User Generated Content

Hi, I'm a current PhD in geography at UW, if that's useful to you. Happy to chat.

I can't recommend the following book enough if you're coming from a working class background: http://www.amazon.co...e/dp/1566392918 Good luck not crying over the last chapter, though. Even if you're not, finding allies is extremely important. And in my experience, most everyone will likely have little understanding of your lived experiences. I often find my colleagues have much better understandings than I of the system and the hurdles to be crossed. I try to be as open about my ignorance of some of this stuff as possible, and it seems to be working well. Finding an advisor that understood where *I* was at was also crucial to the success I've had. I think the most difficult part for me has been coming back home for the holidays. My folks don't understand what I do, and I come home speaking leftist polysyllabic gibberish. They're incredibly supportive...but its been a bit alienating with relatively well off colleagues on one hand, and my parents on the other. The socialization of academia has been transformative, and I don't think I was ready for it when I entered my program. I'm still kind of not ready for it. But I'm doing it. And so will you, if you choose.

I'll be there Wednesday through Sunday, presenting Thursday afternoon.

I'd just agree with rising_star and echo my own experiences. I have a BA in Sociology, and my department seems to like me just fine. Our own faculty have a wide variety of backgrounds.

Noise. And landlords (and stores) can get away with murder due to the proximity to the school. You can get a better place for the same money elsewhere, and the public transit is good enough to support that. Also, I like to avoid my students when I'm not on the job, not have them drunkenly stumble into me in front of my house. Your world isn't over if you're living in the U-District...but it definitely wouldn't be my first choice.

I'm from Seattle and the UW (Geography). I just wanted to throw out there that $15k/year is doable if you rely on public transportation. Also, if you can swing it, it might help to search for places on the ground rather via the web -- many of the good places in Fremont or Capitol Hill don't get advertised on the 'net. I'd also definitely advise against living in the U-District. If y'all have any questions, let me know. I'd be happy to answer them.