RomulusAugustulus

It's just a classic craigslist scam. They send an email telling you that they are doing missionary work in Africa (to make them sound trustworthy) and they tell you there isn't anyone to show you the place and they can't send you the exact address because there are still people living there (um, yes, in fact they probably own the place!) or in an even creepier version they say you can go 'peek through the windows'. Then they try to make people send them a deposit first month, etc. and they will mail you the keys (because for some reason they took the keys to Africa and didn't leave them with a friend who could show their apartment?). Anyway like I said it is just a classic cglst scam. If you email 10 ads you'll probably get at least two of these emails. The worst part is people actually do fall for these. Often the price of the apt/house is really just way too low for what is is as well, which is a tip off.

All good advice you're receiving here, but to add some general advice about scams on craigslist (because I have heard of people actually falling for them): 1) Don't rent from anyone who emails you back with a response that says they are in Africa (or somewhere else out of the country) doing missionary work. This is a scam. 2) It's best to only contact people on craigslist who post a phone number (though not having a phone number doesn't necessarily mean it isn't real.) 3) If the deal seems to good to be true, it probably is. Especially if the post is for a house. Try googling the address (if they provide it) often scammers steal photos of houses that are for sale and post them as cheap rentals. You can also check to see if your university has classified ads, which would likely be on the student website. I have gotten roommates this way, and have a friend who rented a place that way, sight unseen, and it was great.

I don't have any specific test strategy advice, but I can answer your questions about the "copy" and "cut/paste" options on the AWA section. There is no "copy" option in the GREs essay writing software. But if you need to copy something what you can do is cut it, paste it right back where it was, and then paste it again somewhere else. Kind of silly, but that's what you have to do. The quant section is not my strong suit, but I think the key to it is just knowing the rules. You rarely actually have to do any calculations to answer the questions. Also knowing the rules about 0 and 1 are SO important. As for the reading comp, one piece of advice that may help you if you aren't doing it already, is to read the question before reading the passage (just the question, not the answers) then as you read look for the section that answers that question, then go back to the question answers. Also, if it's a time issue with reading the passages, remember you don't need to understand everything that is discussed in the passage, you only need to be able to answer the question. They make the language and vocab in the passages overly difficult. Just read through it quickly and don't get slowed down by complicated syntax. Then you can go back and look carefully at just the sections that are relevant to the questions.

Is there a department secretary/administrator? That would be the person who would normally deal with financial issues.

You are only likely to annoy them, and they are almost certainly not going to change their minds. Why risk it? If you really like the program, suck it up, do your best to improve your application where you can, and apply again next year.

If they think you were misleading them about having an honours degree, yes absolutely. And you would be if you went without earning the honours degree and not telling them before you matriculate. I'm still not clear on why you haven't responded to people recommending that you ask the professor if you can do an extra assignment for those 6% points? Is the course over already? And if it is, why weren't these marks already on your transcript when you applied? I will also agree that your petition letter doesn't make that great an argument. It shows a lot more initiative to ask for extra work to earn those points, than just to ask that they change your grade because you had some shit going on. I really am sorry this is happening to you, but you really need to work to fix this, not just ask someone to fix it for you.

If they said you'd hear by May 30th, then you'll hear by May 30th. Not all schools abide the April 15th agreement. Also February 1st is a pretty late deadline as far as grad apps go, so I'm not surprised that they get decisions out later than a lot of other places.

I agree with Iphi. Go to the professor of the class you are not doing so hot in, explain you are planning to go to graduate school next year, and have a conditional offer and ask if there is extra credit work you can do so you can graduate with honours.

Marcus Tullius, I've been creepy-stalker-like following your decision making process (I'll be at Columbia CLST, so I was trying to figure out who'd be joining me). Congrats on your decision, though sorry we won't be classmates! I just wanted to say, definitely don't listen to any naysayers! Jack Davis is THE BEST. I am not a bronze age person, but he makes me wish I was. He's also hilarious and super nice. I'm sure you know that already though!

Yeah, PsycD is right. This is normal for schools and, unfortunately, is completely separate from whether or not you are admitted. Don't read too much into it. But good luck!

I think a lot of schools require it to consider you for funding/financial aid (whether or not you need to/intend to take out loans). It's pretty standard. It is also pretty quick and easy to fill out.

ack sorry, just realized that link was kind of a dud (I think it was linked to my school and not the general education stores). Sounds like you found it ok though!

You should just be able to search for and enter your school from the apple education online store: http://store.apple.com/us-hed which will give you the educational discount. The free software you will have to contact your school about though.

I want to second this advice! I emailed one professor who never responded, and I got into the program and will be going there next year. I have also heard from students that he is an excellent, hands on advisor. So I definitely agree that people shouldn't be turned off if professors don't answer their emails, it doesn't mean they aren't interested and it doesn't mean they will be an MIA advisor. Apply anyway, and figure out whether they seem like a good fit as an advisor later!

lol, nevermind! Thanks anyway though

If you emailed and he didn't respond, let it go. Schools don't have to tell you why you were rejected and it would only be a courtesy if the POI responded to your request. DON'T pester him. That will only hurt your chances in the future. If you want to know how to improve your application, ask your undergrad professors who wrote you recommendations. But don't write the POI again until you are applying next round.

Most UK programs will likely still have open deadlines, and maybe some Canadian schools. Don't know about US schools, though I suppose it is possible...

I am unclear on whether we are discussing this seriously, but I believe that you are more likely to find specialists in this field in Film Studies programs (or interdisciplinary programs that include film)?

Would you mind sharing what dictionaries you found?! I have the same problem about needing art terms specifically defined. Especially in German!

Hm, maybe you are just looking at weird photos. Houses and other buildings in Center City are actually quite beautiful. But Philly is a weird city and neighborhoods vary a lot in look and culture.

Hi Tuck, I went to Vandy and did a summer trip down to look for a place too. I went down about 2-2.5 months early and most places I saw wanted people to move in by the end of the month, so I would recommend going down no more than 1 month before you want to move. Also, oddly enough, just driving around in neighborhoods you might be interested in and looking for "for rent" signs is actually pretty effective in Nashville (rather than trying to sort through craigslist scams or something). Or check the newspaper adds (that's how I found my house).

UMMMM, Center City is the downtown section of Philly (with sky scrapers, fancy designer stores etc.) Where in the world did you get the idea it was a 'slum'? It is one of the more expensive areas, and most housing there is in apartment buildings or extremely expensive houses. You would probably find it difficult to live there on a graduate stipend. West Philly is lovely, it definitely has a different culture than Center City. I personally love West Philly. You just don't want to live too far west, because it starts getting a bit rough. 42nd-47nd Sts is a good range. I would recommend not going too far north either (between Market and Baltimore is nice. A little south of Baltimore is ok too, though I personally don't know the area very well.)

I don't really have an opinion on the situation but I will add that University Z might not allow you to have an outside job if they are funding you, even if it is a family business. School's give stipends on the expectation that you are working for them and not spending time you should be researching, working for someone else. You may be allowed to hold an outside job with your funding offer but you may not, or may only be able to work a certain number of hours. (some stipulate no more than 10 hrs a week, for example). Definitely check whether there are any rules on your assistantship before you commit to school Z. I know for my funded MA program we were not allowed to hold another job.

I also have sympathy for your situation. I had to move with my cat for my MA program (and was moving with a roommate who had a dog so we had to find a place that allowed 2 pets). Now I have to move to NYC with a cat who's used to frolicking outside (ugh x 2). It's hard but not impossible to find cheaper places that allow pets. Obviously it depends a lot on the city. I think the best thing to do is search for apts rented by individuals (rather than apartment buildings), who are often more lenient about pets. There are also housing websites for a lot of cities that allow you to filter apts by "allows cats" or something (craigslist does, although it isn't the best). Finding a roommate is also a great way to get a cheaper place. Often universities have classified ads on the student website where people can advertise for roommates. The school may even have an off-campus housing search engine that might have cheaper options geared towards students. Check their res-ed website. I'll also second (third?) the last ditch option of finding a family member/friend who can keep them for 2 years and NOT bringing them to a shelter. Good luck!

hm... that is too bad, but I would still guess that they are separate issues. Best of luck on receiving funding though!