armchairette

In terms of instruction, the field is moving towards a view/mode of instruction that allows for use of the L1 and moves away from the native speaker model.

Ooh, count me in as well. I actually am an Applied Linguist (well, only at an MA level), but I'm far from bilingual or even particularly functional in a second language. I'm still fascinated by how language learning and acquisition work, I'm just not a "good" language learner--it's just not fun for me. I think this is why I've been drawn to focusing my research on ELLs w/disabilities. Whether it is the prevailing theory or not in SLA (it isn't), I'm a big proponent of immersion--which works quite nicely for this effectively monolingual English teacher.

Thanks!

I know this is a great problem to have, but if you have any advice, please share: I have just received an A-mazing funding offer from a program and will definitely be accepting it. This means I will have to decline a (not as) generous offer from a program that has been nothing but pleasant. This program made it very clear that they really want me and that I'm the only applicant they are considering. I visited them and they were great, just not the perfect fit. They are just so nice--but, I simply cannot turn down the other offer. How should I word the declining email? I'm afraid they might try to negotiate more money to sway me, but I'm really sold on the other program. I'm also worried about offending a group of really nice people.

Just got my funding offer from UNL and almost had a heart attack as it is almost $5,000 more than the other funding offer I've received. I guess I'm going to UNL in the Fall. Anyone else?

My own experience is a bit different than most 1st gen applicants/attendees as I'm only 1st gen on 1 side. While my mother has a college degree (and extensive grad work but no MA/MS) and all but 1 of her siblings (and their spouses) do as well, my father and his side of the family have never gone beyond high school diplomas. In fact, my father works in an apprenticeship-based field, where a college degree would probably be seen as a liability. My mother's side of the family is extremely supportive and I grew up not really realizing that many (most?) people don't go to college. My mom once told me that she had the same experience and was shocked when she discovered that her own mother never actually finished a degree and that her father never attended college at all--they met at the end of WW2 when she worked for the government as a secretary and he was an Army officer. Different time, I guess. I'm not particularly close with my father's side, but I get the impression they can't really conceptualize why someone would go on for more school unless it was for a professional credential (MD, JD, etc). My family hasn't really been able to help financially at all. On the accomplishments end, I'd say 3 out of 3 acceptances are pretty awesome. Also, I'm flying home right now from the big annual conference in my field. I was able to present there and participated in an event with a very big name in the field who turned to me and asked me to add other insights to the discussion. I just about had a heart attack.

We have pretty much all the big name banks, plus Georgia's Own Credit Union is quite active.

Did any UNL admits already get funding offers? My department is being slowwwww. I just want to know, gosh darn it!

Thanks!

I'm now very seriously considering UN-L. Does anyone have advice/info in regards to convenient apartments that are pet-friendly? I won't have a car, at least not at first. I have two cats who, combined, weigh less than 15lbs.

I am heading home from visiting School Y (I think I've already let slip the specific school on here, but for now, I'm sticking w/School Y). I really enjoyed meeting the faculty and the current students. Going into this process, this school was probably tied for my 1st choice based on research interests and foci alone. I also knew that it wasn't the most well known or highest ranked program. But, it really seemed like the absolute best fit. Except. I'm currently in a very well-regarded MA program where we are pushed hard. As MAs we are expected to present at conferences regularly and publishing and research opportunities are common. The PhDs in my program are required to publish frequently and to present often--most do both at least twice a year. We are also expected to teach--either for the university or in the community--as part of our program. I love my current program, but can't stay for the PhD for two reasons: (a) I did my undergrad in the same program (so academic/professional suicide) and ( no one on faculty is doing the type of research I'm interested in. I'm also not certain I need 2-4 more years of a largely pedagogically focused program. I've done quite well in my program, maintaining a 3.81 (1 B my 1st semester screwed my 4.0 chances), having a GAship throughout, and working on research with my advisor. My GRE scores weren't stellar--well, my verbal and AW were great, but my maths wasn't; so, I thought I might not even get into a program--not actually be accepted to all 3 I applied for. I definitely never expected to be highly sought after by any program. Unfortunately, I wasn't exactly impressed by the current PhD students I encountered at School Y. They were lovely, nice, and pleasant...but they weren't particularly active presenters or publishers. Even the 2nd and 3rd years. I'm afraid of getting into a "big fish/small pond" situation and having that hurt me professionally--or academically. Particularly, as I found the one PhD seminar I was able to observe to be covering material I encountered the 1st semester of my MA program. Maybe I caught a bad day of class? Encountered the less zealous students? This program has made it clear that, not only do they really want me, I'm the only new PhD student they are seriously considering for the Fall semester. They actually voted on my admission and fellowship offer while I was there--and flat out told me the positive results. They also have some pretty sweet toys--though, one tech they bragged about I consider to be utter bunk. So, now I'm completely confused. My other options are School X which won't make a funding offer unless I accept first (and have been general d*x) or School Z which is in the least desired location--one I cannot visit before making a decision. School X and Z are bigger names both in terms of laypersons and those in my field, but both programs are through Colleges of Ed (they are PhDs, though, not EdDs.) rather than Arts & Sciences or Liberal Arts. And it snows at School Z--which this Southern girl might not handle well. On the other hand, I have deep family ties to School Z and to the area. Any thoughts or advice, guys and gals?

I'm one step below a GTA as an MA at GSU. I work as a GLA, which means I tutor for the Intensive English Program and assist in an IEP class (but don't teach it). In my program, 1-2 MAs a year get hired to teach for the IEP or the ESL courses. Most work as GRAs or GLAs. A few work as testing proctors. The MA stipend is much less than the doctoral ones, but our tuition is waived and the health insurance is covered. It's a sweet deal.

There is also the ability to move into programatic leadership, if you're interested. I know someone who took a job with ETS right after graduating with her MA in AL. Most of my fellow grads this semester are either hoping for ELF, have secured higher paid positions overseas, are planning to work for IEPs, or are applying to PhDs (like me). A few are planning to move into K-12 teaching. I feel like my MA was very much worth it, though I went in with an undergrad in AL and TEFL certification--and about 6 years of teaching experience. The professional contacts alone are definitely worth it--plus the coursework was wonderful. My program has a pedagogy focus, though, so I might feel different if it had a different focus. ETA: Find out if your program is partnered with the Peace Corps. Mine is and its a sweet deal if you go that route. You do 1 year of coursework, teach for a year, and then they pay the full freight for you to finish. ELF is also a sweet deal, but you need the MA do be considered.

I'm in! Just got the myUNL and myRed confirmations, but nothing official from the department yet. Anyone who's already heard, how long did it take you to hear about funding? I'm visiting another program next week and they are offering me a fellowship. I really like Nebraska, but money talks (well, the other program is awesome, too). Anyone else apply to this program? I'm 3 for 3--decided not to apply for the 4th one (Carleton in Canada) as funding for a US student was unlikely. Accepted to USF SLA/IT (SLATE) but no funding offer unless I accept first (I'm playing hard to get over that one), accepted to University of Louisiana @ Lafayette Applied Language & Speech Studies with a fellowship offer, and, now, UNL for Language, Literacy, & Culture. I never expected to get in anywhere, let alone get funded.

My understanding, from tutoring non-native English speaking students and working for a university intensive English program, is that you want it to be as high as you are able, but also comparable to your performance on TOEFL. It would be odd if you scored way higher on one in those areas than on the other test. The adcom should view your scores on TOEFL+GRE as a package--and as only part of your application. Some might give more weight to the GRE than others, some might be more forgiving.

I recently attended and presented at a local conference for Intensive English Programs. I'm attending and presenting at my current university's GTA conference next month. I'm attending a small local conference put on by the Office of Civil Rights in regards to English Language Learners with disabilities tomorrow. I'm attending TESOL International in Portland in two weeks. I will be presenting a poster at the MA student forum. I've submitted a proposal for the American Association of (Applied) Corpus Linguistics, but I doubt I'll be selected. I will probably attend, either way, assuming at least some funding... I will do the local TESOLs for my current area and the region where I hopefully end up. My partner for another conference and I are working on a proposal. Anyone else going to TESOL? I'm very excited--it's my first time. Couldn't afford to do AAAL and TESOL, though.

All prior posters gave spot-on advice. I'd like to throw out taking an improv class if there are any in your area. Practice thinking on your feet in truly bizarre situations can help build confidence, poise, and skill for interviews.

For me, my decision is coming down to 3 factors, in order: (1) money; (2) research interests and opportunities; (3) the 'attitude' of the department. 1 program is just plain nice, friendly, and helpful. I didn't think that would affect my decision, but it really is...especially with another program being absolute d*cks. I've almost 100% made up my mind, my visit next week will hopefully be the final deciding factor. I thought prestige would matter, but, honestly, I'm beginning to think that I'm better off with a program that fits my personality and interests over a bigger name in the field. Though, I didn't apply to Harvard or anything so big name I wouldn't be able to say no...Harvard's not exactly a hotbed of AL, though (more like Hawaii-Manoa or Cambridge if you are going for pedigree in my field).

I've been feeling quite a bit like this ever since I wasn't laughed out of my advisor's office when I suggested I might apply for PhD programs. I keep pinching myself that it's actually--actually--going to happen. I mean, me? Only 5% of test takers scored lower than me on math when I took the GRE and I got a B in an important course for my MA program (and field--phonetics and phonology is basically the foundation of language teaching and learning). I'm just not that special...At least, I don't think I am...Apparently 3 schools think I am. Weirdness.

You might do better with private landlords or looking a bit further out, like towards Towson. I did my MAT work at Hopkins and lived the 1st year in Fells Point (awesome, but it's hit or miss by block for safety) and my 2nd year at Rodgers Forge in Towson. Towson actually worked out to be really convenient, a nice straight shot to Hopkins going against the flow of rush hour traffic. Sadly, the rent was exactly the same in FP and Towson ($900)--so no real savings by living a bit further out. Fed Hill is pricier, but less dominated by undergrads. Hampden might be cheaper (never really looked for housing in that area). The poster above who said that you can pretty much show up and find housing was pretty spot on in my case, though it's been a few years. Be prepared to pay 1st and last as deposit--where I grew up and live now, that isn't standard practice, so I was surprised by the big check. I used Craigslist to find my 1st apartment and a friend told me about the 2nd one. Both were very nice pet friendly apartments by my standards. The 1st was the lower level of a former convent and had a cool walled garden around it. The 2nd had hardwood floors, a giant kitchen, and a nice tiled bath. The complex was remodeling when I moved out, so I'm not sure if it is still as nice--or maybe nicer. If you'll have a car, making the trip out to Wegman's once a month is definitely worth it. Way better selection and prices than the in-town groceries (Whole Foods, Safeway).

Thanks! I never even expected to be so sought after by any program, so I'm very excited--nervous, but excited. My visit isn't during an official visit weekend/day. It seems it's more of a "we really, really want you, so let us convince you" thing. Which is so weird because another program is going the "we really want you, so we'll just pressure you" route. Glad to hear others have had a positive experience in terms of making a decision after visiting. fwiw, No idea if the school you mentioned is Tech, but I'm at GSU right now and happy to share more about that area. I got my MAT from Hopkins, so I also know B-more very well.

So, quite unexpectedly one of the programs I've applied to has invited me to come visit next week (my current school's Spring Break, not their's). I will be flying in early one day, staying that night, and leaving the following evening. So far, the department's scheduled me to meet with different faculty members (including two potential advisors, one is the department head), to have lunch with a current student(s?), and to sit in on a seminar. I'm trying to schedule a tour through admissions for the next day. I won't have a car, unfortunately. Any advice, tips, words of wisdom? If it helps, this program has quite clearly stated their interest in me and has unofficially indicated full funding. Research-wise they are my top choice, but they are the lowest ranked of the programs and they aren't my favorite location-wise.

Sweet! Congrats!

A bit more of an update: On advice from my advisor and another professor from my department (both who know people at program X), I requested an extension. It took several days for X to respond. When they did, their response was odd. Basically, they said, "Well, love to grant you it, but, hey, we might give your slot away. Hope you make the right decision."<--They really did end with that. Pressure, much? I'm going to accept the extension, but am figuring that I will probably either lose my spot or turn them down.

A lot of schools have a separate application process or procedure for GAships. At my current university, the department doesn't even handle those decisions--only placement! So, I'd contact your POI and ask about the procedure for the university.