armchairette

Sweet. My POI says I should hear by March 15th, but that seems so far away...

New to this board. Anyone else waiting to hear from Nebraska (Lincoln)? I applied to the Language, Literacy, & Culture stream. Anyone get into USF's SLA/IT (SLATE)? I got in but they're screwing around in terms of funding. Waiting for the official word from Louisiana (not Ed, though).

I live in the Metro, grew up here, and currently am a grad student at GSU. GSU is a definite commuter campus, so your peers will be coming from all over the Metro. If you have a car, look into Smyrna and Vinings, too--just outside the Perimeter, but nearly as convenient as Decatur, plus a bit cheaper (excluding the luxury complexes). Don't rent or buy in the Old 4th Ward even though its becoming trendy and avoid anything on the south side of the city. Stay as close to the Perimeter as you can. I live in Marietta and take an Express commuter bus everyday. It is $5 a trip, but is very nice, drops me off right at GSU, and saves me from having to fight ATL traffic and pay for parking. Unfortunately, it stops running around 7, so a few times a week, I have to take a train and a local bus back to Marietta. That's cheaper, but a little less nice. I did the same as a 17 year old high school senior when I did joint enrollment at GSU. I think the handwringing over transit can be overblown sometimes. I'm a single white female and yet I've never been threatened or attacked on MARTA and never felt super unsafe. Mind your own business and you'll be fine. The denizens of Woodruff Park are likely to be more shocking to you than the average MARTA commuter.

Seconding this! Connecting with someone from my top programs has greatly helped. Not only did I get a better feel for the programs, I've been able to get someone in my corner. One program made finding a POI pretty difficult, and I feel that program probably sees me as just numbers on a page. Not sure how many (Applied) linguists are on here, but the faculty from my MA program have been invaluable. Coming from a smaller field, their support has definitely made me stand out. Now I'm actually kicking myself for talking myself out of applying for more prestigious programs--don't do that, guys.

Thanks @maiwalker :-)

Anyone?

Seconding this! I'm still waiting to hear from UNL, but am considering it. Was wondering if the info from 2012 & 2013 in regards to being able to get around well without a car is still valid? Sold my car before beginning my MA and would like to hold off on such a big purchase right away. Plus, I've never driven in snow or ice, so even with a car I might feel more comfortable using transit occasionally. Does anyone know of decent pet friendly apartments close to campus? I have two cats I'd like to bring with me (rather than leave at home). Any with hardwood floors?

I am seriously considering offers from universities in Tampa (USF) and Lafayette, LA (Louisiana). While I am very familiar and comfortable with Tampa and the USF area, I really know nothing about Lafayette. Because I'm in my final semester of my MA in another state, I'm not able to visit before making a decision. Is anyone attending Louisiana or living/working in Lafayette? What would you say is a reasonable monthly rent for a small apartment near campus (studio or small 1 bed)? Are there affordable, convenient, and nice/safe apartments that are pet friendly? I've been offered funding, but am not certain if I could actually survive on what they are offering (around 15K) without taking out a small loan for at least the 1st semester. Is it possible to survive for at least a short time without a car? I sold my car before starting my MA program and would love to hold off on such a big purchase right away. Is there a grocery store convenient to campus? An Episcopal church? What is the library like? How active is the Graduate Student Association/Organization/Union? If it helps, I'm in my late 20s, single, never married, no children. I would prefer no roommates, but would consider one if I had to. I've lived on my own before. I have two cats and a dog, but the dog will likely stay back at home until I can afford a place w/a yard. If I had to, I could leave the cats at home, but would prefer not to.

Here's a little update: The other top choice program has made an unofficial offer of admission with fellowship. While it is unofficial at this point, this offer is directly from the head of the program, who has also offered to be my mentor. The program that has made a formal offer has committed to an assistantship, would would pay only a little less than the other program's fellowship. It is in a more affordable area and family lives nearby. Financially, it might work out to be a wash between the two. The other programs have let me know their anticipated notification dates. If my MA advisor approves, I'm going to ask for an extension on making a decision on the one program. Of course, that means actually making a decision...And if they say no, I don't know what I'll do. I know they want me, but the other program obviously wants me--a lot. Thanks to all commentators. :-)

Thanks, exactly what I needed. :-)

No it isn't the Canadian program, unfortunately. Thanks, though.

I didn't list any schools (the signature I think you referred to was from the 1st person to reply to my post, not me). I will review the list, though to double check. Thanks. edited to add: If I'm reading the resolution correctly, they can have an earlier deadline for acceptance/rejection of admissions offer--just not of funding. Which means I can withdraw the acceptance before 4/15? They are only asking me to accept the admissions by the indicated deadline (March 7th), though they are offering funding.

@elanorci Thanks!

I've applied to 3 US programs and 1 Canadian in my field. Program X had a significantly earlier application timeline that the others (or the national average/standards). That program has accepted me. They have given me 2 weeks to make a decision. It is my 2nd choice program, however. I do not expect the other programs to make a move much before the traditional notification deadline. I do not want to lose out on my 1st choice (Program Y) if it is also going to be an acceptance, but I also don't want to miss out on a great program I know I am in and can afford. If it helps none are top tier in my field (Program X is 2nd tier, the others are 3rd), all are state schools (excluding the Canadian), all are out of state for me, and all were specifically chosen due to faculty or research foci of the programs. I'm wondering if any of you have advice in regards to informing the other programs that I already have an offer (and funding) for program X? Is a polite email appropriate? A phone call? Nothing at all?