abolitionista

Has anyone been successful getting application feedback from Ford?

Thanks for the responses. I am aware of what it would take to transfer and that it would entail starting over and a better excuse then my teaching load is too large. This post was started out of distress however it really isn't the only issue. Compound the teaching load, with the lack of funding, a very small department comprised of mostly junior faculty who a probably going to leave, and a department that is loosing funding and as result isn't offering courses to second years next year, so now I am forced to scramble for classes in other departments which is something I also had to do this year but not to the same extent. So no faculty and no classes makes me think why am I here just to work my butt off as a TA. Yes I do understand where you all are coming from and the issues you raised are definitely things I am thinking about at this time in terms of transferring. And I am currently trying to coral some of the grad students in my department to take on the issue of our load with the union. We are calculating our hours and it is impossible to fit all we do in 20 hours a week. The correspondence with students alone takes up an enormous amount of time. Thanks Again

Thanks for your response fuzzylogician. Weekly I hold three discussion sections, each with 30 students, for one hour each. Also, I am required to attend lecture for the course which totals 3 hours each week. In addition I am the main contact person for 90 students who email me throughout the week with questions that I must answer. I also grade all of their assignments which typically include weekly writing response (ranging from 1-3 pages), midterm exams, papers typically 5 pages in length, and finals which are usually 5-7 pages. At the end of the day it definitely seems like too much!

Hey Everyone, As I'm preparing to grade a massive load of finals, I'm convinced that my teaching load is beyond excessive. Each quarter I hold discussion section and grade for a total of 90 students, which means I have a whopping 270 students each year. I'm a first year PhD student in a department that only offers funding in the form of TAships which really sucks. I know grad students do the work of the university but this just seems unreal. And these conditions are pushing me to want to transfer unless someone can convince me that 90 students is normal. Oh and by the way I am in the humanities at a UC. How many students do you or others in your department have as teaching assistants?

Honorable mention here... Fooey... O well I felt the rejection coming on

I don't know why the idea of email notifications makes me way more nervous then receiving something in the mail

Sadly, we're all too afraid! We'd rather lurk all day then deal with the anxiety of calling

You're right the stipend and institution award are separate ($20,000 and $2,000)

For Ford you would have to get HM and be chosen as an alternate. The alternates are of course granted the awards when others turn it down.

Thanks for being brave and calling! Best of luck to everyone!

I haven't been brave enough to call. Typically notification go out around April 9th and usually correspond with the NSF notification release. Congrats on the NSF!

Now that the NSFers have been notified it's only a matter of time until we all hear from Ford. Fingers cross & hopeful yet realistic cap on

They were in their 2nd year when awarded and entering their 3rd year when the award began. The coursework requirement is loose. As long as you can prove that you intend to complete a full year worth of coursework (it does not have to required coursework), that it is needed for your project and have your advisor sign off on it you're fine. I think Ford is aware that although people may have been in grade school for more than one or two years, some people take longer to come to a point of developing a project and progressing to ABD status.

I agree. I know several people who have been awarded the Ford in their second year and a few who have even received it in their 3rd year. So no need to worry dalzir I'm sure your year will not count against you. btw, I'm a first year.

I completely agree! At this stage one can only hope....

Let the two week countdown begin! Based on the previous years results we should definitely begin hearing by the 9th! Fingers crossed

I'm glad to see this forum! I have been anxious to hear from Ford for a few weeks now, although I know I have at least 3 more weeks to wait. This is my first time applying (I apply for the predoctoral). I'm trying to be optimistic but realistic about my chances at the same time. Best of luck to everyone

Thanks for the advice. I understand that now more than ever. Unfortunately I had to learn it the hard way

Thanks for the advice everyone.... I was able to mend the situation with the professor and all was well HOWEVER she did not turn her rec in for the fellowship and the deadline was a hard one. So she screwed me over in the end. Not to mention I sent her a reminder on Monday which she replied too and saw her in person on Tuesday but she still didn't turn it in and now the system is locked. I'm beyond annoyed right now

Towards the beginning of the quarter I asked a professor to write a recommendation for me for a fellowship. However since then our relationship has gone down hill and today it hit the gutter. I can be honest in saying that I have not done anything to this professor however she has been malicious to me in a very public manner. She makes jokes during seminar about the conferences I have been accepted to attend insinuating that they are a waste of time. Amongst other things she singles me out in seminar for my opinion on things to just shoot me down. Today she asked for opinions on the book of a professor in our department and my classmates started pointing out critiques and I stayed silent. She then turned to me and asked my opinion and when I pointed out one of the core flaws in the line his argument she responded with this, "You may not know this but it takes a lot to write a book. So instead of tearing it down and viewing it from your own lens how about you focus on what it has to offer." This comment was directed at me eye contact and all making the environment really tense. When we left class my classmates asked me what that was all about. And said that the professor was flat out rude and unmerited in her response to me. Someone even commented that it seemed like she hadn't even heard what I said but was just ready to shoot me down as soon as I opened my mouth. In all honesty I don't think she will write a scathing recommendation however do not think it will be the most favorable. She has not shown that she likes my ideas or me very much. Is there a kind way of telling her sorry your rec is no longer needed? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Congrats on making it into the top twenty! I received the standard rejection in the mail. Glen was nice enough to sign it. It's unfortunate that the financial crisis is having such a huge baring on admission this year. My grad process is officially over and I am accepting an offer for the Ethnic Studies PhD program at UC Riverside. I wish you the best of luck at UCSB.

I received an official acceptance form letter from the graduate division for the program I plan to accept. They asked that I return the form letter to the grad division to accept my offer. Should I also email the department to inform them of my decision to accept? If so, should I email the coordinator or the director and cc' the coordinator?

Congrats! I totally know the feeling. After so many rejections you just give up. I started preparing to reapply after 60% of the schools I applied to rejected me. Then today I open my inbox to my first acceptance and had a moment. Upon first glance I was like G Damn another rejection. Then I opened and read it, started shaking, then started dialing any number I could think of to share the amazing news.

Thanks... Do you know if they have sent out rejects?.. Maybe they are just slacking on that... I hope your theory proves to be true it's my #1 choice I did speak with Francine last week and there was no mention of me being rejected she encouraged me to visit with her so we'll see. :| Edit: A close friend of mine went to a recruitment weekend in San Diego and heard the same. So I'm now preparing myself for bad news. :x