ctvu

OP, With the current state of the job market - very few people got jobs this year from even from the top schools - you should still consider my advice strongly even if the job market is expected to clear up by the time you finish your program.

You need research experience, excellent command of languages, and a crystal clear idea of what you want to do in order to get into a top notch school. I wouldn't waste time on an internship (you won't be doing any in grad school, right?). If you apply again, then I highly suggest you aim as high as you can. The job market is atrocious, and you will be in trouble if you do not gain admission into a top 15 school.

Davis gets a bad rap, but it's mostly from people who have never been there. I loved my experience as an undergrad. The town is very suburban despite its undeserved reputation as a rural school. You can see Sacramento in the horizon from many town locations. It's apparently the second most educated town in the country, but I am unsure of the metric. The families who live here are very open and very friendly green-liberal-types. The town has gone out of its way to maintain a "progressive small town"feel. There are many nice scenic walks and bike rides around town. The bike culture here is insane. If you are into bikes as I am, then you will be in heaven. I read a map once and the map showed that the town had more than 40 (!) parks where you bike around, walk, play softball, etc. Nice restaurants. Walking downtown is pleasant. Weather: Varies between two extremes by California standards. Summer months are hot and dry (85-95deg av) and winters are cold and rainy (40s-50s days, 30s nights). Where to go: I've lived in the Bay Area for all of my life, and many exciting things are in driving distance. San Francisco is 1.5 hours southwest, Sacramento is 15 minutes east, Napa range (for hiking) is 1 hour west, Napa valley is 1.5? hours west, the Sierras are 1.5 hours northeast, and Reno is 2.5 hours northeast. Indian casinos are within an hour by car. Housing: The most expensive area is South Davis. North Davis is next. Students usually populate these two areas because these areas have shopping centers. West and East Davis are both in the lower in price, quieter, and less obnoxious (in my opinion). If you want to bike to campus, then live in South Davis or West Davis. These two areas have long, dedicated straightaway bike paths. You can bike to campus from just about everywhere since every street connects to a small bike path. Most people overestimate how often they will bike to campus, though, since the weather is rarely "perfect". Houses are usually available but are variable in quality. Some of my friends had bad experiences with landlords trying to rip them off.

I feel similarly. I'm trying to "get smarter" before graduate school by reading and continuing my language training so that I don't embarrass myself!

Hi, Berkeley is just down the road from me and I match up well with my advisor, so it is a perfect fit for me. I will be in an Asian field, but I'd prefer not to blow my cover. Congrats on your acceptance, also!

I gained admission to one of the leading schools in my field. I felt shocked at first. Then ecstatic. Now, I'm frightened. I am coming from a middle tier school to one of the best schools in the country. I can feel the inferiority complex coming. I don't consider myself to be anywhere near the smartest people in my school. It's almost as if my admission was an accident. I've even had qualms about whether I should accept or not. What keeps me going are all the kind congratulatory emails from my family, friends, and old professors. I don't mean to keep this discussion to those who gained admission to top schools because I recognize that everyone can feel that way to some extent. But does anyone feel this pressure to perform to the best of abilities and to live up to your potential? I"m worried that it will bug me even more as I progress through graduate school.

A little late for the party :oops: I received a personal email from my professor on Feb. 10th telling me that I had been accepted into Berkeley. I didn't receive official notice until I checked my spam filter.