girlseekingphd

This is long-winded but I need to talk to someone or I think I'm going to burst into tears. So I've been married a little over three years. Just started my first year of grad school. We recently moved across the country to a new state for this purpose. I knew there would be tension. I was especially concerned about the idea of my husband making such a radical change for me but we're both young and newly graduated so we didn't have a home or long-time careers to be uprooted from. He said he was excited about the move and wanted to do this. I know this is a stressful time. I'm getting through orientation and feeling like my head is absolutely spinning. I alternate between feeling completely thrilled, exhausted, and nauseous. I don't know how I'm going to do everything we're expected to do. On top of that, we were just informed that the university has changed its policy and will be withdrawing our graduate fees (the ones not included in our tuition waiver) from our monthly stipends. In addition, we don't receive our first paycheck until the end of October. That means that while my small loan I got to off-set any extra costs for books or health insurance will eventually cover the expenses, I'm going to be potentially $200 or more short budget-wise monthly. My husband has applied so many places. Everything from fast food to retail to service industry to his own field, theatre. He has a bachelor's degree and what seems like a decent resume for his age. The state economy is horrible and it's hard to find anyone hiring. I just feel like no one will give him a chance! I know there's a lot of pressure on him to get a job and I've tried to encourage him to be patient and persistent. He's always worked hard and I know it's hard for him to just sit at home. To make matters worse, he has a medical condition that needs attention but my health insurance through the university is making it difficult for me to find a provider. Because he's not a student, but a dependent, they won't treat him on campus. GRRRRRRRRRRRrrrr... But today, I came home from the longest, scariest day of school, yet, and the dishes he said he was going to wash were still in the sink, the living room was messy, and he hadn't applied for any more listings the way he said he would. I asked him to mail a bill payment. He didn't. On the one hand, I totally understand his stress. On the other, no one is holding my hand in my cohort. As bad as this sounds, I don't have time to hold his. This is definitely a rant and I'm sorry. I just need some insight. Any other graduate students going through this with a significant other? The weird pressure and tension? Money problems? Employment? Fighting?

Bahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Thank you for posting this! I got into one of these schools and I totally agree. I almost fell out of my chair I laughed so hard!

Don't know if anyone is still active on this thread but I'm leaving for Columbus on Saturday. Anyone else in the process of making the move (or anyone who's completed it)? I'm so nervous. I've lived in Colorado ten years. I've never lived this far away from my family. I'm excited but terrified. OSU has been my top choice since way back at the beginning of the application process and I never thought I'd get here. So a few things... Anyone get to Columbus and make any surprising discoveries? Anyone stressed to the max about moving? Anyone else baffled by the quarter system? I still can't get over how late we're starting! Anyone in the Grad Theatre program?

Just some thoughts on setting up an apartment right after moving: -Prioritize. What do you absolutely NEED in the first month or two? -Don't overlook thrift stores and consignment shops for basic furniture (even pots, pans, and dishes). It's cheaper to have a couch steam-cleaned professionally than buy a new one and you can get a great deal! -Things like cleaning supplies and other necessities are often available at a dollar store or a place like Big Lots (you can save a LOT on things like a trash can, toilet bowl cleaner, paper towels, and dish soap!) This is stuff I've been figuring out as I'm right in the middle of a huge move. Good luck!

I rented without seeing. 1 bedroom about four blocks from campus, well within my budget. I did see photos on the realty site online so that helped a little. But the best thing I did was to call realty agents in the area and ask lots of questions. I was surprised by how honest they were, especially when I explained that I was a graduate student. I actually had one leaser tell me I didn't want to rent her property because it was frat territory and there would be too many parties and too much noise for me to do any studying. Any university town is used to renting to college students and you can ask about good neighborhoods/streets, etc. Anyway, I move into the apartment in a week so wish me luck!

Yeah, I was informally accepted the last week in January. Still waiting on my letter. I've check my application status online and it now says "referred." Any idea what that might mean?

Yeah, I've been accepted but I haven't heard about assistantships, yet. Still waiting...I'm sick with the thought I might not be able to pay for it.

I have been accepted to my top choice school but am waiting to hear about funding. I went to visit the campus at the beginning of the week and the faculty explained the following to me about assistantships. On the MA/PhD track of their department, they have 9 or 10 assistantships to offer (these positions require 20 hours a week, some teaching, some office work, etc.). Currently, all those assistantships are full. When someone graduates, a position opens up. Once all students have accepted or declined their admittance to the university, they will rank students. If they have two openings, the top two will get those positions. The professor I spoke with (my potential advisor) told me they accept more applicants than they have funding for because for some, this school will be a second or third choice, etc. However, she said it is impossible for them to fund everyone. I'm so nervous because they sounded so discouraged about the money issue. I hope I get the funding but if I don't, I really can't afford grad school. Does anyone know what, in particular, they base your ranking on? Scores, GPA, qualifications, resume, personality? I'm very curious. I knew before I flew out to visit that I had been accepted so I made the trip, hoping to impress.

I guess it depends on the campus. I just had this conversation with my professor since I will be visiting my top choice school (no interview, either) on Monday. He said business casual. I'm planning on wearing dress jeans, white blouse and sweater vest, nice shoes. Maybe a blazer if it's cold that day. It's important to look professional but also to be relaxed and comfortable. Anyway, that's the advice I got.

Anyone enrolling in Autumn Quarter?

I'm with you on the waiting for money bit. Just found out I was accepted to top choice but I won't find out about my assistantship until the end of March!!!!!!! grrrrrrrrrrr...

I graduated a year ago. My husband doesn't graduate until this May so I took the year off before applying to grad programs. While I've been waiting, I've been working and I took an independent study course with one of my favorite professors. Just to keep myself going. Personally, I feel like if I wait too long to go back, I won't have the momentum or drive. And I want to get through my doctorate before we think about kids!

I just had something really similar happen to me yesterday. I had been informed by the Graduate Studies Coordinator that when I visit the campus of my first choice on Monday, I will be sitting in on a certain professor's class. This professor happens to be the old advisor of my undergrad mentor. My mentor sent an email to this professor letting him know I would be attending his lecture. The professor, unsolicited, responded by saying that the committee admitted me a week ago but that I wouldn't receive my letter for two more weeks. So now I know that I'm accepted but I don't know if THEY know that I know. Or if this professor was supposed to tell me. Not sure what I should say next week. My instinct is to play dumb and act like this is still a pre-acceptance visit. Sure is confusing! :shock:

That sounds really great. Break a leg with admissions! I've applied to MA/PHD combined programs only. The MA programs I'm looking at are general but focus mainly on dramatic literature and theatre history. The PhDs are the same but some of them narrow to more specific areas of Performance Theory.

I don't have any experience with the interview process yet. But one of my top schools mentioned on their graduate program's page that while in person interviews were preferred, they were willing to do phone interviews. I don't know if that's helpful at all but the fact that they called you to talk to you seems important.

I graduated with my B.A. last semester and have been working for my former college as an administrative assistant. It's a fairly relaxed environment and I get to be around professors all day which keeps me in a "collegiate" frame of mind. Unfortunately, I no longer have rehearsals to keep me occupied in the evening so it's easy to start worrying. I've picked up creative writing again, something I haven't had time to do in awhile. Working on some original fiction, something light and fluffy that keeps me mind off of, oh, you know, my FUTURE. My husband and I have started reading together after he comes home. I'm keeping a blog of books I finish. I've been trying to take walks in the park after work (it really, really minimizes the stress). And like a lot of other people, I've been cooking a great deal. If anyone wants to trade recipes, let me know! My roommates (including husband) still have one more semester of undergrad so I end up making dinner a lot more.

Okay. I have two days visiting my first choice school. The first day is booked with tours and classroom observations and interviews. If I get in, this visit may be the only preview I have to the city before I move there. As a potential grad student, what would you do with one day near the school or on campus? What should I look for? What do you think might be most helpful to me if I end up moving there? Any thoughts, suggestions, etc. would be very appreciated. Thanks, guys!

Hey, I always appreciate honesty. I know the world of graduate admissions is a rough place. And while frankdux may have confirmed my own worries about personal inadequacy, he did not offend me. I have a degree in theatre, one of the few fields where you can still be rejected because of height, weight, ethnicity, disability, gender, and personal appearance. I'm pretty used to personal criticism and rejection. This is nothing. 8) Thank you so much to every poster who bothered to comment. That's why I joined this site. To get connected with others who are experiencing the same things I am. I appreciate your kindness and willingness to listen. You made me smile. Good luck to everyone who is applying!

:wink: Isn't that the entire reason for this section, "Waiting It Out?" Because we can't do anything else BUT come up with "signs," etc? I'm trying to have a good sense of humor about the whole application process. I definitely appreciate anyone replying to my post because it means I'm not as alone as I feel.

One of my professors said it was a good sign that they had set up things for me to see and do while I am there. He graduated from this same program (albeit 20 years ago). While he was there, he served on the graduate admissions committee. He said if an applicant wasn't really being considered they would only do the bare minimum in terms of their tour, etc. Having an itinerary seems promising. I'm also hoping that the fact that my professor DID go there, wrote me a strong letter of rec, and a personal note to a friend of his who is on the faculty telling him to watch out for my application weighs in my favor. Thoughts on any of that? At this point, it's all conjecture, really. And also completely out of my hands.

Nice to meet you! I come from a very generalist theatre background, lots of acting, directing, theory and crit but I have some experience in almost every area. I'm applying for an MA/PHD program in Theatre Arts, with a focus on gender in text and performance. There are things I'm better at, than others, but honestly, theatre is my life-blood. I would sweep a stage for the rest of my existence if it meant I could be in a theatre. Management - that's awesome. What do you really want to do with your degree? I know you probably have an answer but I personally hate that question. The next person that asks me what I'm going to with three degrees in theatre is going to hear, "I just want to be famous. I'm going to be an actress and make lots and lots of money." Because that's what everyone wants to hear. What drew you to the programs you're applying for?

I recently decided to visit my first choice school before they made their application decisions to get a better feel for the program and to try and make a really good impression. I will be flying to visit the campus next week. I scheduled a general campus tour and I contacted the graduate office in my department asking if it would be possible to receive a tour of the facility and possibly meet with a faculty member. My former undergraduate advisor and my mentor told me this was smart and showed that I was serious about their program. When I hadn't heard a reply to my email for several days, I started to worry. But I was hesitant to call and ask. SO GLAD I DID, THOUGH! The switchboard transferred me to the main line and the Graduate Studies Coordinator just happened to pick up (I didn't even tell her I was a potential grad student). I hadn't even finished my first sentence. I got out my name and he interrupted, "Oh, Elizabeth, you're applying for...etc., etc." Anyway, he knew exactly who I was without me having to remind him. He told me admissions stuff had gotten backed up but that he had a full itinerary planned for my visit next week. I get to observe a classroom, a full tour, and have lunch with a graduate student. He thanked me and told me he was glad I'd followed up. So two things: Is this a good sign? And secondly, be encouraged to contact if you have questions! I was so surprised that anyone cared or remembered me. And this is one of the biggest universities in the country.

Anyone applying for an MA/PHD program in Theatre? If so, where? Anyone have advice or thoughts?

3 schools. I had 4 on my list but an application I thought was submitted wasn't. I cried.