ashiepoo72

For pure badassness, I'd say Andrew Jackson versus Teddy Roosevelt. Both of them bludgeoned people at one point or another. However, I think Lincoln and FDR could totally knock some people senseless.

I'm sure you rocked it Heimat!

Congrats to the Penn State admit!! Looks like today is starting out active.

Yeah I can see that :-/ but it sounds like a great opportunity if you get to work with Dr. King. Definitely a solid stepping stone to the PhD. And at the very least their acceptance should be seen as an affirmation of your strength as an applicant Missouri is also hella affordable!

LeventeL is that an admit to University of Missouri I see?! Did I miss your announcement?? CONGRATULATIONS!!!! (Sorry for putting you on blast if you wanted to keep a low profile. Well, sorry not sorry. You deserve the praise!)

Commiserations to the Duke rejections hopefully some programs aren't snowed in today and you guys get some good news to temper the bad.

I had a phone conversation with a potential adviser last week, and it was really laid back. He asked me very little about my project, except to mention that my SOP and writing sample were really strong and he can envision an interesting committee for me at the program based on what I wrote. He basically wanted to open the lines of communications for my questions (I asked about comps, how he views the timeline to completion and about travel/summer funding opportunities). He also gave me a lot to think about in terms of where he sees my project potentially going--so it's not like we didn't talk about my project at all, it was mostly him throwing out insightful and probing questions that got me thinking deeply about how my research will unfold at that institution. At this point, they're trying to do all they can to get us into their incoming cohorts. I wouldn't be nervous about the conversation. If you haven't, think about potential directions your research might take at that program--look at the faculty list, check out other faculty that might up the ante on your committee, consider methodological/geographical questions that might impact your research. Being able to talk this out with a scholar who may soon be your adviser can only help.

I agree with Chiqui, but for those of us whose greatest desire is academia, you have to be persistent. I have a professor who had a decade-long journey at one or two year appointments throughout the US until he landed his current (dream) job...and this was in the 90s. If you want a TT job in academia, you have to be willing to move where the jobs are. Some people luck out and get a TT shortly after finishing their PhD, but most people don't. I've heard there is a dearth of American PhDs in Brazil...haha

Why am I out of upvotes?! I literally spewed tea all over my laptop when I read this. EDIT: Anyone see the trailer to that terrible upcoming movie San Andreas? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yftHosO0eUo

I was told by a friend in the Midwest that, if I move out there, I will never willingly "visit" the snow again. Californians are so spoiled

Snowpocalypse...lol My parents took me to "visit the snow." Like it's a relative, and it was our obligatory yearly get-together.

I agree with TMP, programs use that information to see who their competition is. It doesn't hurt to tell them. That is, unless you haven't decided where you're going yet--I declined an offer before making my final choice, so I said I was in the process of deciding between offers but wanted to get back to them ASAP and let em know I wasn't going to accept. I will say that it seems like programs don't care for long, flowery, apologetic emails when one declines an offer--they know we apply to multiple places and sometimes have to make hard choices, just like they do during the admissions process. Be professional, straightforward and get back to them quickly so they can turn to the wait list or start finalizing their incoming cohort.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that my elementary school once had a "rain day" (and no, the school wasn't flooded). I always laugh when people here complain about the so-called "weather."

Will most schools have tomorrow off? Mine doesn't.

Congrats wacyeah!

Aubstopper....you are the furthest thing from an asshole. I'm sorry it sounded like I thought you were! Everyone here is so great, just like mvlchicago said. I truly admire you guys.

Oh no! I wasn't directing that at you! I can see how it would come across that way, and I sincerely apologize! What I should've said is that, for me, having a partner made school more difficult, so people who pass judgment on those with a support network are only looking at the surface. Granted, my ex-partner was the opposite of supportive, but my going to school forced him to deal with my struggles--asking another person to deal with that can be a huge burden. Now that it's just me and my daughter, decision making is much easier. I'm not saying being single is easier, I'm saying both come with different kinds of difficulties. I completely relate to anyone who did not have money for school. I had to take out loans in my undergrad and MA, so those are going to be fun to pay back later. To add insult to injury, I still had to work to survive and will have nothing to show for it money-wise, but at least I completed my degree. Having a child is probably one of the easiest things in my life...she provides me with clarity and endless gifts of artwork. I won't lie and say having her during undergrad was easy (there were times I wished I could just stay pregnant til I finished...no need to worry about babysitters, changings or feedings!), but it made me more focused because I had someone else relying on me.

Chiqui -- anyone who tries to minimize your accomplishments because you have a supportive and loving partner is an asshole. As I often like to say, they don't know your life! I think everyone on this board knows how brutal life can sometimes be. Let's continue to be supportive and forward thinking so we can inject that good will into our profession when we come out the other side of our doctoral programs.

You don't need to worry about swaying me...at this point, it's about swaying Bloomington to want me!

How did you find out this was how I chose potential doctoral programs?????

As someone who grew up and went to college in California, moving anywhere but within the state is going to be a huge change. I applied to mostly Midwest states and a few in NY because I personally care less about location than about programs that can take my project and help make it viable and exciting. I get a lot of comments like "it's so cold out there" and "how can you think of leaving California?" People assume I'll be miserable anywhere but here. The thing is, people are great at being miserable anywhere they happen to be. Plenty of people in the Bay Area (the best part of CA in my humble opinion) are unhappy and unfulfilled. I get to do something that is so meaningful to me, who cares where I am when I'm doing it? At least that's what I feel. Another pro about moving away from home is less distractions. I'm looking forward to not having my family and friends distracting me while I complete this crucial step in my career. I don't know about you guys, but I get a ton of pressure from friends to "do normal things" like go out drinking and date around, etc. They don't realize that their constant harangues about my lifestyle add stress to my plate. Being somewhere among like-minded people will be a huge relief. I also get a lot of pressure from certain unsavory characters in my family that make life a lot harder, and although I'll miss my close friends and family, I think the distance will do wonderful things for us. In this day and age, I can skype with people daily, chat on the phone or text, send old-fashioned letters and visit a few times a year in person. Some people WILL be miserable in certain climates and areas, so they should carefully choose programs with that in mind. But it can be exciting moving somewhere totally new. The one friend whose been positive throughout this while process told me she thinks I'll love the midwest, that the distinct seasons can be beautiful, that sitting in a coffee shop when it's actually cold out is amazing. I think her attitude is the perfect thing to bring to a new place. You'll find new fun things to do, meet new interesting people, if you go with an open mind. Anyway, my daughter's goal is to build an Olaf every day (anyone who saw Frozen knows what I'm talking about). I'm doing my best to deliver haha

Congrats to the new admits!!

Just got information on Minnesota's recruitment weekend. I think it's probably safe to say they are done notifying acceptances. Sorry guys

I've never personally been but heard from friends that the department is amazing. I don't know anything about the city though.