulder.

Going entirely off your post, Georgetown is a clear winner in everyone but your parents' heads.

Just wondering if anyone has received notification from the DGS. I thought emails were supposed to go out today? I have heard "unoffically" that I got one, but my boyfriend is still waiting.

Do you have undergrad debt? If not, I'm inclined to say go with San Francisco. But even still, I say go with your gut! The move wouldn't be the most risky thing - there's closer family (so you could probably avoid living in a box if it came down to it) and your husband might save money for his Alaska travels and find a great job in the new city. Don't go to the school you're not excited for. Be happy in Cali!

I've found a simple search at www.rent.com to be very helpful. You're easily looking at around $1000/month though, so a roommate might not be the worst idea.

Stick with A. Better funding and track record? Your girlfriend will not be very far away if she takes the job. It sucks to turn down another attractive offer (which are often attractive for different reasons), but don't let it get you down.

I don't think you messed up. Just wait til Friday.

I'll respond to the first question then. I finished my rolling admissions application in mid-November and heard back the first week of December. From what I could tell, the committee met every month.

Thinking of molecular bio labs, are you really stuck with 1 advisor for sure? Are there rotations the first year? I suppose at this point it depends on where the funding comes from. Either the department will fund you or another prof could put forward money for you come committee meeting. I had been in contact with one prof at a school, but after I was accepted another offered me a position in his lab, too. As far as I know, you aren't stuck with anything until after the first year. You usually need a prof to support your application, and they can serve as temporary advisor if need be, but things don't become official until you get there.

What is it with history programs taking so long! My boyfriend is still waiting to hear about funding specifics from the two schools we both got into. I just want them to say what's what so we can get on with some decision making!

While Yale might not be particularly strong in your chosen field, there must be a reason you chose them (and they chose you). What research is going on there that you do like? Do you think you could find yourself branching into new areas? With no teaching your first two years, that would give you ample opportunity to research new projects. Also, compare price of living along with the stipend numbers. And I'm not sure what your field is, but most programs I know of don't really have free summers. There's field work, archival time, writing, TAing (eventually)...

I would say unless they're counselors, they probably don't know the field and which school is best for your future. While it would be great to have no loans, you don't even have any from undergrad, so I have a feeling they would be manageable in the long run. I personally find it strange parents would even try to get their adult children to listen to them about schools, but money is involved so it makes things messy. Maybe evaluate each school again. Why is one your favorite? Why don't your parents like it?

No kidding! Like I said, I'm from Ohio, so 24k is a lot even in the eyes of my family. However, I just found out that the living situation would be a little more complicated than I thought. Looks like I'd be in Columbus fall and winter quarters and Wooster spring and summer. There are plenty of apartments available with 6 month leases in Wooster, but ugh. What a pain in the ass!