Lily2

I'll be there too! I can't wait!!! Now just to figure out housing and moving from the East Coast! ahhh!

I am pretty sure I will be attending UofA in the fall and I am super excited about it! Like most people, I have a question about housing. The advice on here so far about areas to avoid/shoot for has been very helpful. I'm wondering though if anyone has any recommendations on specific apartment complexes. I've done general searches for complexes in the 'recommended areas' and there seem to be tons and I'm a bit overwhelmed. Plus, everyone seems to say even the 'good areas' can be very hit or miss- so I don't really know if these complexes are on a better block.. so to speak. If any one lives/has lived in a complex you've been happy at or know of one people seem to like and could share it, that would be great! I doubt I will have a car for atleast my first few months there, so I'd like to either be directly on a bus route to campus or within walking distance to campus in a 'safer area' (I realize that is relative). I don't necessarily *mind* living in an "undergrad complex" (I live in one now as a grad student) so long as it isn't one of the crazier ones. If there are complexes that are predominantly grad/professional students though, that would be good to know!

Unfortunately, it is an issue this year. My current department may not be able to admit *any* new students with funding (normally 5 new students are admitted with full funding each year). They are of course trying to figure out if grants will be renewed and shuffle money around internally (so things are taking longer than normal)- but state allocated funds this year were severely slashed. I also know through prospective advisors and current students that at least 2 of my potential schools are facing similar situations, and are admitting significantly fewer students with funding than normal (I of course managed to apply to schools in all of the worst hit states....). It sucks, but I guess that is the reality this year.... at least at some places...

I'm not sure I have much advice to offer, but I totally sympathize! I can at least offer my experience from both sides... I have been with my bf for many years and several years of our relationship now have been long distance (not all at once.. it has been off and on long distance). I am finishing up my masters now and we are long distance, just a few states apart. The PhD programs I am applying to are on opposite sides of the country and I just don't think I can keep doing the long distance. As I said, we've done it before and it was great, but to make it work, you totally have to be committed. I'm just totally focused on other things now and not being the gf I should be. I can only imagine it will be worse once I start the PhD. The point of this rant? He is totally committed to making it work.. meanwhile as my acceptances from the other side of the country come in.. all I think about is that I know it is coming to an end... so I totally can sympathize! it's rough- he is a GREAT guy and I too have in the back of my mind that I"m being stupid and will end up a lonely PhD (but.. come on.. you can't think that way!) From the other side of the coin- several years back my bf started working for a company and they gave him a choice of taking a position in the same location we were currently living, or overseas . We were in love and he chose to stay in the states rather than taking the overseas post (that he really, really wanted to take). I never asked him to stay, he wanted to do it for "us".. but I was thrilled he chose to. Well years later, here we are, and even though it was his choice, I feel guilty he didn't take that offer. He's never thrown that in my face, and it was his choice... but man, it would have been such a great experience for him. At that time, neither one of us thought we would ever break up. So I think.. you just gotta do what is right for you, whichever decision that happens to be. I've done the long distance, I've done the "stay for the SO" gig, and I'm about to do the "break up due to distance" thing.. all with the same guy. They've all had their uncertainties and unknowns- you just never know how it will play out. But no matter what, things always work out in the end. So whatever you chose, keep your head up and good luck!