Ville

I know some people may say to avoid downtown areas at all costs since they're full of undergraduates. I disagree. If you're not planning on having a car, living within a walking distance from downtown areas will be a LOT more convenient. The central bus station is located on College Ave and you can take various buses to Walmart, Wegmans, Nittany Mall or the movie theatres from here. You can walk to your school and most of the shops, restaurants, pubs and convenient stores are located downtown. If you plan to have a car (which is not a bad idea to get around in this town since the bus services can be limiting during the weekend), keep in mind that finding a parking space around the university can be a real pain. If you choose to drive to school, you will most likely have to park it at the football stadium and take a bus to your school building. A lot of my friends with a car choose to take a bus to school and only drive when they plan to go somewhere else afterward.

I lived in a one bedroom apartment in a two-floor building on South Allen St, about 15 minutes walk from College Ave, in my first year and never had a problem with loud noises. I think if you find a place which is about 15-20 minutes away from College Ave and Beaver Ave, it should be a good distance away from frat houses and loud drunken undergrads.The rent was kinda pricey at $820 per month, including water and gas, but not electricity. They did keep the building at 55 degrees during the winter, so I had to get myself a small electric heater when it was too cold. I spent at most $60-$70 during the winter months, and $20-$30 for the rest of the year.

I have now moved into another one bedroom at Peppermill Apartments on S Atherton St (also 15 min walk to College Ave). It's in a rather bland 5-floor building, but it's quiet and only 10 min walk to Weis (a supermarket). It's $775 per month with all utilities, so I am spending about $80-$100 less with rent/utilities this year.

It seems you want to live in a place with more character. There are plenty of duplex homes, townhouse and typical apartments in downtown areas, so I guess it just depends on what you want. As I have mentioned, March is the best time to start looking for housing. Places get occupied ridiculously quickly in this town, so start looking early.

I have just been accepted to the DrPH in Health Behavior at George Washington University, but without any funding whatsoever. So, it's pointless really. I wonder what are some of the programs that provide admitted DrPH students (esp. in behavioral/community/preventive health) with full funding. I can't justify getting loans of a few hundred thousand dollars to attend a doctoral program.

So, like many of you, I've spent most of this past week and weekend commiserating over a really great problem--choosing between two great options for Ph.D study. I've lost a lot of sleep and cried a few times, and now just want to hear some thoughts from other people (kind, please) about my decision making process and the options laid before me. I'm a little older (not THAT old, but not in my 20s anymore), and have a family (SO+two step kids in tow who may, or may not, be with us).

My decision seems to come down to choosing either what I think is best for my family overall at a program where I could achieve my academic goals, or choosing the program I'm most excited about but will be more challenging for my family. My SO is supportive and has said they will relocate wherever I want to go for school, provided that they can choose our next move in 5 years. I am fine with this arrangement.

So, am I being selfish in choosing the program I want? Or am I avoiding unnecessary stress by choosing the one that's better for my family? I've profiled them below, with the program I like more first:

Option 1: A brand new program (I'd be part of the second cohort) at an Ivy school that I never ever thought I'd get into

Things I like:
The cohort I'm coming in with
The program is really supportive, and the faculty are available
I'd be able to nurture my creative side (lots of poetry writing in addition to my studies!)
There would be support for me as I navigate family challenges (a question I asked many times)
Classes I would really enjoy taking
The money is right (5 years guaranteed + 4 summers with a great stipend) and would relieve a lot of stress on my SO
Lots of attention because there aren't many graduate students
Only have to teach 1 year


Things less great:Not really the best fit for my family overall, though we could make things work
Still figuring out exactly which professors I would work with (this may be a function of the fact that everyone in the department studies something related to what I study, and less about a lack of fit)
The "discipline" is new, and interdisciplinary, so will I actually get a job when I'm done?
Have to figure out how to relocate while we're super short on funds (which in this economy is like......sigh....)


Option 2: An established program at an excellent state school (R1) that used to be my dream school a few years back

Things I like:
The cohort I'm coming in with
Things will be much easier on the family
I could chart out my whole dissertation committee almost and could identify an advisor and a mentor
The program has good placement rates
The discipline is established
We live in the same state as this school so relocation, while still a challenge, isn't a deal breaker


Things less great:
[*]The money is barely right the first year, and not right at all in the following years, which adds a lot of stress to my SO
[*]I would likely take some classes at a nearby private school because the state school doesn't have everything I need (this could also be considered a plus); so it'll be a challenge figuring out how to negotiate family schedules
[*]Would have to teach for 4 years, but only a 1-1 load (still, again, draw on family time)
[*]The program is larger, and I get the sense I could sometimes get lost
[*]I get the sense the school is probably not so accommodating with family challenges (not because they don't care, but because they are a larger institution)


Does anyone out there have any insight, or are you making similar decisions between family (or something else) and your academic dreams?

Does anyone know anything specific about the apartments USC's website suggests for graduate students, such as Seven Gables? My main concern is living somewhere close but QUIET.

My stats are: 610 V 720 Q 5.0 W GRE, undergrad GPA of 3.86 in communication and grad GPA of 3.91 in health communication I think it's more of program fit as I have spoken with a few professors who share my area of interests in social marketing, health comm., and utilization of new media in health campaigns. It's a shame that I can't attend their program. I would really like to live in DC, given it's the central location for international health arena. Now, I will just have to decide between the offer with full funding at UW or USC (both of which are PhD in Communication).

Hey Jasmineflower,

I think I'm lucky in the sense that I have a supportive mom to counteract the negative energy from my dad. In a way, it comes down to maintaining "face". To boost his social standing among his friends and relatives, my dad wants to paint me in a certain light (wealthy businessman rather than a poor educator/researcher in a random social science field). I guess he's disappointed I am not choosing to do what he thinks is best for my life. Well, he and his relatives need to remember it's my life and not theirs. And to be honest, I don't really give a flying ##@@ about what they think. I don't owe them anything so why let them dictate how I should pursue my life?

Having said this, do I ever question the choices I have made to pursue a PhD in communication? Of course! I have friends who opt for Bachelor or Masters Degrees in financial engineering, MBA, computer science or IT. They are now making over $100k a year. You can't help but think I should have just gone for one of those degrees during my college days instead. However, I have also met a lot of successful people in my life with advanced degrees in political science, public policy, public health, anthropology & communication. They are doing more inspiring work to combat poverty, diseases and political conflicts in the United Nations, health agencies and related social enterprises. Some of them make significant income and also a huge dent in the universe. I think it's sadder to choose a 'safe' path in engineering just to make money, even though you have no passion for it.

I think you need to ask yourself why those snarky comments are starting to interfere with your well-being. Do they say those things because of their limited worldviews? Is it justified to be rude to impose their values on you because they think it's helpful for you or rather it's to reaffirm their beliefs that they have made better choices in their life? You can see that I tolerate my dad because....well he's my dad. But you can be sure that I won't tolerate it if it's from his relatives. Damn respect the elder culture. Someone should definitely step in to defend you if people have the audacity to berate you in front of your own child. I will encourage you to remove yourself from such toxic environment to keep your sanity. I assume that it's mostly your immediate parents or siblings who you have a hard time with. I encourage you, if you have not done it already, to have an honest discussion with them that what they are doing are straining your relationships with them. Acknowledge that your career path may be unconventional from their perspectives, and thanks for the criticism because deep down they care. However, if they are going to keep on harping about your education and career choices or go as far as to not want you in a wedding because they view you as lesser of a human being, it demonstrates the ugly nature of who they are. I mean come on. It's not like you're sitting around doing nothing. Doing a PhD is one of the hardest anyone can do in their life.

Speaking from my own experience as someone who was raised in a traditional Chinese family in which relationship dynamics among immediate family members and other relatives are based largely on "face", wealth and other traditional values. I have chosen to really put efforts in maintaining relationships with my parents and two brothers. For other distant relatives with narrow views, it's more about putting on a mask when you absolutely have to meet them. I can choose to stay away, and it's more enjoyable to surround yourself with people who accept you for what you are.

Good luck! I hope my post helps. Juggling with school life and family relationships can be hard, but I hope you can find a way to cope with your situation.

@yinche

I have heard about Imperial Towers and it's a fine place. It's also very close to Weis, I think just 5 min walk. I personally never have a problem boarding an R bus in the morning from my apartment (again I rarely take R bus). If you choose Imperial or Nittany Garden, there shouldn't be problems since your bus stop is pretty early from its origin. However, R buses gets quite crowded from downtown in the evening (but then again so as many other buses), so you may have more problems getting back home than going to the school.

Allenway itself is a quiet building and the entire block consists mostly of professional buildings. Having said that, the areas around this block are full of frat houses and undergrad apartments. I was in my friend's apartment a few times and didn't hear any loud noises. He's a PhD student and lives there for the fourth year so I guess it has been okay for him. With its convenient location, I would recommend you to email the place now to ask if there're any available rooms for the fall semester. I tried to get a place there last year, but all unites are rented out!

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I'll be graduating in a few months and I'm happy to inform you what I know.

@yinche

I understand the feeling of securing a place without having the opportunity to see it for yourself. I too am an international student. I was really overwhelmed back in 2010 when I tried to find a place. Compared to other college towns, housing situation in State College is ridiculous. The rental rates are too high for a place in a middle of no where like this. I have friends who stay in UT-Austin and one-bedroom costs $400 compared to $700-$900 around here. Please read the housing lease contract thoroughly before you sign it. Check every nook and corner of your apartment for any spots or damages and report them when you move in. Housing agencies here will take advantage of tenants, especially on the deposits, because they can. It's a huge issue here. I got $300 deducted from my deposit in my first place (Holly House from ARPM) because they claimed the apartment was not clean enough even though I spent 2 days cleaning the place and hired a professional cleaner (required in the contract) to steam clean the carpet floor. I find my lease for Pepper Mill to be a lot less stringent because my room was owned by a private person and the building has its own management to deal with tenants.

I'm not familiar with Nittany Garden, but do look them up at http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/PA-State-College-Nittany-Garden-Apartments.html They have good ratings. You will have to take R bus to school from that location though. I personally would prefer to live where I can just walk to school in 15-20 min as I don't like to wait for the bus. However, it's within walking distance to Weis supermarket. As for Pepper Mill, the place I stay is fine and I will actually recommend it. The downside is the thin wall. You can occasionally hear some conversations from next door when they invite people over and make unusual noises. But that happened like twice throughout my stay and it did not last more than half an hour. R bus also passes through this apartment so you can use it if you don't feel like walking during the cold winter months.

You should look at Allenway. I have a friend who lives there. It's very close to downtown (about 5 min walk), affordable, and he never complains about loud noises. Have you look at CATA bus map? http://www.catabus.com/ServiceSchedules/CATABUS/CommunityService/System%20Map/index.html You can see a lot of apartments along the bus route and make your search from there. Check padmapper too. It's a good website that map available apartments on google map.

For other grocery stores, Wegmans (best grocery store in State College, but can be a bit pricey) is located on V and N bus routes, Walmart on the V and M bus routes. So you may want to find a place that has close accessibility to these routes.

I know some people may say to avoid downtown areas at all costs since they're full of undergraduates. I disagree. If you're not planning on having a car, living within a walking distance from downtown areas will be a LOT more convenient. The central bus station is located on College Ave and you can take various buses to Walmart, Wegmans, Nittany Mall or the movie theatres from here. You can walk to your school and most of the shops, restaurants, pubs and convenient stores are located downtown. If you plan to have a car (which is not a bad idea to get around in this town since the bus services can be limiting during the weekend), keep in mind that finding a parking space around the university can be a real pain. If you choose to drive to school, you will most likely have to park it at the football stadium and take a bus to your school building. A lot of my friends with a car choose to take a bus to school and only drive when they plan to go somewhere else afterward.

I lived in a one bedroom apartment in a two-floor building on South Allen St, about 15 minutes walk from College Ave, in my first year and never had a problem with loud noises. I think if you find a place which is about 15-20 minutes away from College Ave and Beaver Ave, it should be a good distance away from frat houses and loud drunken undergrads.The rent was kinda pricey at $820 per month, including water and gas, but not electricity. They did keep the building at 55 degrees during the winter, so I had to get myself a small electric heater when it was too cold. I spent at most $60-$70 during the winter months, and $20-$30 for the rest of the year.

I have now moved into another one bedroom at Peppermill Apartments on S Atherton St (also 15 min walk to College Ave). It's in a rather bland 5-floor building, but it's quiet and only 10 min walk to Weis (a supermarket). It's $775 per month with all utilities, so I am spending about $80-$100 less with rent/utilities this year.

It seems you want to live in a place with more character. There are plenty of duplex homes, townhouse and typical apartments in downtown areas, so I guess it just depends on what you want. As I have mentioned, March is the best time to start looking for housing. Places get occupied ridiculously quickly in this town, so start looking early.