hejduk

You could just tell them to call you "Dr. Awesome".

I'm sincerely sorry that this has happened to you. I would be completely pissed too! On the flip-side, do you really want to attend a school that handles a situation in this way? Maybe I read into situations too much, but sh!t, that is just improper how they treated you.

I think that we are all forgetting about one MAJOR factor in obtaining a job: personality. While good school rankings will truly get your "foot in the door", acing an interview and enduring a campus visit requires a "game face" and being personable. I have chosen good and great schools, and frankly, if I get into both, I'll choose the school that gives me the better choice to develop as a scholar. I need help in publishing, and I need someone to guide me through four years of apprenticeship. Whoever seems to give me the best options to obtain and publish, as well as develop me as a teacher and researcher, I'm there!

Colorado State already has, and LSU will do so in late Feb.

Not to be a negative nancy and hijack the thread, but can you address the safety issues associated with the school being across the border from Juarez?

I applied to CO State, but I had heard that UC-Boulder was "transitioning" their program into a new one, or combining it with another department. I've heard inside people talking about how disorganized the entire department at UC-Boulder is right now.

Because they can, and they obviously will! (evil laugh)

Within communication, what are the sub-areas that interest you?

Oregon was supposed to let applicants know by the "end of January", so I'm feeling you on that.

The visit went quite well. It was a very exhausting trip though! Got in late on Weds, interviewed all Thurs, and at the airport at 6Am the next morning. Definitely an interview wkend, but I was given plenty of opportunities to ask everyone questions. Met with 8 different profs, was given a tour of campus, and was provided lunch & dinner, as well as hotel & airfare. Profs were all really friendly.Students were nice, but somewhat wierd.Campus was nice, but the dept building was pretty crappy.Library awesome due to some remodeling a few years back.Lower cost of living.Students with conceal and carry liscenses can bring guns on campus. (Yah, that one scares me) Sent all the students and the profs I met with a mailed "Thank You" card. Was told I should hear back during the week of 2/14. I don't walk away feeling positive or negative, which some of my friends/mentors have told me that is a bad sign. I guess I just don't have anything to compare it to, so I think after my other campus visits I'll be able put it in perspective much better.

No thesis, as I did a non-thesis MA. Thought I'd end-up with a great corporate job, but that ended during the recession. Started adjuncting, and have one panel presentation after "teaching" myself how to publish. Good times!

Some candidate identified themselves on the Results page. If you're that person & you don't mind, email me and let me know what they said! Interested to know!

Cost of living? Distance to Bangor? I know the town is small, which is not an issue to me. I grew-up in a town of 15k, but was close (less than 30 mins) to a city of 250K. Also, what is the campus like? Parking a total hassle? Weather is a concern, but it's just a small factor in the whole scheme of things. I'm used to a tough winter, but I really like having four seasons.

So does anyone have something substantial to add to this thread?

I second that students are more inclined to be honest via any communication that is not email; i got quite candid information via Skype or phone, whereas they didn't feel comfortable answering some of my questions in email. But of course, in-person is the best, as you can judge the nonverbals to judge whether they're being honest or not. I think most students are honest when given the appropriately worded question, but keep in mind that some students are considered "program ambassadors" or such.

Ha! Quote of the day!

Anyone live here, visited, or attended?

Univ of Oregon LSU Colorado State Maine

Seems like a great site, but unfortunately it doesn't have the social sciences!

Helps me out! I've emailed the dept secretary to make sure they got all my app materials, but haven't heard back. They're on a quarter system, so they're also have a "wierd" calendar i'm not used to, so maybe that is why I haven't heard anything. From what they grad coordinator told me, admission decisions should be made ""end of January, latest".

Just wondering if anyone has gotten an interview request from Oregon. Not sure if they do a visit weekend or not, but trying to get some info to see where I'm "stacked" in the applicant pool.

Of the four schools I've applied to (which we've both applied to U of OR), they have stated admission decisions will be made between now and mid-February. Yes, mid-February is the latest admission decision I've been told!

The application deadline was 12/15, and my visit is scheduled 1/12-1/14. Pretty quick turn-around! According to the program administrator, the admission decisions are "If all goes as planned we should have decisions in mid-February". Anyone care to let me PM them about a specific itenerary-related question about my trip? And thank you for all the for the great questions! All very informative!

Got invited by a potential grad school to visit. They have paid for airfare and hotel, so I'm assuming that I'm probably one a few serious applicants to visit? I've done an informal visit before to another program, but what should I expect this time, with it being setup through the school, and them paying my way. More interviews with profs? Interviews with adcom? It's even been mentioned I'll be interviewed by some of their current PhD cohort. Help me out here guys! What to expect, and what can I do to prepare?

I give my all my LOR writers a $15 giftcard for Starbucks or Barnes and Noble. It's a small enough to say thanks, but not big enough to be considered a bribe. I think it's important to also state how well you know the people writing your LORs. I have known 2 of the 3 writers for years, and they would never take it as anything other than sincere appreciation.