Ennue

It does really depend on your field, but in general I think most phd programs do explicitly prepare you for working in academia, and if that is not what you want to do you shouldn't spend years of your life going there. (that sounds a bit cynical of me - I love my program, but I do think you need to be passionate about what you do to be able to love your program!) Why don't you want to work in academia? Do you dislike teaching and research? Because that would definitely be an extra reason not to start a phd program

I don't know anything about your situation, but I just want to weigh in with this cliche: if you're not committed to what you'll be doing, don't go to graduate school. It is intense, takes up all your time, and is the opposite of gaining work experience. It seems like you'd want to apply for a master's program and that might be different than a phd program, but I think there'd be no harm in at least postponing applying until next year so you'll know better what you want to do. You're an adult now. Take responsibility for your choices

I'm at the end of my first year and I will go home for 2,5 weeks. I'm lucky because I'll be going to a conference in my home country, so it's a partly work related visit! But if that wasn't the case I would still have been allowed to go. It just means that, for example, I wasn't eligible for a summer teaching position.

I sent the ISSO a copy of my scholarship letter, as alleykat suggests.

This is a relevant subject to me! Coming into grad school last year I had only one rule... Don't date fellow grad students in the same program. And of course now I am dating a fellow student and I'm incredibly happy. I definitely wasn't hunting for a partner or looking for validation, but we have a lot in common and get along very well, and one thing led to another. In general I think we don't annoy the other students, apart from sometimes hanging out in each other's office with other students there trying to work, but in our program that happens all the time, not just with us two. If you do find someone you really like in your program, I would recommend waiting a month or two and just get to know each other slowly, rather than jumping into 'dating' immediately. That should minimize the chances of 'meaningless yet dramatic grad school flings' But I'm glad I didn't stick to my rule of not dating a fellow student!

I haven't done this, but my advice is this: it can be fine to room with someone from your program if you already know them, e.g. sometime after your first year, and you don't have exactly the same classes and the same office. I definitely wouldn't recommend rooming with someone you don't know yet your first year. You'll need a place to blow off steam, and it would be nice if 'home' was that place. Also, being roommates comes with its own challenges and irritations, and you don't want your need for clean dishes or their precise accounting of who paid for what to influence your grad school life!

I studied based on my old Intro Psych book (by Gray). I didn't buy a Prep book, but I used the Look-inside function on Amazon to get access to a few practice tests in the Kaplan book, I believe. I don't remember my score but it was along the lines of the other posters. If you don't have any psych background just studying the Intro Psych book might not be enough - they will ask more in-depth questions which I knew the answer to just from having studied psychology for years, not my specific test-prep. So if you are absolutely determined to do well you might need to go a bit more in-depth on topics that they often ask questions about (the Prep books will have a rundown of topics). Good luck!

In my program about a third lives with their spouse, about a third lives with flatmates, and about a third lives on their own. Since you're already on the fence and have lived alone for three years I recommend getting a studio/one bedroom for yourself!

You said that better than I ever could.

Oh wow, that is really interesting, I had no idea there was such a big difference! Thanks!

I say: don't do it. Don't do any type of unfunded PhD program, ever. Not only are you going into massive debt, I've also heard you can be considered somewhat of a 'second-rank' student by faculty, and from what I've heard fellowships such as mentioned KatKad usually go to students who got funding from the start. Especially since you mention wanting to have kids - a PhD program can be really intense and takes a long time. It's difficult to have children while you're in the program even leaving any financial issues aside, and you probably don't want to have kids as soon as you're done either, since you'd want to get a secure, proper job first (or build a client base, or whatever). Though I guess if you're a guy that wouldn't be as much of a concern. Of course, not everyone wants to have kids. But it sounds like it might be important to you. So: consider your priorities, because you can't have everything you want. Do you prefer years of (stressful, but awesome) studying and learning and becoming really good at something? Do you prefer financial security, not having to worry about whether you'll be able to afford rent (or food, or health insurance) next month, every month? Do you prefer building a family? Everyone will have different answers, so there's no right or wrong... But 200.000 dollars (or 100.000, or 50.000) is a lot and so this is time for serious prioritizing! Good luck!

One of my roommates has two cats, so I sort of have pets now... But I'm looking forward to getting a kitten of my own at a distant point in the future All your pets look adorable! Charlie, I had no idea tarantulas live that long! How old can they get, approximately?

I agree that it shouldn't be a problem for class discussions and such, and if it is, that is -their- issue, not yours. You deserve to be there, and you have things to contribute! I was also a fairly young student though, went to undergrad when I just turned 17, started a master's when I just turned 21. And I would advise you, especially if the other students in your program are all older, married, and busy with other things in their life, to make friends your own age like habanero said. This is not just a time to study and develop yourself academically, but also to do so emotionally, and when going to grad school so young one of the risks is that you get stuck in what you like now, rather than keep developing as a person. Ugh, that sounds cliche. I just mean: join some clubs on campus with age-peers, and make sure you take time to enjoy stuff, not just to learn!

It doesn't matter what led up to this - what matters now is that the longer you wait, the more awkward and anxious you (and your friends?) will feel. So I think you should tell them as soon as possible. Maybe something like this: "<Friend>, you know how I've always been interested in <your subject>? I decided to take a big gamble and apply for a Master's program, but I was nervous about it and didn't think I would ever get in. So I decided I wanted to think about it as little as possible and didn't tell anyone. But I got accepted!" A.k.a, be honest

I'm not in your field, and I have no idea what your prospects are for a job in this field with or without a Master's, but I do know this: I know several people who are currently finishing a Master's degree, have a big amount of debt, and have no prospect of finding a job. As in, there are so many people in their field that it's pretty much hopeless, and they'll probably end up working at a coffee shop or so to pay the bills. I don't know what you mean by "astronomical", and I don't know how important it is to you to eventually work in this field (do you have any experience in it? Are you sure that this is really, really the only thing that could make you happy?). But. Having debt has a gigantic impact on your life, and the job climate is no longer "If you have a Master's, you will get a nice job". Sorry for being depressing... Good luck!

Last year I was looking at a place to live (in the US) from Europe. I second most of the advice that's been given, especially asking current grad students for advice on neighbourhoods. I ended up finding my apartment on Craigslist - there was a posting by three grad students looking for two new roommates. We Skyped and emailed to make sure they were legit, and then we agreed I'd move in. It was ideal - I showed up from the airport and there was someone to show me around, I didn't need to buy anything to survive the first few days, etc. Made me very happy! So if you're looking to live with roommates I recommend finding a group that already has a lease and just needs to fill one or two rooms, that makes things way easier than having to sign a new lease.

What country are you from? Maybe you can try a Fulbright scholarship...

It sounds to me like you're struggling with getting enough motivation for and enjoyment out of school. Now, this may be indicative that you're in the wrong place. However, it's also possible that they're depression-type symptoms, which is very common among graduate students! Now that you're still in school, and have paid the tuition, can you make an appointment with a counselor to talk things over and maybe get some grip on your situation? Maybe your school has a grad student support group for people in similar situations? I don't mean to be all "Something's wrong with you!", rather, I think a lot of grad students feel this way and could benefit from some outside assistance!

I moved to the US from the Netherlands. I used Seven Seas Worldwide to ship my boxes - they were a few weeks later than promised, but for the rest everything went smoothly so I definitely recommend using them if you want to take more stuff than can fit in two suitcases. I went to Minnesota, so I knew I'd need all my winter clothes and they take a lot of space... Also I really wanted to take some of my books with me! (note: for me 'some of my books' basically means a box full of books )

Oh, yeah, I definitely didn't ship furniture. I shipped clothes, books that I couldn't live without, some decorative stuff (a small lamp, a small vase), a sleeping bag... It would have been more expensive for me to buy those things new than it was to ship them (think of the cost of a good winter coat for example). But more importantly for me: they helped me to settle in. I'm glad I have some stuff from home to make my room mine And I'm glad I have most of my clothes here. You're leaving a whole life behind, and maybe it's different for you because you're going with your sister, but I'm glad I have reminders of my life up until now with me. I guess I'm just a sentimental person

Ooh, I love diving! I haven't done it much (about 25 dives), and 24 of those were in Curacao, the other 1 in St Eustatius (both Netherlands Antilles). So just warm water diving so far. I'd love to try some diving in Minnesota (ice diving anyone? What's that like?), but without connections and money it's hard to get going! Edited to add: when putting on your mask, make sure you don't pull it too tight. This pulls your skin into wrinkles, which let in water. So loose is better, at least for me Also, if you can just go snorkeling a bit, this should help you get used to the mouth-breathing without all the equipment hassle!

Hm, your situation is different from mine (for example, I still have health insurance in my home country as well as in the US, because that's obligatory for me right now), but here is something that hasn't been mentioned yet: Stuff. What are you going to do with your stuff? Do you want to ship it? Through what company? It's good to have that clear I used Seven Seas Worldwide - they were about three weeks later than they said they would be, but for the rest everything worked well, so I would recommend them. Good luck!

Depending on which field you end up being most interested in within psychology, you may need calculus. So though I think you should be fine with one NP, this might be something that you need to invest extra time in so you can get a pass at a later date. Good luck!

So far I have been using Powerpoint, but I know I will need to start using Latex soon (with Beamer I guess). That way I'll be able to write equations 'easily'

Good idea! International Test Commission conference Amsterdam, The Netherlands July 3-5, 2012 Deadline is 15th of December