CommPhD

I thought I'd start a new thread since a lot of people seem to be reading the current "HOT" thread but not a lot of people are posting I thought it would also be nice to start something that isn't focused on application decisions because I'm sure we are all very stressed out! So I'd like to hear about you! I'm currently a master's student, getting a bit stir-crazy because I front-loaded my credits in my program so I have a lot of free time this semester. I am interested in gender and sexuality and my biggest struggle when applying for PhDs was figuring out where/how I fit. I don't fit neatly into traditional 'levels' of communication (which programs are so often organized by), like interpersonal, organizational, media, etc. Regardless, I think I was able to find some excellent prospective programs. I am critical/qualitative oriented (social justice and all that good stuff), but am also very analytical and enjoy reading and doing quantitative research. I love the communication discipline because of its variety and because of how fundamental communication is to life experience. So what do you do? What is your focus? What draws you to communication? Cheers!

It depends on where you go to school. For my TA package, I am offered health insurance. My university covers something like $450/month in health insurance premiums, and since the single insurance plans offered cost less than $450, I do not pay any monthly charges, and the university covers it all (though of course I am responsible for the deductible, co-pays, etc.). I too was able to back onto my parents' health insurance in January, so I opted out of my university health insurance and am now given an extra $140 on top of my monthly stipend. $140 isn't much compared to the $450 the university was willing to pay to the health insurance company, but it is something, and the $140 extra helps out immensely. So, I know this thread is old, but it's never too late to check with your benefits office and see if they allow you to opt out of health insurance or opt into flex-cash or something similar.

It's been a year since I posted this but just wanted to report back because I see quite a few people have viewed this thread. I recently gained CA residency for this coming year and it was incredibly easy. Though now that in-state tuition is likely going up ~25% this fall--and probably increasing again next Spring--I'm feeling the financial squeeze.

Grad Plus loans have an application deadline. I believe it is generally before the start of the quarter you need them for, but it may vary by school. Get in touch with your financial aid office ASAP to find out. Grad Plus loans begin to accrue interest (8.5%) immediately (like private loans or unsubsidized loans), but in most cases you will not need a cosigner. My partner was just accepted to grad school beginning last month, but missed the deadline for summer Grad Plus loan applications so he had to take out a private loan. He also has really great credit and is in his mid-20s, but he was denied for private loans without a co-signer. If you have a co-signer who also has great credit and qualifies, it is probably possible to get a private loan with a lower interest rate than a Grad Plus loan. Though I'm not familiar with the differences in repayment options.

I can look at the website and view the application. For CSU specifically, you have to live in the sate of CA for at least one year (and you can be in school), register your car, register to vote, and not accept money from your parents, etc. My question specifically is how do they know if you are being honest? Do they actually have some way to check your addresses and/or bank accounts? And if I were to say "yes I received more than $750 from my parents this past year" does that automatically disqualify me from residency, or is there some sort of "point system" where I can have a few "strikes" on my application, or is the decision made arbitrarily by someone in the registrars office? I realize the methods are different by state and school, which is why I am asking for some personal experiences with CSU (or UC) beyond the info given by the school. It seems to be this big uneasy secret because they say even if you do XYZ there is NO GUARANTEE that you will gain residency for tuition purposes.

Hello, I searched the forums for this particular question but didn't find anything super relevant. Please point me to any related threads if they exist. I'm going to start an MA program at a California State School, and am offered a non-resident tuition waiver for this upcoming year (part of my teaching assistant position). But CSU only offers the waiver for one year. This means I must gain CA residency by fall 2011. I know that UC does something similar - I'm hoping that means it's relatively easy for grad students in CA to get residency, but I have no clue and my department is very vague about the whole thing. There is a residency change application I have to turn in next year, and I am wondering, how do they know if you are being honest? Many of the questions relate to financial support from your parents, or living with your parents - how do they know whether you are telling the truth or not? Do they actually have some way to check your addresses and/or bank accounts? And has anybody successfully (or failed to) gained CA residency after one year of living in the state? I plan to take all the necessary steps such as getting a CA driver's license, registering car, saving CA leases, voting, filing taxes, etc. But I'm nervous about the prospect of possibly having to pay out of state tuition next year, which I certainly can't afford.

I have lived in Seattle for my entire life and let me tell you, it is really dark, cloudy, drizzly, and wet most of the year. This past year, we have had a very unseasonably warm, sunny and long summer and it was AMAZING! Summers here in general are hard to beat, they are warm (but not too hot!), the days are very long, and people miraculously become so much nicer =) On the flip side, it's winter for almost 9 months out of the year. To give you some perspective, Seattle gets on average 58 days of full sun a year. Phoenix gets 211. Seattle gets about 227 cloudy days a year. Those left over 80 days a year are partly-cloudy/sunny. It doesn't usually pour, but it drizzles often and is cold and humid so it feels wet often when it's not raining. And since we're so far north, we have awesome long days in the summer, but really short days in the winter, with the sun coming up around 9:00 and going down around 4:20pm. But like others have said, I don't think bad weather is a huge deal! Besides, you can always return home to Arizona for some great weather, during any/all breaks. I hope my weather stats weren't too much of a downer, I just really like stuff like that. And as for the Seattle Freeze? I have never heard of that, probably because I am from here, but Seattleites do consider themselves/each other passive aggressive. But I think you will have no trouble making friends, wherever you go. Most people I know are totally open to having new friends and I know many people who are from out of the area who have loved it here - the people, the culture, the food, the liberal mentality, the active lifestyle many people live, etc. - even the weather! I agree that buses here are good too - you certainly don't need a car unless you want one. Parking is a bitch in many popular/fun/hip neighborhoods anyway, and really expensive. When I went to UW two years ago, my quarterly parking permit was $300/quarter (including bus pass). I think it went up to $360 this year and will undoubtedly be more next year. If you live in an urban neighborhood like Wallingford, Eastlake, U-District, Capitol Hill, etc. you will likely have to purchase parking at your apartment complex or be damned to find street parking.

Hi, I will be moving from the pacific northwest to go to grad school at SDSU this fall. I have been offered a room with bathroom in a 2br/2ba condo for $700/month including all utilities such as internet. The condo is in San Carlos, it has a pool and air conditioning in the living room (but not in the bedrooms). Does anybody who is familiar with the area know if this is a good deal or not? Thanks!

May I ask, out of personal curiosity, where you have been accepted and where you plan to attend if you do not think you will wait for Columbia, UCSD, or USC? I am also waitlisted at UCSD and would love to go there more than anything =)

What's weird though is that I e-mailed them back and asked about a wait list, and they said 'the committee is continually reviewing applications' and they expect to notify me after April 15th.' I know there is at least one other person who they also told this to, because they posted on the results page and said the same thing.

I e-mailed the admissions office asking when I can expect a decision... they replied that I can expect to hear after April 15th. Anyone else in the same situation? Or did anyone hear between the last post and now?