Maylee

That's an awesome combo, though! What did you play? I haven't been in a band in a while, but 5 years ago I was in one called Cuddlefish Wizardry (folk/funk), and before that I was in one called Static Ego (on and off) and another called Penny and the Dreadfuls. I know one of them still does shows, but I broke up with the drummer and went to college, as it goes. ?

My aunts (I've got a large and "involved" extended family) were disappointed I didn't get married and have kids after high school (let alone coming out), then that I moved far away, that I switched from computer science to English & biology in undergrad, then finally when I decided to get my MA. When that was fully-funded and lead to a job handed to me, they started to turn the sails. I'm especially happy because they were much more open to my younger cousins going to school far away and pursue a variety of passions. I think you are going to have a lot more opportunity than they expect, and hopefully that will lead to more familial support for you. I also think your research interests are compelling, and I'm not just saying that because I used to be in a punk band ?. It's an interesting subculture, and that can lead to some valuable cultural insights elsewhere, too. What's your other major? I know having two majors did a lot for me in my MA.

Honestly, I am incredibly disappointed that I won't be able to make that weekend. I would lose my job, however, and I'll need it if I'm going to move somewhere for a PhD. ?

Thank you! This is very comforting to know. Congrats on your acceptances!

I got an admissions call from UM Columbia today and I AM STILL SHAKING! This program is tied for my top choice and I can hardly think. The trouble is, they invited me to their admitted visit day, where CLAUDIA RANKINE will be reading, and they offered to help fund the trip. I've got time to decide and wait for the letter, but I know work will not allow me to take the time off. I'm planning a very large event for 1,000+ people for the same day and simply can't do anything about it. Is it appropriate to let the program know this and ask if I might schedule an alternate time to visit?

I know there are similar, though less advances, versions of this for some programs. For example, Newpages and Poets & Writers have databases for English folks. It would be excellent if there were a consistently updated and inclusive list of all graduate programs. I would be willing to to turn off adblock for that ? There's also a thread on here for funding packages in my program. Maybe all it takes is starting a thread with a link to a Google Doc. People could add tabs for program types and list programs within. I am sure many people would contribute!

I did the same thing, only applying to 5. Really, though, if I had added "just in case" schools I may not have gone even if I did get in. 4 of the 5 I chose are dream schools, and the last is only excluded from that classification because of location. For me, it was a balance of saving money and avoiding settling for a school I didn't think I'd thrive in as much. If I don't get in, I'll make sure my work is better next year. Hopefully you do, and hopefully all 5 you chose are great matches. Soon we will all know our fates!

I also want to go to all the parks! Such a big landscape to explore, but pretty expensive to leave the country. I really want to go to India, too.

What was the play? How was it? (And good luck this weekend!)

Wow, that's amazing! Does that make it hard to choose? Top school or Google, or would you go to one of your others if you had the chance? @Moods Where would you travel?

So many people are talking about their backup plan ideas for what they might do if they don't get in to their program(s) of choice or don't receive funding. In a perfect world, we all get in and we get funding! I know I've been adding to my folder of end-of-the-world memes ?. While we wait, what are your other hypothetical options? Applying again? Traveling? Another career path? Throwing a silent fit? Maybe this will help those of us who are freaking out about our futures (or at least provide a good distraction).

Best of luck to you, too! I'm sure you're going to surprise yourself and do wonderfully!

Nice in the summer and fall, but definitely cold in the winter. Today is unusually cold, actually. Absolutely perfect city, though. It will be very hard to leave.

I think they're seeking accreditation at the moment. Maybe give them a call?

It's my pleasure, and we're certainly not alone. My school was a (small) state regional public, so that might present an issue, but it can be worth looking into! Here's the school: https://www.nmu.edu/socialwork Good luck!

My situation is a bit different from yours, as I'm looking for a PhD after taking some time after my MFA, but I think 25 is a perfectly reasonable age to get our s*** together. In fact, our brains just finished (or are close to) development. Also, young people now (and we're pretty young) are overloaded with options that take some time to sift through. I did my MA right after undergrad, at 21, because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do but I knew I loved learning. Now, after feeling unsatisfied with my work (full time but not incredibly exciting or particularly related to my ideal career), I know exactly why I want to get my PhD. Still, I have a vision condition that makes reading for long periods hard, which I expect will be a huge challenge. I don't expect there will be many audiobook options. I'm also terrified to move to a city alone (save my beautiful feline companion), at 25. That being said, I think you have good motivation for getting another degree. It does sound like you may not have chosen the school which was the best fit for you. I know my school, for example, wasn't extremely stringent with admissions for the MSW and is less than 10k per year (2.5 years) even without scholarships in a small city with a reasonable cost of living and attentive faculty. It's not the only one, I'm sure. Perhaps you could look for smaller programs with more resources to support you in the campus, community, and faculty. But of course, an MSW has to grapple with accreditation and many clinical hours. It will be a challenge anywhere, but I'll tell you from experience as a graduate student myself and from working with them, most of us are wondering if we can do it at least some of the time. That being said, if you struggle you can transfer. Just be sure to finish at your school on a good note rather than wait for it to become too much of a challenge. And who knows, maybe you will love it there and surprise yourself!

Anybody applying to CW PhD programs this year want to be anxious together?

Plan b

Escape artist

I incorporated a lot of gender theory into my courses during my MA TA days, and every semester I had one student who wrote in their evaluation that I had somehow tried to push my liberal agenda. The school where I taught was a very rural university, and for a while I was very upset that some students perceived this. Yes, I am a liberal, so that's not what upset me. What upset me was the idea that I'd made my students feel uncomfortable and pressured rather than feel open to discuss their own ideas and think critically. Then, I made a word cloud of all the text from my evaluations each semester and felt way better. Most of my students thought I pushed them to challenge their believes in a way they felt safe. That's the goal, but some students just won't like what we have to say. Some won't enjoy being asked to defend their opinions and consider others in ways they have never done before. Also, I've learned that if I want to try something in my class which might challenge students (such as a difficult text or subject matter), I can approach my department head. She always asks why I think it's important and trusts me as an instructor. I think seeking support ahead of time can really re-enforce the way you perceive your authority in the classroom and strengthen your relationship with your department leadership.

Definitely contact, but it may be the case that the school does two admissions phases and didn't communicate that well. Sometimes you're admitted as a graduate student or admissible in the graduate college, but there is a separate phase for the program. You certainly have every right to call the office.

This is a great question. During my MA I played a lot of Lego (AFOL here), painted, played board/video games, and built/maintained a fort in the woods. During my PhD (if accepted) I'll be far away from people and will have more time, so I'm hoping to volunteer more, write more, and camp more! Maybe I'll socialize or get a second cat. Currently I'm just enjoying the free time afforded after the 'ole 8-5 lets out and I'm not working on application materials ☺️