NorthernStar

I don't really belong in this thread, but after I wandered here by mistake, I came across your post. Discrimination that is based on age is called agism, and it's disgusting (not to mention unfair). But - Stay hopeful. Not everyone is an awful agist. In my old department, there was a nice older woman who returned to get her MA. Both her kids were undergrads at the same university. When she enquired about applying to grad school, one prof rudely told her she's simply too old, and basically everything you've been told (and I am sorry you had to hear that). But then another, who was the grad coordinator at the time, talked to her and advised her about the best way to admission - she was accepted and completed her MA. In my own department, there is a woman who is also older (she proudly told me she has grandchildren), and has no intention of embarking on an academic career at the age of retirement - she was accepted to the PhD program, no problem. So basically - not everyone is a pig, and I am sure you'll find people who will be willing to judge you on the merit and not your age. Good luck!

I'm at U of T for the foreseeable future... * living "downtown" - define "downtown". Some would say it's basically everything south of Bloor, but that can also technically mean the west or east end. I live on the Bloor subway line, but not close to campus, though it's about 15 min subway ride, which is fantastic. If you want subway access, then I recommend looking along the subway lines (Bloor or the Spadina branch of the Yonge-Spadina line). *alternatively, if you like to bike or walk, then you can look at the annex, little Italy (to the west, along College or Bloor) or around Church (to the east). I wouldn't go too far north, because the commute can be a drag, particularly during rush hour. *apartments can become available any time during the year, including August and September. You should look at viewit.ca and other similar websites for apartment buildings. Or you can check out the student housing website of U of T, where you can see rental ads - usually for roomates or basement apartments (which are cheaper than apartments in buildings). Don't limit yourself to one area - go wide, explore, and ask about specific neighbourhoods. Also, I find that I can google the building address and get tenants' reviews. What looks good on paper (or a virtual ad) may turn out to be a living nightmare! *have you considered grad house (if you're single) or family housing (if you have a partner or a child)? they are both very affordable and right on campus. Sometimes I envy the grad house residents. One short block to the library! Then again, if you're not into a roomate kind of living situation, this might not be for you.

APHI224, I don't think you should take offense and read any of it as a statement that a PhD student (or applicant) is "better" than you. I think the intent was just like Medievalmaniac said (I think), that since many (most?) MA programs are unfunded (not to mention shorter), you're more comfortable with the idea of not being funded, which is different than PhD, which tend to be funded, and take much longer to complete.

man, every time I notice there's a new post on this thread, my heart skips a beat!

I'm sorry, but claiming that PhD students should expect to pay for their education sounds extremely classist and elitist to me. Why should someone who is bright and talented be deprived of the opportunity to "follow their dream", as you put it, not to mention a certain degree of social mobility, simply because they can't afford the pleasure of paying top dollars for 5-6 years?? Is higher education a privilege reserved for the well to do, upper classes only? (BTW, I think education is general should be free and accessible to all, not just grad school, but that's besides the point) Also, as for me, I have never sought material gain, nor do I seek one now. In other words, I'm not in it for the money / higher salary bracket. I loathe the extreme materialism and its concomitant consumerism, and I am capable (and aspire) to earn what I truly NEED. I'm in it for the thrill of research and for sharing my findings / analysis with my peers.

It makes perfect sense. Would you accept a job if your prospective employer told you they just can't afford to pay you (but expect you to come in every day for 5-6 years and do the work)? I don't think so. That would be exploitation. PhD is like a job, and it's customary to pay students. If a department don't care enough about its admits to offer them funding, even at subsistence level - they just don't want you that bad. They signal you that they find you valueable, but if you go elsewhere... fine by them. Follow your dream is a nice slogan, and it worked when I was 10. But in the real world, people have real issues, including financial situations, family obligations and so on, and one has to be realistic. Not every dream can be realized, and we should not be expected to break our backs and live in poverty for it.

1. Because people have different life circumstances that make living off student loans for who knows how many years an impossibilty. Perhaps YOU might be able to pull it off, but others can't. I wouldn't. 2. Why would anyone go somewhere they are not wanted? accepted but not funded = meh, we're just not that into you. 3. There is no guarentee that anyone, even those graduating from "top schools", whatever that means, will be able to find a tenure track position, let alone able to pay off tremendous student loans accumulated over several years. The academic job market is not that promising. In fact, in this rate, it's may even be saturated in a few years.

I echo other posters here: go see your school's counseling service. They can do wonders. Also, your own physician may be able to prescribe you a mild anti depressant, of the kind that does what it supposed to do without disrupting your life or changing your personality. As for anxiety - many suffer from it, on different levels. I fainted at my own birthday party a few months ago, in front of my supervisor and another prof (yes, I invited them!). Embaressing, but also a clear warning sign. You're not alone in this, so don't be ashamed to ask for help. Hope you feel better and regain confidence in your abilities.

In my case, it makes sense to have both a cell and a landline, since my family lives overseas, and we talk often. If they call me on my cell, I'll end up paying a bundle. I pay less than 10$ a months for these calls on my landline. And I can't do without TV. I have only basic cable, which was a compromise, since I reckon a larger package would become a real distraction.

This may not be universally the case, but back in september, I was asked to come to class in full business attire. Had to shop for new smart clothes in one afternoon!

I applied to two programs at the same school, and in hindsight, I'm glad I did, because one of them admitted me. However, if you are planning to apply to several different schools, and each application costs about 100$, you might want to follow the advice your prof gave you and just choose the better fit.

This is only my opinion, of course, but if I were you, I would decline the offer. Only you can say how much you are adamant on that particular program in that particular institution, but departments who do not offer reasonable livable funding to incoming students signal they are not so keen in having them around. I would want to feel wanted. Also, think about the debt you'll incur during your years as a PhD student - and because the job marjet situation is also uncertain, there is no guarentee you'd be able to repay loans etc for a long time, because there is no way of knowing when you reach financial stability (which is contingent on a tenure track good position). So sadly, I would say don't take the offer, and if you have no other choice - wait for the next round of applications. You may find a place that really REALLY wants you.

Fusha is NOT classical Arabic, but modern standard Arabic. Of course, the latter is derived from the classical, but attempting to read classical texts with only modern standard background - tough at best. Since I am about to finish the advanced level at my university, I intend to go to Morocco next summer for some more extensive coursework and practice (I am familiar with the 'amiyya of my country of origin, but cannot understand a word of Maghribi lahajat). Heard very good things about Damascus (my supervisor went there), in particular the French institute, but I've never attended myself. Another friend was happy with al-fajr in Cairo, which is an Islamic institute with a rigorous Arabic program. She is now quite fluent, well ahead of her university level.

Hi Hermes, I am a PhD student at the same department (working on the modern Middle East, but obviously familiar with the department's other streams). Usually, most MA admits are required to do a 2 year MA, so consider yourself very lucky. You must have impressed them! The MA program, whether 1 or 2 years does not consist of a master's thesis (unless you really really want to, but that's rare!). You basically have coursework, and that's it. It's not a tough program, and you can choose to take a course or two outside the department, if you so wish. Let me know if you have any other questions. I'll do my best to answer them.

Completely understandable. While common wisdom admonishes against putting all your eggs in one basket, sometimes life's commitments require we do just that. And just to give you hope: two years ago, I applied to one place only (although others warned me against it and urged me to apply elsewhere as well) and got in. I never looked back. Anyway, best of luck!

There is a new centre for Diapora and Transnational Studies at the University of Toronto that offers collaborative programs with a whole array of departments. You should check them out.

I can't believe I only just discovered this thread. Add me to the list of academic fossils. Seriously now, if there is anything that I have learned (you know, age, wisdom ) it's that what seems sensible now, would not have occured to me 10 years. What the hell did I know back then, presh out of my undergrad? It's not just gaining more "life experience." It's more about knowing that I really really REALLY want to put myself through this not because of someone else's expectations or because it sounds so "cool" (someone mentioned the child prodigy). A decade ago I would not have chosen the field I am in, I would not have ended up where I am now, I would have known what I know now - and I don't mean just scholarly, but generally, the big picture, life plan stuff. So for everyone on here (active or just lurking) - feel no regret. What's important is that you ARE here and you are SURe this is what you want to do. Cheers!

Living with a million roomates, eating those gross noodles (a buck at the dollar store), taking a loan, getting a part time job, applying to every single award possible. It's a tough life. I have to think a thousand times before I actually purchase an item of luxary or go out to a fancy place, and on top of everything, I buy tons of books every month, which doesn't help. But I have survived thus far, and so can you. If you have a partner, consider the family residence - it has a shady reputation, but dirt cheap. Or perhaps find a few roomates and get a place together, or maybe a basement apartment somewhere in the Annex. Go to as many talks / receptions as possible - free food. many get a part time job at the library or the nearest café. Just tighten the belt and you'll be fine. Toronto isn't cheap, but I bet it isn't as expensive to live as NYC or Boston. Also - the department often has funding for research travel, conferences and for learning a language that isn't taught here, and there are also awards for international students.

I'm a PhD student at U of T (did my masters at History, moved to another department for my PhD but my supervisor is cross appointed and I have taken several history grad courses). As far as I know, SSHRC CGS is 35k, not the usual funding package, which after tuition you're left with about 15K (not that easy to live off in this city). SSHRC CGS is only available to Canadian residents and citizens though. Anyway, the history department is quite large - in both the number of students and faculty - but like everywhere else, they are suffering from the economic downturn. Whereas in previous years they were able to offer addmission (all fully funded) to 20 students or even more at times - this year the number has dropped considerably to about 10-11. So congrats to the U of T admit. You made it despite the cut!

how about The Big Bang Theory - highly stereotypical portrayal of young males in the sciences, working in research at a California university.

thanks, mudlark. That was helpful. Hoping for April myself, or I go insane.

speaking of romanticized audio-visual representations of academia, have you guys seen the last season of Californication?

A Single Man: it's a MUST SEE little gem, starring Colin Firth about a gay professor in an American university in the early 1960s (same temporal framework as Mad Men, set designed by the same people, John Hamm in a voice cameo). Le Declin de l'empire americain & les invasions barabres: two fantastic French-Canadian films about a bunch of academics and their petty little lives. Wholeheartedly recommended. (the latter is a sequal of the former)

I'm a U of T grad, not at anthro, but taking anthro courses. While every unit has a quota on the number of international students (since it's a public funded institution - at least in theory), anthro is no different. But they do take on international students. I am taking courses with anthro students - first and second year PhDs - and at least a couple of them are not Canadian residents / citizens, so it's possible. You also should remember that international students are not eligible for many of the awards you can compete for, so it must be quite the financial burden (they do get the funding package, of course).

I don't think they even tell us if we're A listers or alternates, they just confirm that we have been forwarded. I checked the stats though (on the SSHRC website) - and relatively, it looks pretty good. For instance, 63% of U of T PhD students forwarded last year were awarded. Here's to hopin'.