matcha

I have already arrived in Ithaca and have advice for those on the way- call NYSEG NOW! It took me a week to get an appointment and let me tell you, it is very difficult to live without electricity! It also takes about a week to get Time Warner to hook up internet connections, so call them ASAP as well! It'll cost you about $65 for installation and first month's use. I have a question about registering- should I wait until I meet with my adviser or just go for it? I'm confused as to how this works. I feel like I should talk to someone in the know before I sign up for a bunch of things I will regret later. Or is it easy to drop classes? EEK! Thanks!

I'd say do it! A friend of mine shaved her head in undergrad and she looked BEAUTIFUL! Plus, she found the entire experience really freeing and invigorating. For my two-cents, I'd say go for it!

My mother always says that a haircut is something worth spending a little extra money on- that cut will be on your head for a while, and your head is one of the first things people look at when they see you! I had the Katie Holmes look going on for a while, but I've let it grow out to shoulder-length in order to allow me to pull it back when I want/need. It looks shaggy now (I haven't had a cut for a while), but I'm visiting my much trusted hair-lady in a few weeks to let her work her magic!

I love the chance to re-define myself and start off with a clean slate. Plus, style is fun! I'm super excited about clothes shopping and getting a brand new haircut with my last paycheck. Style icons for me: Audrey Hepburn Grace Kelly Scarlett Johansson Reese Witherspoon I love the classic/romantic looks and those ladies have it nailed!

Has anybody had any good experiences with makeup, mineral or otherwise? I'm looking into finding a brand I like and I thought you ladies might have suggestions.

When I was applying, I broke my list into three parts- "In my dreams" schools, "really good schools I stand a chance in" schools, and "safetyish" schools. If I had the money, I would have loved to have visited the second tier schools, the "really good schools I stand a chance in" schools. They are the ones I ended up having to choose from and the ones I really should have spent more time focusing. It might also be good to know where to spend your time, effort, and application fees. If I had visited a few certain schools before applying, I wouldn't have wasted so much time, expense, and heartache on their applications.

I have a question- namely, winter footwear. What are you ladies wearing for the icy/snowing parts of the year? Will you be sporting winter boots the entire time, or do you have other footwear that works well in less-favorable conditions? Coming from New Mexico I'm not quite sure how to handle my feet and fashion in snow and ice.

When I visited Cornell, most of the female grad students were wearing nice jeans, flats, and cardigans with their makeup and hair tidy. I don't think most students expect suits and fancy clothes everyday- the important thing to me is to dress in something I feel confident and comfortable in. If you want to be safe, I'd say you can't go wrong with dark-wash clean jeans (no holes or rips), cardigans, sweaters, and clean shirts. That's the professional/casual look I ran across.

Good second-hand stores can be magic! I definitely recommend checking out second-hand stores all over town and try on lots and lots of things. They make their money buying and selling nice quality clothes, so you could also see if you can trade in clothes you don't want to wear anymore for store credit or cash. Outlet Malls are great! Craigslist can be an interesting way to find unique accessories, jewelry, or clothes. Try hosting a clothing swap at your school or with a group of friends. Other good places to pick up key pieces... Gap Anne Taylor Loft H & M Urban Outfitters JCrew (their sales can be really good) Express/Limited NYC (Most of these have good to great sale racks) Remember, good fit is a key part of what makes a piece look good. You will have to try on a ton of things! Think versatile. When you buy a piece, how many different ways can you wear it? Accessories can help dress up or dress down a lot of clothes, so that is a cheaper way of giving yourself a wardrobe make-over. And shoes...*sigh*.... I love shoes. And they can really help pull together an outfit.

Okay, this is a random pieces of advice, but in my world most moms and grandmas love to see their little darlings dress-up and look adult. They might be willing to help with some cash for a wardrobe face-life. Also, go through your closet and sell the clothes (and books, moves, etc) you don't want to be sporting during grad school to a second-hand store. They usually will give you a bit of cash or a bigger chunk of store credit.

Interesting... can you apply for a gradplus loan at any time? Thanks! That could be a life saver!

Go with your gut.

Hey philo gal, I'm doing the same thing. My boyfriend of 3 years is about to start a year-long overseas business contract and I'm off to grad school. It has been tearing me up something awful, but I know deep down that it will be worth it all in the end- we both get a chance to grow as individuals and come back together stronger. I know logically that it will help re-affirm that we are meant to be, but somehow my heart isn't buying it... Oh well, we will survive and become stronger in the end.

burning man

Depends. How long have you been out? If you have been out for a while, letters from people who recently have seen your work is valuable. What kind of work did you do? Is it related to your field? Does the grad school value work experience, or is indifferent? How well does your boss know you?

Whew! I just received a letter from my department head, sending out the department handbook and course listings... it feels so overwhelming! I'm not even sure how to begin.

It depends on the school system. Usually for a public school you don't need a specific license, just a BA. However, if you get a teaching degree, you get paid more. Again, each system works differently, but usually you sign up, call in/check a website each morning to see if there are open jobs, accept a job and go in. Once you become a "famous" sub, you get called by teachers who know they will be gone and want you to be in charge of their class.

Be careful though... a lot of places want to do interviews soon after you turn in your resume. If you are still out the of the area, you will be rejected for not being convenient.

window washer

Yeah, I pretty much took a shot in the dark. I'm hoping I don't eat very much! :-) My parents paid for undergrad, but from here on out it is just me. So this will be a learning experience for sure!

I had friends get food stamps in undergrad- we definitely qualify. I think you need to have a small job (TA, RA, 10-hour-a-week thing) to qualify, but other than that it is no problem!

I've been having the same nightmare as well. I think I asked for enough loans to cover everything, but I'm nervous about not having my nice bimonthly paycheck to depend on! If I get into the year and discover I miscalculated, I will need to explore the private loan side as well.

Have you expressed your concerns to the school? They might be able to answer specific questions, especially if you know where you want to be in the future. Getting a list of recent alumni and where they are working would be a good indicator of what to expect when you are done. Do they have a strong Career Services department? Talking to them might help with knowing if you can be placed where you want to go.

I took the LSAT last year using the Kaplan method. I think you can get a lot of the same things from study books. First, take the test and figure out your strengths and weaknesses.Create a study schedule that is consistent as possible. For example, one week I would study the logic games (my weakness) for 1 hour Monday and Wednesday, reading on Tuesday, vocab on Thursday, break on Friday, and then get up on Saturday and take a full-length test during the hours the test would actually take place.Re-examine your strengths and weaknesses every week after your full-length test, because they do change.Don't just focus on your weaknesses- make sure you touch every part during the week.Take one full-length test a week.During the week leading up to the test, take several tests to get the feel of it.The day before the test, don't study. You've learned everything you will and now is the time to rest your brain.Usually the LSAT is in the morning, so teach your stomach to eat a good breakfast. It'll push you through and give your brain fuel.Good Luck!

Housing Nightmare! Advice needed please! My boyfriend was suppose to travel with me and be my roommate, but now he's being deployed and won't be able to come with me to Ithaca. I have a two bedroom apartment I've already signed a lease for, and I'd feel guilty about breaking it. However, I'm nervous about finding a roommate at this late of date! I am trying the listserv Cornell has, but it doesn't seem to be used very much. At least nothing has come to me through it! Do I break the lease and find a one bedroom or do I make a mad hunt for a roommate a hope we match? Edit: Does anyone have any thoughts on how to find a roommate?