Meghanlodon

edit: I have to DO a second internship, the one I goofed on was the first. I had an internship this past summer that I flubbed up so bad, my advisor told me to withdraw halfway through. I'm still in my program, but on a 'probationary' basis. I have to demonstrate I'm learning what I need to be learning in order to succeed. I did well in my classes last year (this is a two year program.) I will be meeting with my advisor regularly outside of class to discuss the readings and materials, and general review, but other than that I'm not sure on what more I can be doing that I wasn't doing before. I feel that one further misstep and lose my shot at my masters, and will have to deal with the debt without the chance of getting a good job (I have a history degree, and there's not much I can do with that.) This is stressing me out so much.

Yeah, I went ahead with it since my interest lies more in the historical aspect and having Archiving as a concentration within that context may suit me better. Thanks!

I was in a similar situation for undergrad. The paper I submitted was for a methods seminar (that was a 200 level course I think) but I told them I wanted to use it as a sample and they helped me prepare it accordingly. I think they were one of my LOR writers as well.

It really does, deciding what needs to be saved vs what gets lost to history. Plus you can technically make a living out of going through dead peoples' mail lol I was a little wary at first since it's not technically a 'library science' program (which was the general type of program I was applying to) but after reading MLIS grads/students lamenting the shrinking field/general bad experiences, I think made the right choice. Plus, I'm more interested in reading about history anyways, being able to student both seems pretty cool.

Western Washington! My situation is a little different, as my program is technically an Archives and Record Management program, but it's a certification on top of a MA in History and I will be taking History courses.

Thanks for pointing me to the WWU message board, there's a ton of personals on there offering/looking for just what I need! Slightly off topic of housing, how is the public bus system in Bham? I've heard both good and bad things (like it doesn't cross the highway?) I've used public buses pretty much all of undergrad so I can handle an 1hr+ commute.

Thanks for the reply! I was thinking about moving up in early sept, closer to when classes start (I'm trying to work and save money down here in snohomish during the summer.) Is there a particular real estate group students work with regularly? Chuckanut Property Management. was recommended to me, but my friend wasn't a student so I don't know how well they'd work with WWU's quarter system.

Sorry to necro this thread, but it makes more sense than starting a new one... Anyways, can anyone tell me about living in Bham as a grad student? Or more specifically, living off campus? When would be a good time to move in? I'm living in state right now so getting up there to look around won't be as bad as it could be, but I also want to make sure I still have some time to make some extra cash before I have to go up north. Thanks!

I buy my books off of amazon and abebooks.com whenever possible, though I've never sold any. I was thinking of going to a half-price books and seeing what they'd give me for them.

I have a crap ton of books in storage that I've been meaning to go through. They may not be worth all that much but hopefully I'll get enough for a single textbook, lol.

I'll likely be looking for a 1-2 roommate situation (seems better to me than an expensive dorm/1 br plus I'd like the company.) I've already gotten at least one callback from a job I applied to, and even found a listing in a local county library (not expecting to get it but that would be a real boon, getting some experience before the program starts.) As for more boxes, I'm telling them to save their boxes from their costco trips/amazon orders. Actually, when I used to work fast food we'd sometimes give people boxes that product came in if they were requested (they'd be thrown out otherwise.) If anyone else is looking for boxes, McDonalds could help out!

Thanks for the tip! Fortunately my parents have moved within the last year and have a bunch of extra crap laying in storage I can use. I think my biggest fear is not having enough cash overall and having to back out of the program, move back in with my folks and start back at square 1. That fear is probably pretty common though.

I was accepted into Western Washington for their Archives and Records Management program, and am super excited! Their department is a part of their history department though, would this MA be considered professional or humanities in this case?

I got into my first choice program for Archiving and Records Management and have met with my advisor. I'm excited to start grad school but until orientation (which apparently like, a day or two before classes start) I don't know what I need to do to prepare myself, particularly in regards to my living situation. I was living with family during undergrad (so no dorm situation) and have moved back in with my parents (who are in the same state as the grad school but too far to commute) I have about $1400 saved up for whatever living situation I may find myself in and am attending grad school on loans (I will be applying to teaching positions and grants once I'm better established in the program, and I'm the first alternate for a scholarship though I don't know how much it would cover.) My question is, what should I do for housing during grad school? I have emailed the campus housing for ideas but they haven't gotten back to me, and while dorms could be cheaper in the long run they aren't open year round. I'm a failure as an adult who has never had to find a place for myself (and am of course, slightly terrified), but I'm cool with the idea of getting roommates and having another bus commute if needed. I've looked up the craigslist listings in the area, and the average seems to be 450-1000 (Bellingham, WA if anyone is familiar), many of them including amenities. Classes don't begin until september and my loan disbursement isn't until July-August, so I have an opportunity to work and save more money to help cushion myself for when school starts. Is getting a part-time job while living with my parents a good idea, or would I need to situated near school as soon as possible? Sorry for the stream of conscious post, this has keeping me up and I'm hoping to get all my ducks in a row as best as I can before I head into grad school.

I have a scholarship that is asking for a copy of a LOR. I have a one of the two needed for this aready, but the other letter writer(s) I have haven't finished their yet, or have not sent them in. I plan on emailing the grad admissions people about the late letters (I have read here that it is not uncommon for them to be late) but can I also do that for this scholarship? The form for the scholarship is due the same day as the admissions application. (March 1st, next tues. I have sent reminders out, but I don't expect a quick response from anyone.) Thanks!

I'm filling out a scholarship app, and it's asking for a personal statement (ie educational background, professional goals.) Is this something I can submit my admissions statement of purpose to, or do I need to draft a new statement? (My current statement has both of those aspects included in it) Also, they're asking for transcripts, but I have already sent those to the grad school. Do I need to send them again for the scholarship? Thanks!

(I'm cool with this thread being moved if need be, just had no idea where else to ask.) So I'm getting all my stuff together for applications, and I was wondering when it would be good to fill out the FAFSA? Do I look up tuition estimates for each program? Also, I missed the scholarship deadline for a school, but not the admissions deadline. Is it okay to ask about financial aid still, or should I go ahead and apply to that school for spring semester instead? Thanks!

...ie 'pick all the words that apply' or questions with more than one blank. How are these graded if you get one part right and one part wrong? (like, 2/3 words in a phrase were correct) I'm using a practice test at the moment and I'm not positive of how I'm tallying my score.

So my original third letter writer has never gotten back to me after I first asked (went on sabbatical, I sent him what I had but no acknowledgement it was received.) I asked a fourth person to provide a backup letter (or replacement,) and I had a couple questions regarding this situation: When I send update emails, do I include the original third letter writer? I mention the letter writers in my statement (what I learned from them and how it relates to my potential research,) should I edit the original writer out before I apply to programs?

Thanks for the replies folks! I'm glad it's not time to panic...yet. Now I just need to do well on the GRE.

This professor has agreed to write me a letter, but I cannot seem to track him down! After not getting an email response from him (I wanted to meet at his office with a copy of my statement and a list of institutions), I dropped by his office yesterday. Turns out he is on sabbatical this semester, and had not mentioned that he would be doing so at any point during my class with him or even in the facebook group he maintains. He did not leave a number to contact him at, but apparently checks his on-campus mailbox 'periodically'. I left a copy of my statement and a list of the institutions I am applying to (along with their letter of recommendation requirements, ie what they want content-wise) and sent him another email with those attached as well. Am I completely goofed up here? I'm leaving the state to move back in with my parents (temporarily, I hope) because my roommate (my grandmother) is soon moving to a place where I can't get public transportation, which prevents me from getting to work. I was hoping to meet with this letter writer face to face about this, but will the institutions I am applying to reach out to him somehow during the process? How does it work on their end? My first app due date is March 1st, and I'm taking the GRE early next month, so there's still a little time, but ugh this is frustrating.