kotov

I think he was making a joke about the fact that the other poster had searched "smurf". I visited smurf though, and all of the grad students seemed pretty blue. Must not be a very friendly environment. I only saw one girl the whole time I was there, so you could probably chalk it up to a massive case of blue balls.

GTFO NOOB

A double shot of Smirnoff.

I agree with this very strongly. I'm all for transparency in government, education, whatever. You're deciding our futures, let us know what's going on, what we should know before applying and what to expect. It's just common courtesy. But seriously, don't beat yourself up here. I mean. Look what you've been spared from. Would you want to be in that program anyway after this happening? It's like your bitchy, possessive ex cheated on you and dumped you for another guy. I mean, seriously, what did you lose there?

I got my first rejection and my first funded offer today. Now every day until Thursday (when I find out about my top remaining choice -- probably good news from what I hear) is going to be pure agony. Haha. Seriously though, no sweat. Go out and have a few tonight and don't worry about it. I thought I'd be getting rejected really hard everywhere and I've turned out at least moderately okay.

Eh. I think the South gets an unfair rap. If you're in a larger town like Tallahassee, you really won't face tolerance issues. I mean, even here in a small, conservative town like Auburn, there really isn't any intolerance that I've ever noticed toward gay people (though I'm not gay, I don't think there are glaring issues I'm overlooking). I think that in a college town most people are up with the times enough that it won't be an issue for you. I can't promise that there aren't occasional religious fanatics; there are, though, especially in a college town atmosphere, they're much more heavily stigmatized (even by other religious conservatives) than anyone else is based on their lifestyle choices. However, I think you'll find that most people are quite welcoming, since hospitality is something that's really heavily valued in the South. That said, I'm leaving the South after 20 years of living here, so I hope that doesn't deflate my endorsement, but I don't really think it's as bad as people on the West Coast would think. That said, is still a very politically conservative part of the country, which doesn't quite suit my palate, but there's nothing much I can do about that.

I thought Deng played for the Bulls. Shows what I know. Also, I've just always addressed everyone as Dr. My dad has a DVM and still refers to professors as Dr., so I figure that's what I ought to do as well. I'd much rather be overly polite and formal than too informal too early.

Thanks. I hate to make this post out of place, but how much do you know about the town? What's good about it? I'm essentially going to end up deciding between a funded MA there and a funded Ph.D. at Central Michigan. The good relationship I've had with people at Ohio is the only thing making this difficult for me...plus the programs are oriented slightly differently, both in ways that fit my interests (Ohio towards contemporary history and Central Michigan towards transnational history).

Vorbiti romaneste? (Just thought I'd ask.) Based on your post, I would pick Cornell, but I'm really kind of impulsive and emotional when it comes to making decisions, so I may not be the best authority. Though your comfort with the program environment and faculty really does matter a lot when it comes to how happy you are, and if you're happier you'll be more productive...so I guess there's some logic here.

Well, I got rejected from Clark this morning (they only took a couple of people). Oh well. Could've seen that coming. As consolation, I got a funded MA offer to Ohio. So it evens out, I guess. Almost. That first rejection still stings. Still waiting anxiously for next Thursday, which is when I hear from Central Michigan. The professor I talked to is really optimistic about my chances though, so that's encouraging.

I would think a button-down and slacks would be appropriate, unless you're going to be in some sort of formal environment (interview with a PA, etc.), in which case it may be wise to wear a jacket and tie. I just wouldn't show up in a sweatshirt and flip-flops. I don't know how much it actually matters, but it can't hurt to make a good impression.

Thanks for your response. It looks like CMU is going to be the highest place on my list I'll get into (except maybe Clark which is a mystery wrapped in an enigma...but that's another story). I did my undergrad at Auburn, so I'm used to the small-town sort of atmosphere and I don't mind that Mt. Pleasant is small and isolated. Is there enough plant/animal life around to make the campus interesting? Also, do you have any idea which part of the area near campus would be the best to live in (keeping in mind that I'm not going to be making very much).

Hm. Interesting. I still haven't heard back either...though in my case I'm sure it means I'm going to get rejected.

Got an email telling me to call the program director at Georgia Tech (History of Tech and Science). Got in, no funding yet. Guy had a kick-ass British accent, though. Not really my first choice, but it is my first Ph.D. acceptance.

How do you know that you made it past the first cut at Indiana?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcR7hr4LLQg&feature=related Seriously though, I have no idea. Matt Foley's guess is as good as mine.

I drink that red label, dawg. Always make sure I pour some on the curb for my rejected homies though.

skkkkkkkkttttt...Charlie Mike Uniform, what's my status, do you copy, over? skkkkkkkktttt

Sorry, the only comic strip I consult for advice about my future is Calvin and Hobbes.

I'm applying to Ph.D. programs intending to write my dissertation on a subject relating to Communist Romania.

I have another question. Would it be in poor taste to wear a t-shirt touting the football achievements of my alma mater? I mean, if I'm somewhere that's never played Auburn and never will, does anyone care? As for the OP's question, in my experience, professors are always looking for any excuse to dress more casually. Also, some of them are like, What Not to Wear worthy bad dressers. However, me being me, if I'm teaching or doing anything important, I'm too anal not to at least wear slacks and a button-down. Then again, as you can tell, I'm the kind of guy who watches What Not to Wear and comments on a girl's clothes to my guy friends before I get to mentioning her looks, so...I may be a bad person to take advice from.

I had a professor tell me that he and his colleagues were greatly impressed by my application and he was hopeful that I'd get offered funding. No word yet...he told me to talk to him later though. So.