Mal83

I don't know if makes any difference at all, but I forgot to mention that the management company I'm going with advertises on my school's off-campus housing website, not sure if there is any screening involved but I feel that a rental company with a terrible reputation wouldn't be able to advertise there...I don't know that for sure, but that's how I found them.

I signed from long distance, I just didn't have the money to fly out across country, stay for a week or whatever in a very expensive area, and then fly back. So I searched and searched online, it was very tedious and overwhelming at first, there is a tremendous amount of information. It's hard when you're not familiar with the area and dependent on public transportation. But I managed. I went with a management company that's friendly to students so it doesn't take much more than a decent credit score to get approved. So they have many properties in the area and I got on the waiting list for one of their properties at the end of May for a mid-August move in date. I was told that it would be very unusual for something to not become available so I was happy with that, however when July came around and I still didn't have a place I started to get very worried. They told me nothing will open up with them in time but they found me another apartment at one of their other properties, I was so relieved I just took it. It's not quite as ideal as the other, but I figured I'll just have to put up with it for the year. The idea of moving out there to some temporary place and then having to do all of the work when I got there was not very appealing to me, so I'm satisfied with how things turned out. So now in 2 weeks when I get to my new town I'll have a decent place in a nice area all set up and ready. This place actually has a 30 day guarantee, if you're really unsatisfied within the first month you can move out despite the 12 month lease and only pay for the days you were there. If you want to get it all done before you go I suggest making phone calls as soon as possible to see what's available, you might find a perfect place on a website but it might not be available for your move in time. Getting on waiting lists too, you never know when someone will decide to move out or an incoming resident will change their mind and back out. Generally speaking, the complexes will know what will be available 60 days in advance, in my case it was 30, which made things more nerve racking because I'm a worrier and I didn't actually secure this apartment until a few weeks ago. My semester begins on August 29th and I chose to move in on August 15th. I feel like it's enough time for me to learn the area in terms of the basics and it also cuts my living expenses down for the month of August. I'm happy to only be paying half a months rent while I wait for my financial aid funds to come in.

That's a tricky situation...stupid question...have you done a simple google search for your managers? Maybe they're at other institutions and are on those websites. What about getting one from another superior, were there any assistant managers or someone else that you reported to who are still working there? Do any of your recommendations have to be from academia? Usually at least one should be, so maybe you can consider attempting to track down an undergrad professor for a letter. Not sure how long ago you graduated but I got a letter from a professor 3 years after. I needed a third recommendation for only one of my schools, my options were quite limited as well, but I got it from a community college professor that I had 8 years ago...took 3 classes with him and got A's...but still, 8 years. It worked out in the end because that's the school I'm headed to this fall. I can't say for sure as it's not exactly my field, but I would think at least one good legal recommendation would be beneficial. I would definitely leave all of your internships on your resume, that's relevant experience under your belt and should be reflected there.

@jblsmith...I meant "you" in general, not you specifically (sorry)...anyone who has an aversion to the 4 year LAC system should pursue something else...that is, if they really can't accept and deal with every step of the process, not everyone fits the college mold, and that's OK, but if they choose not to go then they have to be content with making a living by some other means. I'm not saying that a more specialized course of study is necessarily a negative thing, I just feel that the "other" classes are valuable enough to be experienced and have them count for something. But it's not as if you choose a major and then you just end up with a smorgasbord of randomness, you'll have a degree that qualifies you on some level to enter that field or at least move up the next phase of advanced study. Sometimes those extra classes make students see that what they've chosen right out of high school isn't actually for them. I feel like keeping an open mind and taking different classes is a good thing at least for a semester or two. I changed my major from biology to international studies, but because I took a few humanities as a bio major it's not like I was starting from scratch credits and requirements wise...if I had only biology related classes then I would have essentially been a freshman all over again. What struck me the wrong way was the sense (not from you) that any class that's not completely related to your major is a waste of time or just a "bullshit" scam run by the school. That sentiment doesn't belong in a forum dedicated to higher education. Anyway, if some other type of educational path were to be introduced into the system I'd be perfectly fine with that and would consider it a positive thing. Who wouldn't?

Wow, you've really missed the boat on this one huh? If the OP plans to lie his way into a program many would dream of getting into for the right reasons then I don't want to hear about how he's going to "blow" money that doesn't belong to him in the first place. That money is for him to earn a phD at that school, not to get a Master's and then jump ship when it's most convenient. It's not just fooling the admissions committee to let you in and then you're home free. He'd have to lie to his recommenders who will craft letters that will convince the ad comms he has the ability to work for many years (not just 1 or 2) to earn the degree, he'll have to craft an SOP around the phD track, which is obviously much different than a Master's, then once admitted he'll have to just go through the motions in order to not give himself away all the while not contributing what he said he was going to contribute to the department. The OP, if he wasn't just trolling to get a rise out of people, brazenly touted how he will take advantage of a phD program, yes, he is stealing a spot from someone else who actually plans on getting a phD and stealing money that is not intended for students to get only a Master's. And as others have said, you are signing on the dotted line at the very end of the application to say that everything in the application is true. It's like taking money for services only half rendered and on top of that knowing full well from the beginning he was only going render half of those services...that's called fraud. "I'm going to remain a phD student so long as it is convenient and free" is not what ad comms are looking for, but that's exactly what the OP would be concealing. Not OK. "Many folks leave..." you know I really don't think anymore explanation of how intent comes into play here is necessary, how that's not strikingly obvious is beyond me.

JustMe, we all know your take on higher education and you have a very particular reason for feeling that way, that's fine. My issue with your assessment is that you use words like bullshit, stupid shit, and academic add ons...for those of us who value education this is mildly insulting...I don't consider the "extra" classes I have taken to be bullshit or that I've been swindled by my school to get more money out of me. Like yeah those bastards, making me take a math and science class as an International Studies major...you're right, all that useless information taking up space in my brain...bastards! Those classes, whether they pertain exactly to your major or not, are part of the degree. You can't get a degree without them so they are parts of the whole, take them away and it's not a bachelor's degree anymore. That's why I don't quite understand the "I've been conned, swindled, and jilted" sentiment. If you don't like the system you have to find a way to work around it or not in it at all...because after all, college is still a choice and taking part in it while complaining about the most basic requirements and fundamentals seems more unproductive than taking a bullshit class.

1. If you want to pursue something that doesn't have a corresponding trade/vocational school option then that's when you have to suck it up and go to college and fulfill the requirements of the particular degree. Again, if you have such huge problem with the way the college system is set up then it's on you to do something else. 2. I would agree on that, it's not necessary to have a Bachelor's degree for every job out there that requires one. But I feel like the requirement is a reflection of the type of person that is wanted and needed. Generally speaking, someone who has a degree vs. someone who doesn't is more knowledgeable in basically all areas. They should have better writing skills, more experiences working with people, and more skills they can bring to the table. Plus there's a level of maturity that comes with a 22 year old college graduate that might not come with an 18 year old high school graduate. I absolutely know that's not always true, but I just feel that's the prevailing idea. 3. I believe also that you can function in society after completing high school, but the point of a college education is not to just function and get by in life. It's for your own betterment and to increase your options in almost every way. What if you didn't do so well in high school? What would you be qualified to do? I just wouldn't give up all of the non core classes I had taken during my college career, I appreciate them, maybe not so much at the time, now more then ever. Those subjects, those professors opened my eyes to things I never would have seen, thought about, or encountered. I think all of us draw on those experiences more than we know. The idea we'd be more productive to focus solely on the classes that fall under our majors is certainly a valid point, but as someone who was driven anyway, I felt like I was productive and I value the education that I have received. A Bachelor's degree requires 4 years and/or a certain number of credits, that's what we sign up for when we go to college. So like I said, if this is something that you can't deal with then you can decide to not go and make do with whatever job prospects you have or you can embrace it as part of the process of becoming more educated and therefore qualified for the majority of white collar jobs that require the degree. That's my take on it...but yes, I too agree that tuition costs are quite a hindrance and perhaps there's something that could be done about it, but I don't think reducing a BA or BS to focus classes only is the right way about it.

Wow! That's pretty awesome, I feel like that's kind of a dream come true for most applicants...for someone on the "inside" to tell you that you're application is just a formality, you can expect your acceptance very quickly. If grad school was in your plans anyway then you should definitely go for it. I don't know how often this kind of thing happens, but I would imagine not very often at all...congrats!

Oh...wow, that is tough, I kind of agree that if you're not excited about the other degree then it might not be the best decision. I mean that's a lot of effort to put into something that you know isn't of interest to you...I don't know, depends on your priorities, dream school + doing something you don't really need/want or less prestigious school + exact fit...good luck with that decision!

My first question is, simply out of curiosity, how could your dream school not be your ideal choice? Shouldn't the school that's ideal be the dream? I went through a slightly similar situation in that I accepted an offer to one school and then months later I got notice that I had been accepted off of the waitlist at my dream school, which is ideal in every way. So that day it was kind of a no-brainer to let the other school know I wouldn't be attending. Now, I had no extras like fellowships or assistanceships involved in my decision making process, so I guess it wasn't as hard. I wasn't exactly overjoyed to send off that "I'm not coming" email I wished it hadn't come to that, but I couldn't turn down my only offer at the time in hopes that I'd make in off the waitlist somewhere else 2 months after the fact, which is when I found out. It was quick and painless though, within a few hours I got a response from the coordinator that basically amounted to "sorry you can't attend, good luck." There was no way I was turning down my dream school, dream program, dream degree, and dream city...so you have to get through that bit awkwardness in order to pursue exactly what you want, it's your life, not theirs...I'm sure in your case it would be much better to call since there's funding involved and you're so close to the start of it all...

There are all kinds of options for education beyond high school...community colleges, technical schools, vocational schools, trade schools, and maybe even apprenticeships if they still exists in some fields. So college is a choice, sure a BA or BS is pretty standard nowadays as far as job requirements go, but it's not the only thing that will get you hired, if you have major problems with the structure of higher education then college isn't the place for you and you have to make a living some other way...that's on you though, not the system. Not everyone loves every single class that they are required to take, I too had those "why exactly do I need this?" moments, but generally speaking I cannot agree that taking away everything but the "core" classes from a Bachelor's degree is even remotely a good idea. The point is to end up with a well rounded education, to become knowledgeable in subjects beyond your ABC's and 123's, to be able to draw on that knowledge in all aspects of life. If we did change to core classes only what happens if you change your mind? I wouldn't be qualified to do anything else because I only studied biology classes or history classes, no math, no social science, no languages, no this, no that....sorry, that's not a Bachelor's degree and that's not the kind of education you pursue as a college student. Like I said, there are other options if college isn't for you. If you're in higher education only to stick it out and complain about costs, class requirements, and length of time, that's not the fault of the school or an indication that the entire system needs some kind of major stripped down overhaul, it's more likely a sign that you should get out and move on to something else. And as for the lower cost for "bullshit" courses, how would you determine what's a bullshit course and what isn't? Isn't that a little subjective? If you're an art major but are required to take a math class, which I guess you wouldn't like, so that would be the bs class? But if I'm a math major and have to take the same class why would that class be a different cost for you then me? The credits are still worth the same no matter the major, you're still taking up space in the room, you're still getting the same instruction, and the same resources are being consumed by you as by me. You're saying that the required classes that you feel you don't need should be discounted for you? That would mean that just about every single class offered would cost differently for every major...what if the class is completely irrelevant to one major but a little more relevant to another, like a calculus class would be useless to an art major but it would be less useless to say a psychology major (I'm sure there's math involved for research statistics and what not), but still not completely necessary as it is to a mathematics major. So how much would the calculus class cost for the completely irrelevant major, the somewhat relevant major, and then the completely relevant major? Help me out with this.

Phil Sparrow is right on, we all have to take a little personal responsibility as well. You have to prepare yourself for what comes after graduation by having an understanding of what exactly you will be qualified to do, a sense of what the job market is like, and work on perfecting the art of marketing yourself as well as your skills so that you do actually land a job rather than going through school with blinders on assuming that the initials B.A or M.A will automatically get you hired. Difficulties getting a relevant job in your field of choice is just a fact of the times we live in and declaring the degree worthless because you haven't managed to do it immediately is a little self-defeating. You're basically saying that you've discarded the skills and knowledge it's taken years to acquire. If you know for a fact that a particular degree will be worthless or not as lucrative as you'd like then it's on you for pursuing it in the first place.

This last paragraph is a joke right? Yes, it must be...good one! I mean it's not funny haha, but it's definitely good for a chuckle..."bullshit classes...do well...a little shaved off of...tuition.." Damn, that's rich.

moving across country in a week and a half to start a very new chapter in life...I am absolutely beyond ready to make the move.

OP, you might know for a fact that all of the MA/internship bound students in your specific program don't give a damn about the courses they're taking because they just want to move on to their jobs as soon as possible, but that's not the case for all of us, I know, I know, you're not generalizing, but really what's the difference? How does the level of their commitment impact your degree? However, despite the lack of generalizing, it's a little tough to read through this thread and not get the "oh, I guess I'm in that category too because I'm a soon to be lowly MA student in a *gasp* professional program." It's still beyond me, after 4 and a half pages of this thread, why you needed advice in order to decide if you should spend time with people who engage in behavior that you don't appreciate. The better question is why wouldn't you distance yourself from them? Would you be missing out on something socially or academically if you did? If you're truly not generalizing or looking for confirmation that it's OK to purposefully be contemptuous of professional MA students then I'm not sure where the Phd vs MA thing comes into play. Regardless of academic hierarchy or who has to do the most work for their degree, your problem is the particular people that you happen to be in a program with that are not to your liking for whatever reason, or at least that's what you're insisting. I totally understand feeling disgusted with people who are immature, disrespectful, and not committed, but if you don't have to go out to bars with them and subject yourself to their drama, then why would you? Seems like a no-brainer. I sure as hell wouldn't, even if that means reducing the number of people in my social circle. Maybe you should reach out to the few other PhD students in your program in order to start building friendships with them, that might work about better because they're motivations and interests will be more in line with yours...just sayin'

You can find out all of this information on their website, that's the best way to get a feel for your chances.

That is true indeed, when you make up that much information and post it all over the place I'm sure some of the "facts" get a little blurred.

After getting an associates at a community college I only applied to one school as a transfer student and got in. I applied to 3 schools for an MA, got into one first round, got into the second from the waitlist, and was rejected by the third. I had limited myself to the DC area so there weren't a ton of options anyway. I was very worried about it, but it certainly worked out for the best.

Yes, you're right that Elliott's IA program is the most popular, it's also the largest, so there are more spaces..not sure if that makes it more, less, or about the same when it comes to competition. My advice to you would be to apply for the programs/schools that are best suited to your interests and career goals. It's not as if you have no chance at all, you have some good things to put on an application. I'm not sure if settling for the most accessible program would be the best thing, you might find that it's not nearly as satisfying. It depends on your priorities of course, if you just want to go to graduate school as soon as possible you'll be satisfied with whatever school accepts you, but if you're really set on the programs you mentioned then you'll have to do something else for a year while you improve your application should you not get accepted this time around. I would apply to all of the programs your interested in as well as Elliott's IA program...you have nothing to loose and you want as many options as possible.

I'm sure she is smart, but nothing she says about herself can be trusted, the only person who really knows what she's done and hasn't done is her.

I would call them to find out what the deal is, at this point it's a little ridiculous to still not know. Tell them you're still really interested and committed to the program and that you need to know so you can start planning.

And it looks like Gradcafe removed her latest "submission" from the results page, a few people responded to it but her post is gone...wonder if that means she's been banned.

The professor really should have contacted the authorities, getting her off the streets and away from the internet would have been doing society a service.

I think it would be helpful if you told us what degree (phD or another MS?) and programs you're going for. No one can give you any input until you provide that basic information. But even so, you're the only one who can really know if it's worth your time applying or not. If your stats don't even come close those listed on the school's website then you probably have to do some reevaluating. But if they do, then why would it be a waste of time to apply?

There's nothing out there to suggest that this professor did anything at all to combat her attacks and harassment until she finally started getting a hold of his family, we're talking about years here. He only responded to a few of her posts online...but that seems to be it, he could have easily gotten some legal assistance, maybe he did, who knows. She even sent him weird "gifts" in the mail, like things with her name on it and hearts all over them or something sick like that. I mean she definitely crossed a few lines over the course of years and I certainly wouldn't have let it go on so long without involving law enforcement...he was right at first though, to not engage her because she definitely has issues.