GirlattheHelm

"You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!"

There's truth to that article. Students are exploitable - but not so much inside the foundations of graduate school. Undergraduate and college are like bears and honey; it's a ritual rite of passage and so those kids all rush to get into colleges across the country - as without it they seem to fail in the eyes of our culture. Graduate students have to worry about whether or not they're looking for a PhD or Masters and if those options yield to them the best possible options. They have a little less idealistic basin to look into as we do this for more options and we aren't all going to become professors (nor do we want to become professors - but we do want to be experts!). As far as the problem with tenure tracking and becoming a professor these days - that has a lot to do with Universities themselves. Many are finding adjuncts far more appealing - since tenure can entrap bad blood inside a University for a lifetime. The problem is the adjuncts either have to unionize better (which won't happen anytime soon), or something else has to come to a head, forcing a sit down with Universities in order to supply reasonable financial support for adjuncts, rather than abusing them. In addition, the tenure process needs reforming in order to limit the scalliwags who sneak in somehow. But the idealism here is high and nothing will come to a head until A.) Adjuncts are scarce and in high demand. B.) Universities become nice entities rather than juggernauts feeding off the yearly fresh flushing of high school graduates. I'm going to graduate school.

Hey, anything to get the point across.

I cannot sympathize with this as a graduate hurdle for me but I can as an Undergraduate. When I was 16-17 years old I had a romance with an out-of-state English teacher who was good friends with my best friend's mother. We fooled around and ultimately I planned to elope with him, regardless of the fact he was over three times my age. So, I picked a school and hell hath no fury compared to my parents in their attempt to get me not to go. The anger, the arguements, the frustration and the outright denials. But, I was a gal in love and ignored it all because of him. Of course, this was a bizarre May-December romance and doomed from the get go due to lies and secrets on his part... It ended shortly after my arrival here and I was stuck, left 350 miles from home with a year to go at a school I didn't personally want to be at. Somehow, regardless of the fact I was an imbecile, it worked out. I not only got an escape, I had the best four years of my life. There's a sheer 'luck' factor implied, but it was my choice no matter how it had turned out. I own up to that completely and you need to do that with this choice like we all do. So lash out! Get angry. Get really angry. Put people off - and I'm serious - do it! This is not anyone else's choice, this is not something that you will blame or thank anyone else for. You have the reins, you have the power of choice, this is your decision and do not pawn it off or let others take it from you. Own this crisis moment - where you make the call on that fated decision. The rest of those folks - family or not -, with opinions like assholes - as everyone has one, need to understand this decision is yours, and yours alone! No pressure. 8)

I like Stony Brook a lot - and it's an awesome, awesome school but also an extremely difficult one as a whole - though I do not know how the department is for your field. Here, think more in the following terms, as my advisor would say: 1.) Location, Location, Location! Where do you want to be? That's an honest question and sometimes the most important. A degree in Canada is not looked at the same down in the states so if you want to be in Canada, go there now. If you want to relocate into the United States, go to Stony Brook. If you are going home after this adventure in the academic world, either ought to do. Also, think about how you want to live and where. This is important because you will spend ~95% outside of a classroom. Yes, I made that up, but, seriously, most graduate students don't usually take over 12 credit hours - that's not a lot of class time - so the surrounding is very important. Also, how is public transport or are you buying a car? Where will you live? If a ghetto and the 'shoe-lace-express' (aka walking) is your mode, think about it. Stony Brook is awesome; it's like a city unto itself. However, that said, it's not foot friendly - but they do have a fantastic transportation system. How is PI in comparison? 2.) The Money. Ask yourself, where you are going to be the most financially secure. You need a budget, a plan, and an idea. You can google for Cost of Living - but also let me say that Craigslist.com is fantastic as far as Stony Brook housing is concerned if you've got a car and want off campus options. I have no idea about any on campus housing for graduate students at Stony Brook but I assume they have something - they are a MASSIVE institution. Also think, some level of financial (and hence physical) comfort will play a role in how well you do. It's one less headache when you're running on empty. 3.) Options! You're going to University in order to get a degree. The only reason we go on is to open more doors for us in the future. Which option you think will open the most doors for you - the MS or the PhD? You need to understand that. In your field, for what you want to do with such a degree... 4.) Headaches... Which place as the minimum chance of aggrivating you constantly? Which one gives you the best opportunity with the least hastle? You have some serious calculating to do on that one. Now, no place is without its downfalls - but too much constant pressure can make you want to disassemble your skull - like having to reapply each year. However, that reapplication itself can simply be a ritual rather than an actual rite of passage, or vise versa. Think long and hard. You have an obligation to yourself to weigh each heavily through presented material and figure, for yourself, your best options. It has everything to do with you at this point and the best fit an insitution makes for your own existance - this is no longer about whose who in the academic world, it's about whether or not that matters a lot to you and your aspirations.

It's official - I'm going to Burlington, VT! I'm changing my phone over to Verizon, pondering how fast I can pack my apartment up, and generally giddy right now. However, I still have a nagging few questions for previous UVM students or Burlington Residences, who might be in the 'know': 1.) As far as housing is concerned, should I go for an off campus place or utilize the Graduate Student Housing offered by UVM? 2.) I'll be there roughly two years, I'm single, and I'm tired of coming home to nothing. I'm getting a freakin' dog (or think I am) but my real question is, how 'dog-friendly' is Burlington (and UVM for that matter)? Where I went for my undergraduate, I couldn't get housing if I had a three inch lizard that lived in my pocket. Ironicly, people brought their dogs to campus like it was their job - or that they were attempting to hide from their landlord. 3.) All right, commuting sucks but I have a car, will drive, and am thinking that maybe someplace nice to live slightly outside of Burlington would be feasible. But, then again, I haven't the slightest clue as to whether or not that's true - anybody have any ideas, folks? 4.) How important is it that I reattempt skiing? Where are the best skiing locations? 5.) Anybody do anything with the equestrian life at UVM? Anybody stable a horse or talk to people that do that kind of stuff? I so badly want to take one of my horses to school with me... 6.) How's traffic? Parking? 8.) Best eateries and cafes to hang out, pig out, and study at - name some if yah can. ... I'll think of more.

Thank you all so very much! It's been fun listening to all of your stories and knowing we're all not alone trying to chase our future aspirations, even when it feels like we're going in circles. I hope, whether it's Plan A or Plan Z you're relying on, that things work out for everyone. I sincerely count myself as lucky, as all of us with acceptances are in one degree or another, so I don't take this opportunity lightly. But be assured that I didn't know, and at this point didn't think, it would happen at all. That was the lowest point and after accepting it I realized if it didn't work out there is still a lot in life to get done and even if it did happen, that means I have even more stuff to do. Since it was my greatest fear, for anyone who does gets skunked this run, please try and try again. And for anyone who gets an acceptance, work your damnedest - even if you're living off pizza crust and second class beer. I congratulate everyone in getting this far through the process - March is a maddening month. Plus, everybody I've seen who has been genuine and constant here has putting so much effort into helping each other - whether its these great congratulations or that chin up, stride on comments for people we don't even know. This forum and its peoples are freakin' fantastic!

It was totally random day, a totally random time, and an absolutely perfectly insane off the cuff moment. I could hardly get in the doorway to my apartment after spending the better part of my morning auguring down to find the best/most consistent stratigraphical location spot for our archaeological season's unit. My landlady was seeing guests out and I was waiting to get up the porch to go upstairs. Then I saw it. My landlady moved a fraction and a large envelope, on the steps up to my apartment (which is my mailbox), was visible with a schools seal on the address label. My heart hit my jaw and I had to restrain myself from falling off the porch and hiding in the bushes (no, I don't know why that was my first thought). Anyway, my landlady had a big grin on her face when she finally let me go by to attack the envelope... Well, I have been accepted by my top choice! With possible funding! Oh, prayers have been answered, and then some... I can finally be excited and terrified about life again! I can execute this year with a bang and I am so glad to have a sense of myself back... But, more importantly, I need to thank all of you, who were there spouting information, condolences, buck-up commentaries, and much needed laugh-out-loud moments. This side of the internet is a fantastic ethereal landscape of graduate application everything. For all the hard and upset factors to this process, I think this forum helped some of us keep it together - especially when we all feel or have felt our worst during this process. Hopefully this 'place' will be open for many application seasons to come and will become an even better tool, as much as it is a pressure release valve, for all the good folks trying so desperately to get into a program. Now, for everyone out there still waiting, Good Luck to you all now and in all future adventures, and god speed to the letters that will give you that restful frame of mind called 'knowing'. For those of you accepted and heading off, I wish you safe travels, good fortune, and have a stellar first year! And, finally, for all of you just out there lurking while we pour our hearts out - shows over, go back to work!

Oh, I totally understand the stir crazy bit. Its the reason I keep the vicodin handy. But we're really not entitled to shit in this process. Sucks, but it's true. I mean, in the 'real world' very few resume rejections ever get notified. The steady silence and lack of a call back is all you get.

Drink a little something and take two Vicodin. No, seriously, Stanford is a huge institution. Badgering them probably won't do any good since they're probably swamped with inquiring minds. They are probably overloaded in their applications and taxed in general. I would keep waiting, sadly, as you've done all you can. Let it go as best you can, in whatever way you can. Either they'll get back to you or they won't - you're not entitled to anything, you've asked for something and you simply might not (or may) get it, but only in due time. For as painful and awful as this is, it is that simple and that complex. Don't think about it... Just drink (or dance, sing, pillage - whatever your style is).

Yes and yes. Oh, I totally gather the possibility. But anybody assuming that the internet is a reliable source to base on applicant searches is ridiculous. If admissions committees base their decisions on a Google search or a blog, I wouldn't want to go there anyway. Hell, the work I've done within the Adult Entertainment industry would screw me (and no, I'm not in anyone's favorite video, just so you all know - I'm a behind the scenes gal). I'm not saying not to trust people on here but very little here is vetted. And whose to say you have the right person or not an impostor? I've garnered myself with a decent amount of anonymity, I believe. ------------------- Back on topic - The possibility I will be rejected across the board is great. However, my advisor did call my top choice, which is still in the running. Maybe? If not, I'll join you all in a toast to what it means to be a total Graduate School Reject...

I got kicked in the gut in Anthropology - 4 applications; 4 rejections. Some people have, from the Grad Cafe, been messaging me on my blog, saying that my expressive/insane nature and overuse Grad Cafe is to blame for my rejections in this process. I, on the other hand, I think it had everything to do with my application selection [i.e. what schools I picked to apply to]. No, the daydreams of being watched or fear that somehow someone will find out our names and cross us off the list because we blog or use grad cafe we will be doomed is not what I blame here. For me, it was all a shot in the dark at those schools and the most probable outcome happened. My last two applications are still out and are way better suited for me anyway. If not, it's not the first time I've been skunked - and probably won't be the last. However, I will add, there's no better time to feel like crap than right this split second. Edit: Random errors.

I am elated for you, RecycledViking! Basking in your success!

Hmm.... the United Nations. Okay, I'm viciously not a fan of the United Nations - but personal qualms asside - you need alot more than a JD to end up in that hot seat. Look at the bios of former Secretary Generals and see what their paths were. You cannot decide to one day be a secretary general - you're appointed - so the whole idea is what kind of background do you need in order to obtain such an appointment. It will be diverse, long and probably won't happen. But graduate school is definately not enough - it's one stepping stone to infinite other possibilities. And I would gear it, honestly, towards what you want to do in its own context (outside of your want for such an affluent position). That way, regardless of whether or not your dream manifests, you can be happy with the work you've done. It's much better than feeling angry over doing work you hated for pipe dreams and feeling like you've accomplished nothing in the end...

Haha!! I've actually got one! But I suppress my menses with drugs because I hate this aspect of feminine life with a PMS style passion. The only thing about using the cup is that lack of sanitation would disallow its usage. I've always had trouble getting it 'dislodged' - unless there's some secret I missed out which you can feel free to privately message me with (it can be the most torturous device if it won't come off). Add the fact that if I was in a catastrophic situation, I'm just not sure how I'd like digging up there with grubby hands to get the suction off would fare... I mean, it's only on very rare or special occasions when I decide to go, "Yes! An infection, I'd love that down there!" Ah, more reasons for me to fear the economic downturn. ...I'm going to stop now before I scare people further.

If they haven't reviewed your application this can be a nuisance for you. If they have - they're not going to revoke your acceptance (or rejection) because you made a call or contacted. I'd give it a little more time before you jump at them and any time you do be super sincere, very patient and all that. And only bug 'em once.

I think it all depends on the fate of the application as to whose hands it falls into, under what circumstances (did they have a good or bad day before reading your scores?), and all the things we have absolutely no control over. It's quite a tragic part of the comedy we call life - we're really not in control, folks. We can point all the signs to 'go!' - GRE included - and it might just not happen because somebody forgot their coffee or cigarette that morning, didn't get laid last night, drank one too many beers, they're simply too anal or, to be frank, don't give a rats ass that day. I've talked to people on admissions committees of great variation. They all say its an arbitrary and bizarre process. We're gambling here - like sending out resumes - we're left praying to paper gods and they're given the power to muster the divine words of acceptance or damnation. I'm on the paradoxical bandwagon of - it matters and it certainly does not matter. Life's a crap-shoot; you only get to throw the dice, you can't decide the outcome...

I think we're all grateful for a scapegoat, yes, our egos wouldn't survive this without a little something to pawn off our bad fortune - the economy or otherwise. But I'm not a friend of the economic state. I see it as a deep, deep hole with immeasurable consequences, forcing us towards socialistic measures to keep us alive rather than self reliant. And, in that, we lose the beauty and greatness of America (and, in my eyes, the individual). Instead we'll be getting welfare... and I, a raging libertarian, am not happy about that. I fear that, because even that will mean masses will go hungry. This might sound extreme but in the face of economic collapse makes me terrified. I realize not everyone can roll their own cigarettes, grow their own tobacco, or survive in the woods comfortably, but I can do all that (and more). That doesn't mean I want to head out but I will if the economy shits the bed. Hell, I'd go there before I wandered to join a socialistic movement to save the country or myself (i.e. work to feed others for a government stipend to feed self). I'm not talking crazy conspiracy or wars - no, I'm talking packing up and living in a shanty because, seriously, this economy could drive us to that desperation for food and safety. We always have a summer ritual in the upper woodlands of the east coast - get ready for winter while its warm out. This year will be especially intense; I'm fixing camp this summer - new roof, new shitter, new lighting (LP and solar alternative), assessing guns, buying ammo for the winter hunts, stocking, supplying, and rechecking. I do this every year but this has been the first year I looked at my families emergency supplies because I'm scared the money, and hence the food, will run out if things go to hell. I thank the stars we have merely 300 acres to fend on - but that's nothing in the eye of an economic collapse. I have a rotating supply of food, previsions and such available to my family and I, capable of sustaining us all comfortably for up to two months. I want to get that up to 6 months this year. And add enough ammunition (I do traditional and compound archery as well so I'm pretty useful) and woods-woman savvy to get me through another six if need be. I know - crazy stupid libertarian - but, I might add, I'm not talking violence - I'm talking the reality I see possible if we hit the next great depression... And at least I have several places/caches I can get to - by car, truck, horse, mule, or the shoe lace express - and I seriously fear their necessity. There are those of us who want to go to graduate school, not see the foundation of our society collapse, regardless of how good a scapegoat the whole fiasco is (and it is a mighty good one)... I'd take a good economy and a 'You suck' stamp on my rejections over the terror I have at thinking I might have to wash menstrual rags in a stream bed every month... :oops:

There might be light at the end of the tunnel! My top choice is deciding right now. I'm dying. This is it - the end game! God I hope I get in...

Kudos, Gravity Girl, on a point well made! In my case, failing at getting into school means I can go back to my first love: birds. I mean, my enablers/financers/parental unit has threatened my life but I will get an emu if I am kicked out of academia for a year. They hate when I do this but they'll put up with it when I hold a lovely cute striped creature with my eyes watering, lower lip quivering, and all that jazz. They've only ever said no to one critter I've dragged home... And that was a male of my own species... so I think I can get away with the birds still. How can one say no to the cuteness? (I mean, outside of the fact they grow up to be like 150 pounds of sheer kicking force, topping out at 6 feet tall)

There is, at this very moment, a bucket of raspberry sherbert that has challenged me to consume it in the next thirty minutes... ...And if it doesn't resurface, it'll be a small - but much appreciated - miracle. Outside of my obvious peaks and valleys of emotions, I am trying, desperately, to find hope in this email I just recieved from my top pick. I sent the initial status inquiry - and staring at it, the reply email is very nice.... but what does that mean? Nothing. Hmph. This is the most stressful spring break ever. [[insert up-chucking here]]

It's not the lack of conceiving a notion about the outside, working world. It's that I know where I rank in it. After so much work in a scholastic field I've gained some level of leadership and I'd like to tap into that vein a bit. Graduate school is such a great mutual working process - a school takes from us what it needs and gives us what we need. It's symbiotic relationship is so needed. Now, I am simply terrified of spending a year working entirely for the gratification of another human being - while making only enough to afford gas. The stagnant nature of my personality in the working world and the exhaustion it drives me to doesn't help me at all. I want to work - and will work - but I don't want to throw myself into a burn out, run out, and punch out job that kills me. I like having an investment in my work; that's part of who I am... but working for my parents for a full year is not an enjoyable task.

Yeah, and I won't mind making a little cash.

Well, I've expected the across the board rejection. My closest recommender knows I'm probably not getting in anywhere. My other two recommenders are being super positive. It's going to kill them both - which will drive me to drink. I've never been so depressed in my life. But I get to play the game all over through the job market - I just don't give a shit anymore and am too busy to be ashamed. This is life and I'm not really into fighting my educational fate.