eco_env

I'm going to throw cents worth of personal opinion to those offering comments about Jasmineflower's family members.

As you go through graduate school, you may find that the ability to offer support to a person without attacking that person's antagonists is a very useful skill.

In this particular case, Jassmineflower can say what she wants about her family because it is her family. She knows intimately the dynamics of the situation she's describing. As outsiders, we do not. If one really want to support someone, one needs to avoid the "Yeah, your parents are asspipes, so ef them and tell them I said so" approach. Those kinds of attacks risk perpetuating cycles of antagonism. Moreover, they place one in jeapordy of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and getting tuned out.

IMO/IME, diagnostic questions like those posed by anthroDork are absolutely critical in situations like the one described in the OP. There are places in America--and the rest of the world--where pursuing an advanced degree runs counter to long standing conventions, practices, and beliefs. One can grandstand and label those values all one likes, but at what cost?

Right now, Rush Limbaugh has, yet again, dragged the discussion of vitally important issues into the sewer. He achieved this objective by imposing his values on someone he's never met. I'm not suggesting that any of the comments in this thread are that out of line. I am saying that as intellectuals we need to do the best we can to understand people everyone in their own terms, not ours, and to help them solve their problems in ways that will work for them in the long term.

In regards to the issue presented in the OP. I have direct experience with a similar dynamic. While the desire to prove a critic wrong--especially when the person is a family member--can be a powerful source of motivation. Even so, I think it is one's best self interest to monitor constantly one's emotional state. If one lets anger, bitterness, and other associated emotions have their way, intellectual achievement that should spark a sense of joy will be irrevocably tarnished. The best revenge is living well.

How many boyfriends do you have? and why are they sharing an account with each other?

How many boyfriends do you have? and why are they sharing an account with each other?

I haven't been a TA yet, but being on the other side of asking for letters, I wouldn't want a recommendation letter from someone who doesn't feel like they can say good things about me. Just tell the student and they'll ask someone else, who might be able to write a better letter. Sometimes it's hard for a student to know who will be able to write a good letter for them.

I read papers of the people I'll interview with.

You got extra money so you needed fewer loans? That doesn't sound like a problem, it sounds like a windfall! (Though I see the irritation at poor planning.)

I read papers of the people I'll interview with.

I would focus on how enjoyable and fun the program will be. When I used to see ads for grad school, I'd imagine myself giving up everything and not having time to do all the fun things I want to do, which is exactly what's happened now that I'm in grad school. If a grad school emphasized that it was actually fun and not stressful and going to take over one's life, I'd actually consider it.

who cares? the bottomline is that we still need to wait until April before we get results.

who cares? the bottomline is that we still need to wait until April before we get results.

who cares? the bottomline is that we still need to wait until April before we get results.

who cares? the bottomline is that we still need to wait until April before we get results.

who cares? the bottomline is that we still need to wait until April before we get results.

who cares? the bottomline is that we still need to wait until April before we get results.

Isn't that 6 pages too many?

I'm soured on the profession as well, for the reasons you mentioned. I'm leaving after 8 years. Of course, the primary reason is that I put off grad school for too long

I saw that thread about funny things that students write.. unfortunately it turned into who knows what but.. I did want to share two funny things I've had over the year.

1. Beginning of a research paper: "Martin Luther King was the first African-American to have a dream."
2. On a test on the cold war, I had students write IDs. One answer to "Nikita Khrushchev" was "a black woman."

I noticed no one has posted a thread. Although it's five hours since the breaking news, I am still at a loss of words. Whitney Houston has died.

In my childhood (1990s), I used to have Whitney posters on my wall and videos of her concerts. She was simply amazing with the golden voice. Her songs were also very uplifting and filled with joy, love and faith. Despite her struggles with drugs, she released over 20+ hit songs and several popular films in her 30-year career. More shocking, she died in February, the month of Black History Month.

In my opinion, she will always be the Queen of Pop. At the time of her death, Houston was the most awarded female act of all time (total of 415 career awards as of 2010). She also sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos worldwide. She was extremely talented and will be missed!

Does anyone have similar condolesences and memories of her?

Pretty good quotes, not so impressive delivery. there's also:

as an ecologist I find this whole discusion a little absurd. The people interviewing you are likely to be wearing sandals, faded jeans, and a Hawaiian shirt if you are an ecologist .

a

Nothing personal, but I couldn't NOT respond to the vehemence of this statement - bold and large font!

Speaking from over a decade of corporate, including senior managment:
You CAN be overdressed, particularly if you have been given specific indication that the expectation is "Business Casual". In this instance, a suit suggests that you actually DON'T care enough to pay attention to the guidance you've been given. And isn't that a big part of what being a grad student is all about?

What you are wearing does not ultimately determine whether or not you get the job/grad school offer, it is YOU that they want to understand. YOU need to feel comfortable enough to be YOURSELF and still "play the part" for what works in that particular environment.


If they have told you "Business Casual", DO NOT WEAR A SUIT.

wow. quite an outburst over some innocent questions. I also don't think it's neccessary to reply to responses to your own question, though it might help with getting a better response sometimes.

wow. quite an outburst over some innocent questions. I also don't think it's neccessary to reply to responses to your own question, though it might help with getting a better response sometimes.

wow. quite an outburst over some innocent questions. I also don't think it's neccessary to reply to responses to your own question, though it might help with getting a better response sometimes.

Sounds to me like the typical bashing of big, famous programs- every dept has problemtic professors, but stories about prestigious programs are more likely to get around. Just talk to a variety of grad students when you visit (assuming you get a chance- some programs will keep you running from one professor to the next all day) and decide for yourself.

my undergrad advisor tried to discourage me from going for a PhD right away. I was motivated to prove him/her wrong, but know I'm starting to think s/he's right after a few months in grad school where I've accomplished very little.