sierra918

On the flipside though, if GRFP results were released earlier, then graduate schools might base admissions decisions on who got them, which would be a double kick in the crotch to those who don't get them.

I know we still have at least a month before the results are announced, but I'm feeling really impatient! I wish the results were announced in December so that we could know when we were applying for graduate programs. 

There is something called a graduate plus loan. It is available to cover everything up to your total cost of attendance. If you need to take out a loan for graduate school, it is there. It does have a certain credit requirement, but I believe it is easy to qualify for. A lot of students take out graduate plus loans. Another thing to consider is working as a graduate assistant. Usually those jobs will have you work 20 hours per week on campus and pay enough to cover rent and living expenses.
Also, this is outrageous!
I went to a 4 year, private college in the northeast for undergraduate and my tuition still wasn't that high. To be paying that much for just a technical school is absolutely crazy. If I were you, I would re investigate what school I am going to. You are getting royally ripped off.

I'm in! I could simply not be more grateful and excited. My writing sample was focused on my research interests and they were well received. I simply could not be more grateful for the opportunity, the support and comradery from this site. Thank you, Sierra918!

So you got in!!!! I read your other thread where you assumed you hadn't been accepted, and it was devastating to read. I am SUPER excited for you

I was waiting on the security line at the airport on my way to an interview. Refreshed my email for roughly the thousandth time and saw an email from one of my schools. It didn't start with a straight up "Congratulations!" so my heart sank for a few seconds, but then I kept reading and realized I was accepted. I kept the tears under control at first but could not wipe the huge smile from my face. I then kept tearing up at random moments when it popped into my head that I was accepted. Walking through the X-ray machine? Tears. Paying for my food at McDonald's (treat yo self)? Tears. 

Ha! I'd definitely take 10 minutes of pain if it meant getting a fellowship. This is what the application cycle has done to me.

Go for a full Brazilian -- maybe that will result in a generous fellowship.  

I heard back from the Fulbright-Nat Geo on Friday, as I was anticipating they would get back to us then since it was a Friday, and the transcripts were due that day for the Nat-Geo component. 
I made it to the Final 10 of candidates who will be interviewed in DC in March!!! This is so scary!!! This is the last round, and after this they will split it in half and award 5 Fellowships!  I've been talking with my friends who did the first round and one of the ones who is currently abroad finishing her fellowship... Got some advice... I'm pretty nervous... anyway... I'm still processing this, but making it this far into the final 10 is an accomplishment enough.
Hope everyone heard great news too!!!

I feel as though it's a little bit rude to graduate programs as well. If I get awarded one, it might affect my decisions as to where I attend. As it stands, I have to hold off until late March.

I urge those of you who were given offers of admission to input the stipend information, if any, at http://www.phdstipends.com/ .  Knowledge is power, and congrats to those who were accepted.

I've been accepted to Vanderbilt!!!!! This was my absolute first choice program, and I am unbelievably excited! I got 5 years of awesome funding with a TA-ship!!!

I've been accepted to Vanderbilt!!!!! This was my absolute first choice program, and I am unbelievably excited! I got 5 years of awesome funding with a TA-ship!!!

I've been accepted to Vanderbilt!!!!! This was my absolute first choice program, and I am unbelievably excited! I got 5 years of awesome funding with a TA-ship!!!

I've been accepted to Vanderbilt!!!!! This was my absolute first choice program, and I am unbelievably excited! I got 5 years of awesome funding with a TA-ship!!!

I'm now ready for the decision. I bought champagne for good news, and chocolate Haagen-Dazs for bad. Bases covered.
 
 

Wow...I'm just wondering why lol. I don't see how having higher verbal or quant scores makes me a better anthropologist.

Lightballsdeep,
Hello! Yes, I've also had positive feedback from POIs regarding my CRM experience. I even had one POI tell me that their department prefers students who have CRM experience, even if it's not directly relevant to what they want to pursue in graduate school. I've been working in the Southeast for five years now, but I'm hoping to pursue Mesoamerican archaeology. I'm a Lithic Analyst, and I'm hoping to transfer my methodological skills to that region. So exciting to hear that I'm not the only one pursuing something a little out of my comfort zone!

Think of your entire packet, and then figure someone will take around 5 minutes to read it all. Write accordingly. 
Use of bolding and underlining to highlight important sections is highly suggested, and can be quite beneficial towards drawing attention to what you really want the reviewers to see.

FYI-The 2016 solicitations are up! They've moved the due dates up a bit, also. All applications are due in October this year. I've been working on my proposal all summer, so I'm going to make sure it still fits the requirements and get it submitted asap.

To Ravyn: 
 
In sociology, we have a term "referent", which is a similar to a role model - a person whose behavior you emulate, or at least use to know how what behavior is socially appropriate. I suggest you start identifying people - PhDs - that you admire for their conduct, and if possible develop relationships with them. Having such people in your life will not only help you stay true to your ideals, they can become allies for you in your career.
 
Believe me, there are people in higher ed who are getting the grants and publications because they are really producing work that will help other people in the long run.
 
We all change as we learn and grow older. You will change, too, whether you stay in the program or not. Don't let your fear of change cause you to sell yourself short.

I completely disagree with those who say we shouldn't have children while in school. I know tons of people who have done it, and honestly, they are usually the most successful because there are more people depending on their success than just themselves. I'm applying to go back to graduate school in Fall 2016, and I have two children, ages 3 and 1. I want to go back for all the reasons you listed above-I love being a scholar! I also want to go back because I want to show my children (especially my daughter) that they can have the career they want without giving up everything else. You are leading by example. You should feel proud

I completely disagree with those who say we shouldn't have children while in school. I know tons of people who have done it, and honestly, they are usually the most successful because there are more people depending on their success than just themselves. I'm applying to go back to graduate school in Fall 2016, and I have two children, ages 3 and 1. I want to go back for all the reasons you listed above-I love being a scholar! I also want to go back because I want to show my children (especially my daughter) that they can have the career they want without giving up everything else. You are leading by example. You should feel proud

I completely disagree with those who say we shouldn't have children while in school. I know tons of people who have done it, and honestly, they are usually the most successful because there are more people depending on their success than just themselves. I'm applying to go back to graduate school in Fall 2016, and I have two children, ages 3 and 1. I want to go back for all the reasons you listed above-I love being a scholar! I also want to go back because I want to show my children (especially my daughter) that they can have the career they want without giving up everything else. You are leading by example. You should feel proud

I would argue that emotional support and regular sex are definitely necessities, especially when launching yourself into a potentially demanding and stressful environment. I wouldn't underestimate the benefits of finding a romantic partner during grad school; yes, they require work, but their benefits can be numerous.