MsClio

The first time I applied to grad school, my advisor crossed half the schools off my list, telling me that a.) I'd have a harder time finding a job unless I went to a better known program and b.) it was better for me to look for flexibility rather than focus, given that grad school might very well alter my research interests. I was skeptical at the time, being a callow undergrad, and listened rather begrudgingly, but it really is solid advice, well worth pondering.

Thanks, gorki, that was really helpful and reassuring. Is the free breakfast thing new or just a grad student thing? I know the undergrad block plans didn't include it. I've had an assortment of the most incredibly sloppy housemates over the years so I'm used to disaster zone kitchens and cleaning up afterwards. So, I'm gonna be optimistic and say that I should be able to make it work. This makes me much happier. Thanks once again.

First post! So, I finally got off the hellish housing wait list limbo and got placed in the NGC. I suppose it would be ungrateful to complain ... it sure beats having no housing at all, and as an international student, it's not like I have a whole lot of options. So I'm gonna take it and I'm gonna like it (I hope!) Before I do, I'm trying to figure out the meal plan thing. I'm less than enthusiastic about doing the whole dining hall thing and I'm strongly tempted to go with the block 95 plan and fix my own meals the rest of the time. Is it actually feasible to use the common kitchen to cook on a regular-ish basis? I realize it can be difficult to work in kitchens when they're not your personal fief and you're competing for time and space, but I'd like at least to have a shot at it.