Ibycus

Depends partly on where you went to undergrad. You can also get into top programs from more obscure undergrads with very excellent applications (especially a killer writing sample helps), but it's true that many students at NYU go to somewhere like Berkeley for undergrad.

Nope, PhD is not too much of a long shot. I got into a PhD program this year without having majored in philosophy ("Liberal Arts" major technically). Almost everyone is a philosophy major, but you will be too. A lot of programs will probably see the math and logic stuff as a significant plus. If you have the grades, letters, and (especially) sample to back it up, you can apply to top programs with your background. Diversity definitely helps, though I am not certain exactly how much.

Hey 2018 applicants! I'm a 2017 applicant heading to Boulder this fall, but I don't have much to do before that. Please let me know if you have any questions I might be able to help with!

I found an apartment complex through r/boulder and pre-leased a two-bed near campus for $1400 (Timber Ridge). I found my roommate through Ralphie's List.

I'm very excited. I've been out of school for four years and my job (legal transcription) isn't exactly invigorating. I'm quite eager to do something I care about again. Also somewhat anxious since I'm coming in with only a BA and I'm scared the profs won't like my papers or I'll get behind on the work, but I think the real anxiety will only hit come August when I move to Boulder

!! Congrats! Do you think you will accept?

Yes. I'm going to try to pre-lease at Timber Ridge with a roommate from Ralphie's List today.

My sense from the rental market is that $500-$600 is possible if you have tons of roommates or live far away. Throw on $400-500 for utilities, food, and other expenses and you'd be cutting it extremely close, but basically breaking even.

I am starting the PhD program in philosophy this fall. Just wondering whether any other Boulder grad students, incoming or current, are on here.

Yeah, it's also maybe worth noting that some people prefer not to wash their hair every time they shower because it strips oils from your scalp, and over-washing makes some people's hair look worse.

Yeah, so I think a key part of my basic argument is that people don't necessarily look bad (or even worse than usual) with greasy or disheveled hair. I even think some people's hair (mine included! :p) looks better uncombed. The blood example is a little tricky because it might raise health concerns for someone (even if it is scabbed over, what if it reopens, the person has bloody hands, etc.?). If I glued dead maggots to my face, I think pretty much everyone would recoil at the sight of me, and I think that sort of thing would be inappropriate in a classroom (or, uh, anywhere public). But I don't think having greasy+disheveled hair is inappropriate in a classroom. Unprofessional? Sure, depending on your profession. But we're not appearing in a courtroom or testifying before Congress here....

I guess I'll try to take a moderate position here: I don't think I owe schoolmates a duty to keep my care greaseless or combed; it's my hair, I'll do what I want with it. But reeking is another matter entirely. We do owe each other basically neutral (or good!) body odors, and I'd hate to will that my (hypothetical!) stinkiness be made a universal law...

I think one thing to consider is that prospectives often stay with grad students, and some people aren't as comfortable showering in someone else's house, maybe using their towel, etc. Prospectives have also been traveling, which isn't always conducive to the most pleasant odors. I don't think missing a shower for one day is that horrible for most people, but hopefully the smellier students you met know their limits and clean accordingly in the future!

Thanks! I was lucky to escape the fate of Buridan's ass this time.

I would wait until the current cycle of notices is likely done going out (later today or tomorrow I guess), then solicit.