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giggitygirlworld

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Posts posted by giggitygirlworld

  1. I've been living and working in Boston/Cambridge for two and a half years with my partner (currently a grad student at another school in Boston).  When we first relocated from the midwest, we moved into a 1 br apartment in Brighton for $1400/mo (which rose to 1475 a year later).  After getting a little sick of having to take the green line to work/school every day (typically a 45 minute commute from where we were living...sometimes as much as an hour), we ended up moving to Cambridge where we pay $1600 for a 2br (shortening both of our commutes considerably).  Both units were below market because we were willing to compromise with regards to amenities (no in unit laundry, utilities are extra) and we were very aggressive during the house-hunt (e.g. making sure that we were the first to see units as they were listed on MLS, contacting property owners directly where possible, etc.).  Splitting costs pretty much equally between the two of us, we're able to live comfortably in a walkable, friendly, safe neighborhood while managing to save money for retirement, travel home for holidays, and sometimes eat out.

     

    So, to answer your question more directly, it's definitely possible to survive, even thrive in Boston/Cambridge while not making a ton of money.  I can't speak to whether or not living alone on a single stipend would be doable (probably not super comfortably without finding a GREAT deal on a studio/efficiency or living in a dorm), but I know of people who definitely do it.

     

    I was so hoping to live alone, but it just doesn't seem feasible. I can't live in a dorm either because I have a Jack Russell. I can't leave my dog behind. Looks like I'll need a roommate or 2.

     

     

    It's a bitch. Expect to spend half to two thirds of your stipend on rent, even with a roommate.

     

    How expensive is food compared to other big East Coast cities?

     

     

     

    Soooooo, anyone looking for a roommate in the Boston/Cambridge area next fall?

  2. Ugh. I'll get on that then. (The Q is going to kill me.)

    Success on the quantitative section is all about knowing how the test itself works. There are numerous problems that have very simple solutions, but if you don't know (or remember) the simple shortcut to the answer, you'll take forever on one question. Which is no good for a timed test. So, what I would do is get an SAT math prep book in addition to a GRE prep book. Remind yourself of all the little math tricks you learned in middle school/early high school. Refresh yourself on how to read simple charts, tables, and graphs... practice and you'll be fine.

  3. Congrats for your acceptance! :)

    Thank you! My research interests fit perfectly with the department there. I spent a year studying/working with a guy in Northern Ireland who collaborates with my POI at UPenn 70% of the time. I had an interview with two professors that went so well. I'm very content/relieved/excited to know that I may be going there.

     

    It really is all about research fit, though. I was interviewed at Maryland as well and really felt the difference between the two schools in terms of how I would fit in. I was not invited to Maryland's open house, so I'm assuming I was rejected. But that is completely OK, since I probably would not have gone there anyway. The interview at Maryland was very rigid and unfriendly. It seemed like the interviewer was going down a list of questions and not really listening to what I was saying. This was not my experience with the other interviews I had and left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.

     

    I'm waiting to hear back from Harvard before I make a decision, obviously. But even if I don't get into that department, I'm elated to have to possibility to go to UPenn. I grew up in Philly, I used to play on the statues on campus when I was younger. It's sort of like a childhood dream come true. :)

  4. For those who applied to Harvard and are waiting to hear from them... The DGS told me during my interview that they will be making decisions at the end of the month. He said, "When you don't hear from us right away, don't interpret that as rejection, there is a lot of bureaucracy on this side that takes a while. You'll hear at the end of February or the first week of March." So, Harvard hopefuls, stop refreshing your browser every 5 minutes, and it's OK to pee in the morning before checking your email. It's going to take a few weeks, evidently. :)

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