mbs191
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Posts posted by mbs191
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I emailed them on Monday too, per their instructions, since I never got a receipt but did get grant.gov confirmation emails immeidately upon submitting the applications.
But, I haven't heard a peep yet from EPA......... hmmmmmmmmmmmm
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I would use the "gut" approach to this whole situation (which I was almost in myself, and had therefore, started to take myself through).
Step 1: Imagine yourself at this University in 8 months from now (November/December ish) - how do you feel? Will you be excited at having been able to 'experiment' with the Faculty, the idea of getting used to living (for a little while) in a small town and traveling some weekends to the closest city? Or, are you constantly on the internet buying expensive "city" stuff and watching Sex in the City dreaming you were walking down 5th Avenue instead?
Step 2: Imagine that you have declined the offer, and it is now November/December 2010. Are you glad you declined the offer and are awaiting taking your GRE's again/getting all your applications in place - sending them off, checking GradCafe every 24.9 seconds to see if there has been a posting?
Which one makes you more "comfortable?" Which one makes you more nervous - but in a good/excited way? Basically, picture yourself 50 years from now telling some grandkid about the story - was the amazing experience at this school (which happened to be in the middle of nowhere) actually a surprise that you ended up liking - or would you rather tell them that it was worth waiting and reapplying again.
Although you may not like the answer initially....these few exercises should help you determine what is best for you :-)
Best of luck!
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Hi,
I wanted to ask if its possible to commute (1.5 hours) everyday (or at least 3-4 times a week) for a science phd? I got into an ivy league, but the only way I would be able to attend is if I do that. I got into the computational biology program and they are ranked very high and found great lab/professor to work at. Is it do-able or am I playing myself?
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Perhaps, first answer - why is not possible to move closer?
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I think you can do a simple test to determine where you should go. If Purdue were located in a large city, say, Chicago for example and everything else was the same (funding, professors, enthusiasm, etc), where would you go? You'd have two schools (one which u loooove) and another you like - but they were both in the City? If you'd still take Seattle, then, you have your answer right there. If Purdue were in Chicago (or another large city), and you'd pick that one - then, I think u may be overlooking the fact that while Purdue is more isolated, there'll be thousands of students right around you, and you'd still have fun there.
Hope this helps!
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Yes! Do what is mentioned above and ask "how do other students cope / get around / etc" and their response should help guide you not only in how to achieve it, but maybe to find out their eagerness for u to make it work?
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This is definitely one of those "hard choices" without a doubt, and, while numerous people have said "never pay for your PhD" or make sure your PhD is funded....you may be walking that thin line of when it may be best to take on a little debt.
If I am understanding correctly, you are going to be getting about $30,000 in funding a year, but the tuition itself is $35,000. Meaning, you'll be paying $5,000 a year out of your pocket + whatever you need to pay for food/rent/etc (something that a stipend would normally cover.) So, let's say for simplicity that you'll be paying $20,000 a year out of pocket....if you are there for 4-5 years will you have $100,000 in debt (you say $30,000 funding is only for first two years).
Now that I am writing this, I may be shifting to taking School "B" in fact - - - why don't you simply email them now saying "I'm really interested, blah blah blah, I'm so excited, blah blah blah, and I would like to know the ease of incoming PhD students switching advisors, since I feel Professor XYZ would be an excellent fit for me.........." Depending on your field, this could be an easy thing or not.
Anyway, sorry that my answer is inconclusive, but I hope my loquaciousness helps you vet which option may be best for you.
Best of luck!
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I agree...."A" needs to be your choice!
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To the poster about the "security" at JHU - - - I'm a MS student here at the Homewood Campus (not in Math) and the campus here is absolutely beautiful and safe. Yes, there are some problems like any campus in the world - but I love this area of the city - you can walk to anything you want and there's running/biking trails, other colleges nearby, great apts, etc. Just thought I'd throw that out there!
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Agreed! I don't think those sophomoric posters are devaluing a Masters Degree is any way - its just that they "didn't get what they wanted" - so, maybe an analogy would be someone applying for a Masters Program - but being told that they weren't admitted, but they could get a 2nd Bachelors Degree instead - - - the person who receives that offer won't hate Bachelors Degrees - they'll just be loathe the fact that the degree to which they applied isn't willing to have them as a student, etc....
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I just had a similar situation, except that I guess I am an extrovert, so in the respect of talking to people, I wasn't nervous at all.
Anyway, since you are already admitted (congrats!) then you have NOTHING to worry about. Just remember you are the "prize" and they want you to come to their school....so just be totally comfortable....you have no reason to be nervous and just be yourself. If you are randomly asked to contribute then just be honest "actually, with a little more preparation, I'd be glad to comment on that, but I really want to see what you guys are talking about discussing, since you will be my potential peers, etc"
Think of it as party and while you are an invited guest, it's not as if you're the host / have to be at the head of the table and asked to give a speech.
Hope that helps a little bit....DEF go and visit and ENJOY!
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Damn skippy, I totally know how you feel! I got a phonecall last week that I've been accepted and I actually emailed them about when I could expect the "offer in writing" so that I could review it/have it for my records, etc. I'm actually going to the University on Monday to meet with the Department and see the campus since it is not so far away, and when I was on the phone with them confirming the appointment, I again asked and they said "we can't, as the Dept. send out the letter, it has to come from the College that we are within under the University...."
So, I totally feel your pain.
If I were you, maybe I'd send an email just confirming that you never received the written offer and act like you are doing THEM a favor by letting them know its absence of arrival :-)
Good luck!
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Chicago Bull
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Dear Split Decision,
How about this for rationalizing things? Do the professors at the smaller school have credentials from UC-Berk or other "highly rated" PhD English type schools? If so, then that tells you something about the standards of the smaller school - that it is great and EVEN people that went to UC-Berk are happily teaching there.
Also, like someone else said....what do you want to do post-PhD. Will being at either school aid or adulter that dream?
Hope this is helpful.....I may (don't want to count my chickens before they hatch) be in the same situation.
G'luck!
Mike
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I'm working on my senior thesis which is due on April 6. I have a complete draft deadline on March 8, so I'm aiming for at least 60-70 pages by that date, and then looking to scale up to 80-100 in the following two weeks.
OMG I'm glad there are others out there!!!!!! I have been prying myself away from the computer to concentrate and read Journal articles, but nothing is more exciting than checking to see if I have a new email. AHHHHHH I'm going completamente loco! Thesis, will u write yourself!?!?
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I was wonderinf, for all those with State College experience, what about areas to live for a family? It is my wife and I and we have a three year old. What areas will keep us close to school, but away from undergrad areas? Any other information on family friendly things to do in the area? Thanks for any input.
Hi there,
Wow, there has certainly been some PSU-bashing on these posts lol. As a 2005 graduate (and tour guide) at Penn State first off let me say that there is no need to "fear" any bad areas or to be afraid of being stuck in a vacuum if you don't want to be.
Anyway, to your question, there are TONS of areas to live if you are a family. Basically campus is the "shape" of Central Park in NYC - a big rectangle taller than it is wide. If you live on the "south" side, then that is where a lot of of campus housing is for undergrad/grads - but as long as you live 4 or 5 blocks south of campus (or more), then you are in totally "family" areas with kids and students, and etc. If you live here, you can walk to a lot of stores, restaurants, etc downtown.
If you live to the "west" of the rectangle, then this is also where some graduate students or more "artsy/bohemian" type people may opt to live - it's more laid back farther away from campus across the main road (Atherton St.) and once again, many items are in walking distance.
Living to the "north" is more quiet and subdue, but there's not a lot to walk to up there since you are bounded by the arborteum, campus, Atherton Street, and more communities to the north - but this area connects to a lot of bike and walking trails and golf courses.
To the "east" (this is the one area that you would def need to bus it or take a car b/w campus and the housing areas" takes you closer to Nittany mall and Bellefonte areas - not too much directly by the campus but after a few miles you'll hit some established communities.
Hope this is helpful - feel free to send me a message if you need more info since I was at PSU from 2000-2005!
Cheers,
Mike
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Rogue,
Just wanted to say thanks again for that information/link about all students having the RIGHT 'til April to decide. I did not spend 12 months prepping, etc to have to make a choice in 1-2 weeks without having heard from any schools.
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Rogue,
Thank you SO much for that information! And yes, my school IS on there. I'm actually meeting with my thesis advisor tonight (finishing up my Masters this semester), and I'm going to mention the whole situation to her.
I asked the school in question if I could visit sometime in the coming weeks, and upon receiving their response, I'm going to politely bring up the Council of Graduate Resolution information you attached above, and let them know that while I am highly considering going to their school, the resolution which they signed and are a part of, states that I have increased time to evaluate the best options for my future.
***BTW, you said you are not going to wait to April 15th to make your decision.....are you going to wait until you hear from all of your schools though, or do you think you'll be forced to decide before you hear back from all of them.
Thanks again sooo much!
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I guess I was only thinking of contacting them due to having to make a decision in a week's time or so.........how long of an extension did you get btw if you don't mind me asking?
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In my case it's because they have a limited amount of funding, and if I'm not going to take it, they want to offer it to someone else who's been admitted, before that person chooses to go elsewhere. I'm sure this happens in other programs. Sometimes it also has to do with the number of admits they give, and if you say no, someone on the wait list gets in. Again, they want to snag this other person before s/he commits to another school.
It would be great if all schools had to issue all acceptances on the same day--say, March 1--and then everyone could compare their options and decide with full information. Of course, I guess that still wouldn't help with the trickle down funding and wait list stuff.
Yeah, Good call on that!!! I'm wondering, should I contact my other schools? (who knows if they even made decisions yet) and let them know that if they are considering me, then they should let me know ASAP. OMG, I feel like I am a magnet for stress lol!!!!!!!!!!
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Technically, they're supposed to give you until April 15. I just had to ask for an extension from a program that wanted to know by March 1, and they were very understanding about it. You should just tell them you need more time in order to make an informed decision and that you'll notify them as soon as possible. I can't imagine a school rescinding an offer because you need more time to think about it, but maybe I'm wrong.
Yeah, I could do that, I mean, it is one of my top 3 that I'm debating, but I wish I could just have til April like everyone else - just to evaluate ALL my options...I feel like I'm gambling here even though it could/would be a great experience. It's only a few hours away, maybe I could email them back next week and tell them that I am really considering it, and would like to make a visit to the school to check it out / make sure, etc. I'm sure they'd be open to it considering it's only a few hours drive away.
Oh geez, I guess this is "good" stress?
BTW, Mocha, I see you had to decide early too? Why do schools do this!?!?!??!!?
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Hi all!
OMG, I just got my first offer!!!! I applied to six schools, and just heard from the first - it was a telephone call and it went great! However, they stated that they would like me to let them know my decision as to whether I will accept their offer by the end of next week - otherwise, they will pass on the offer of admission and assistance to someone else.
Has this ever happened before? Is it allowable for a school to do this!?!?!?
What do I do?!?!!?
OMG! I thought I would be so relieved when I heard from one school....now I'm just more stressed lol!!!!!!!!!!!
Help!!!
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OMG, I feel like I have found a group of peeps that actually understand what I'm going through!!!! I was ridiculously bad at checking/refreshing websites while I sit in my cubicle at work (also, with NOTHING to do!!!!) that I have a new self-imposed limit during the workday. I let myself check my email once in the morning, once at lunch, and once in the afternoon. Once I get home it is not that easy, AND I should be working on my Masters Thesis, but checking GradCafe is just so much more entertaining (and you can do it while watching TV haha).
Ugggggh, but one thing that is helping is to think back alllll those months ago when I was down the shore studying for the GRE and in a few weeks I will know that it was worth learning the word meretricious lol.
Good luck everyone!
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Hey Everyone....just wondering if anyone else is stuck at home and now has a TON of extra more time to procrastinate / and worry more about not hearing anything from their schools yet? At least the white-out conditions are a distraction from constantly checking Gradcafe and websites haha.
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Hey all! To the person who asked about the Peace Corps...I actually did it right out of undergraduate, so feel free to ask if you have any questions in particular. I actually was the +/-5th person on my team of 34 to leave (I lasted 5 months...and no, unlike the Army, it is okay to go AWOL without penalty). Anywho, I am really really excited about potentially getting accepted into a PhD Program, but alas, I have a Plan B, which is to quit my job (I have been here for 4 years (since Peace Corps), and enough is enough. I'll be moving back home to NJ and then look for jobs in the same field - but much different type. My Plan C is to move to Isreal and become a citizen and work on a kibbutz for 6 months :-) Hopefully it doesn't come to that, but that could be cool hahaha.
Have no clue about assistantships
in The Bank
Posted
Well, first of all you have until 4/15 to make a decision, but you'll probably want to do it before then (and so will the school that made you the offer).
If I were you, I'd thank the school very much, and just verify that it would be 25% for the 'x' amount of years for your MS/PhD. At that point, you can let them know (although they'll already know) that its January, and you put a lot of work into your applications and need to decide what is the best opportunity for you academically, which includes the financial situation of things.
I kind of had a similar experience, and I told them I'd let them know in a few weeks. I bought myself some more time by actually taking the train and visiting the school (if you have the opportunity) and meeting the professors, etc. When they wanted a decision in March (because otherwise, they were going to offer it to someone else), I emailed the 2 schools (I had professors I had met with to check out those programs and had their emails) I was still waiting to hear from, letting them know that I had to make a decision in the very, very near future, and if there was anyway they could let me know if I was in or not, it would make things much easier. When they responded, it made everything much more clear.
So, in total, yea, maybe the offer isn't amazing, but if you're in a combined program and its the best one out there after you hear back from others, it may be worth taking. Hope that is helpful.....