kpietromica
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Posts posted by kpietromica
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Anyone going to the University of Arizona?
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Looking to connect with other grad students beginning fall 2018
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I visited a program over the weekend and now I am so torn!
School A is offering a ton of money—this year. No guarantees for the future. Not well ranked, good POI.
School B is offering less money—guaranteed through PhD. Well ranked, lots of amazing faculty.
Any thoughts?
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On 3/12/2018 at 6:10 PM, qocha_geog said:
Has any one heard back from either Oregon or Oregon State? I'm thinking the late date isn't a good sign. I'm fortunate to have offers from a few of my other top choices so aren't too stressed, but just wishing I had all the results as I go into decision making mdoe
I heard from Oregon on Thursday. It wasn't good news for me.
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So what are y’all using to make decisions if you were accepted and funded at more than one school?
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1 hour ago, Levon3 said:
Lots of my colleagues use backpacks. I have never heard anyone speak of it as unprofessional.
Earlier in this thread, I believe, possibly the every-day carry thread, there was a quite lengthy conversation about the "necessity" of a messenger bag or briefcase so one didn't appear to be an undergrad and looked professional enough. That is why I asked my question because I thought that seemed silly to me.
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It makes me intensely happy to see this thread <3
This is something I have been pondering as I struggle with the same issues. I will be in grad school in the fall and it is so reassuring to know that there are others who have dealt with it and are dealing with it and have been successful.
I wish you the best @FirstYearHistory17 !
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On 3/1/2018 at 11:27 PM, wheresmysnow said:
I'll help with what I can.
Depending on whether you consider charter schools public or not, the BASIS schools are by far the best schools in Tucson. The best public high school is University HS. Borman is reputably the best elementary school, afaik.
Really I think any part of town is great for families. Tucson is a very family-friendly place. However, I would probably avoid the areas immediately around UA as noise and traffic are obnoxious.
This is largely dependent on what industry/sector that you/your spouse is in. Sadly, a lot of modern industries never made their way to Tucson unless related to the military. The service industry is large and thriving, and there's a large need for teachers, but the tech, manufacturing, finance, and other industries are not as strong as in cities even like Phoenix.
CoL, relative to other cities of similar size, including housing is unbeatably cheap. Unfortunately, this is slowly changing, but right now it is very low for a city of 1.5 million.
Overall, yes it is very effective, but you have to be vigilant including monthly sprayings or even twice-a-month pesticide applications in the summer months. To be frank, central/southern AZ is not a great place for arachnophobes - spiders and scorpions abound. You live in their territory, after all. I saw my fair share of both while I was living there but never felt attacked and was never bitten/stung. Just be sure to check shoes when you put them on for the first time in the morning and regularly clean dark and cool places like under the sofas and beds or in cabinets.
Overall desert life is something to which you will most likely need some time to acclimate, but once you appreciate it it becomes something to marvel. Tucson is a wonderful city full of dozens of cultural influences and quaint old buildings and tiny houses, but it is a difficult place to stay permanently if you're not affiliated with the U of A or Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. I would never give up my time spent there, however, and am looking forward to going back to visit this summer (summers are not fun, make sure your AC works well and don't settle for a swamp cooler).
Hope this helps!
This helps a ton! Thank you!
We lived in Phoenix in 2010-2011, before the kids, and I only remember a handful of times critters were an issue, but with the kids, I worry a bit more. They're still small and haven't ever experienced bugs that bite, especially the kind that can do some serious damage.
My partner is an automotive technician, so it sounds like they'll be able to find a job quite easily.
You mentioned rent seeming cheap. Define cheap for Tucson? I've been looking and it seems like for a 3-4 bedroom house, we're going to be looking at around $1200-1600. Does that sound right? Our house now is pretty nice (I think
) and fairly modern and energy efficient, so we're looking for something in a similar ballpark. Also seems like near the better-rated schools, rent can jump quite a bit.
I've heard South Tucson is where I should go only if I have no other choice?
Thanks again for the advice!
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I have to say, I spent the weekend reading through this whole thread, and it was really enlightening! The conversation around technology was super interesting to watch progress, and it's great to see such a longitudinal thread to get a more robust idea of what I am really going to need.
I do have a question about the backpack thing though. Like seriously, how big of a deal is it to have a backpack as a grad student/TA? My back and hips are pretty jacked up for a variety of reasons, and I have a very hard time with anything where the weight isn't really evenly distributed. I have two North Face backpacks, one all black, one gray and aqua, little different in size, but I really don't understand why I should give them up. Just for appearances?
- surprise_quiche and E-P
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On 12/30/2017 at 6:54 PM, GreenEyedTrombonist said:
I just finished reading through all 20 pages, haha.
I am going to be a TA (most likely) and I am interested in sprucing up my wardrobe a bit, but I hope I won't need to be business professional every day. I'd like to pair a fitted jacket or cardigan with either a nice knee-length dress or a nice shirt (or nicer tank top) and either slacks or yoga pants. As for shoes, my feet are pretty sensitive, so I'm hoping to get away most days with a black sneaker, my snow boots, or find a flat or something that is actually comfortable. What do you guys think about this plan?
My feet have some issues and have mutated (I swear) over the course of having four children. I swear by Danskos and Tieks. Both can be classy and fun, but ultimately are extremely comfortable. They are expensive, but the comfort and durability are worth every penny.
I have two pairs of Danskos right now, one four years old and one three years old and they are my go-to shoes. I choose which ones depending on what I'm wearing as one has a bit bolder print than the other. My Tieks are matte black and got me through a tour of the Washington Mall in the wind and rain and freezing weather during March and are still in perfect shape. I also didn't have any blisters or problems with my feet, other than having walked more that trip than in a long time.
Hope you find some great shoes!
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On 1/22/2013 at 7:58 AM, runaway said:
- Atoma notebook (I'll need to figure out where to get them back in the states... they're my go-to notetaking system now)
So I know this is years old, but I used Atoma notebooks in high school in the late 1990s and LOVED them! It took me until 2011ish to find ARC by Staples and then Levenger Circa and now Happy Planner. Discbound is my favorite!
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On 2/27/2018 at 9:53 AM, indigopierogy said:
It was an email! I was surprised I didn't have to email him first. But I did follow up the email by saying, "Sorry, I can't make it to AAG either" and I didn't get anything back to that... lol
I'm still waiting ?
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Looking at going to UA for an MA in the fall.
I have 4 kids and am hoping someone can help shed light on
- the public schools, elementary and high schools
- which part of town would be better for living in with a family
- anything about quality childcare
- job market
- cost of living, like food questions
- health insurance through UA
- can good pest control keep critters at bay? I am arachnophobic and just generally hate bugs and creepy-crawlies
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anything else anyone wants to chime in
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On 2/27/2018 at 2:01 PM, csot said:
From my understanding, we should be hearing back in 3 to 4 weeks! How is everyone feeling?
I'm beyond anxious to hear back!
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I am going crazy that I haven't heard from Penn State when there's already been acceptances and rejections sent out
#anxietylevel11
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On 2/27/2018 at 10:27 AM, geoclimateman said:
Anybody waiting on Arizona State University and/or University of South Florida?
Nope, just Oregon and Penn State...
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4 hours ago, indigopierogy said:
Got my Penn State rejection today. Didn't make it seem like I wasn't a competitive applicant, but still a rather generic and yet personal rejection letter from my POI. Oh well, at least I was at the point where I was expecting it!
I’m so sorry ?
Was it an email or paper letter? I haven’t gotten a rejection yet, though I’m expecting one any day now.
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13 minutes ago, Shnoztastic said:
Would you be willing to get a master's first? Some programs are willing to consider individuals for master's. If you're willing and funding is available I'd asked if they could consider you. If they were willing to take you for a PhD I don't see why they wouldn't. It seems like more and more Geography PhD programs are requiring a master's for admission.
Best of luck!
I would be willing, but I also have a concern that the entire admissions committee somehow missed that...
I’m contacting my POI and see what they say.
Thanks for the well wishes!
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So the graduate director at a PhD program to which I was admitted just emailed me to say that they didn’t fully realize I applied to the PhD program because the program requires a masters degree first, even though they have a current student who went directly to PhD.
Can they just change my admission after already admitting me?!
I’m so upset ???
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omg, I applied to the joint WGSS/Geography at Penn State and I have the same POI as you do!
I haven’t heard a peep, but I think March 1 would be reasonable to contact them since they told us both middle of February ?
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5 hours ago, indigopierogy said:
Right. It's just the longer I wait to hear from them, the less hope I have! It makes me disappointed though, I really thought I had a better connection with my POI than to be tossed to the wind like this. Apparently not though lol
That’s how I feel too! I talked to them extensively in the fall and tried to keep them in the loop and I was really expecting more ?
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1 hour ago, geoclimateman said:
Rejection from TAMU, acceptance from University of Utah (full funding RA) and acceptance from OU (scrambling funds together to offer RA). Still waiting on ASU, CU, and USF. All PhD programs.
You already heard from Oregon?!
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Seriously on pins and needles until I hear from Penn State! ???
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On 2/9/2018 at 3:05 PM, chineseurbanmapper said:
@kpietromica
I will most likely not be attending it because I visited Knoxville just last week.What were your thoughts? Would you be willing to share what type of geography you’re into?
Geography 2020 Application Thread
in Geography Forum
Posted
only applied to University of Arizona PhD. just waiting it out and watching those acceptance stats.
good luck to everyone!