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Levon3

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Posts posted by Levon3

  1. 5 hours ago, Heather1011 said:

    Yes, they said "April" and I assume that means by the deadline.  If not, I will just have to assume I won't get it and decide that way. 

    I'm single (well, legally speaking), definitely frugal, and Would probably take out only $5K in loans.  I have been saving up A LOT for grad school on my teacher's salary (hence the frugality).  So in that sense, not a real permanent burden at all.  I guess that's why I didn't get any need-based grants, although I'm still surprised because my savings is not even in my name, and my annual income is still <$35K, so I'm surprised HGSE thinks I can pay for it.  They're right, though.

    It's frustrating that your responsibility means you get less from them. On the other hand, I like that they take need into account.

  2. 3 hours ago, no.37 said:

    Both Vandy and Columbia have had rough last couple of years (several big name retirements or moving to other programs). Right now both programs are really kind of a mess, especially when you talk to current students at TC and professors at other programs. I was considering applying to a phd at both and was advised to look elsewhere as those two programs (along with Wisconsin...due to Walker defunding and anti-academic policies) are not as great as they used to be and are somewhat in transition. Right now it appears the strongest programs are stanford, NYU, harvard, and Penn, and UCLA if you want a more academic route. Minnesota also has a growing program that has some top names, especially if you are interested in sub-Saharan Africa.

    But its really up to you. TC is still a great school, and people still do have great experiences. I just think its important to understand the current situation. 

    It's interesting that you call Vandy a mess, but it's still ranked #6 (as of last week). Are your observations specific to IED? 

  3. 4 minutes ago, Heather1011 said:

    Right now HGSE is about tied with Penn in terms of money for me.  However, I *may* end up receiving a $33K grant + small GA stipend from Penn.  I'm trying to decide if that should be the deciding factor.  With HGSE, I would need to take out a small loan.  However, the loan will not be very great (I could pay it off within a few years with an average salary).

    Will you get the grant info before April 15? I do think you can pay off HGSE in <5 years if you're single and frugal.

  4. It's still very competitive to get into a PhD program at Stanford, even with a masters from there. Getting your masters will be no guarantee of doctoral admission, and since your ultimate goal is to get a PhD, you have to consider that you'd have $50 in debt accruing interest while you don't make much money for FIVE MORE YEARS in a PhD program. That will be quite a pile by the time you graduate. 

  5. 6 hours ago, eduphd said:

    Is it common to give up unpaid program at prestigious universities and choose one from second-tier university?

    Yes, it is common. I don't know what your career goals are, but prestige isn't everything. What you do with a PhD can be more important. 

  6. 1 hour ago, eduphd said:

    I'm international student who got accepted to one of Stanford's masters programs, and also to several of the PhD programs from second-tier ed schools. Stanford offers $10,000 fellowship and PhDs offer full funding, and I can't decide which to go -- I want to be ultimately a univ professor so I need a PhD, but getting PhD from Stanford would be better than other schools I got accepted into and I dreamed of getting PhD from Stanford. However, if I take Stanford I need to rely on loan ($60,000) and I'm not sure if the masters degree from Stanford is worth that much money. I'm pursuing educational technology research, so Stanford is attractive, but I also have my wife and small child so I care about money issue a lot. Anyone please give me advice?

    Go with the funding.

  7. A couple of years ago in a similar situation I politely emailed my financial aid officer, letting him know about my other offers, and said, "This is my dream school but I have these better offers. Is there anything you can do?"

    For me, the answer was nothing, but it certainly won't hurt to try, and I didn't suffer any negative repercussions for inquiring. 

  8. I apologize if this is discussed elsewhere--I searched but couldn't find a thread. My question is: how common/possible is it for a PhD to completed in 4 years? My program's description says that it can be done if you have a masters degree, but it sounds like it's heavily discouraged. I also know that even if I plan to try for 4 years (or even 5) that there can be factors that prolong it. I just want to know if I should even try.

    What factors should I consider around this? It would be nice for personal reasons, but I'm not sure how feasible it would be or if I would greatly be sacrificing publication/career-building opportunities.

  9. 2 hours ago, columbia09 said:

    Hey all, So I'm pretty convinced that I'll be heading to Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) for my masters in geology but I'm concerned about how moving down there is going to go. First off, I live in NYC which is obviously far away and I never made a move this big before. I don't know what to bring, how to bring everything down there, or if I should bring my car down there. Another concern is the apartments. I spoke to one of my advisers grad students about this but he really wasn't helpful, he's married and lives with his wife so he didn't offer the best insight. Plus he didn't live exclusively off his stipend which for me will be about 822 dollars a month. Plus I think I'll get a little bit more from my fellowship if there is anything left over. I looked up apartments but I don't know which one's would be good for a grad student. I would like one that's furnished so I wouldn't have to buy furniture but if anyone has any advice on any of this please post   

    You'll want a car in Stillwater. I took my car full of whatever I could fit in it when I made a similar move, and sold everything else in NYC. However, if you have nice things and don't want to purchase new ones, you could consider renting a uhaul. 

  10. 6 minutes ago, Need Coffee in an IV said:

     I keep telling myself that I'll eventually finish War and Peace. Right now though, I just have it in the corner judging me.

    Ugh, I'm still mad I slogged through that book. I want those 6 months of my life back. It wasn't worth it. I know that it's considered great for a reason, but I wouldn't blame you for leaving it in the corner. 

  11. 35 minutes ago, marycaryne said:

    Not including my husband (the obvious lol), I told my parents and a couple of friends that I was even applying. I didn't want to tell people about applying and then have to possibly inform them that no one wanted me. :lol: Now that I have the acceptance from the school I wanted, I posted it on FB for everyone else to know. The ones who already knew were decent enough to not continually ask me what was going on as they knew I was already pulling my hair out.

    Same here--I didn't tell many people I was applying because I did not want all the questions if it didn't turn out well. Now that I'm in, I'm trying to decide when to post on social media. 

  12. 1 minute ago, marature said:

    wow, i actually got more than i expected, 16k grant + 7k Impact Award, which makes it about half tuition. I was expecting only the grant. hmm...

    Congratulations! 

  13. It's my understanding that you can take out more in loans than the "package" they offer; you just have to request more. Of course, only if you can take on that much debt...

  14. 12 minutes ago, Heather1011 said:

    I got an email that my financial aid award is available. I'm on my phone and the website is wonky, but it looks like they only gave me loans :'(. I'm really upset right now. I'm hoping I'm just not seeing something but it looks like no grants at all for me. 

    I guess Harvard doesn't want me THAT badly. 

    How much did you get from Penn? (If you don't mind my asking)

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