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edost

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Everything posted by edost

  1. I'm starting a Ph.D. program at Indiana University. Classes begin August 20, orientation begins August 13 and I'll move in a week before orientation.
  2. I got my e-mail address just a couple of days ago, though I tried to get it about a month ago and had technical difficulties. I thought I was being an early bird, since school doesn't start for another month and a half. Now I see that I wasn't.
  3. The airline is US Airways, which is a Star Alliance member. I chose it because its hub is Philadelphia, which is where my sister lives and there are flights from there to Israel. Thanks to my international travels this year, I'd need five or six more domestic round trips to get one free. It would probably take me two years to achieve that. As long as each round trip is no more than $40 more expensive, I'd probably still be saving money when I get the free flight in two years. Then again, if I fly home to my parents next year then that round trip would by itself be worth more than six domestic round trips.
  4. I've recently joined a frequent flyer program. The big miles come from the trips abroad to see my parents, which I doubt I would do more than once a year. However, I'll also be taking domestic flights every few months to see my sister (flights that are worth about 500-800 miles, depending on the connecting city I choose). Now here's the big question: for domestic flights, should I stick with the one program or choose the cheapest flights? What would save me money in the long run?
  5. I assume Amazon wouldn't have the furniture assembled or the TV installed upon delivery. Local stores probably would, though.
  6. I went to K-Mart and they didn't have what I was looking for. I guess I'll just get a good air mattress for the beginning.
  7. I've finally found a chain that is both easy to get to here and exists in Bloomington - that would be K-Mart. I called to ask if I can order tomorrow and have things shipped in August, they said no. I guess I'll have to order no later than two days before I arrive to make sure it doesn't show up before I do, but then I might get stuck without some important stuff. For instance, I just organized for cable TV and internet to be installed the day after I move in. I need to make sure the TV (and whatever piece of furniture the TV will stand on) will be there when the cable guy comes.
  8. I'll be moving in to my apartment in August, and won't be able to visit town before my move-in day. I'm a little worried that if I order furniture the day I move in I'll be stuck with no furniture for a week or two (I'm not bringing any with me). I thought of ordering online, but I don't like the idea of buying furniture without seeing it with my own eyes and checking how comfortable it is. Any advice?
  9. Here's an inconsequential, silly question: when do you update your Facebook info so it will show you're attending the new program you've been accepted into? Have you updated it already, or will you do it when it's closer to the beginning of the school year?
  10. I've accepted an offer and notified other programs. Now, the question is this: other than the graduate director of programs I'm not attending, should I also notify the POI, especially since I was in contact with him recently (about a school visit which I canceled)?
  11. I'm starting a Ph.D. in Mass Communications, which, technically, if you look at my previous degrees, is a new direction for me, but the truth is that it is a natural continuation of what I've done until now. It was my minor as an undergrad (majored in PoliSci), then during my MA in PoliSci/Mideastern Studies I wrote a thesis that could have just as easily been in Mass Comm. I then did another MA in creative writing. After that, persuing a Ph.D. in media studies was just the natural thing to do.
  12. Here's an oddity: my Rutgers status just changed from "No Decision" to "Under review". It doesn't matter though, since I've already accepted Indiana's offer. By the way, I know I need to notify other programs who offered me admission about the fact that I've chosen to go elsewhere, but what about a place like Rutgers? Should I tell them they can stop reviewing my application?
  13. I'm visiting a school next week, on what you could call a "personalized admitted student event" (they don't have one general event for all admitted students). They have set up an itinerary for me, meeting the department head, graduate program chair, POI, other faculty members, and several graduate students. I'm also going to sit in on a class. How should I prepare for these things? What should I ask different people, including the grad students? Do you think I am expected to say something in class or is it just supposed to show me how courses are there? I know this is the stage where they're trying to impress me, but I also feel that I need to impress them as well. After all, I'm leaning toward accepting their offer, so these are probably the professors who will be teaching and supervising me in a few months.
  14. I should point out that I already moved far away from most of my family, including my parents, since I'm from Israel. The family I'm referring to in the States is my sister, uncle and cousins. So I already have the "moving away" experience under my belt. The distance between "perfect" and "good" is quite vast, I guess. That's what I'm afraid of.
  15. If you're going to get paid a salary for work (TAship, RAship, etc.), then I believe that you do need an SSN, but I'm no expert either. You should ask the graduate school or their office of international admissions - I'm sure they'll know whether you need one or not.
  16. barn animal (woops, must have looked at the wrong page before)
  17. The question is whether or not I can also become the best scholar I can be at a place that doesn't do exactly what I want to do? After all, when it comes to academic quality, both programs seem to be just about the same.
  18. I've been accepted to two programs so far, and I have quite a dilemma. One of them is perfect for me academically, with a POI who does exactly what I'd like to do. The problem is that it is far away from all my family and friends, and would require at least a 12-hour car ride or a flight in every direction if I'd like to see them. On the other hand, the other place is also a good fit, though not as good as the first, but it is closer to family and friends (if I get a car - it is not well connected by public transportation). I should note that both programs are ranked more or less the same, and I have yet to hear what the funding package will be at one of them.
  19. I've just been rejected from UAlbany, but I'm fine with it, since this would have been my last choice safety school anyway, and I've been accepted to two programs. By the way, does anyone know what's going on with Rutgers? I just noticed they had a recruitment event a few days ago for 27 admitted students. I haven't heard a word from them, and the status website still says "no decision". Should I assume I've been rejected because I wasn't invited? 27 admitted students sounds like a lot - there probably isn't much of a chance they'll accept more.
  20. The only thing I brought other than the usual stuff you bring even on short-term visits was a bunch of books in my field, but no novels and such. Other than that, we pretty much got everything here - furniture, sheets, towels, kitchen stuff etc. About housing - we were in a hotel for two weeks before we found and moved into an apartment. That's very expensive. If you could somehow find an apartment before coming, that would be best. Maybe you have good friends or family who can look for you, and often you can see the apartment yourself on YouTube (some realtors do virtual tours). Another thing to remember about getting apartments in the States - you'll need to have a lot of available funds at the very beginning since many landlords require first and last month's rent plus a security deposit. Most international students won't have a credit history in the States, and sometimes landlords demand a double security deposit and/or a co-signer from people with no credit. That means you might need to have up to four times the monthly rent available all at once.
  21. GWU rejected me as well. Oh, well, that's okay.
  22. edost

    20-Hour TAship

    Okay, thanks for the help. It does make sense that preparation time is included. I guess the best thing to do is to ask the person listed as my supervisor in the offer letter.
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