ineedcaffeine

I transferred from one phd program to another. To be honest, it is a scary and difficult process. And yes, there is a chance that you might need letters of recommendation from that school that you are leaving. Here is what I did. I was very honest and strategic with who I asked for letters of recommendation. There will be professors that will take offense, and there will be others that will understand and help you. So be really strategic and careful. And don't go around telling people in the department about your intent to transfer. Gossip is pretty prevalent in higher ed. Lastly, you need to address this transfer in your personal statement. This is important because the other school might assume that you are not in good standing. Good luck

That probably depends if it it affects your GPA adversely. Most schools have a min. GPA and if your overall grade went below that threshold, they might rescind the offer or put you on conditional acceptance/probation etc. I guess it depends on your program.

UIC

I think it really depends on your emphasis. All 3 programs are not ranked (I believe) so that makes your interest and the availability of a mentor to be more significant. I know professors who graduated from Kent State. They liked the program and I think it is big on gender and criminology/deviance. SIU-Carbondale has a very famous faculty called Robert Benford. If your interest aligns with him, it would be great. I'm not familiar with UMass Boston at all but you are right in mentioning that the very location of Boston opens up many doors - academic and non-academic.

Nice to meet you too. Oh really? They are going on strike? That is a little scary. I've actually seen a newspaper report (NYT I believe) a couple of weeks ago whereby faculty and students "protested" against budget cuts etc. I hope nothing gets cut though. It would suck so bad!!! I'm avoiding the "livelier" places such as the south part of Chicago (eg. Hype Park). It is just because it is usually associated with crime etc, although I have friends who say that it isn't as bad as it is perceived. I'm most probably going to look for something in the north. I'm probably heading down to chicago in a few weeks to check out apartments. (http://www.chicagoapartmentfinders.com/search_apartment_rentals.asp) This is a good link to do apartment searches. Furthermore, I believe they would drive you around looking at prospective apartments for free. I'm not 100% about this but it doesn't hurt to ask. I'm not sure if you know this but UIC is on the blue line. So living near any CTA lines would be good!!! HEre's the link to their lines (http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/maps/default.aspx) I just bought a car and now I have to sell it because one doesn't need a car to survive in chicago. I am really excited about UIC and living in Chicago.

how's the visit like? did you like it? i'm ray by the way.

I've not gone and visited the school, although I've been to Chicago several time. I would most probably accept the offer because it works for me and my partner. What about u? U going?

I got in with funding

Wow!! I'm super jealous!! I'm also on the waitlist and I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for UIC. Maybe if you reject, I'll be next in line... (wishful thinking?)

congrats!! so are you choosing UIC or Iowa?

I got a feeling that one has to wait until Apr 15th because they would go down the list

same here

Actually, your grades/scores aren't bad at all. I think you might be a little too critical on yourself. I'm already in a ranked program in sociology and I have many classmates and friends who have worse grades than you are. I even have friends that have comparable grades/scores that are in mid-tier programs. That said, don't short change yourself. Apply to some competitive programs and to be safe, apply to OS and WVU at the same time. You might be surprise. I did my M.A at a mediocre school and that has become my "master status", both in and outside academia. Going to a good school open up doors and opportunities for you, regardless of your desire to be a professor or work in a non-profit. But having the prestige of a good school never hurt anyone.

I emailed and they said that they would have a decision by end of this week.

OMG! I didn't receive anything. They must be busy crafting up an uber-rejection email. Sigh...