cabraloca

So I'm calculating costs to start graduate school and thinking that I need a new computer, I just don't know which one to get. I want something that is fast, good with multiple apps (PowerPoint, Word, Adobe pdf reader, Gmail, Netflix, YouTube) but also... I think I might want to get the diploma in Cultural Studies, and I would really want to up my game visually and get a Macbook Pro just because of the image, audio and visual quality. However, I also see that it is more expensive compared to other laptops. What other alternatives do I have? I don't have a desktop and my old laptop is practically dead so I really need to buy something now to get me through. All advice is welcome. I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth it.

I think you should ask for an extension. Be honest and say what you need. Don't fake-commit to a school if you are thinking of accepting those offers, let them know you need two more weeks.

Hey all! Also going to Madison this Fall So exciting! And cheers to one of the best years of our lives <3 It's going to be awesome!

I have a letter from my Program saying that they have recommended me for Admission by the Graduate School, but the Graduate School has yet to send me an official letter offering me admission. Is that normal? I am so worried that something could potentially go wrong! Shouldn't I have like my finalized TA appointment by this point as well or is the letter detailing the ranges of payment for TAships enough at this point?

Just to let you know, I asked today and I found out that if your university is a public university (like mine), the State is not allowed to offer grad students funding for this, unless they are paying for your airfare for you to come do research early or hire you early, which never typically happens for a first-year. So I will be setting up my GoFundMe page soon x)

So basically, I got accepted into my dream school + dream program. They are offering full tuition remission, healthcare + a monthly stipend thru TAships which are enough to get by. However, the first check comes in October and I need to be there by mid-August, get me a new laptop, books and school supplies, as well as pay for a security deposit + two months of rent & food before I see their money. I've figured I will need around 5k to start graduate school. The program I've been accepted to is Gender and Women's Studies. Most of my work and research has been volunteer work and organizing for a very young collective of queer & trans people so money is not a plenty-- is it okay to ask them if they could cover my airfare for the beginning of the school year? Or is that completely inappropiate, unthought of, and I should just open up a GoFundMe instead and sell my body? Please let me know if you have any experiences similar to these. I have a phone interview to set the details to my move to the US next week so I really want to have my thoughts organized by then.

I am honestly wondering the same thing, and I am moving from out of the country. So according to my calculations I need around 5k to move to the US to start grad school. That's including airfare, two months rent + security deposit (move-in date is August 15th but the first check comes in October), two months food, supplies, books, and a new laptop. I was thinking of making a GoFundMe if I can't raise half of it by May.

Hello, I just got admitted off the waitlist to the MA program at UW-Madison! I already accepted my spot there. Thanks for the support!

I think emailing the chair is fine. One email should do.

You should definitely NOT be asking for more money from a school you already know you may not go to. I would only do ONE negotiation email to my TOP and FIRST choice. Why? Professors will probably have to pull some strings to get you that money. If you're going to decline, the Professor will have gone through that trouble for nothing, and I'm sure that won't put you in a very good position from then on. Even if you don't pick that school, your POI might be someone you may want to work with. Don't get on their bad side just because you want more cash.

This is why I think you shouldn't feel bad. We already know it's not based on merit. My friends who have gone on to do their MA's or PhD's all have two PhD parents who worked at our home University, who knew all the professors since they were in their twenties, so they were always getting the better grades, better jobs, better advisors and, therefore, better LORs. I'm not saying they aren't smart, but I think I'd be at that level too if I had that access to books and critical scientific thinking from a young age. There is a million reasons why graduate schools don't accept students: funding priorities, class diversity.... maybe they don't have someone working on your academic interests right now and aren't able to provide that for you, maybe there is no funding for someone with your specific profile, or maybe... it's just the elitist US education system spitting you out. And I don't think we should be hurt when THE SYSTEM is at work. Maybe lets be joyful instead that we're not getting sucked in right away, before we have time to create a critique of our own. Also, this:

Sure. I got an email from the Director of Graduate Studies saying they are short on funding, but that I'm at the top of the waitlist. This means they already sent out admits to a group, they're waiting to hear back and if one of the candidates has alternate plans, they will call people on the waitlist. I don't know the exact rank, they just said "at the top". They also asked to set up a phone interview which will be happening tomorrow. And they said they should inform me of an opening before or by April 15th. I think at this point it would be perfectly okay to call the school and ask the program if all admits and waitlists have been sent. And check the portal again just in case! Best of luck!

Hey @Dibenzofulvene I know we were both waiting on UW-Madison. I got an email yesterday saying I'm at the top of the waitlist and they will know if a spot opens up for me on April 15th at the latest. So I don't really know how to feel now, pretty anxious about more waiting time and kind of defeated that I wasn't good enough for the first cut. Sending good vibes <3

Hey everyone. I just got waitlisted for the Gender and Women's Studies MA program at UW-Madison. This is my top choice and the best fit for me out of all the programs I've researched. Please, if you get an admit and are thinking of accepting an offer somewhere else, decline your admit to UW-Madison as soon as possible so a spot can open up for me. <3 I will be forever thankful.

Out of the three, I would say Wisconsin-Madison is your best bet. I spent a year of my undergrad there as an exchange student and got to see first hand the quality of the Department. I was in Gender & Women's Studies so some of our best classes shared the same professors. Also, I would say the campus community in Madison, the student movement and everything going on with anti-racist activism is also a pretty good reason to go there. We are talking about the university made famous by having a "The Problem of Whiteness" class. Their professors are the best of the best, very forward and radical thinking. I think you'll have a great time learning and becoming if you do decide to go to Madison.

@KR_ChemIntern @Dibenzofulvene Still waiting on Madison three (different program, tho)! They sent notifications on my program around these days during past years so I'm just so lost and stressed! Sending everyone strength to survive the weekend!

Basically, we were in contact before I submitted my application. Given that I attended this school as an undergrad for my study abroad program, I already know the professors in the Department I'm applying to. They said "they would be happy to have me and would put in a good word with the admissions committee (not that it was needed)". I submitted my application on the Dec. 15th deadline and now I JUST CAN'T with the anxiety. I know that the results usually have come in February but that's because they used to have a Jan. 15th deadline which was changed THIS year. If they changed the deadline this year, it must be because they need to know their admits before their usual time, or am I just psyching myself out? Should I email them again? I don't want to come off too impatient or like I don't understand the universities times and processes - I know that's probably a somewhat irrational fear because these processes do cause a lot of anxiety and it's hard to organize life without knowing where you will go for the next couple of years so it is founded that we should be given some timeframe for things but... GAH. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I'm also an international student applying to UW-Madison and I cannot wait more to get a reply... I am wondering if it would be good to e-mail the department or is it just going to upset them that I am so impatient in waiting for a reply? I don't want to come off so thirsty, but I am so wanting to be accepted into the program, it hurts.

@Dibenzofulvene Congratulations! How many admits do you have now? You are doing so great! Now choosing will be tough!

@MadihaG I e-mailed them before submitting, and we've exchanged e-mails past the deadline as well. Good luck!

Just do it! Whether you get it or not, at least you asked. The same thing happened to me actually, but I had even less time (four days). I had to hunt down professors at their offices and ask them in person. They all said yes happily. Best of luck! Don't forget to breathe!

Same here! It basically reversed back to the old checklist. It's probably just something to do with the system. I hope we hear back soon. I can't with the anxiety.

@Frontline I would just do a simple e-mail and then send them SOP, CV and writing sample if they ask for more info. This is what I did and if interested, professors will be the ones to ask you to send them more information about yourself! That, and, if they are in the admissions committee they will probably already have access to your information anyway. Hope this helps!

Yes, all official transcripts should be sent, particularly if the grades during in your study abroad are from a school that is higher-ranked than your home university and especially if your grades are good/higher during that time. Good luck!

My situation may be a little bit special, since I am applying to the school where I did one year studying abroad. Since I knew some of the professors already, I emailed two of them with whom I had the best learning experiences and are the closest to my research. They both emailed me back saying they would be happy to recommend me and to have me back at the University. This is of course good and comforting news, even if it is not at all an official admission. So I would definitely shoot an e-mail and share a little about yourself and why you're interested in working with them. Good luck to all!