mj88

Well, it sounds like your choice is pretty straightforward, at least to me. I'm of the opinion that it doesn't really matter if the program at the other school isn't perfect for what you want to do, as long as you can make it work for you. I'd go for the higher-ranked (I'm assuming), more money, closer to home school if I were you. Otherwise, I'll see you at Davis! P.S. Make sure you let Colin Milburn know you've been offered a larger package elsewhere. He may be able to pull some strings.

Hi zks, I am attending the campus visit days and a few other days besides, so I can look at housing and use it as a mini vacation. I'd say chances are 98% at this point that I'm going to Davis. I've been in touch with a number of current grad students, and they've all given me excellent information. I might be able to answer some of your questions, and you can always look through the website listing of grad students for those in your area of interest and contact them. My experience thus far is that everyone is glad to contact you back, and honest about the program. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone next month! Thanks for resurrecting the thread, MJ

Congratulations, Pamphilia! I am super excited, too. Davis was my top choice, and going there will be a dream come true. I've been able to pump quite a bit of information out of a few professors and a number of the grad students, so feel free to message me if you have questions I might be able to answer.

Intextrovert, I've now heard that they are hoping to send the information in the next couple of days. And the dates scheduled for the visiting weekend for the newly admitted students will be April 8th and 9th, but they'll send out more info on that as well. Can't wait!

Have you guys gotten anything official yet? It's been two weeks and I want more details.

I got a call from a professor on Monday saying I'd been accepted, and that they were sending me more information. I followed up with a thank you email today, with a few questions. I'm thrilled because Davis was my top choice. I'm also working on ecocriticism and spatiality, but in terms of working class literature and environmental justice. I am also concerned about funding. The professor told me it was "a guaranteed five years of funding." I'd love to get that all in writing! The cost of living in Davis is going to be higher than my master's program school too, so I'm already concerned about finding affordable housing and seeing if I can sign up for food assistance, etc. I'm hoping to pull together some funds for a campus visit, and waiting to see what information I get regarding when and how. I asked the professor who contacted me to put me in touch with current grad students who could answer some of my questions. We should start some kind of private email group to share the information we hear without getting ourselves in trouble by posting it publically. I'm not sure how easy that is with this interface, but I'd be very interested in staying in touch with you guys over the next six months or so.