Icecream

This sounds very difficult. Perhaps you can turn down the government funding diplomatically enough that they will not blacklist you...? Or, perhaps once they see your research results they will either A) suppress your results if you take their funding or B ) blacklist you anyway? In which case, perhaps B is the better option? I don't know enough about the politics you are dealing with to know... Again, good luck.

I got an MS in Clinical Psych and then discovered than many jobs, such as those that work with child welfare in any form, require an MS. My employers sometimes had to get an exception from the state (not always easy to get) for me do what was technically a social work position with an MS/MFTI (MFT Intern.) Social workers can work in all 50 states and many jobs require an MSW. I would DEFINITELY do the double degree.

I would tell them that you need to know about funding before you make a decision. They should be able to understand.

Why within 2 weeks? Is the school not part of the consortium that gives you until April 15 to decide? If you can, I'd just say that you'd like to see all your offers before you decide (this is normal...)

I think that if you actually get accepted elsewhere and complete that program, it won't matter that you left an earlier program. Political turmoil seems like a perfectly reasonable reason to make a switch. Good luck!

I would take the school based funding, since most people do need 5 years to finish their degrees AND I think having to deal with possible censorship could easily undermine your entire degree. If you don't have academic freedom... you don't have much IF what you are trying to do is actual research on what you are interested in. Or at least that's how it sounds to me. Good luck and congrats!

I applied at UBC in Canada. I called and was told that they will have results out in a few weeks.

I think some people don't bother getting a clear idea of what makes a program unique, or send out applications that are not remotely tailored to the program to which they're applying. Years ago, I was doing an MA in a Clinical Psych program, and the 2nd year students helped read the applications for the 1st years. It was a competitive program that only took about 1/10 people. At least 50% of the applications were either not complete, totally horrible, not geared towards the program (such as, social psych instead of clinical psych, etc.) Different field, MA program, but still I'd bet some of the same issues apply.

Does anyone know when Princeton or the University of British Columbia will be sending out notifications (in Religious studies?) Has anyone heard anything from these two places?

I know a Phd student who lives in Meadow Park. I will be moving into Fountain Park, which is owned by the same management company. I have kids, so I really needed a washer/dryer IN the unit, which Fountain Park has in their 2 beds/2 bath. Meadow Park is a lot cheaper for a 2 bed/1 bath though, if you don't need a W/D right inside your place (they have the communal ones on site.) I've also been warned by multiple people that north of campus and/or near the stadium is very undergrad heavy, so to avoid those areas (since that's not what I'd want!)

IU Bloomington has a fully funded MA in Jewish Studies, which can also be done as a joint MA in Jewish Studies/Jewish History. Whether or not that program might be a good match depends on your exact focus of interest.

Thanks, I have a 2009 Honda Odyssey which I *think* has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. Think I'll call the dealership maybe, and ask their opinion? I will have 5 passengers total, plus the trailer, so sounds like I shouldn't plan on towing too much (esp since I have a lot of books.) Maybe I'll ship some of the books... Also sounds like I need to get some kind of hitch attached... Somehow that sounds complicated!

Looks like I'm moving to IN from CA this summer as well. Driving a minivan with my kids and a friend to help out. Think I'm selling a bunch of stuff, and then hopefully getting a U-Haul trailer to put the rest in. Hopefully this will work well... Have to research if the hauling will put a strain on my car. Anyone know anything about this?

Hey, were there some other folks on here heading for Bloomington, IN? How's your planning/house hunting/etc going?

Katiegud, that is good to hear (I've heard it elsewhere as well.) My mother was a bit baffled at me thinking about moving to a "red" state

Thanks for the ideas and info! The main problem with my friend's complex is that there are no w/d machines in the units, which is a big drawback for me (3 small kids, single parent.) But, there are some in the complex, so I'll prob have to do with that. And, the biggest units are 2 bed when 3 bed might be better. However, the mgmt co does have a diff complex with bigger 2 beds that have machines, however there are more complaints about that complex (including some of mold, which I'm very allergic to.) As for my kids coming out later than me, or us staying somewhere, that does not seem likely. HOwever, I am thinking about having us all drive across the country in an RV (if I can find a friend to come and drive my car.) So, we'll see!

Dbollin, where are you moving? Also, do you know about GreatSchools.org? It's been very helpful.

Toasterazzi and Omidance, thanks for all the info!! One of the things I'm trying to decide now is, if I do decide to attend (which I'm definitely leaning towards), I would probably have to decide to go there sight unseen. Since I have *3* small kids, it's VERY hard for me to take a trip out there by myself. Any thoughts on this? I AM very excited about the (two year) program I'd attend. I have one distant acquaintance there, and I might try to rent one of the small 2 beds in her complex, as she is happy with it and it's in a good school district (it doesn't have a w/d in the apt, which is a bummer, but it looks good otherwise.) I did check the school district of local towns, but I didn't seen any that looked good outside of Bloomington, so the school is a big priority. Again, the program I'd attend is only two years...

Thanks for the info, Shadowclaw and everyone. I have 3 small kids so while I might choose to get rid of a fair amount of furniture, there's a certain minimum I'm thinking I need (table to eat at, a bed per kid, a few dressers, etc.) I'm thinking maybe a U-Haul enclosed trailer behind my minivan, though I have to check the weight capacity of my van. And wondering if that makes it hard to drive!! Any experience with minivans and trailers?

Also wondering how folks living off campus managed to find housing in advance from afar? It's probably on a forum in here somewhere...

I'm trying to figure out how I'd move myself and 3 kids from CA to Indiana! Also wondering how I'd get an apartment rented from afar. A visit to find a rental would be difficult, thought not impossible. Do you have a plan for finding a place?

I guess I am kind of freaked out about moving, finding a new place, etc. Also, good advice on the middle and high schools. The program in Bloomington is only a 2 year program. But, one of the things I'm worried about is losing my rent controlled apt in the bay area. If that happens, then I would prob never be able to return. Juju, what part of the bay area are you trying to be in? It IS crazy expensive here.

I would just move close to campus so that you can focus on the program. You might even be able to find a small part time job with the hours that you would have spent commuting, and find that the costs balance out. Focus on the program and bulilding relationships, esp with your professors, is impt. esp if you want to apply to a PhD program.

Also, thanks for all the comments pointing out that the Midwest is not monolithic (really!) It's just that I've only lived on the coasts (east and west) and have pretty much at least visited most of the major points up and down each one. I've been in Michigan a bit, and spent a few days in Chicago. But I'm not sure I've ever even driven through Indiana! Also, I should add that the program I'd be attending is a Master's degree, so only 2 years.

Hi all, thanks for the replies! The specific location is Bloomington, Indiana. I've never been there, though my research from afar says it's nice. The info on Bloomington I've found on this site so far hasn't been that helpful, just because it hasn't come from demographically similar people. I'm not totally worried about the school issue, although it seems that for public schools, you have to live in the right neighorhood to get the "right" school (if you have a preference.) So, I'm thinking about that (there seem to be 2-3 highly rated elementary schools.) Besides that, but not unrelated to it, I'm mostly wondering about finding an affordable place to live (given that I'll need to spend money on childcare, so will have a really limited budget), and on whether I'll meet new people, given that I'm usually with my small kids if I'm not at work/school.