Lifesaver

I didn't even know Hunter interviewed. lol. Congrats and good luck on your interview.

I'm from NY, so I may be a tad biased, but I'd go to Cornell. Ivy league vs non ivy league. Cornell would most likely stick out on a resume more so than UIUC. I hadn't really heard much about that university until I started reading this site. I knew it had good academics, but never considered it a household name like Cornell. Just my two cents, though.

Yep. It has been down for awhile. People couldn't figure out how to behave, so the mods nixed it and don't have any plans to bring it back. It's a shame, cause I found it useful.

We may be the same person.

Seriously, how can you expect to attract a mate/be happy in a long term relationship when you're SO wound up?! Nobody wants to be with someone who is anxiety ridden and constantly freaking out over every last little detail of life. Haven't you heard the old proverb? "Man plans and god laughs." Put yourself on a good path (which it seems you already have) and follow it. Let everything fall into place as it may. You'll appreciate it later.

I don’t know how you function. You're so neurotic! Calm down and just go with the flow. Life isn't one big sorority mixer.

Stick it out!! In the grand scheme of life, five years really isn't a long time. I was born and raised in New York City and decided to go to college in Louisiana. It was a HUGE change! I spent the bulk of my free time exploring the state/nearby states, and really embracing all that they had to offer. On the surface, your small college town may seem pretty dreadful, but I guarantee there are cool things for you to check out within a few hours. I firmly believe that everyone needs a mental health break (ie: weekend away) in order to reset and regain focus on what's important. Even if it's going home (their home, not yours) with a friend overnight, do it. Get away. It's good to have a change of scenery. If you need suggestions on where to go and what to see, let me know. I've traveled fairly extensively in the south during the past few years.

Wish NYU, Hunter, and Fordham would hurry it up!

Your days of yoga pants and Uggs are over. I'll admit that I've done it (in grad school), but my work schedule is unforgiving, so those few times, it was unavoidable.

Another shooter here. Also, I like to take my Jeep offroad, sleep (I work nights, so sleep is MIA most of the time), travel, go to the beach, go out for dinner/drinks with friends, etc. I don't have a whole lot of spare time these days.

Lynch - I got my acceptance letter from Denver on January 17th. I applied on 11/14. Hope that helps.

The cost of school healthcare I've been seeing has been in the neighborhood of $1,500/year. Are you really getting a cheaper policy from ACA? Nevertheless, it has always been that if you can prove you have health insurance from another entity (private, parents, employer, etc), you do not have to purchase insurance from the school. I'd imagine it's the same way for those covered under ACA.

I'm buying mine nice pens. No, not the kind you get at Staples in bulk. A nice pen. Probably a Cross or something.

An admissions dean at one of the school's I applied to has a blog. On said blog, he wrote that we shouldn't, under any circumstance, bring up acceptance at another school. Apparently they really don't appreciate hearing about it. To us, it makes sense in terms of competitiveness, but I see his point, too. You don't want to sound ungrateful and/or desperate, you know? I'd keep it to yourself for now. If you're meant to be at Harvard, you'll get there.

Gonna bump this one up to the top for more up to date information for us Penn fall 2014 starters.

I can read it, but not til Sunday. When do you need it read and reviewed by?

This. So much this.

I've been accepted to Penn's MSW program for the fall, too. I am also really undecided about the price tag. Been having massive anxiety about it since I found out, lol. In my letter of acceptance it stated that I was not offered any grant money directly from the school. Did yours not say anything like that? You may be one of the lucky few to get money!

My east coast ChemE brother would tell you to go to Caltech/California in general. He seems to think (and by think, I mean he's certain) that's where all the cool people are going. He'll be joining you in that direction shortly.

I spent some time on the phone today trying to wrap my head around things. I have more information, but I'm not even close to settled yet. This is what I've determined thus far: School #1: - Ivy League university, $42,000ish/year, tuition and fees. - In a large, cold northern city, thus, very expensive rent. - I am unfamiliar with this city. - Has a certificate program (via fieldwork) in the field I hope to work in. However, I couldn't start the program til my second year. - I am still unsure whether I can be rejected from that program because I have to apply for it. I'm waiting for an email back on that matter. - Has more options in terms of electives. - Fieldwork starts in the first semester. - Likely a more challenging curriculum. - Operates in 4 semesters; fall, spring, fall, spring. - I feel so honored to have been accepted, but very intimidated by the concept of "ivy league." - Half of my family live 2.5 hours away from this school by car. School #2: - Originally my top choice because I didn't think I was going to get into school #1. And I love it. - I went to undergrad not far from this university in a large southern city. I loved living there. - Expensive private school, but $30,000 less in tuition than school #1 (total, not per year). - Has a great reputation. - City is less expensive to live in than city of school #1 - Operates in 4 semesters, but in 16 months; fall, spring, summer, fall. Done a semester earlier than school #1. - Everyone in the program takes the same pre-determined classes, minus three (or four?) elective courses. - Fieldwork doesn't start til the spring semester. - School of Social Work not on main campus currently (for building renovation reasons). - Program may not be as rigorous as school #1, but school #2 has always been known for its community outreach mission. - My best friend and boyfriend live within an hour away. Thoughts? PM me if you want actual school names. I'm slightly paranoid about writing them on here.

Wait. I had the opposite problem. I got a phone call, but the status on the website hadn't changed, I didn't get an email, nothing in the regular mail, etc. I waited a week to email them to get the email resent to make sure I wasn't missing anything. I still haven't gotten anything in the regular mail, though.

Honestly, I agree that there is no way to force yourself into thick skin, cynicism, etc. It's all life experience (and some cultural norm/socialization). In my personal opinion, it is very hard to give advice when you haven't walked that mile.

Long story short, I'm having a hard time deciding where to go to school in the fall. I applied to seven schools and have been accepted to four so far with no rejections as of yet. That said, I've been accepted to, what I believe to be, my first and second choices, but I'm really concerned about experiencing the "shoulda, woulda, couldas" either when I get there and/or graduate. For science majors, it's an easy pick - you go to the school with the lab doing research you're most interested in, with the PI you adore, who have wonderful contributions and publications. Art majors, same thing. Us? How do we pick? How can you determine who makes the best helpers/doers/therapists/policy changer? Sure, I could look at the USNews rankings, which I did, but who says they're right? Do I pick the school with the best name to look pretty on my resume? Do I pick the school in the city in which I'll be most comfortable? Do I pick the school with less prestige that gave me some funding? How are you guys going about this? Help.

I worked full time through my first master's degree in criminal justice. As a full time student, I took 3 classes per semester, and each met one night a week for 3 hours. That left me with plenty of time to work, have some form of a social life, and get my school work done. I made it out with a 3.83 GPA. I'm going back to get my MSW in the fall and am planning to be unemployed, per the warning of each and every school I applied to. I am pretty concerned about not working and having an income. With fieldwork, it seems virtually impossible. Or at least the schools are making it seem that way. I'm hoping I can squeeze in something on weekends. Seriously, how do you plan to work full time when classes meet for most of the day 2 days a week and fieldwork takes up the other 3 days? Do share!