psycholinguist

I'm probably going to end up with two, but it was sort of an inadvertent result of how things have gone. Did a BA in linguistics with a minor in cognitive science, decided that I needed to establish whether I wanted to do research in the latter, started an MA in it (well, cog-psych, anyway), and immediately began missing linguistics pretty badly. I'm planning to stick it out because it's only a year, it's going fine (it's not hugely exciting, but it's fine), and I want the background in statistics and experimental design; however, I'm reapplying this year for linguistics programs for next autumn, and Canadian ones (including my top choice) require an MA before the PhD. I don't really mind, though.

Last year: 'I love linguistics and psychology. I'm interested in [ridiculous number of subdisciplines and topics]. I'm writing an honours-thesis this year. I'm interested in [program] because it has something in common with [a few interests]. This year: 'My aim is to get a Ph.D. in linguistics, specialising in [subdiscipline]. It took me a while to decide on this, but in the meantime I wrote an honours thesis related to it and absolutely loved the work. Analogous projects I have in mind are [ideas]. I really like the look of [program] since it would enable me to [pursue these ideas, etc.]. I am particularly interested in the work of [professor(s)].' In other words, what the applicant thinks is admirable eclecticism may simply look like massive indecisiveness. And specificity is a good thing.

Very good to have this viewpoint on things. Thanks so much for posting it! I agree.

What an awful ordeal you've been through! Congrats on getting things back on track!

That's a really good idea! (I do have to wonder whether a few programs took my UK grades at face-value last year, since at least one specifically pointed to my grades being a bit low when they rejected me...and my GPA wasn't particularly low.) Thanks for the suggestion!

Yep, it's tough down there. I got into UCSD last year; as an international student, though, I couldn't be promised a cent. Which is why I'm not there right now.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I lived in Ithaca for four years. It's basically the prototypical college-town: it wouldn't really be there anymore without Cornell University and Ithaca College. The town is very geared towards a student lifestyle, which is a major upside of it (or any good college-town, for that matter). For its size, it does bring in an impressive variety of musicians, comedians, and other celebrities to talk (usually at Cornell). And there's more to do there than you'd think. But it IS in the absolute middle of nowhere; getting there (and out of there) is a pain in the rear-end. Only three other airports are connected to Ithaca's directly: Detroit's, Philadelphia's, and New York LaGuardia. Otherwise, you're stuck taking the bus there, or taking the train to Syracuse and transferring to a little local shuttle that doesn't always show up. On the other hand, I grew up near Vancouver. The University of British Columbia is a very self-contained area, mostly because it's set well away from downtown, on the end of a piece of land to the southwest. However, Vancouver itself is definitely not a college-town; it has 2 million people. Lovely city, if you can handle a LOT of rain and greyness in the winter. Seasonal affective disorder is a problem out there; in October or November it clouds over, and that only really clears up in May. The summers are stunningly pretty, though. And the transit system is pretty good considering its size and its location on a pretty tight river-delta. San Diego is a lot like Vancouver: it contains multiple colleges, but it's not a college-town. Also a great city. Can't beat the climate. Lots to do with gorgeous scenery everywhere. Transit isn't as good as Vancouver's in my experiences, though so I'd recommend getting a car. (Haven't been to the other places you mention.)

I did this twice last year. All four programs rejected me. I have a feeling it was because they could tell I wasn't sure about what I wanted to do. So my advice would be: if you need to, go for it, but be cautious.

I was just going to ask about this! I did a semester abroad in the UK, and received marks equivalent to two A-s and an A. However, my main undergrad institution left them as percentages on my transcript, which is potentially very misleading. While applying to grad-schools last year, I went to our study-abroad office to request a form of that sort to highlight the differences in the marking scales, and they (somewhat abrasively) told me not to worry about it. I can only hope that this means that grad-schools are used to seeing UK numbers, because otherwise mine would be making my grades from my semester abroad look awful.* * I was really sick for virtually my entire semester away, but luckily this (somehow) didn't get in the way of my academic performance.

No one is ever too old for graduate school. I know of a lady who is spending her retirement getting graduate degrees. (I've also met a fortysomething man who got disillusioned with big business, quit his job, and returned to school to do political science. Undergrad political science.)

Agreed! My family and a few friends at other schools told me not to worry too much about grad-school applications, because a degree from my undergrad Ivy League institution would win everyone over. It didn't. Not even close. The name alone is NOT enough. No one had any doubts about my intelligence, of course, but that's not the only thing that graduate programs are looking for.

I applied to 8 programs (at 6 schools) last year; I was only accepted at 2, and one of them I couldn't even come close to affording. So here I am at Last Year's Safety School doing an MA that I do want, but which is in a field that I'm only somewhat excited about. Hence my return to the board for this year. I'm not entirely sure of what to do this year. My applications are going to be MUCH stronger since a) academically speaking, my senior year of undergrad went really well, and it pulled my GPA up from 'pretty good' to 'great'; and now that I know I don't want a Ph.D. in psychology, I have a far more-specific SOP (last year I was feeling torn between psychology and linguistics). I have a very clear top choice, but I haven't decided how many other programs to apply to. I have a tentative list of 3, and am still considering a few other possibilities. The number is a lot smaller than last year's because a) I've figured out the field I'm aiming for, and there are only so many places that offer a Ph.D. in linguistics; and yeah, I probably can't afford more than that. Am hoping it'll work out all right.

I am! w00t! Anyone want to join me? * grins *

Thanks again! It's not so bad, actually; this year I don't need to redo the GRE (my scores were fine), and I'm so eager to get back into linguistics that my SOPs are pretty much writing themselves. For a few applications, I don't need to set up accounts and passwords again because I can just reuse the ones I created last year. And sending in paper applications this year, since I'm no longer in the States, is going to be one heck of a lot easier. I could even visit a couple of campuses this autumn and winter, which was not the case last year since I was far too busy and geographically isolated to do so. The only really annoying thing is having to pay for the applications again. One of the programs I'm going to be applying to does take Ph.D. candidates straight from BAs in linguistics, but the rest require MAs in linguistics first, including my top choice. I haven't decided whether to apply to any American linguistics-programs this year, though; the ones that interest me the most are all University of California ones, which (as I discovered last year after having to turn down UCSD because I couldn't afford it), wouldn't be able to give me much financial support. (Apologies to fred.alphonso for taking over the thread! * laughs *)

Thanks! Well, despite my username, I haven't actually decided whether to specialise in psycholinguistics or language-change (I love both), but regardless, at least I know what kind of department I want as a home-base. Cog-psych has its moments, but it doesn't totally grip me the way linguistics does. I do really enjoy reading about topics such as visual perception and music-cognition and mental imagery, but I don't get a steady flow of inspirations for potential projects related to these things, and the linguistics-related ideas I'm still having these days are feeling uncomfortably incongruous. If I were to stay on and do a Ph.D. in psychology, I'd be here until 2013 or so; it's a four-year program. I'm looking primarily at Canadian programs in linguistics, though, and they require an MA before the Ph.D., meaning that I would probably need six years after this one to get both done. Good thing I like the grad-student experience in general, at least if the last month is any indication! Heh.

Heh, I know it's possible; I just don't know whether fred.alphonso in particular is able to. Glad things are getting off to a pretty good start over there, despite the crazy intensity! Me, I've started an MA in cognitive psychology, working mostly on reading and lexical-decision tasks. It's fine, but I've already started missing hardcore linguistics badly enough that I no longer have any question as to which field I want to do my Ph.D. in. Even though I'll probably be in school for an extra three years if I start over in linguistics, I don't care. I am going to stay around for a year and finish the MA since I'd like to have the background in statistics and experimental design that I'm going to be getting, but I'll also be reapplying to linguistics programs in the meantime. And continuing to hang around the board, of course! * grins *

I did almost the same thing; I moved from the Pacific Northwest to the Northeast for my undergrad degree. Walking around in cold weather isn't uncomfortable if you dress properly. I agree that layers are good: thermal underwear (clingy polyester that keeps you warm), one or two pairs of pants (yoga-pants and some pyjama bottoms can be a good middle layer), a couple of shirts, a cardigan, and a nice warm jacket will be fine, complemented by gloves, scarves, and hats. Don't just buy boots at Target, because they'll wear out quickly and not necessarily be warm; be prepared to spend at least $100 on a good pair, especially if you're going to be walking a lot. I agree about the department-store thing; go to a Sears or something and look through everything available. The other thing is that buildings are really well-heated. I was actually MORE comfortable more regularly in the Northeast because it's cosy indoors, whereas in the Northwest it doesn't get that cold, but buildings aren't as well-insulated, so I would often get cold out there when inside. Good luck!

That would be ideal, if visiting schools from Europe would be possible! (Incidentally: hey, fuzzylogician! How's MIT been so far?)

Based on what you report feeling here, I'd say you have no reason not to go to grad-school! Especially what with your wife planning to return to the U.S. This is a tricky one. I would recommend doing the GRE as soon as possible, applying to the programs that you already know interest you (if your wife is indeed going to be back over there in 2010), and then spend the time thinking about what you'd want from a grad-school experience. However, in my opinion the main advantage of taking a year off would be having the chance to visit the campuses and talk to people. Making the decision is so much harder without doing so.

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Check out my post on the second page for at least a slight opinion. I'd favour Hasbrouck over Maplewood myself, though it's farther from central campus.

Electric: about $30 a month. Varies wildly, in my experience. Heat: mine's included. Water: twice a year, $30 each. Gas: mine's included. Trash-removal: you have to go buy stickers to put on your trash-bags. They cost $2.50 each for bags of 20 lbs. That's about $7.50 a month for me. Phone and Internet: about $65 a month. I would go for the cheaper one without the utilities, unless you really hate dealing with bills.

Congrats!

* giggles * A friend of mine once said, "Being a rogue academic is only fun when you get away with it."

Mine requires it too...though the thesis itself is optional (it's how you get honours) and the 'defense' is really more of a 'discussion'. Or so I've heard.