GreenEyedTrombonist
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Posts posted by GreenEyedTrombonist
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Thanks @Oklash!
For me, I didn't apply this time with one school in mind. In fact, I made a point not to rank my school list before being accepted so I could go in without bias. I chose a great program, but it was really hard to choose between them and one other program. And I hate saying no, haha.
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So I submitted all my declinations last week and I wanted to throw up after. Although I believe I made the right choice for me and my future career, I hate having to say no and have never had to do so for school before (only applying to one school sometimes has its perks).
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I'm technically on a gap year right now and I also took time off before undergrand and my MA. Something I did was work on my writing, submit to/present at conferences, and try and keep up with the literature whenever possible. Things that show you're still academically driven even when not in school or great for an application.
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@surprise_quiche I think there are different levels of competition for each division. Newer and smaller divisions are going to be more competitive since they have fewer panels. However, that could also mean fewer people are submitting to them. I expect Game Studies to be pretty competitive this year, given the theme. :/
Man, I'm only doing one submission this year. More power to you! -
Individual @surprise_quiche . I don't really think I'll get accepted this year (first year ever submitting to Comm), but at least it's good practice, haha.
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Managed to submit. Pretty sure it sucks, but it's done...
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I'm going for Game Studies @surprise_quiche
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You got this @swazibound !
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Ah! NCA submission due this week! *hyperventilates*
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I'm in a show right now so I'm doing 3 performances every weekend. Hoping to pick up a zumba class after the show to fill some of my time. I'm also working on a paper for a conference that's due this week so that's taking up a lot of time. Oh, and working full time, exercising, reading, modding on Twitch, and prepping for my move. It's a lot, but I think I'm a good mix of stressful and relaxing activities.
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Here's how I told my parents. For context, we have a whiteboard in the laundry room that I've been using to keep track of my acceptances and their stats. I erased all that, drew this, and gave them a hint in the morning that it was there (after my mother had already started some laundry and not noticed it, haha). The speech bubble says, "[GreenEyedTrombonist] is going to..."
I also sent the picture, with the text, to my sister.
- surprise_quiche, E-P and swazibound
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No worries @UWjcw. Welcome to the forum!
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Hey @UWjcw,
If the course is truly terribly online, I don't see a reason why you couldn't withdraw. Just be prepared for it to be just as horrible (though maybe in different ways) in person.
I had 3 Ws on my undergrad transcripts. I could explain away each one, but was never asked for either my MA or PhD apps.
P.S. Just noticed you posted this question in more than one area. That's generally frowned upon here, just as a heads up. -
My MA was set up this way (grad courses were 6pm-8:45pm). It freed up time during the day if we had work (including TA and RAships) or wanted to work on things like our theses. Overall, I prefer night classes, but I'm a night owl.
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Haha, I'm keeping mine on the DL because of work, so it's really only my family, close friends, and professors who know.
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This is awesome! I live with most of the people I'm revealing to and don't have time to make a cake. I think I may just update my whiteboard of PhD results to say where I've chosen and see how long it takes them to notice...
My mother has already started insisting I need to tell her and am not allowed to wait. My favorite excuse she gave was, "we're helping you move so we need to know what direction we'll be driving." Mom, all of my remaining choices are east of us (we live in California). Guess what? We'll be driving east! Lol.Also, when I ask her where she wants me to go she keeps saying, "Hawaii" even though I didn't apply there...
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7 hours ago, surprise_quiche said:
With so much going on right now and many people hearing/making decisions, to all lurkers and people who haven't heard news yet:
We are here for you and know how hard it is to be waiting while overs move forward. I know (for me) feeling discouraged or not wanting to bring people down with bad or no news makes me not post results, but just know that you're amazing and have our support with whatever's going on!
Completely agree! I didn't get in anywhere last cycle, but the encouragement of fellow gradcafe-ers helped me pick myself up and work on my apps for this year. Keep posting whether you have good news or bad. We're here for you either way. <3
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On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:
1) So while reading answers to a question about the challenges during a PhD on Quora, A specific portion of an answer surprised me, which says -
Low social status. You are at the bottom of the hierarchy of a decrepit, creaking guild system. Undergrads are happier and sexier (no matter how in-shape or good-looking you might be, because it's not about that) than you are. Do not try to be a part of their world; that is just pathetic. Graduate students in other disciplines will generally look down on you and your colleagues will look down on them. Professors you have no choice but to look up to, since they survived the atrocity of a job market that 80% of your colleagues won't.
So is it really true that it is considered as strange when Doctoral students talk to Masters students or undergrad students, or vice versa? Are friendships or relationships between these groups considered as weird?
2I also disagree with this. I know plenty of doctoral students who associate with master's students or undergrads, depending on common interests. Why limit your social network based on something as small as where you are in your educational progression?
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:2) How many hours do I need to work on weekdays? and the same for weekends?
I know the answer to this question would depend from program to program and also on the year of the PhD. However, it would be good to have an estimate for Social Science PhD students. I would also like to have a general idea of which of the five years is the best in terms of having free time?
One of the things I looked for when choosing a program was work-life balance. Do students have time to do other things, like a hobby? I hope to treat my degree program like a job and keep most of my work to weekdays. This might not be possible at certain times when the classes I take and teach both have major assignments due, but on average this is what I hope out of my workload.
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:3) What do PhD students do in Summer?
What is the duration of Winter vacation and summer vacation in US? Is funding for Social Science PhD students common?
I like to travel and explore new places. So would summer be the right time to do it?
I'll most likely be working for some extra money, traveling/visiting family (my niece and my birthdays are in the summer), and working on what I can for my degree. Summer break normally starts somewhere in May (end of May, typically) and goes until sometime in August. Winter break is shorter, usually starting in December and ending end of January or beginning of February. If you have the funds and time to do so, summer can be great for travel and exploration.
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:4) Is it possible to finish a PhD in less than 5 years?
Lets say, If I take more than the actual number of prescribed courses in a Semester, or I complete my thesis in less time than expected. Would it be possible to complete the Program in 4 or 3 years?
Or are there any other means of completing a US PhD in less time?
Is it possible? Yes. Should you do it? Probably not. As long as your program is funded, the more time you spend there the more opportunities to attend conferences, get papers in for publication, gain teaching experience (if you want to go the professorship route), and do other things that will build your CV. In addition, it's already stressful taking a full courseload, teaching, and doing all the other things you need as part of your degree. Trying to take on more work when you don't need to is just not a great idea for your health, stress, or future job prospects. Now, you could do things over the summer and winter break to help speed up the process (do a directed study, prep IRB protocol, etc) but that will take away from travel time, so figure out if you want to travel now or get through faster, basically.
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:5) How difficult is it to stay in the same city for 5 years? Could it get really boring at one point of time?
I ask that because I am still young(23) and I would like to explore new places during this phase of my life. So, to rephrase the question in a better way "How often do PhD students travel? How many times in an year on average?
3This depends on the city and your own mentality. Some cities are huge and give lots in the way of entertainment. Some are smaller, but close to amazing attractions. Travel seems to be important to you, so I'd consider saving what you can to do a trip in the summer. That might help offset the stir-craziness.
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:6) What is it like to be a teaching assistant?
In general, I am a shy person and I am not sure if I will be able to teach a huge class. I have no prior teaching experience and my personality doesn't fit to that of a teacher, and I am more interested in research. Thus, I would prefer to be a research assistant rather than a teaching assistant. However, I feel that I will have no choice but to be a teaching assistant as it is a condition mentioned on my offer letter. Therefore, I would like to learn more about being a teaching assistant, what are the jobs of a teaching assistant and how are difficult are each of these jobs?
2Plenty of people have no prior teaching experience before their PhD. TAships can be anything from grader positions, instructor of record (usually when you're a more senior student), or working in an admin office. Really just depends on your program and their needs. If a TAship is specifically mentioned on your offer letter, you will be TAing for at least the first semester (and most likely first year). Try and explore RA opportunities that first year to hopefully land one your second year, if teaching really isn't your thing.
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:7) Would there be huge work pressure and lots of sleepless nights?
To break the question into parts, (A) Which of the 5 years will involve the highest amount of work pressure?
(B) How difficult is it to maintain a 3.5 GPA(which is what I need to secure continued funding)
(C) How difficult is the coursework?
(D) Is fourteen credits per semester too much workload?
(E) Which phase during a PhD is more challenging? The coursework phase or the final dissertation phase?
(F) From what I have read, a lot of students who enroll into a PhD program tend to leave it in between, so I would like to know in which phase or year of the program does that generally happen?
3This also really really depends on your program and work-life balance. There are different work pressures each year. First year, you're getting used to teaching for the first time, taking doctoral classes, and adjusting to a new place. Second year, classes are more advanced, you're still teaching (and probably a new class) and you're gearing up for examinations and thinking about your research. Third year is either more courses and exams or exams and prepping your proposal plus more teaching. Fourth year you're probably ABD and basically working on your dissertation full time, though you may also teach or work another job at this time. Fifth year you're finishing the dissertation, prepping for your defense, and interviewing for a job. Throughout all of this you're probably also attending conferences, trying to get papers published, and maybe running small research projects (or working on larger research projects in a team). It shouldn't be too difficult to maintain a 3.5 GPA if you're doing your work on time and are engaged in your courses.
Coursework difficulty varies widely, even from class to class. You'll probably be assigned more reading than you can handle. Part of this process is learning how to read quickly and still process the information. The difficulty most likely varies from professor to professor so just ask fellow students their experiences, attend office hours, and you'll probably be fine. Study groups can also be awesome.
Don't take 14 credits. Just don't do it. I've done 12 as part of my MA, but I didn't have to TA or do much work for my RAship at the time, which made it a lot easier. And like I mentioned before, coursework and dissertation phases are both challenging, but in different ways.
From my understanding (including knowing people who have left), some leave after the first year (and some restart at a different program that's a better cultural fit), while others master out (receive and MA/MS/etc for their work, but don't fulfill the requirements of the PhD).
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:8) Since professor jobs in Academia are so competitive, what are some other nice options open for Social Science PhD graduates?
1This one depends on your research interests, methodological training, and networking skills. A search of the social science section may help you get a clearer picture of non-academic positions available to you after your degree.
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:9) What motivates people to pursue a PhD? Is it only the love for research in the field? Or are there other reasons too?
When people finally take a decision to pursue a PhD, what other possible career options do they leave behind? (Although this is something which differs for each person, I would like to learn what is the motivation of people to enroll into a PhD program while denying Industry job offers they may have had or discontinuing their job to pursue a PhD)
Or is it also the because they have no other option in life except pursuing a PhD?
6I've wanted a PhD for as long as I can remember. As I have matured, I have also discovered a love for discussing academic topics and teaching at the undergrad (and above) levels. When I start my PhD, I'll be leaving a job working as a Community Manager on a major social media platform. I love my job, but at the end of the day, I see myself growing more and experiencing more opportunities in a PhD-driven future. If your only reason to pursue a PhD is because you can't find work, a PhD might not be the right path for you.
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:10) What are the average monthly savings of a typical PhD student in US?
I know it depends on the stipend, cost of living, and lifestyle of the student. However, I would like to have an estimate of savings per month, and I am also interested in knowing how does one spend one's remaining stipend after paying the rent and utility bills.
2This one is just way too variable to answer in any meaningful way. If you want an estimate of savings per month, you'll need to calculate that for each of your potential programs. After rent and utilities, you also need to pay for food (groceries and eating out), if you have a vehicle, associated fees (car payment, insurance, gas, repairs, etc), healthcare if your's isn't 100% provided by your school (this could mean something as small as copays or as big as a percentage of your hospital bill), and additional expenses dependent on you, your needs, and your program/location. Since my student loan will be paid off before I start my degree, my payments should come down to rent, utilities, groceries, healthcare, vet bills, and incidentals like clothes. I'll also be saving for additional conference travel than my program provides and travel back home to visit family.
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:11) On average, how many conferences in an year does a PhD student attend? What are the conference funding provisions in general during a PhD in Social Sciences?
3How many does your department/school fund? I expect to attend 1-3 depending on the year (potentially more when I start on the job market).The two programs I'm deciding between fund 1 or 2 with additional funds for conferences available through other means.
On 3/11/2018 at 12:48 PM, dreamerr33 said:12) Do PhD students even have relationships in their university?
Is it possible for PhD students to have girlfriends or boyfriends? Or the high work pressure makes it impossible? Have there been instances of Social Science PhD students being in a relationship? (This question is in the context of Single PhD students only)
4I've met plenty of PhD students that are in relationships. They make it work. I even met two recently that are getting married (not to each other, separate students in their own relationships). It can be hard, but it's definitely doable.
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So that's what you teach. First year it's most likely an intro class, but that might also vary by program.
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I'm new to submitting as well, so not sure how helpful I can be, but I can say that, when I asked a professor his advice on where to submit, he did not mention the student section. Granted, the section he wants me to submit to is one he's on the committee for, so take that as you will.
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A TAship can mean many things. You could be working as a grader, leading a seminar from a larger lecture, leading your own class (not attached to lecture), be in charge of a lecture and/or be the instructor of record. It could also mean working in writing centers or similar institutions or in an admin office or for a different department, depending on availability of positions and you department/school's policies.
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How much cheaper? max of 20 hours a week is typically 0.5 FTE.
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What is the cost of living for each area? What is the FTE at Starkville? How many fees are left after 90% remittance?
How early is early in moving to a new school and how late is late?
in Officially Grads
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@GirtonOramsay I just had a grad student in my program tour 5 apartments for me yesterday. I told them what I was looking to find out from their tour and they were able to give me a ton of pictures, some video, and a lot of insight that made me much more confident when telling the property manager which place I'd like to move into in August. I did ask for virtual tours from various property managers, but all of them were much more receptive to me having a "proxy" tour in my stead. I thanked the grad student multiple times and they said to just buy them a coffee when I get there, haha.