Ulixes

When reading philosophy I generally have earplugs in, and sometimes mufflers over that; being an unapologetic people watcher, I find that I get distracted by almost anyone. Look at those walking flesh-sacks! What are they thinking?! I have to wear earplugs or I'll eavesdrop--I literally can't shut out the sound of human voices, but can ignore the Top 40 muzack stuff all day--and then try to sort out what it feels like to be that/those person(s). Groups of sorority sisters are the worst. They'll go on and on about absolutely nothing until they drop some crazy story about drugs, rape, violence, and so forth--all while drinking down their frothy, frozen, milky drinks like it's a normal thing. Super distracting.

It's good to hear that others are slacking off, too!

How has your summer been? I'm speaking specifically to those who were going for the 2014 season, but anyone can reply; my interest is primarily in how everyone is feeling as grad. school approaches. Personally, I'm incredibly excited; my wife and I are moving to Milwaukee, and then going on something of a tour around Michigan. We have a wedding to attend, and then family to see. We'll be driving around the northern outline of the Mitten, visiting her mom in Traverse City, and then heading through the UP to Wisconsin, and then down to Milwaukee. Insofar as grad. school preparation has been, I ended up doing things a bit differently than I expected. I thought I'd be reading 2-3 books a week relevent to what I'd be studying during the semester. What actually happened was that I took all of June off in order to get really specific about how I replenish emotionally. It went well, and I feel better prepared for the business of grad. school knowing how, on the weekends and during the week, to hold onto my peace. What about you guys? Did preparation go well? If you're not in grad. school, then how are your summers going--are you preparing for the GRE, taking it, or working on your writing sample?

Yeah! That looks like an awesome class. 'Desire, Well-Being, and Death' and 'Self, Time, and Narrative' also look awesome!

Who's off to UW-Milwaukee? I was accepted off of the waitlist; so, I thought I'd see who else is going! And to any Milwaukee veterans: give us your wisdom.

Declined Virginia Tech.

Thanks for the replies! Aggh; I'll flip a coin, seems most prudent!

Hey guys, I'm trying to figure out where to go. Should I prioritize funding over placement, or placement over funding? Bear in mind that I don't have much undergrad. debt, and that my wife will be working while I'm in the program; we plan to pay off the remainder of my undergrad. debt during the MA, and then pay off the MA after that. We're especially frugal, and don't at all mind the lifestyle required for paying off the debt quickly. WMU: most likely funded, and possibly a stipend ('first on waiting list for funding'). NIU: most likely partially funded ('possibility of a waiver for half tuition'). Virginia Tech: impossibility of funding. Tech is out; I'll inform them later today. WMU doesn't have excellent placement, but I really want to work with Tim McGrew and Fritz Allhoff. (A complication, though: a friend in the department tells me that Drs Allhoff, McGrew, and Smith are going to be on sabbatical/leave for the 2014-15 academic year! possibly longer, in Smith's case.) NIU has much better placement, but without the funding. What do you guys think?

I like this poll, given that it's meant to measure program prestige among the TGC community; it does that quite well. Wanting the poll to do (or be) something else isn't really in line with what Philstudent1991 started the poll for. You might consider adding Western Michigan University?

Hey, look at you, Establishment! I noticed the thread's title before jumping into the Philosophy section; is this what happens in Art History?

Anyone claiming the UW-Milwaukee acceptance?

... There was a firreeeffiiigghhhttt!!

I think I missed the argument. This is what stressedout said: The former is the real question. The latter is a sloganized version of the former, despite coming first in the argument. I'm not seeing any response to the actual question coming from Establishment or Zizeksucks; though, I'm not sure they should be expected to reply given how the argument started.

That has to be super frustrating! Declining Brandeis?

It didn't sound like anyone had declined yet; so, there's a chance we'll make it! I wonder, though, whether there will be any funding? If there's not, then, depending on the price tag, I might end up going to Virginia Tech. Who knows--I wish I knew now what I will know whenever this week is over.

Word on the streets is that I'm 'very high' on WMU's waitlist; are any of you nice people planning on declining their offers? Would an ice cold fiver sweeten the deal?

Haven't the foggiest; but, the letter was a great read! I'm ready to burn something!

You'll feel as light and nimble as a feather. Give it a try; you'll either shit your pants and cry, or love it.

You know that scene in the mines of Moria, where there's a rumbling from the deep? Try this smoothie: kale, oranges, peanut butter, flax seed, and coffee grounds. Luke warm. Chunky. Two to three pints worth. You get more out that you put in, for sure.

90% certain that I'm headed to Virginia Tech!

Better than Virginia Tech, but not as good as Durmstrang. So, about $15 and all the chocolate frogs you can eat.

Yeah! Bash.org was such a funny site. I didn't think anyone would every get that reference; so, green upstuff to you!

I didn't know that about Ott, and that's actually super disheartening; metaphysics and epistemology have been my main interests. I'm still parsing out my feelings about the (potential) lack of funding; part of me really doesn't give two dirty shits about the moeny, but the other, more rational and adult-like part of me thinks it's a really stupid idea. We'll see who wins out!

/puts on Wizard hat and cloak

Does anyone know anything about Virginia Tech's department? Also, and this might be the wrong thread, I'm assuming that funding won't work out for VT: is it customary to ask for the out-of-state portion of the tuition to be waived? I plan to, and I'm keeping my hopes down, but I'm wondering if there's a smarter way to go about it than simply emailing the admissions chair and asking. There are a few requirements online to get in-state tuition ($4k a year in assistantships, e.g.), which I won't make (I think, unless I hear otherwise).