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dafelker

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  • Location
    Northern KY
  • Program
    SOC/Poli-Sci

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  1. One of my current professors has spoken on my behalf a couple of times to one of the professors in the graduate department...once to tell her what kind of student I am and once to check on funding. The current professor called me today to tell me the future professor said 1) because of state funding cuts, they only have 4 graduate assistantships next year, so it's extremely competitive; 2) these GAs usually go to students in the PhD program, not entering master's program students; 3) there are also many university scholarships yet to be granted which often pay as much as 80% tuition. She said I haven't done anything wrong or been pushy at all. The professor she talked to said they simply haven't made the funding decisions yet and that I may very well be offered something, although she herself isn't on the decision committee and can't say for sure. My professor assured me that even if I have to start out with a loan, she believes I have what it takes to get an assistantship later if I do as well with them as I have done with her...which I plan to try my hardest to do. So I have accepted admittance and applied for a student loan. I'm now going to try and focus more on the achievement of graduating in a couple of weeks and being accepted into a graduate program. Among graduate students, it seems small. But among all undergraduates about to get their degrees, and even more so among people in general, this in and of itself is a major achievement. It's taken me over 20 years to get a college degree (life gave me more than a few roadblocks), and now I'm finally reaching that goal and looking over the horizon into a professional career. Since I began this thread, I have been so encouraged by all the feedback. I hope I can offer some wisdom of my own to some of you someday...
  2. Hi, LanthyPhair. I just accepted admission to the SOC grad program at UC. I live in NKY, so I'm worried about the commute over the bridge every day! Any tips or advice for an incoming SOC grad student at UC? Thanks, Debbi
  3. Thanks, I think you're probably right. I should go on and get started with SOC. I took a closer look at the courses offered, especially in the areas of inequality and population, and I feel better about it. Now I just have to figure out whether to go on and accept admission even though their still deciding abut funding. Do you think accepting admission before they offer assistance will hurt or help my chances of getting an assistantship?
  4. I applied to 2 Poli-Sci programs. One rejected me. The other accepted me, but wait-listed me for funding and costs 25K a year. I can't afford to borrow that much, so I declined. It's unfortunate too because a really good program, much better than the one that rejected me. That's why I'm thinking about the 2nd BS in PSC. If I get it, I'll have another year to make myself a more attractive candidate and get more and (maybe) better offers. Or I could get on my way to grad school now. The SOC dept. that accepted me has 2 areas of study that are very political..Structures of Inequality and Population Studies. I could specialize in those. The school is close, so I won't have to move my family or commute far. And as a pro later I'll have a much broader range of research topics to choose from. I'm just second-guessing things because I'm afraid of committing to SOC when Poli-Sci might suit me better and be a better career path.
  5. Frankly, I'm beginning to think I should get a 2nd BS in my minor (PoliSci) and not go to grad school at all yet. I like SOC just fine, but when I came back Jan '07 to finish my BS, I wanted to get it in PoliSci, but decided to finish SOC instead since I was so close. Even though PoliSci is my minor, I took courses they require for a major because it's what I love. I'm graduating May 10 no matter what I do next. The question is what to do next. Guess I should start a new thread huh?
  6. Fellow students: I hope you can help me. I was accepted by two programs but not offered funding yet. One of them is so expensive that without funding it is just far out of my reach financially (even with a student loan). The second one, on the other hand, is not only much less expensive, but the director's emails indicate funding is more likely to be offered there soon. When I first got accepted in March, he said funding decisions hadn't been made yet, but he'd get back to me in a couple of weeks. When I didn't hear from him after 3 weeks, I emailed asking if decisions would be made soon. His reply: " ....we have been slow in getting all the funding offers out. You are on our waiting list for a graduate assistantship. I am waiting to hear back from a couple people right now, and then I will know how much we will be able to offer. I recognize that I was slowing in meeting the last estimated deadline I gave you, but I expect us to be better this time; you should get another message from me in about a week. Thanks for your patience, and again my apologies," That was 4/10. I replied 4/14 with a question about the program, further explaining my interests, and this: "I am really honored to be given the opportunity to attend UC in the fall and I truly appreciate your help. I am looking forward to learning whether the department can offer me any assistance; but I also realize that I may have to start out without that. In addition, Miami U's political science department also accepted me, but I'm also waiting on an offer for assistance from them as well. Once I know the financial obligations to consider, I am sure I can make a decision within a week. I'll be sure to let you know as soon as I make a decision." Then, nothing. No word since then at all. I've been on pins and needles ever since. This is where I plan to go, but I'm afraid telling them that before hearing back about the funding will decrease my chances of getting an offer at all. On the other hand, it's been over 2 weeks since his email and I wonder if I should let him know something. Should I 1) notify him again letting him know I accept admission but still hope for funding; 2) notify him again as I did before asking if a decision will be made soon; or 3) wait it out? I believe I can get funding later if I give them my best (which of course I plan to do). The dilemma is that I don't want them to think I don't need assistance, but I also don't want them to think I don't plan to go there. Please advise... Thanks, Deb
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