hippyscientist

Have to say I'm pretty relieved to not have a partner doing this with me. Not having to take any one else's opinions into consideration is pretty good in my book. Dad's going to move me out to the US - help me find a car that isn't a scam and carry heavy furniture mainly - but I know that my ex would be complaining that PSU is "such a long way to come visit". Yes that noise you hear is my eyes rolling into the back of my head.

@thepinkdragon76 and @marycaryne I'm sorry your partners aren't as supportive as they could be. Finances are a huge issue and the only way I'm managing the start up costs is with an early inheritance assistance. It's definitely a major consideration but you need to enjoy the elation that you beat a lot of other applicants to get in! Congratulations 1 week to enjoy, then you can start to think logistics.

oh no the internet is far from anonymous. I try to be pretty careful of what goes into the accessible domain! But hey, I'm not hiding anything haha.

"Dear XYZ, While I appreciate this is a very busy time for you and the department, I just wanted to let you know of my continued interest in the program at XYZ university. If there is anything further I can do in the meantime please let me know. With thanks and best wishes, yayspace" Or something to that effect is what I would write.

That would be awesome. I've already had a private message from someone in my dept on here! Grad cafe is awesome haha

My advice would be have a look at the webpages of programs you might be interested in - see if it sounds like you'd like to do it. Find out if there's funding. Find out if you think you could see yourself in that program. If you decide it's not for you you've saved yourself a lot of drama, if you decide it is then you can have a look at GRE stuff and finding out more information. For the application process, a lot is going to be program specific but general outlines are all over these forums. But yes, my advice is: have a look at all sorts of programs in the area you'd be interested in. See if it excites you. Then talk to others. Talk to your professors to see if they think you're capable. Do you think you're capable? Do you need to work for a few years to save for application fees? I am not from the US, and am relatively unfamiliar with its processes. I've found everything I've needed online, just through google.

@easybreezy CONGRATULATIONS! This forum is such an awesome support system. @MarineBluePsy we will find out! It's a weird deal but I've talked to students living there - application fee with security deposit, then you find out whether you get the apartment. If you don't they refund the money. I just want it sorted, I'll be happy then. I've always been adventurous so I'm cool with moving. there's just a lot to do while doing a masters. @Pink Fuzzy Bunny oh good I'm glad there's another one. The day I found out, I'd tripped over my own feet, headbutted my door and given myself a nosebleed. I thought that there was no way I was going to end up doing a doctoral program. Haha

Yay! As my dad always says "money begets money". Congratulates Coffee

Never even thought of it as imposter syndrome but I guess it is a little. I have faith in my abilities, I just didn't think I was this good. Apparently people around me think differently. I think you are right - fit is key. So is personality fit. I gelled very well with my advisor and bonded with the grad students I met when I visited and I think that helped a lot. I need to try and re-direct my focus to finishing up my MSc work - 10,000 words to write by April and then 16 weeks for my research project. Add on visas and everything and I have no brain space left hah.

Okay guys, this is going to sound awful - does anyone feel like their accepted school made a mistake taking them? There is no way I belong in the top 2-3 applicants at this school. Still wrapping my head around it!! Tomorrow is the day the apartment application gets sent - more nervous about this than the grad school applications!!!

My experience of Mendeley is awesome and has all those features you're talking about. Plus it's free

so you should be! That's awesome Yay for you!

YEAH! WOOHOO

@Pink Fuzzy Bunny that would be awesome! Yay for nice things indeed. I'm definitely excited for nicecutlery and towels without holes in! @MarineBluePsy that's mean! Taking the high road is really frustrating at times!

@pterosaur oh that's a point, I haven't even thought about defending. That would be a pain in the backside. @talkingscop NZ is awesome, I loved it when I visited. I used to live in Australia but that was when I was younger (18) and I only had a single bag. Sold whatever I couldn't bring back with me. I've been living on really crappy things - hand-me-down cutlery, clothes, bedding, etc. It all needs throwing away and I can't wait to actually start collecting a few nice things when I get out to the US.

I'm with you. My start date for my PhD is August 15th, my last deadline for my masters is August 19th. At least you have a US presence - but the logistics are a total nightmare!! Big suitcases, hotel stay until I can move into an apartment, US driving test & hijacking my dads business account for international money transfers is where I'm at so far. It's a bloody nightmare haha. Where in the UK are you?

@Euler yay!!! Woohoo happy dance for youuuuu

The only reason I want a TV is for sport. I'm certainly not going to be spending a lot on one and it might take a while to get round to it. Oddness is awesome

Figuring out how exactly to do this move is my new puzzle, it's great haha. Flights, baggage, manifest lists, how to get my money over so I have a bit of emergency back up as well as enough for start ups and first month or so of living + car purchase. Sheesh. So much planning and so many expenses! Thankfully the car is an early "death present" from my gran - "I'd give you this money in my will anyway so you might as well get it now and have a safe, useful car". Bit grim but helpful!!

@marycaryne YAY congratulations!! Very happy for you

@raaawr I'm sorry, but at least you have that gorgeous dog! These things work out eventually.

All this talk of clothes makes me kinda happy! I'm getting rid of so much - it's old/not my style/worn out/really not appropriate and it's kinda cathartic getting rid of it all. I'm going to be left with all my nice grown up clothes and not the tatty hoodies I've been wearing since I was 13. I mean I'll keep a few sentimental, cosy at home clothes but the rest - buh-bye!!

Okay so those of you who've done the US renting thing. An apartment I really like requires my monthly income to be 2.5x rent, and it's about $50 shy, otherwise I have to have a guarentor (who has to be in the US - not helpful haha). Reckon that will be an issue? They can't process an application without the deposit, which means sending via money order which is more expensive so I don't want to send the money and not get the apartment. Sorry, not too familiar with US processes!

@Pink Fuzzy Bunny that sounds horrible in terms of landlord. Not being able to leave things out to dry would drive me up the wall. I'm from the UK where everything is small - where I live at the minute is a 9ft x 10 ft room + a galley kitchen & tiny bathroom - I could sit on the toilet and have a shower at the same time if I wanted. Looking at US apartments and a room is bigger than my entire living space here! I also have never ever had a garbage disposal so it would be kinda cool to have one of those but certainly not essential. Again washer/dryer would be great but it's not a deal breaker. I've been talking to my new PIs ex students who are now professors themselves - one got their PhD in 2013 and is already a professor at a very good university. That's nuts. They have only nice things to say about the PI and I can't quite believe that's going to be my life in a few months!!! Yikes.

I'm coming to penn state Trying to apartment hunt from the UK which isn't so much fun. Looking for 1-beds or 2-beds + a roommate. Think I've found a nice apartment just depends if they will take me. I think, if I can justify it, a one bed suits me better as long as I make sure to socialise! Anyone up for yoga/gym buddies/hiking/adventuring?? Let me know! I'm so excited about having regular access to some of my favourite things that won't break the bank like Arizona ice tea, trader joes chocolate spread & hot apple cider in fall, and super easy access to "special fairy" food as my dad calls it (I'm celiac). Okay that's enough verbal diarrhoea for one post.