singinglupines

So I'm starting to gather materials to study for the proficiency exams. I need to take: Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry. Any tips for finding study material? I've been out of school for six years and only took one quarter survey courses of inorgo and pchem. I know ACS provides some study guides but I heard they aren't really relevant for the exams, plus they're expensive!

Bringing your own unlocked phone or buying an unlocked phone and then getting a third party carrier (MVNO) is definitely the way to go. I use Ting (on T-Mobile network) because I wanted to be able to hotspot without paying extra and with a Google Voice number to keep calling and texting costs down. Project Fi is good as well if you're into using/buying Google phones. AT&T Go also has a $40/month unlimited calls and texts, 6 GB data plan that is a good value. Look into Red Pocket mobile as well. There are so many choices out there.

I'm in the same boat, looking at Massachusetts to North Carolina. All the U-Box styles are $1500 easily which is just too expensive for the minimal amount of things I have. Truck rentals are even more expensive for that distance because of the one-way mileage not to mention towing your car. I'm looking into borrowing a minivan with a trailer hitched and just driving that down and back, and then driving my car down. Which means a crap town of driving ahaha, but way cheaper - just gas money. As for cats, we moved ours recently up here from Ohio. We tried drugging them once and they freaked out. Was the worst. I also drove them four hours alone, with constant meowing. They were most calm when released from their carrier and held by another family member in the car.

Me too! Right now I'm in the middle of panicking of how to move all my things as cheaply as possible haha.

Yup, like the other poster said, just fine. It's a student area and thus can be full of parties and noisier haha. Roxbury is the area I'd avoid as a solo women myself.

Orono! My mom's home town! I've been there loads of times and absolutely love the area. Honestly, it's such a small town with cheap living, there's nothing to really avoid. Will you have a car?

Yeah, Somerville is awesome. And popular so higher rent prices. I'd also agree that Cambridge tends to be pricier. For apartment shares in Somerville, my friend is paying $750 for one bedroom in four, and has paid $800 before for one in five. I'd second taking the T from Davis to Harvard (it's fairly cheap and 50% off with student pricing) or riding a bike. Though you could walk if you wanted, everything is very walkable!

I'd say it depends on the specific area, probably nothing under $1200-$1300 for a one bedroom. Many more around $1400. My sister is searching right now but more in the Brighton, Allston area. Which school are you trying to be close to or which T line?

Mid-April should be fine. A lot of complexes only require 60 days notice so stuff starts opening up in June for the 2018-19 school year. I think getting a lease to start in June will be tricky. Most run Aug-Jul ish. Your best bet would be to sublease a place for the in-between time.

I'll also be heading to UNC Chapel Hill this fall. I started looking at housing already as for my undergrad college town everything would be gone by April. I'd really like to avoid apartment complexes if possible. Any tips on where to look for one bedroom apartments with central AC (preferably no carpet) under $850? What are some local realty sites? I prefer my peace and quiet and definitely want to stay away from the loud, party areas.

@FishNerd I feel you! At least in my case the stipends aren't that different although cost of living is higher in the one. Visit weekends do make a difference though. Exactly, I don't want to feel guilty for having fun! I guess at some point, I'll just have to put my foot down and show that although I work hard, I play hard as well haha. I can't stop thinking about the research at school B, it has me so excited, so I guess that's my real answer right there. Being passionate about my research does lead me to be happier anyway, and the flexibility of having choices will be good.

I think that's the direction I'm leaning towards as well. I do appreciate comfort, but a passion for what I'm researching will make everything much more bearable. Also for the flexibility.

I'm torn between my two choices. Very clearly two different schools in terms of atmosphere. I feel really comfortable at one, but there's really only one prof I'd want to do research with. The other is super intense and people seemed stressed out, but the research is very interesting!

@karljkafe hey fellow Ohioan! Thanks, that does help. I keep swinging back and forth and it's good to know that others are in the same position.

School A: a good school. It was a wonderful location – everyone was so friendly and welcoming, and I got a great vibe from the university. I could see myself making friends or at least hiking buddies quite easily. Mountains, hiking and snow nearby, although the summers will be super dry heat and it never really gets cold. The entire visit weekend was very organized, and I was able to talk with grad students about their research group. Everyone kept mentioning work-life balance and how it was very possible. People seemed more relaxed and easy-going. Professors conduct weekly meetings in a hands-off manner but still interact with you when necessary. On the negative side, there’s only one professor who I’m interested in working with. The lab space was organized and had good equipment. Most of the analytical department is electrochemistry based and I have no interest in that. The cost of living is much cheaper, and I will be able to either save money or continue paying off my student loans. Big school meant more teaching as well. Pro: Positive work environment and personal life. Good mental health. Con: Less interesting research. School B: a top 10 school. It had amazing research – I found many groups that I could see myself working with and the professors were passionate about their research. Although I immediately felt how people were unhappier and stressed out. You could feel the competitiveness. The town did not interest me at all and campus was decent enough with some older buildings. The surroundings were meh and it is at least a 2-3 hour drive to do some real hiking and maybe experience snow. The summers are hot and humid. The chemistry building is old and equipment more outdated, but the analytical professors were relaxed. The most interesting research was with the biological sciences in their new building with good equipment. But their students seemed even more stressed and I was warned off by multiple students in their group by the high expectations of the professor and weekend work. Then again, I’m much older than these young grad students who have never worked a real job before so it’s hard to know how rough it would be for me. Work-life balance wasn’t really a big factor. Professors seem to be more absent with travel and their own projects. Pro: Fascinating research. Con: Stressful environment. High demand on your time. Any tips as to making a decision? I'm really torn.