Garyon

Hey, I had an interview with Delaware last year, but it was with my POI. And based on my experience it should be a good sign since by the time I got the interview I was shortlisted for acceptance and I got the official mail just a couple of days after. It was a very chill call,so be relaxed! he basically just wanted to talk about my general plans for the future and get to know me. We talked a bit about his research and the kind of stuff I was interested in. Also, he wanted to see if I was aware that his main focus was comp phonology, since my SOP was more focused on syntax and comp psycholing. Even if I didn't end up there in the end, it was very helpful in getting a better understanding of what I was/am interested in and how different department could give very different contributions to that.

Oh, that's soon! Sorry for the wrong info then. I spoke to my advisors a couple of days ago and he told me they were still discussing stuff.Last year they didn't send them all at once so keep your finger crossed. Can I ask you who do you want to work with here (even via pm if you want). I am curious 'cuz we don't have many historical guys here.

Hey, from what I know the adm. committee here at Stony Brook is still discussing applications, so I doubt you guys will be hearing back from them before the beginning of February - unless your POI wants to have a chat/informal interview with you, that is.

Hi everyone! For me, classes start tomorrow. I am super excited. The last two weeks have been kinda tough between moving to the US, finding an house (Long Island is terrible for that regard!!) and getting adjusted to this place they call "suburbs" Now that I have a place to sleep, I cannot wait for tomorrow. I'm taking 3 classes plus auditing 2 seminars and I was a bit cocnernet about the workload. But I talked to the Grad Director and he thinks I'll have a tough semester but worth of it. Also,I met all my cohort a couple of days ago at the Department orientation and I think we are an interesting group. Plus, I got to TA for the Prof. I'll probably choose as my advisor so... Things look good. Let's keep each other posted and see how this first semester goes.

Good Idea! I think I'll do this, since the first few days I'd rather focus on housing/bank/etc. and worry about choosing the right provider/plan later on. Where can I buy a prepaid SIM ? Should I look for a provider shop or whatelse?

Hi, I have a question about this. I'm going to be a NY student so the state's regulations will allow me to drive with my Italian license but what If I ever decide to take a roadtrip? How does it work? Should I check the regulations of every state I'll cross?

Just catching up with the last season of Orphan Black... it's an amazing show.

Not About love - Fiona Apple

Hi future Stony brookers. Quick question: are you done with your health papers? If so, did you mail them directly to the student health service? I read somewhere online that we could also fax them and I tried that, but the fax is aways occupied and they didn't answer my calls.

Ciao! I just want to start this post by saying that, as far as my experience goes, I don't think anyone up here can really tell you how "a valid candidate" you could be for a PhD anywhere. Sure, you can get an idea about how good your "numbers" are compared to others but in the end what really matters is: Do you really want to get a PhD in Linguistics in the USA? Then apply! The point, maybe, is to understand if you really want it and why. This, I think people here can help you, a lot (they helped me!). What this forum has helped me realize though (and I think Fuzzy posts are a very good example of this) is what you can/should focus on in the long and tiresome (but also, so exciting!) task that is writing your application. Also, people here can really help you be realistic and - even by asking you simple questions - can help you understand if you are ready for a PhD, or if it would be better for you to think about it a bit more. Back to your post! I get you are currently at an Italian University? Can I ask which one? (this one just because I'm curious) Are you getting your MA in Lingue or in Linguistics? And are you sure about the conversion from italian media to US GPA? It could be tricky. I'd suggest to report your italian grade and leave the conversion to them unless they ask you to convert it yourself (I think NYU does, not sure about stony brook and Amherst). The list of programs you plan to apply to seems pretty specific but, from what you said till now, your research interests seem a bit unfocused: why do you want to get into these programs in particular? Do you have any particular Professor in mind? I'm asking this because -again, as fuzzy said- writing a good SOP would be a crucial part in your application, and a good SOP has to express clearly what your reserarch interests are/will be and why you want to study in the program you are applying to. My "fit" with the some of the faculty's current research interests was essential to get in the places I wanted, even if my profile was a bit un-orthodox. As for your teaching background, I think it could be of some use if you where applying to TESOL programs but I'm not sure for a socioling application, unless you can find a way to tie your background/language skills to the topics you are interested into (otherwise, they will know you can speak other languages from other parts of you application - i.e. cv, language certification etc). Finally, what do you mean by the MA+PhD thing? As far as I know the few programs offering both a MA and a Phd offer them as two separate things (i.e. Stony Brook): so you can apply to a MA (usually unfunded) but when you finish you'd have to apply for the PhD all the same. That said, I'm italian and I'm starting my PhD at Stony Brook in about a month (!!) so if you need more info about applying from italy and/or about Stony Brook Program feel free to ask (or to PM me).

Welcome!!! As usual, it is difficult to add something to what fuzzy already said From what I know, Berkeley is indeed really different in its approach from the other ones you listed. Between those listed by Fuzzy, those are all great programs, each with its own pecularities. If I can give you an advice, start by reading through each program's faculty and concentrations. When I was writing my application last winter, I started having in mind certain programs I was sure where perfect for me, but then changed my mind completely by reading papers and research focuses of their faculty. For example, I think Upenn has an great psycoling program too - with Embick, Clark and Yang being there. Apart from those "Big" programs, I might be slightly biased (i'm headed there this fall) in suggesting you to give a look at Stony Brook's Program. It does not have a big name but the faculty is very good and, while having a strong theoretical focus it is investing in its experimental and computational concentration. I have to say it has a strong generative orientation (but that goes for most of the programs fuzzy listed before, i think). Also, UDelaware has a joint degree in Linguistics and Cognitive Science.

@beefgallo, I'm on the same boat on having to learn an all new academic terminology However, if I understood correctly what they told me during the Open house, in my program the Major advisor is the graduate program director for the first year while from the second year on you have to choose an official one, though I imagine the Graduate director remains sort of a fatherly figure whom you can ask stuff to. As for the funding issue, I too find the topic a bit touchy (maybe is a cultural thing), but I know I have to get used to be blunt about it (for instance, I really need summer funding ), I guess we'll learn in time (best sooner than later).

Hey eyepod! Probably we are all overloaded by the stuff to do before August! I'm so excited I can hardly focus, I really can't wait to start! What about you? How are things going?

Thank you all! My financial aid for the year comes through TAships (I just received my assignment for this Fall and I can't wait!), so maybe that would offer a good chance toa sk about summer teaching opportunities. And I'll definitely ask senior students in the department about grants etc.

Hey guys! One more question on this topic: when do you think would be a good time to start asking around for this kind of summer financial opportunities? I've asked a bit about it during before accepting my offer of coursea dn I've been told that usually some kind of TA/RA is available but in the end I am in the same situation of beefgallo, with nothing assured. I'll definitely try to put something away each month (I'm counting my stipend on 12 months instead of 9) but I'm not sure I'll be able to do that steadily and extra money are always welcome Would the start of the second semester (around december/january) be a good time? I would feel a bit unconfortable starting my year asking about money...