i.am.me

HAHAHA! I think everyone believes this a little bit in the beginning of their graduate studies. I am in my last semester, and 1 cohort member actually confided in me that she thought I was dumb and a bit silly and immature when we first had class together. Only much later did she change her opinion of me. I bet that she wouldn't have been the only one who thought so because there were "cliques" in my program and I have my suspicions (I trust my hunches because they almost always turn out to be right lol). I don't let this bother me though because none of those people know me well and vice versa.

I am Master's student and only starting to feel it this semester because all of my cohort buddies are graduated and gone...while I sitll have a semester left. A lot of the people left are doc students, and (understandbly) they tend to need or want to discuss with one another where they are in their comps, proposals, or defense. I only feel excluded by one member of that group who seems to talk over me all the time, but I can ignore that because everyone else is nice enough. Frankly, I have trouble in social situations which I consider to be casual but just end up with people intellectually discussing their interests and studies in a politcally correct atmosphere. Sometimes, I just want to talk about how huge Jessica Simpson got during her pregnancy, the latest antics of Honey Boo Boo Child, and "Who wore it better"-- in a decidely un-pc fashion. Or funny pictures of half-naked babies, cats and dogs, and my crazy Asian parents. I find that I am often forced to censor myself because the intellectuals in my college give me a funny look. Oh well. Before, my study group consisted of all of my former posse. Now, I have created my own study group with other graduate students in different programs and stages this semester as a result lol. I also hang out more with people that are not studying but have the same interests that I have met outside of school through mutual friends. I am really busy these days, but feel that I am much more pleased with myself because I feel super productive.

"They would just throw stuff on the ground and expect somebody else to pick it up. It was terrible." Yeah...the people that would be required to pick up after these types would either be my mom, dad, or sometimes even myself. I'll be frank. I actually don't know lots of people in my graduate program who come from the same background as I do. Not exactly, but one or two had comparable living circumstances, I guess. I grew up in the poorest county in my State (though I think my State is rich, actually), parents escaped genocide and met and married in America, and started their family with nothing (literally, I think). Peers of my ethnic background are like me: family on welfare and food stamps, grew up in Section 8 housing, and struggled to keep up with the other kids in our "race" who seemed to have no problems with academic acheivement. But I was luckier than a lot of them were. While many of their parents chose alcohol, gambling, or sometimes beat up their kids because of undiagnosed and untreated PTSD, my parents just tried their best to move on. I was the first woman in my family to graduate from college and pursue graduate studies. My parents support me because they have never been good at telling me what to do. My extended relatives tease my parents and call their daughter a weirdo or a lesbian, but I'd bet that they would be singing praises if I was their own. Many of my cohort members seem to come from much wealthier backgrounds than myself, but we are all here, right? Besides, I suspect that most people probably wouldn't want to share their backgrounds with others face-to-face if they were underprivileged, and especially not when most interactions consist of people trying to one up each other in class with their smartness. I certainly have chosen to remain mum, so I can see why others would do the same...or try to build themselves up in the minds of others. I really can't know.

Hey all, I am just revisiting the cafe and this thread from my last posts here in 2010! Glad to still see people contributing. Since my last post (how nostalgic) I am now completing the last semester of my MA and working on applying on PhD programs. Also, since then, I have experienced a shift in my interests too. I'd like to think that this is because I have grown some from the beginning of my academic career. I was that girl that couldn't go on class trips and was stuck in summer jobs all vacation because I had to contribute to the family income. In addition, I only learned what books and resources were appropriate to study for the SATs way back in high school because my parents and I cleaned the homes of the wealithier kids in school. So, I took a peek at there book cases. LOL I've come a long way since then. Do I feel disadvangtaged? Sort of. To be clear, my cohort members have come from "better" class backgrounds than myself...so they are in possession of certain social and cultural capital that I am not. But I'd also like to think that I am a very fortunate and resilient human being as result of how I grew up.

I haven't told anyone except for close friends and my MoM...who will perhaps tell everyone for me.

Financial aid in the form of loans? I'm pretty mediocre.

Hi all, I've just been granted provisional admission into a Master's program and have a question about financial aid. Am I eligible for federal loans though I am not a full graduate student? What about assistantships through the school? My hunch says "yes" to the former, but "no" to the latter. ...but the university the policy and procedures have caught me by surprise a couple of times.

I don't quite understand what you mean by 3 year BA? If you graduated in 3 years, then it's fine. There should be no problems because you have a BA. However, if you have only 3 years worth of classes and NO BA, then you didn't graduate yet, right? If you wan't to take classes as a non-matriculating student, then usually they admit students who already have graduated from their first degree. Well, schools have different rules for that, I think.

This thread is so funny and cute! When I was an undergrad in Anthropology/Archaeology: Mom's Friend: So what is your daughter studying? Mom: Trash and dirt. Now I'd like to get into an international and comparative education program to help inform educational policy in developing countries. Mom's Friend: What does your daughter want to get another degree in? Mom: Teaching. She wants to be a teacher.

I was told that it's good to have a Prof on your side who's willing to take you as a student. However, you must still be evaluated against all of the other applicants in the program who may or may not want to work with the same Professor Y. It's nice that you know who you want to work with, but perhaps you should also outline secondary interests or that you admire the works of second professor in that program. <-- If that's true of course. Essentially, I agree with SuperPiePie. You seem to have written alot, but maybe it was only a paragraph? I also wrote a pretty long paragraph about the two professors that I'd like to work with.

I asked one of my letter writers to address a semester of bad grades: poor time management and too many classes. In addition, I HATED two of the instructors that semester. Both of them completely slammed my self confidence in class in the first week. I wasn't the only student that dropped out or failed from their courses...but I didn't want to write that I couldn't get along with them. In the real world, we always have to work with people we hate and who may hate us in return. ....

I agree with coffeekid's feelings. None of the comments were directed at me, but they still hurt my feelings. I also know of many talented and award winning writers who got an insultingly low score on the AW. Well, they still made it into their respective PhD programs. Aren't we all here to offer support and advice to one another?

At the end of the practice test you should have the option to review your answers. You can go through each one [i only did this for the verbal part :T ] and it will explain the options to each problem.

I'm in a situation that I'm wondering if others have found themselves in. I'm currently taking non-degree courses right now and I asked one of the professors for a LOR...but unfortunately professors in this program don't write recommendations into their own program. I was told the opposite once and that profs do write letters into their own programs quite often...but apparently it's not going to happen for me. Oh well. The professor was willing to write me one for another school though. I have asked two full professors from my undergrad if they would write me a letter...but have been informed that neither thinks that they'd be able to write me a strong detailed letter. I did well in all of their courses, but apparently not well enough to be remembered, I guess. To be fair, the class sizes were on the large side and I was a quiet student. My last option is an adjunct lecturer currently, but was an ABD when I took classes with him. Has anyone been in such a situation as mine? Not being able to get LORS from professors or even being short of one upon application...but not for lack of trying. What did you do? And how did the situation pan out for you? I haven't been out of school for that long... 3 years maybe closer to 4 years. Oh, I've only taken multiple courses with the three persons mentioned above, also.

WoW Thanks for replying!!! Would you happen to know how competitive the international education admittance/enrollment is into GW and American? Those are two schools that are also on my short list. I'm a bit concerned about how competitive I am as a candidate. I'm taking three courses now in International Ed and find them highly relevant to what I'd like to do in the future. How do you like the program at GW? What are the professors like? Is it a big department with lots of faculty and students or is it kind of small?Do you guys have alot of international students compared to American?

WoW looking at everyone's list...I feel..like, "huh?" because I'm only applying to three schools and all of them are MA programs. The big factor for me is location. My field is International Comparative Education. ...blink...blink..blink...Should I broaden my list? ...lil bit scared now.

I'm applying for this Fall 2011 year for International Comparative Education. Anyone else? I'm native to the East Coast, just returned back home from two years abroad, and want to stay in the mid-Atlantic region. I'm thinking of applying to the master's programs at the University of Maryland, George Washington University, and American University. Though, I'd consider going farther for a PhD, I've just returned home, so I don't really want to be too far from my family right now. My parent's really missed me while I was away. Has anyone heard anything about the schools above or are already attending them and studying any field of Education? If you're also going into International Comparative Education, what schools are you applying to? Any advice, suggestions, or comments are welcome and appreciated in advance.

LoL Regardless of that poster's remarks, I will continue to be quite pleased with myself nonetheless for being the Cambodian ghetto kid that made it out. As should everyone else for their own accomplishments.

bump Well, I wanted to keep this thread alive since I'm afraid there are others like myself that haven't or have just read it. This thread is funny and inspirational [...and a touch melancholic] and I'm sure many others would greatly benefit in reading it. I haven't started applying yet but will be taking some classes in the upcoming term. My goal is a PhD in the field of International and Comparative Education. Like many others on the thread, I am also a first generation college student, first generation American, and grew up in poverty. I'll be frank though, I hadn't realized for long time [until teens] that I was considered "underprivileged' by others in higher socioeconomic families. LoL! I was a day dreamy kid [and adult] and I preferred to make my own doll dresses and dream house out of cardboard than pester my parents to buy them. I was convinced my creations were superior. But I digress. As an adult, I have come to realize that there are others in this world that are not so much concerned about how far I've risen in life...they are more concerned about from the poverty in which I had risen from. And, they never fail to remind me. These are the same people who tell me that despite my education and goals, I need to remain humble and "keep myself down to Earth." When was I ever not? Even when I was volunteering in Cambodia or sponsored for a trip to Japan, there were still people around me who mentioned [and smirked] at my roots. ::shrugs:: I guess it was because I stood shoulder to shoulder with some of those "elites" and refused to cow down before them in prostration. Oh, and I also outshined them. People in the community, whether elite or not, are watching to see my "inevitable failure" because they believe I've reached too far beyond my means...Well, I'm sorry to disappoint but I was born hard headed and audacious which serve to make me too dang stubborn to fail. Despite my poverty, my parents did not raise me to think I was less than others. They don't understand and cannot really support my educational goals, but they are very proud to have given life to me as I am proud to be their daughter. My parents are the only people who can demand me to humble myself before them, but they never do it. They're Asian and they've never asked me to put aside my education for marriage. In fact, when people ask them why I'm still single, they say, "My child has Buddha in her heart, he's her only man." LoL I feel blessed but also anxious because I've always depended on them for emotional support. But I'm one for going for what I want and desire and I have great faith that eventually everything will be OK in the end despite the struggles along the way.

Thanks daggy! I sent in my apps two weeks ago with no word yet. School also starts in two weeks. I'm pretty sure its open admission. All I had to send in was an apps and an electronic transcript [formal to be sent later I guess] The logical me says, "Heh, Who would reject money? It's taking a while because it's the Summer time n it's only been two weeks." However, the inner me says, "Wat da F@*% is takin' so long? How will I get ma' loans?" Patience has never been my virtue.

Good lord. Your intended field sounds way difficult yet utterly fascinating. I belong in the Math Stupid category...I'd be glad if I could break the 500s in the Quant section. LoL It's best to target your identifiable weaknesses and study for those instead of getting hung up on study time...and everyone studies differently.

I got an identified verbal on mine. Though there was that offered cash incentive but the test was exhausting enough...

Thanks y'all. For the positive warm fuzzy feelin' replies.

Anyone taking classes as a non matriculating/non degree seeking student this Fall 2010? I am and I'm wondering if anyone can help me out. How long does it usually take for them to approve your application for admittance? Classes start this August 31st for me [hopefully]...I figured I'd wait until the 20th or so before I start inquiring. ::sigh:: Oh, for anyone with experience in taking classes as a non-matriculating student, how did you feel? I'm a bit apprehensive actually since I don't know what I'm leaping into. I'm dreading first day meet n greets. Don't get me wrong, I certainly am aware that I'm not the Sun and thus people's attention won't orbit around me...but I can't help just feel like an outsider. I moved back into the country March 2010 and missed graduate school application deadlines but I don't want to take another year off. I've been MIA from the states for 2 years...actually I'm not sure if I can still read and write at a critical or "academic" level anymore. I spent too much time communicating in another language and broken English haha. TIA Best