Vicki

Hello! New Pitt grad here as well! PhD in Theatre & Performance Studies. I'm relocating from Illinois, so I'm starting to do the apartment search. I plan on visiting early May to sign a lease--fingers crossed!

Ugh....that's definitely a dealbreaker for me. I've got cats, so I expect landlords to give at least 24 hr notice so either my husband or I can be there to make sure they don't get out. :-( Sorry they're being annoying to you! Does anyone have experience with Forbes, Franklin West, Shadyside Commons, or Regent Square? Also, most of the grads I've spoken to live in the Shadyside or Squirrel Hill area--are there any other neighborhoods that people recommend? Do students live in the Strip District at all? Some of those lofts are super cool....

How's everyone doing? Has anyone made any final decisions yet?

I emailed the Dir. of Grad Studies on Monday. Hopefully, I will hear something soon...

I posted this under the Bank section, but perhaps it's better here: I'm in the midst of trying to make up my mind, and unfortunately, funding is a huge part of that decision. I've found myself in a situation where I'm apparently wanted by the program, but I'm sick of waiting for the official news! Here's what's going on: 1. About 10 days ago, the Director of Grad Studies emailed me, saying that they'd nominated me for a fellowship. He told me he'd let me know within the week whether they were able to secure that for me. (He has not emailed me since then). 2. I met up with a different faculty member this past weekend at a conference (8th/9th), and among other things, we discussed my hesitation at accepting their offer because I was still waiting on the fellowship news. At her urging, I also told her that I had another very competitive offer on the table, but I was hoping that I would get the fellowship at their school, and if so, I'd most likely be accepting their offer. She said she'd bring that news back to the Director of Grad Studies, and if this particular fellowship didn't work out, they'd "find a way to be competitive." She said over and over again how much they want me there and that they would do what is necessary to get me to come to their department. So my question is, when should I follow-up? I'm going crazy just waiting, but I don't want to appear annoying! Thanks!

Regarding Pitt: I emailed the dept. secretary for an update on the adcomm's progress, and was notified that I've been accepted! They've nominated me for a fellowship that would make their offer competitive with UMD's, so I'm just waiting to hear back. Yay! How is everyone else doing?

Has anyone else applied to Pitt? Has anyone heard anything? The app deadline was Jan. 15th, and I haven't heard anything since early Feb. I got an email from the dept. secretary on Feb. 6th that they didn't have one of my transcripts, which I then overnighted to them (and I know they received). I'm just wondering if anyone else is still waiting on them?

I'm actually still weighing options. I just got an offer from UMD that I'm now considering over Boulder, so nothing's for sure at the moment. UOregon is still definitely in the mix, but I'd need to see some generous funding for me to strongly consider them. Good luck! Where else did you apply?

Hello all! I have two offers on the table at the moment (and the other schools I'm waiting on are not high up on my list, so they don't really factor into my decision at this point), and I am looking for some advice. Basically, it comes down to Money vs. Fit, which is exactly the choice I *didn't* want to have to make. Details are below. Despite the huge differences in funding, I'm still really struggling with this decision. What I'm wondering is: what types of questions should I be asking each program at this point to help me make this decision? I'm already going to ask about job placement, but is there anything else I should be asking? Thanks. The breakdown: School A: -First choice -Amazing program fit -Perfect advisor who is well-experienced and well-known in my research focus -TAship with so-so stipend -Partial tuition waiver -$1k fellowship School B: -2nd or 3rd choice -Program is a good fit -No advisor who knows my specific research focus -Faculty seems great, but again, no one who has worked on my focus -TAship with great stipend -Full tuition waiver for at least four years -$25k fellowship

I've been checking out a lot of apt. communities recently, and I'd love to get some feedback from those of you who may have lived there/knew someone who lived there. I've already read Google reviews, Apt. Ratings, etc., so I'd just like to toss these names out there to see if anyone has firsthand experience with them. Any info you can provide on noise problems, issues with the staff, grad vs. undergrad tenants, or anything related to owning pets (I have 2 cats that I refuse to part with), I'd love to hear it! I'd personally prefer renting from a homeowner, but I'd like to have some backup options just in case that doesn't work out. Thanks! Boulder Creek Apts. Eastpointe Wimbledon Apts. Kimberly Court Coronado Apts.

Finally got my official letter from CU Boulder! Very happy. TAship, Grad. Instructor (squee!), and fellowship. Very happy. CU Boulder's not known for being very generous, so I feel this is a good offer. I will most likely accept within a few days (have to finish that pesky chapter for my thesis first!). Congrats to all!

I see someone else on the Results Search got accepted to CU Boulder! Congrats. :-) Do you think you will accept? I'm still waiting on my official letter (darn you, USPS!), but I'm fairly certain I'll be attending.

Congrats, boston! Also, I've noticed that the online apps don't get updated frequently. My app status for CU Boulder still says, "Submitted," and I was accepted back in January. So don't give up all hope for Berkeley! Still waiting on UOregon (Feb. 1st deadline) and Pitt (I saw one rejection already on the boards, so I guess it's good news that I haven't heard anything yet). The dept. secretary emailed me a couple of weeks ago to inquire about transcripts, so I think I at least made the shortlist.

How is everyone doing? Has anyone heard anything recently?

I went to UCI, and I've lived in Irvine, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Long Beach. If you want to split the difference between LA and Irvine, I suggest Long Beach. There are some VERY nice areas, but also some VERY crappy/unsafe areas. You need to be careful. We rented a loft in downtown Long Beach and absolutely loved it. As for OC, I recommend Costa Mesa. It's more affordable than Irvine or further South OC, but you are still very close to campus and Costa Mesa is a perfectly safe area. It's not as "manicured" as Irvine, but tbh, Irvine drove me crazy with it's super focus on being a perfectly planned area. I much preferred Costa Mesa. Newport is pricey, and not really worth it IMO. As for commutes: my husband and I commuted from Long Beach to Irvine every day, and it's a nightmare. Expect a 1-1.5 hour commute each way. Let me know if you have questions--I've lived all over SoCal!