kaseyr10

@kotatsumuri yeah I would've been fine in Ypsi since I'm used to driving in midwest weather and I would barely be on campus since most of my work would be done at Domino Farms MedSport, but they just got back to me today that they couldn't move me in til the 21st and that the apartment would need renovations during september and october so I'm back to the drawing board which sucks. Honestly, basically everything that is left is awful especially given the high prices. Are you looking for a 1B or a 2B with a roommate? That might make your situation easier, but I definitely want a 1B for at least my first year.

@kotatsumuriI was told by the other graduate students during my visit to avoid Northwood as it was very run down, but it depends on what you're willing to deal with since it's reasonably priced for Ann Arbor. So far I've applied for a nice apt in Ypsi near Depot Town, but I'm waiting to hear if they can get me moved in early August since I have to be on campus starting the 13th for RMF connection. In the meantime I've been looking at other apts but like you said it's very slim pickings and a lot are out of my price range.

I am attending for a PhD in Movement Science! Anyone a Rackham Merit Fellow?

I am in the final week of having to make my decision for which program to attend. Below are the three programs I have narrowed it down to: Program A: ~25 in ranking, awarded 19k RAship and renewable 5k scholarship and summer funding ~5k, cost of living is super cheap and I would have free room/board my second semester and after, mentor is fairly hands off and has you begin developing your own projects from the first year however is the least "productive" lab of the three and focuses more on industry research. The most attractive aspect is that I would only be 2 hrs from my long-term SO who has one year left in his masters. Program B: top 3 in rank, awarded fellowship of 21k stipend with summer funding of ~6k and I would only have to TA during my 2nd/3rd year while the other 2-3 years i focus on my research, housing is fairly expensive but everything else is cheap, mentor has you work on a project they have during your first year as you move to developing your own ideas later on, productive lab that allows opportunities to work on grants, has lots of opportunities for professional development through my fellowship and dept, and staff member to specifically help for things like cv, job negotiations, etc. However, this would be 6hrs from my SO. Program C: top 5 in rank, awarded RAship of 16k with summer funding of 5k, cost of living is cheap, this is the most productive lab with many projects and publications, mentor has you work on a project they have during your first year then move to more independence. This would be about 3ish hrs from my SO. Any insight on this would be really helpful and whether school/dept prestige matters on your ability to attain academic positions at R1 institutions, thank you!

I contacted my potential PI for the university I am most interested in working with about potentially seeing if there were other funding opportunities to increase my package so it is more comparable to the other offers I have received. They responded asking how much additional funding I am looking for and I am looking for advice how to best approach this. Do I send along my other offers and say that I understand if they cannot be matched but if they can be more comparable or should I give a flat amount (Ideally I would want at least 3-4k)? Any input on how to tactfully approach this would be great!

@polyxcrunner thanks for that info! To clarify it further would it be more of an internal fellowship from the University/Graduate school itself or from your actual department?

Can anyone verify the source that the stipend comes from for the Associate Fellow? Is it from the GEM University or from GEM itself?

I have a SOP that I need to get some critique on my SOP for a masters program. Any help would be greatly appreciated! If you have any further tips for the introduction in particular that would be helpful. Personal Statement (Rough).docx