serenade

My research assistantships have never been related to my own research. Sometimes a professor has had me work on an a project for an entire year while others have had me work on two different projects over the course of that time. And yes, this is all on top of normal coursework. You may have the option of switching, depending on how long the contract with a certain professor lasts. My contracts are made on a semester basis, meaning I could potentially be reassigned to a different professor each semester, though I've ended up staying with my same professor. In my department, the hours are 20 hours per week. It's definitely a commitment but it's also completely manageable. I've made a commitment to get my RA hours done each day before I start my own work, which keeps me motivated. Finally, RA positions are really valuable because, unless you're working directly on your own research, you get to learn how to conduct original research, yet you're not responsible for pulling the entire project together. You get your feet wet without the pressure of finishing the final outcome (you have your own research to worry about that!). You also get to form really great relationships with professors, which can lead to good rec letters in the future.

Ah, very helpful. Hadn't seen that. Thanks!

To make a long story short, I had a falling out with my advisor eight months ago. Things have improved since then, but not completely. Today I had to see him one last time so he could sign my thesis paperwork before I graduate. He seemed indifferent to the fact that, regardless of all that happened, this was the end of a multiple year advisor/advisee relationship. I hear of so many people exchanging gifts with their advisor, hearing their advisor tell them how proud they are of them, etc. at the end of the relationship. I got a handshake and a "good luck." My advisor isn't even showing up at graduation to hood me. This relationship has cost me more sleepless nights and depression than I ever imagined, and his indifference seems like the final blow, nor do I felt like it provided closure. I know there aren't any solutions to "fix" the problem but just curious if anyone has had any similar experiences?

"When my very heavy 2011 15" MacBook Pro dies, I'm definitely going to go for a 13" Air. It's a lot cheaper (less than $1000 with student discounts), and will really save my back." This was my exact thinking as well when I replaced my rather heavy MacBook with an Air a few months ago. Although the Air is certainly lighter, it still hurts my back to carry it for extended periods of time. It's definitely better than carrying my heavy MacBook, but just wanted to warn you it still won't be light as a feather. One day maybe they'll make one that doesn't make everyone's backs give out! Here's to hoping!

It's amazing how much more efficient I become when I know I've got X amount of work to do and only X% of my macbook battery left when working outside!

My sympathies to you for what sounds like an awful string of bad luck. I second what MathCat posted above--perhaps a leave of absence for medical/mental issues would be best, and then you could put off the thesis until you're ready to return to it with full attention. If I were you, I would totally be struggling just to stay afloat with life, not to mention school! Don't know if taking a year off is an option, but if so, it's something to think about.

Is anybody able to register for classes before August? The grad director in my department said I'd have to wait until August, but I'm just curious if any other departments let people register now?

I'll be a PhD student in the humanities in the fall. Don't know how much I'm going to enjoy South Bend, but I'm hoping to go to Chicago...a lot.

For me, I didn't find out until after July 1 because that was the start of the fiscal year and my university didn't have concrete information on the coming year's budget until then. I know it must be torture to wait until then when you have major life decisions hanging, but maybe part of why you haven't gotten a definite answer could be because your TA contact person might be waiting until the budget is finalized before he makes you any promises. I wasn't at George Mason though, so it might be a different story there. Regardless, I hope you don't have to wait that long!

Bit of a dilemma here. Would appreciate anyone's insight. Last summer, my advisor invited me (unsolicited) to be his assistant/adjunct lecturer for a course he was teaching in the fall (I already had funding through a research assistantship so this was just because he said he wanted to help me gain experience teaching -- I would lecture two/three times a semester and he'd give me feedback etc). Then at the beginning of the semester, he and I had a major falling out and he revoked his offer. It's been about eight months since then and things are (relatively) better between he and I. Anyway, he is teaching a survey course for a month in the summer and I've thought about asking him if he would consider letting me be his assistant/adjunct lecturer for that course. I've thought about framing my request along the lines of, "I was really looking forward to gaining teaching experience under your supervision and I regret that circumstances didn't align for that to happen last fall, but was wondering if you would consider allowing me to gain that experience this summer?" etc etc). If it makes any difference, this would be solely for experience -- no pay. Good idea? Bad idea? Any thoughts??

Xor: Cool! I'm in the humanities. I'm still waiting for the grad school to email me all that info about NetID etc. I accepted on Wed and when I called, they said it might take a few days for the email to arrive, but I agree--I'd like to do it asap. I talked to the grad coordinator for my dept to see if I can register for classes now, but he said I had to wait until August. And about housing: I leased on an apartment at the Overlook so at least that's already done! Sorry everyone for hijacking this into a Notre Dame thread!

Bananasinpyjamas and Xor, what programs are you going into, if you don't mind my asking??

Oh, right -- probably need a job before working on getting tenure! Ha! And yeah I agree -- I want to push all that other stuff out of mind and just enjoy having application season be over! I called my school today to confirm that my online acceptance had gone through the system, and I started, "Hi, I'm a prospective student -- I mean, a *newly admitted student*"...that's when it hit me. Cheers to everyone that the phrase "prospective student" is a thing of the past!!!

"But, no more standardized tests. At least for me. Lots of un-standardized tests, but at least I'm done with the GMAT and CPA exams. That was the worst part." Ooooh yeah I totally agree! The GRE was dreadful for my numerically-inhibited brain. But thankfully I never have to look at another math problem for the rest of my life... I'll pay people like you who aced the GMAT and CPA exams to do my taxes for me!! But yeah I agree-thank goodness standardized testing is OVER...for the rest of our lives! Whew!

We made it, guys! We survived grad school applications...now on to grant applications, fellowship applications...later on, tenure applications, etc etc. In some ways, it's like the concept of "the application process" is never really over in academia. It's like a state of life, lol. But for at least now, I'm happy to think of it as over!!!!

Bananasinpajamas: I think I remember seeing you post on the South Bend forum. If that's you, then I can totally identify about moving so far away -- South Bend will be far away from home for me too! I officially committed to Notre Dame today...so many emotions!

"I have so much to do, like my MA thesis and three other research projects, but it also makes me sad to think of moving away from my department here." This is exactly how I feel too. Hard to finish thesis revisions when you're battling so many emotions. I wasn't expecting to be so sad about leaving my department, but I'm really going to miss these people.

This whole application process has been a roller coaster of emotions and this last phase is no exception. Maybe this is one of the most emotional parts because formally accepting an offer feels so...permanent.

Yes, yes, yes. I look at the CV's of the grad students already in the program and wonder how the I ever got accepted to this place.

Having an adviser who will be hands on and work with you! For me that's more important, anyway. Maybe it would be possible to stay at current institution and have B as your primary advisor, but still rely on A when you needed an answer to a very specific question that only he would know? Or for A to still write letters for you, etc? That way, you could have all the benefits that come along with being connected to a superstar adviser, yet have the practical benefits of someone who will be hands-on with you by switching to B. Don't underestimate the importance of being "more productive and happy," as you said in your post. Speaking from experience, having a hands-on (additional) advisor after having a hands-off one can really make a huge difference regarding your productivity and overall mental and emotional well being.

Did anyone else come out of their defense feeling like it was a piece of cake? I only got minor revisions, and the committee spent most of the time complimenting my thesis. I don't know, it just seems like it should have felt more difficult. Anybody else had a similar experience?

I wanted my adviser to be there to hood me when I graduate next month, but she travels out of the country early/mid May, and isn't sure of the exact dates she'll be travelling this year. I asked her about this at the beginning of the semester, but it's April now and she still doesn't know if she'll be there or not. Is it unreasonable to want your adviser to be there to hood you?

Sorry if this has been posted already, but for ladies: what did you wear to your thesis/dissertation defense???

Coming from a low-ranked MA institution, I was shocked to get in anywhere that wasn't a safety school!

Every rejection letter says some version of that.