rhombusbombus

Im freaking out about my washer and dryer in my grad school apartment too! But i am trying to pare down my wardrobe to essentials. A capsule wardrobe is my farfetched goal Yall, its 55 degrees where i am and im freezing. Penn state weather is gonna kick my butt.

I almost wish schools had a deadline of march 15 to let us know. Then wed be guaranteed at least a month to decide. Im excited about being outside! I think my dog will appreciate it too. Theres a bike trail from where i want to live straight to campus, so i want to get a bike when i get there. You know, take advantage of this opportunity

So while I've decided to go to Penn State, I just got a fellowship notification from UIUC (25k/year for 3 years). I don't think I made the wrong choice but I sure would have liked that info a week earlier just to know! I'm more bummed that i don't think fellowships bump to other people if not taken. But it's stifled my impostor syndrome for one more day so I'll take it. AND UCR doesn't admit until a professor "signs" for a student. I had been talking to a professor for a few months and there's still radio silence. I just wanna freaking know at this point! @Neist I too am looking at class schedules and stuff! I'm trying to find some cool hobbies to try out since I'm moving in June and will have a month before my July start date!

I would think it depends on the weight of the fabruc. I have sone leggings that are basically the same as jeans but with no button or zipper, just a stretchy waistband and theyre fine.

This guy did it! Mind you it's a diy solution but it worked! http://niksargent.com/blog/2011/1/30/how-to-suck-a-mattress-down-to-size.html

With the purple mattress, sleepopolis has a coupon to get a free seat cushion when you order! http://sleepopolis-mattress-reviews.com/discounts/

would the MS be unfunded?

I actually met her during recruitment weekend! The main administrative assistant for your department should be able to send an email out to the grad students in your department that you're looking for a roommate. And I think Penn State has a roommate finder somewhere on the official website. FOUND IT http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/offcampus/roommatesearch.shtml

so my roommate and i are just going to do toftrees. i think for a 1 bedroom they're kind of expensive, but it's reasonable for a 2 bedroom. before i had a roommate i was looking on craigslist and hoping they weren't scams. They've been really nice about helping me and I'm in a different state.

and of course right after i decline, my illinois funding comes in!

@hippyscientist I'm getting really excited! I think the place I'll be staying will allow me to start biking to lab. or at least driving to a parking spot and biking from there!

Done and done! I think this was professional and open! And it's too late to change it! Dr. [redacted], Through much careful consideration I have decided to not attend The University of Illinois for my Ph.D in Entomology. I appreciate your hospitality through both of my visits and hope the Illinois family will keep me in mind for possible collaborations and post-doc opportunities. The furthering of my studies will be happening at Penn State under the guidance of [redacted]. So I’ll still be in the Illinois family by proxy! Again, thank you so much for allowing me to visit and believing in me enough to offer me a spot in your amazing department.

Just clicked the "no" button on my Illinois app to notify them that I will not be attending. While I know this is for the best and gives enough time for people on the waitlist, it felt so final. NOW, should I send the department head an email saying I will be going to a different school? Or is the online form enough?

@savay I'll definitely check those sites out! Anyone have bike recommendations? The place I'm likely to live is only a 15 minute bike ride from my lab. I'd be a fool to drive everyday.

@Neist Yeah. The Purple Mattress has me kind of brainwashed. It's that 100 day try out period!

not really whining, but i've been thinking about getting a tattoo to commemorate this achievement. I've been putting it off since undergrad graduation, but I think a half sleeve to memorialize my research projects would be pretty cool

Can ya'll recommend a citation application? I've been hearing Mendeley and Papers are nice, but I have no idea which would be best for me/ pricewise. Also, MATTRESSES! I kind of want to save up and get a nice quality mattress for grad school. One that will keep me well-rested and hold all of my impending tears

I'm so happy for everyone who got acceptances recently! @hippyscientist That's so great that moving costs were included! 1 month left until this is all over! Then we can complain about new things!

Did anybody else hear about the nsf eligibility change? Starting with the deadline this fall you only get 2 chances. As an undergraf and during your 1st OR 2nd yr as a grad student. Its supposed to encourage undergrads to apply but i think its unfair to those who switch to a more research based program in grad school. Thoughts?

Sooo how do we go about declining offers? I haven't actually gotten one from UCR yet and UIUC is waiting on funding. Do we wait until we get acceptance letters, IF we get acceptance letters? Or just cancel the applications?

I feel like "don't be nervous" is what i should say but i'd be lying if i said i wasn't nervous at all of my interviews even when i knew i was already accepted! Nervous is expected! they won't care! they understand! I think it shows how highly you regard the program!

Visiting? How exciting!

That's understandable! I almost wish I had a form to fill out, just clicking a button made it really easy to accidentally accept. Luckily it all worked out for me.

I've officially accepted Penn State's offer. Which is hilarious because I was freaking out about accidentally accepting the offer a month ago. My heart kneeeewww! To those waiting, switch to Entomology. They have their shit together!

@herstory Please keep me updated on some apartments you check out, I don't think I'll be able to go see any. I also would like to live with some other grad students. I thought I had a roommate lined up, but since I'm moving there in June it didn't work out. I'm bringing my dog so it's ruled out a lot of complexes. Anyone wanna share a house? (kidding. not kidding)