teaganc

UIC!

So close. But with my new GradCafe-instead-of-sleep policy, I am so taking over April.

You heard it here first, folks... Texans: They're just like any other humans. ...but seriously, my grandmother lived in Texas for a while, and she is a terrifying little lady who can shoot guns and is not to be messed with. She's like all the stereotypes only more awesome.

That's not really rude; you said you didn't want to interview, so they sent you a letter saying they weren't going to accept you. Tying up loose ends and all.

Oh noes! Don't let the drama llama get you down, little vannik. You can post in my threads and I promise to be super nice to you. At least until my sleepless delirium wears off, anyway.

No, Belowthree, no! See, I all try to get you to sign a non-compete and here you are, muscling in on my decision-making territory. ::shakes fist angerly::

Dude, the PM was for a reason. I don't wish to post and have my words forever immortalized on Grad Cafe for all the interwebs to see. They are secret, secret thoughts. Also, if you had just PMed me, I would have been happy to copy-paste what I sent to everyone else who PMed re: this thread.

Indeed.

This is the credited answer.

There! Jesso21, we've made a decision: IU. Enjoy!

I say A. Down with condescending arrogance! Up with super niceity!

Please? Pretty Please? No? Well... shit.

Well, I suppose that's acceptable. As long as you don't start trying to take over my business model. I depend on being the only insta-decision monkey in town, you know? I think a competitor might put me out of business.

Nope. Go with the American program (UNC?). Decision-monkey away!

and yet I can't sleep. So much stress wondering if I will ever get off the waitlist, and knowing that if I don't, I can't go to grad school next year. Sooo... I've decided to offer unsolicited decisions to all of the threads that are like, "OMG I can't pick a school!" Not all this, long-winded-actually-well-thought-out advice stuff, oh no. Just straight-up decisions. I hope my tireless efforts are appreciated. What are you doing to pass the time?

As I stay up freakishly late and wait to hear from a waitlist, I will be your proverbial coin, except with more than two options and no flipping required! I say... John Hopkins if you are fully funded there, and if not, University of MD.

I would say that IS great timing; I am still ON a wait list, and thus have to continue to wait to see if I even get to go to grad school next year. Having to decide between multiple offers quickly isn't exactly the worst position in the world.

Post the three schools, with details + funding, and I will make a decision for you, guaranteed by April 15th at 5pm. In fact, my services are free to the general public: come one, come all!

I called and asked the secretary, and she just told me over the phone. My online status didn't change until like a month after that, and I JUST got my letter in the mail like 1-2 weeks ago.

Trust me. You won't know what to do with all of the Walmart's, Kmarts, and Targets in Ventura. Santa Barbara is one of the most expensive places in America to live, and there is just no getting around that, but if there is one thing it has going for it, it's a bazillion chain stores. Also, why not just shop at Target Online, if you don't want to drive to Ventura and are really set on Target? They have more there than in the stores anyway.

Ignoring you like, you haven't heard a decision, or like, they aren't answering emails? Because with Rhode Island, you really have to just call them or log onto their website (but really just call them).

I think it's still possible to make a decision based on just the information you have, if IU is your top/near top choice. They obviously want you, and you say they've offered good funding. It's certainly a great school. If IU is near the bottom of your options, definitely start calling the other schools and see what's up with funding, and ask for an extension from IU. But personally, I think being ignored by a school (a DGS or professor, not secretary) during this phase would not give me a good feeling about the school. I would only bug schools I would go to over IU, if I were funded, and be wary of letting IU think they are your last choice, since you can't accept their offer without hearing from all of your other options.

That's a reasonable stipend to live on just about anywhere in CA, except MAYBE UCSB, but even then, if you're just willing to commute a little, it's not bad. 13,000 is difficult to live on just about everywhere, and the additional 1,200 (I suspect this is in "fees", not tuition; UMass pulls that crap) will be an additional strain or require loans. But both are doable. Personally, I would go with school B--no teaching requirement for first and last year will be helpful as you get settled/write you dissertation, and the fact that you refer to the other school as an inexpensive state school makes me feel like School B is more prestigious, and thus might have better placement.

It's Southern California, and you're worried about shopping options? Next you're going to ask if they have car dealerships! :roll: But seriously. You will be able to buy everything you've ever thought of needing, and a lot more. You will be surrounded by strip malls. Swimming in a sea of specialty stores. Unable to escape the chain restaurants. Besides, Ventura is closer to 30 minutes away than an hour, (especially if you live South of UCSB) and I think there are multiple Targets in Ventura. Also in Ventura/Oxnard: every other major chain of store on earth.

Positives: You can watch two fake pirate ships battle, with flames, until one sinks. Freaking pirate ships. In the desert. Seriously, though, even if you don't like gambling, Las Vegas is a ton of fun, especially if you like your entertainment to be a little over the top. I never get tired of Vegas (except in the summer) and know some really cool people who loved UNLV.