currentphilgrad
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Posts posted by currentphilgrad
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On 5/12/2016 at 3:23 PM, mandark said:
Wow, didnt realize I would have to get a new wardrobe! Thanks for the advice!
I don't plan to drive but this is good to keep in mind just in case. =D
How about bags? It doesnt rain here much, but when is does my papers get soggy. Are there any specific bags to look into to keep the snow out?
Honestly, I've never had a special backpack for snow. I don't remember ever even looking into one that was waterproof or resistant, so I think you'll be fine with anything.
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I'm currently living in California, but I'm from the midwest (about 2 hours from Madison). The number one tip I have for surviving cold weather is function over fashion. You'll need to get a nice pair of warm, waterproof boots to deal with the snow (I have Sorels). Given that you've never lived in the cold before, I recommend a long coat. A hat that covers your ears is a must. Also, (even though this is what I wear in winter), knit gloves don't really do much. Look for something more substantial. Finally, for those days when the temperature drops into the negatives, long underwear is a great way to keep warm. The wind just goes right through jeans.
Oh and, if you have a car, you'll need a snow scraper. Turn on your car and put on the defroster. Let that run for a while to get the ice melted off the car. Then use the scraper and brush to get rid of the excess snow and ice. Also related to cars, watch out for black ice!
Another thing to consider (though I don't know the temperatures in Berkeley or Texas) is that the fall will be colder than you're used to. During this transition time, if you don't want to wear a heavy coat, I recommend wearing a hoodie with a scarf and gloves (this is for the cold days in fall. Not just a typical day).
That's all I can think of off the top of my head. If you have any other specific questions about the midwest I can answer them (I did spend 20 years there). In the meantime I'll ask my partner if he has any advice to add since he's also a midwesterner.
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5 hours ago, ThePeon said:
Ugh, so I recently found out that I got an unexpected bad grade in a philosophy class this semester. In fact, I got a 'C' in the class. This grade does not reflect my academic abilities, I got an A on the final paper and averaged an A- on the shorter response papers earlier in the semester. I got a C because the professor is really anal about and harshly punishing about attendance and deadlines. I probably would have gotten an A-/A but for the fact that I forgot to sign-in on the attendance sheet a couple times and because I was 1-2 minutes late to class a couple times, which docked me a whole letter grade, and I turned in one short paper in a day late because I misread the deadline, which cost me at least 7-8 percentage points. The professor, of course, hasn't violated her own rules here, technically all this is on the syllabus, but up until know I've found professors to universally be a bit lenient on such matters when they're clearly honest minor mistakes. I'm mad because I essentially lost 1.5 to 2 letter grades because I am a bit disorganized and occasionally make minor mistakes (though honestly, I don't make them very often, it just happened I was unlucky to have a couple happen in this particular class) even though my actual work was A level.
Sorry for the venting. Anyway, I'm posting here because now I'm really worried that my relatively low cumulative GPA combined with this big fat 'C' in a philosophy class in my second-to-last semester, will just kill me with adcoms. I did get an A and an A- in my two other philosophy classes this semester, and I also got a B+ in a graduate level critical theory class I took in the German department, at least. Does this 'C' really hurt my chances overall? I will be taking three philosophy classes in the fall, so I will have one more set of (likely good) philosophy grades when I apply (and I will be much more careful next semester to not have a situation like this again).
Not to freak you out, but I would honestly be a bit scared about that B+. I've been in grad school for five years, have friends that have been in grad school for years all over the country, and for us a B+ in a grad course would be BAD news. It's basically expected that everyone gets an A. Sometimes an A- gets handed out, but that's when you really crashed and burned. Perhaps your future department won't be like this, but I would say the departments I've been in would see the inability to get an A in a grad course to be a red flag. I'm not saying it's damning and they'll throw out your app (hell you could still get into NYU and Rutgers for all I know), but it's just something to be cognizant about.
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I honestly think that my SoP was a big reason that I got into schools. My writing sample was a total DISASTER! (*side note: I had major health problems in the summer and fall so I just wasn't capable of revising a paper). There's no way anyone would have read that and thought "well, she's a capable philosopher." On the other hand, I think my SoP was great (not trying to talk myself up). Obviously I have no evidence for my claims but it's just want I think based off the strengths in my application. Also, I probably had good letters from good people and that probably influenced some decisions.
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I don't want to go to grad school in a world without Prince
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I'm joining the Madison Philosophy Department in the fall. As for housing, I'm going to live off campus in a one bedroom. I actually just put the application in today!
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Does anyone know anything about Hilldale Towers apartments? That's where I'm looking to live at the moment and I just want to know if there's any reason I shouldn't.
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2 minutes ago, MentalEngineer said:
This is the first time in my life I'll be able to afford living alone, so I. Am. Doing. That. I think I remember hearing that a 2-person place that's currently being rented by two philosophers is being vacated, though, and that they're looking for replacements. You should message/friend some current students in the program and ask around for other possible opportunities.
You know have no idea how much I recommend doing this. I can't even measure how much my quality of life went up once I started living alone. Grad school is very stressful! So many of my colleagues constantly complain about their living situations. You just don't need those extra distractions. Unless you're a social butterfly that needs constant interaction, I recommend living alone. It's great!
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Finally got my rejection from Austin haha. Still waiting on Indiana...any day now.
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On 3/11/2016 at 4:13 PM, philosophe said:
I don't know why this post is in a quote box from philosophe, so sorry. Anyway the wait is over...I've been accepted at University of Wisconsin-Madison! So excited! I've already accepted the offer. Oh, also (edit), for the record, this is the program that originally rejected me and then let me know last week that I was on the waitlist. I may be the only person who has been rejected, waitlisted, and accepted at the same school haha
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Ugh I can't believe the deadline is tomorrow! So much stress! Come on people, turn down your offers...and also mention (when you turn them down) that you would like to give your offer to currentphilgrad.
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2 hours ago, psm1580b said:
Officially declined Indiana (HPS)
Where are you going instead?
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Oh this wait is killing me!
- AgentScully and R614
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15 minutes ago, abisch said:
Same thing happened to me today. (I wonder if it's the same school?)
congratulations
Congratulations to you, too!
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Oh my god! I'm not going to say what school it is because I don't want them to find me on here (even though the uniqueness of the situation makes it pretty easy to identify). One of my top choice schools originally rejected me and today they contacted me and said nevermind, you're on the waitlist! I know it's just the waitlist, but I'm pretty excited.
- R614 and philosophe
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I took myself off the Irvine waitlist today.
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So everyone wants to turn down WashU and Indiana HPS, right? Yeah you do!
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11 hours ago, maxhgns said:
So... yeah. Don't decide based on the "courting". Talk to current students, email those who are on the market this year or who went on last year. Students still in coursework may still be under the influence of the wonderful program that accepted them; students facing the despair of the market will have a better sense of how the department helped them, or didn't (they may also be overly pessimistic, however!).
I hope the following comment isn't too off topic, but I think it's at least semi-helpful. In my department, we all put on a show for you. We're all told to be on our best behavior, so basically none of us are reliable sources of information. I mean obviously some of it is true, but it's all given through rose-colored glasses. You know who will tell it like it is? The people who aren't really participating in the visit, the people on the outskirts. These are the people that aren't trying to sell you something. I suggest trying to talk to these people, too. For what it's worth, I'll be that person at my visit. I'll see you soon!
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Anyone else anxiously staring at their phone hoping for a call from CUNY today or tomorrow?
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2 hours ago, bravesball said:
I'm also still waiting on Michigan. Expecting a rejection though.
Me too.
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I saw that NYU sent out rejections today, but I didn't hear anything. Anyone else in this same boat? (and no I don't think I'm accepted at NYU. Just curious to know why I'm not rejected yet).
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Please, if you're accepted at Indiana HPS or WashU, decline sooner rather than later. I would really love to take your spot
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FAFSA?
in Philosophy
I have full funding at my program but I'm still required to do a FAFSA every year (I have no idea why). You might want to ask your departments if you should do it.
University of Wisconsin - Madison (UW Madison) 2016
in Meet and Greet
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I would guess the selection is much better up north. I mean I've seen Californians in winter coats before, but my first thought is always "where did they buy that?" (well, honestly my first thought is "this is not winter coat weather"). You could start doing some online research of which things are warmest; but, if you buy it now, that's just more stuff you'll have to bring with you when you move.