avflinsch

I am a software developer at the university that I applied to (why not - free tuition)
I found out before actually getting any official notice. One day, I got a call from a co-worker, about an unusual amount of data in one of the feeds that I am responsible for

co-worker: we got an unusual amount of data in the feed this morning, did something happen last night?

me: we did cancellations for non-payment last night, that is probably the reason, let me check. log onto system & check data file. yep, that is the reason. oh it looks like we are starting to see grad admits also. woo-hoo! one of the grad admits is me!

wait...wait... - 3 more days before I got the official notice via email.
 

#1 - Free food is available just about every day, you just need to know whee to look.
#2 - The department secretary is the absolute most important person in the university - they can get anything done for you.
#3 - Every major project/paper in all of your classes are guaranteed to be due on the same day
#4 - Email, email, email & more email.

As a followup to #2 - an occasional box of donuts/candy or bag of bagels dropped off in the department office goes a long way towards getting special attention towards stuff you need done.
 

I CANNOT live on a graduate student stipend in my 30s...which seemed luxurious in my 20s. 
 
There are a lot of opportunities for free food that I've been missing out on quite a bit. 

Do you have any specific questions about Rutgers ?
I am a full time employee & a part time gradd student, so if there is anything you need to know - just ask.

Yeah, I have.  It's not a problem.  In fact, interdisciplinary work generally only helps you on the job market, because you can fill more niches than other candidates who are purely disciplinary. 

I think it means exactly what he said -
 
He has a current project, and is not looking for new project right now.
He is willing to pay you.
There is enough work for more than one person.
 
Take the offer, take the cash. If he didn't feel comfortable with you, he would not have offered anything.

Everyone in academia has a mac. It's one of the rules.

Grades posted today. I made two A's. I can't believe it. Now preparing for my two classes this summer. I'm so excited! !

My first year is officially over.  Yay!!  Since I am attending part time I still have three years left to go however I survived the first year and I am so proud of myself that I have made it this far.  I have a three week break before my summer session begins.  I'm looking forward to binge watching Netflix and a short getaway just me myself and I.  

I think it means exactly what he said -
 
He has a current project, and is not looking for new project right now.
He is willing to pay you.
There is enough work for more than one person.
 
Take the offer, take the cash. If he didn't feel comfortable with you, he would not have offered anything.

for what itts worth - I waived my right to see the letters, and 2 of the 3 letter writers sent me a copy anyway (along with a 4th who wrote a letter even though I did not ask for one, as soon as he found out that I was applying for a grad program)

I am a software developer at the university that I applied to (why not - free tuition)
I found out before actually getting any official notice. One day, I got a call from a co-worker, about an unusual amount of data in one of the feeds that I am responsible for

co-worker: we got an unusual amount of data in the feed this morning, did something happen last night?

me: we did cancellations for non-payment last night, that is probably the reason, let me check. log onto system & check data file. yep, that is the reason. oh it looks like we are starting to see grad admits also. woo-hoo! one of the grad admits is me!

wait...wait... - 3 more days before I got the official notice via email.
 

free tuition

Guys, I have just received the results from my written qualifying exam -- and I passed it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hey you kids - get off of my lawn -
 
started the masters right after finishing my undergrad @52 - I took a long time off in the middle of my undergrad.

hey you kids - get off of my lawn -
 
started the masters right after finishing my undergrad @52 - I took a long time off in the middle of my undergrad.

hey you kids - get off of my lawn -
 
started the masters right after finishing my undergrad @52 - I took a long time off in the middle of my undergrad.

I'm so sick of babies. They're ugly, disgusting little creatures and while I want children, the idea of carrying a child, giving birth, and then being responsible for a helpless being freaks me out. I'm at the age where a lot of people I know have started families, and quite frankly it annoys me that I can't see any of these people without their children in tow. Further more, some old friends live far away and only visit the area two or three times each year. I don't understand why the husbands get to go to the bar with old buddies, go golfing with their dads, and otherwise do any child-free activity they want while the wives never get a break from the kids. Blah. Maybe when I finally do have kids, my brain will rewire itself and I'll develop all of these maternal instincts and think babies are beautiful. Until then, I will politely tell you all that your baby is cute, but really I will be thinking that it looks like an alien.

It depends on the individual school's application process. Some will hold the scores in limbo and wait for the app to come thru, others will have no idea what to do with it. It all depends on what software they are using.
 
Most schools will be OK with the scores if they are within a year or so of the application, but you would need to check with the individual school
 
Since it won't cost you anything to send the scores on the test day you might as well do it then, you won't be out any $$$ for doing it that way. If you wait (even until the day after you take the test) you will need to pay the extra fees -- personally I think that sucks, ETS should allow you to send the initial set of 3 or 4 anytime within a reasonable time period after taking the test.

It depends on the individual school's application process. Some will hold the scores in limbo and wait for the app to come thru, others will have no idea what to do with it. It all depends on what software they are using.
 
Most schools will be OK with the scores if they are within a year or so of the application, but you would need to check with the individual school
 
Since it won't cost you anything to send the scores on the test day you might as well do it then, you won't be out any $$$ for doing it that way. If you wait (even until the day after you take the test) you will need to pay the extra fees -- personally I think that sucks, ETS should allow you to send the initial set of 3 or 4 anytime within a reasonable time period after taking the test.

Snow.
 
F*ckin' snow.
 
Can't they do anything about all the damned snow?!
 
Signed, 
Everybody on the Eastern Seaboard.

Jim Beam
 
(you should be! ) 

Much of this was learned when I returned to finish my undergrad degree when I was in my mid 40's 
  #1 - the school let you in, that means that they think you will succeed, if they believe in you, believe in yourself #2 - talk to your advisor early & often #3 - check out whatever services your school has for non traditional students #4 - learn to adjust #5 - create a work area for yourself    most important - remember to have fun

Had my first class Tuesday night, large class, about 40 of us ranging from mid 20's to mid 50's - so I am NOT the oldest -- second oldest  maybe -- but not the oldest.
 
When you are that much older than the others in the class there is another way to look at things. I was the oldest in my undergrad class & I sort of enjoyed it. Most of the other students were more traditionally aged - about the same age as my oldest kids. I think it gave me a better understanding of what my son & daughter were about. In fact I took a few classes that some of my daughter's friends were in. I didn't get a chance to take a class with my daughter (we are at the same school), we almost did in my final semester, but she couldn't work the course into her schedule.

Finished my undergrad @ 52, then went straight to grad school.