iwearflowers

If there is someone in the organization with similar interests or an existing body of work on your topic, you might reach out to them. They could serve both as a mentor and as an entry point to the organization. Also, consider how your research benefits the organization. A lot of working with stakeholders is essentially salesmanship. You're asking them for a favor, so you have to show them how they will get some value out of their efforts on your behalf.

If you do send an email, maybe phrase it as wondering how space is typically handled rather than proposing a new system right away. I’ve always found that people are nicer when I acknowledge that I’m new and/or not sure what’s going on.

I'm so ready to be done with my full-time job. I've been unhappy here for a while, and now that the end is in sight it's super hard to stay motivated.

If you want to have some fun, think about making a list of day trips in your area or things you’d like to do in your city. Also, consider learning a fun skill (knitting, origami, roller skating, etc). If you’re wanting to be more career focused, put together a lit review on a topic yo find interesting, learn a new coding language (or expand your skills with an old one), or see if a professor needs a volunteer on their research. If you do the last one, consider asking if you could get acces to data to publish or present on instead of getting paid if you don’t need or can’t get cash.

Kudos on handling this with grace!

Since you have some time, I'd start looking now to get a sense of (a) what you like and (b) what you can afford. I used a Pinterest board to keep track of ideas. However, I would strongly recommend not buying things until you're actually in your space so you have a better sense of how things will fit. I've had a lot of success ordering things online that come flatpacked. Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, etc often have affordable options and will deliver to your home for free/cheap. As a bonus, online options often have very specific measurements, so you can get a sense of how things fit. I also used an iPad app that allows you to plan rooms (kind of build a blue print and lets you customize furniture so you can see how things fit), which was super helpful because I'm SO BAD at spatial logic. I would also say, don't feel like you have to move in, decorate, and get everything just perfect before classes start. Over my last couple of moves, I've found that I really have to be in a space for about 6 months before I really have a sense of what it "needs". Set it up as much as you can and then give it some time before you commit to all the final, homey touches so you end up with things that really work well for the space. I'd also echo @a_sort_of_fractious_angel's recommendation about figuring out neighborhoods and rental patterns now. If you can make some visits to your new city, that would be particularly helpful. When I moved to DC, I signed a three month sublease and then spent weekends wondering around the city with the PadMapper app open to see what I liked and could afford.

Based on the presentation my school had me sit through, the lump sum might put you in a different bracket but it doesn't affect the kind of income it's considered. That's determined by the kind of position you have (fellowship, assistantship, etc). I found this article really helpful: http://pfforphds.com/prepare-grad-student-tax-return/

This is a better idea. Assuming an interest rate of 6.13% (current rate for Grad PLUS loans), you'll owe about $1800 of interest after 5 years. A credit card would have less risk, and you can always get a loan to pay off the balance after the fact.

If you do this, shop around for a savings account with a high interest rate and no fees. That will help with paying back the interest once you’re ready.

At least one person in my masters (MPH) cohort had a buzz cut, although she grew it out into a pixie before she started job hunting. I think it’s probably dependent on the department culture. If you have any connections with current students, you could always ask. Also, as someone with a disconnected undercut and fuschia highlights, I’ve found that I’m usually okay if I dress a little more formally than I might otherwise. So instead of jeans and a T-shirt, try jeans and a nice top, jeans and a button up, or jeans and a plain tee with a blazer. Make sure your clothes are clean and un wrinkled, etc. A buzz cut may stand out more in Alabama, but on a college campus (or in a college town) you’re unlikely to be the only person with a funky haircut. If you’re worried about your safety, contact someone in student services and ask them if you’re likely to get harassed. They should have a good feel for the culture. If there is an office that deals specifically with LGBT issues, they’ll definitely know. (I realize you don’t mention your sexuality in your post, but gender non-conforming queer women and non binary people often have similar concerns so an office of LGBT life or similar may be more attuned to these issues and aware of previous problems.)

Good thread! A friend of mine who is ABD sent me The Professor is In as a congratulations present when I chose a school. She was required to read it as part of a job hunting class they have to take, and she said she wished she had read it sooner. I'm also reading Getting What You Came For, which is a bit dated in terms of technology but has a lot of very clear information about how a PhD is structured and how you can set yourself up for success.

If you haven't done so already, I would actually talk to the nonprofit you work for and see if they have any thoughts. Also, take a look at the CVs of people in the kinds of positions you're interested in and see if they list any funding sources or scholarships. Finally, if you are part of any professional organizations, they may have fellowships or scholarships available.

If you know who the PI is, take a look at what kind of research that person typically does by looking at their department profile and articles they've published. That should give you a sense of the content area and methods they typically focus on.

University finance departments are SO slow. I work for a nonprofit that sometimes contracts with universities, and getting their paperwork together is like pulling teeth. That being said, I would follow up one more time and copy the person who gave you this person’s name. Clearly state that you are following up again because you haven’t heard back and want to confirm that your paperwork is all correct. Your departmental contacts are typically your best advocate when you have to deal with the rest of the school’s administrative system. They can help you escalate issues and get them dealt with more quickly.

Since the dean’s assistant is out today, it might be worth contacting someone in your department to let them know about the issue and make sure they know you submitted your paperwork on time.

I got an AirBnB in Amherst last summer, and it was amazing. Cute, quiet little college town. Most of the students were away because of summer break. Tons of shops and cafes downtown, and most of it was within walking distance of where I stayed. There are some fun museums and such on campus and tons of quiet places to write.

Maybe you could break the summer up into chunks? Take the first part completely off and then slowly introduce more stress/structure? Also, make some lists of things you’d like to do with your time off - everything from sleeping in to movies or tv shows you want to watch to hobbies you want to spend time on. Maybe plan some short trips or play tourist in your home city. As a goal driven person, you may find it hard to relax without a plan and some goals! If you have the resources, consider seeing a therapist. They could help you find some balance and deal with the transition. They can also help you build the skills and awareness to avoid burning out during your PhD program. Good luck, enjoy your summer, and congratulations on your achievements!

A friend who graduated a couple of years ago insists that at the beginning of their program every grad student should be assigned a personal assistant, a therapist, and an emotional support animal of their choice. Get your dog!

This is a good way to get a better sense of the department and what they're looking for. It will also help you know whether your POIs are taking on new students and whether they are actually people you would work well with. (I spoke to one POI that I REALLY didn't click with over the phone, which ended up influencing my final decision.) An adjunct professor I work with advised me to keep things fairly short and make my "ask" very clear because professors get a lot of these types of emails. I hate cold-calling people, so I did some research and put together a template of sorts based on examples I found online: Dear Dr. [NAME], I am applying to the [DEGREE] program in [SUBJECT] for [SEMESTER], and I wanted to reach out to introduce myself. [2-3 sentences about your background and experience. It doesn't need to be extensive, because you should also attach your resume.] [1 sentence about where you would like your research to go.] I recently read some of your work on . [Mention one or two of their recent articles and find a way to connect it to your interests or experience. You could ask a question or provide some analysis if you want. Again, KEEP IT BRIEF!] I would love to discuss your research further by phone, videoconference, or email. (My information is in the attached CV and below.) I’d also love to work with you at [SCHOOL] if I am accepted. Sincerely, [NAME] [PHONE] Here is a fleshed-out example: Dear Dr. [NAME], I am applying to the PhD program in [program] for fall 2018, and I am interested in your work. I am currently a [job title] at [organization], a non-profit professional services firm specializing in social sciences research. My previous and current research experience includes [topics of previous work]. Over the course of my career, I hope to explore [brief statement of interests]. I am particularly interested in your work around opioid use in pregnant women. I am currently working on a project focused on expanding OUD treatment in rural areas of [state], where we’ve found that rural primary care providers are often not well educated about evidence-based treatments such as MAT or addiction treatment in general, despite the high levels of overdose deaths in that state. I wonder if you have done any work around provider knowledge and attitudes around substance use during pregnancy? I was quite shocked by the findings of your article in Women’s Health Issues that pregnant women who reported nonmedical opioid use were typically obtaining opioids from a physician, and I thought it seemed like a topic that needed exploration from the provider perspective. I would love to discuss your research further, by phone, videoconference, or email. (My information is in the attached CV and in my signature below.) I’d also love to work with you at [school] if you’re taking graduate students for the coming year. Your CV suggests that you are currently advising several students, but I’m hoping you’ll have room for at least one more! Sincerely, I sent an initial email then followed up a week later if I didn't get a response with "Dear Dr. [NAME] - I just wanted to circle back on this in case it fell off your radar or initially went into a junk folder."

@kaban2018 - I've lived in the GWU neighborhood for the last three years because my office is nearby. The DC rental market turns over pretty fast. They only require 30 days notice to vacate, and your landlord is required to allow you to go month-to-month after your initial lease is up. Craigslist is the best way to search for housing (that I've found), but beware of scams. Don't trust anyone who says they can't show you the place but can send you pictures, and be aware that anything that seems too good to be true probably is. When I moved to DC I sublet for 2 or 3 months to give me some time to get settled. That being said, most rentals come available in May and August as students and interns are moving in and out, so you should be right on time! There are a lot of studios in Foggy Bottom, but they tend to be a bit pricey. You can also rent a room in a shared house, which tends to be cheaper. You also may find better deals in Glover Park or Burleith-Hillandale, which are just north of Georgetown. There is reliable bus service between these neighborhoods and GWU/Foggy Bottom.

INFP! But the P is pretty weak.

My masters' program involved alumni in these types of activities through an alumni mentoring program. We were matched based on interest, and alumni mentors often served on thesis committees, reviewed job hunt materials, and facilitated professional connections. You can formalize these roles without making them faculty appointments. The same masters program had a lot of kids from well-off families. I had assumed everyone was going to be taking out loans and working multiple jobs to afford school. Turned out that a lot of students were paying for school and living expenses through educational trusts. (Until this point, I honestly thought trust funds were the kind of thing you only say in movies and celebrity magazines.) Students with those resources were able to take advantage of opportunities I couldn't. They could work unpaid internships or volunteer as a research assistant. They didn't have to compete for funding to collect thesis data. After school, they didn't have to consider student debt when job hunting and could take fellowships that didn't pay well or had limited benefits. I worked two paid research jobs plus a few shifts a week in a sandwich shop and still came out with six figures of debt. Academia has enough problems with diversity. An unpaid faculty appointment is something that you can only accept if you're already well off making it one more barrier for people from diverse backgrounds.

This is how I've survived in a job that often requires 60 hour work weeks. I take one weekend a month to cook 4 full sized meals (4-6 servings each) and freeze them in individual portions. Washi tape and Sharpie make great freezer-proof labels that will come off easily when you're done. I take the frozen meals as my lunches so all I have to do is grab it on my way out the door. Plus, since I ate my "big" meal at lunch, I can just do a sandwich or salad when I get home. I make a big batch of oatmeal or boiled eggs Sunday morning and eat the leftovers for breakfast all week and typically only have to do dishes on the weekend!

THIS. Grad school is a marathon, and you have to be in good shape mentally and emotionally to make it through. This is a good time to focus on building healthy habits and thinking about how you can maintain them during school.

If you're not super attached to your furniture, Amtrak and Greyhound both ship REALLY cheap. Amtrak is faster, but Greyhound looks cheaper and has fewer restrictions. Even considering the cost of storing things yourself and transfer to and from the station, it's a really great deal. I'm moving cross-country (East coast to West coast), and the trip should take about a week. I'm planning to sell my furniture, seriously winnow down my belongings, and ship via Greyhound. It should cost ~$300. (The Amtrak estimate was pretty similar, but I'd have to pay for storage because my stuff would likely make the trip faster than I did.) I'll take the essentials on my roadtrip and live out of a suitcase for about three weeks while I look for housing and stay in an AirBnB. This option works for me because I'm transitioning from living by myself in a studio to living in a shared apartment, so I would need to get rid of a lot of my stuff anyway. I'll only need to replace my bed and bookshelves, which I can do for well under the ~$1000 I'll save by using this method rather than PODS.