Zamis

I teach at a Big Picture high school (bigpicture.org). The school is very focused on "real-world learning" and "authentic assessment," so we get to do lots of projects based around students' interests. Our kids like horror films, so we did a unit on zombies. Along the way, we covered viral infection, exponential growth, population ecology and demographics, descriptive language (using tons of Max Brooks, of course)...Needless to say, tons of fun.

I'm a high school teacher. Last quarter, I taught an integrated unit on zombies. I am going to miss my job next year. :0(

I will be at GSAS as well! In terms of housing, craigslist seems to offer slim pickings right now. I will probably contact grad students and try the University's housing office -- I believe they have postings for roommates, open apartments, rentals, etc.

On this subject, has anyone found an intensive summer language program that starts in July? I will be teaching until June 30th, but most programs seem to start late May to mid-June. I'm looking for French reading courses (with no background in French). I checked out Princeton, but that seems to be it...

Another high school debater here. I did some policy, but I was really a speechie at heart (OA, OO, some Duo and DI). Did anyone go to the invitationals at Berkeley? We might have hit each other!

Number one! Number one! But you gotta make sure the robe you get was made in the '70s. Pink > red.

I also just got the Chicago email. Seems pretty standard for all applicants. Still waiting on Berkeley, though. Were you notified by the department?

Thanks for the empathy. I'm sure your pain will diminish once the happy news comes pouring in! I felt like I couldn't not apply to my alma mater, since my thesis advisor/LOR writer basically told me to. It's a long shot, but it's also a fantastic program. They tend not to accept their own undergraduates anyway, so I think of it more as a wink to my mentors. A very expensive, time consuming, nerve wracking wink.

Thanks so much for your input. I was less concerned about offending them, more concerned about the faux pas of contacting potential advisors right in the middle of ad comm season (especially when I haven't heard from them in a month). I knew them very well before I left; this double relationship thingy feels strange now. I do think I will let them know -- it only seems fair, considering they've been writing letters for me since I was a wee babe sophomore year. :0) Regarding the letter waiving, I was pretty clueless at the beginning of the app season and chose not to waive my rights. Ugh. I have no intention of reading them, I simply balked at the idea. I mean, they're my rights! If I could only go back...

Two of my UG professors wrote LORs for this round of apps. I have been keeping them updated when potential advisors get in touch or pass on good news about the app process. I was just admitted to one of my top choices. However, I believe my LOR writers sit on (or at least have some say in) the ad comm at my alma mater, to which I also applied. So, do I tell them I got into this program? I honestly don't know which program I would choose (if I'm fortunate enough to have options) -- "one of my top choices" or my alma mater. I haven't informed other potential advisors about the acceptance. My LOR writers would be my advisors if I got into my alma mater. What do you suggest I do? Thanks, y'all.

I read her blog, too. What a cute puppy!

Go Bears! I graduated last May. I hella miss the Bay Area.

I had a great time with both. I'm reading World War Z right now. It's giving me crazy nightmares, but I LOVE it.

Ah, but if you got the chance to smell the body of a saint who died in the odor of sanctity, you might think differently. Supposedly, it would have smelled like roses, or honey, or incense...mmmm...

Hmm... I'm a ninth grade teacher, all subjects. Next month, we're starting a unit on zombies. Interdisciplinary education ftw! Nevertheless, ma7eb4i, I want your job. As we all know from youtube, etc., baby otters > interdisciplinary education