Laure

Have you though about alternate "librarian-type" information management roles? I've worked for a little over a year as a researcher in executive search, and both the research tools part and the database management experience were a HUGE asset in getting into programs.

Yeah, thing is though, most cheap (while still liveable) stuff for the next academic year gets signed the October prior; Champaign and Urbana actually passed laws preventing tenants from signing year-long leases previous to October 1st in 2008. I'm returning for the LIS program, and looking with my friend for a two-bedroom, and it's proving nearly impossible to find anything under 850 all in that doesn't feel like a total health and safety hazard, where I'd actually be uncomfortable living there. (EG. We saw a Green St. Realty place that was cheap, but included, among other fire hazards, electrical wires covered in insulation and wrapped around a pole, and another electrical wire running through a pile of dead leaves in the basement that had gotten in through a permanently open window.) So I'd recommend trying to get down there ASAP! One place we had really liked got taken less than an hour after we saw it. Competition's getting really tough. If you do have the cash, I had good experiences with Hunsinger in undergrad (when my parents were footing the bill). I've heard good things about JSM and Weiner as well. CPM, Barr, and Gabe's Place have horrible reputations - I've heard Gabe's Place called a slum lord more than once. Also, if you're about the environment and all that, be aware that Champaign has restrictions on recycling. Urbana is also where the Farmer's Market and Common Ground food co-op are.

When are you planning on matriculating? Are you planning on moving this database later? Your netfiles account expires along with your email a few months after you leave UIUC.

Sounds about right. After I spoke to someone they seem REALLY disorganized; I was kind of surprised. I understand that everyone is underfunded but at least get your shit together. It pushed UIUC over the top for me and it looks like I'll be headed back there instead.

Just checked the application status online to see that I'd been rejected. I didn't receive an email and they state that no letter will be sent. So if you're waiting on them check the site - it doesn't seem they notify you another way. Good luck to everyone else!

Thanks, all! I will probably be headed there, barring any issues. I spoke to my other choice today and they seem VERY disorganized. (It's a new program, so I understand a bit, but they want me to take extra electives in order to stay full time and be eligible for insurance and assistantships? Uh, no. This isn't undergrad with gen eds.)

I know in pure academia, it's considered a bit taboo to get your masters at the same place you received your BA/BS. Anyone got any insight to this in terms of LIS? My alma mater is #1 (UIUC) which is great, but I wonder if it will show a lack of well-roundedness when it comes to applying to professional positions post-grad. NB: I do not want to be a librarian - I'm looking towards HCI/community informatics in the non-profit or government sectors.

Late April? Good Christ. I applied, but I'm leaning towards other schools now... I'll already been planning my courses by then! I'll be sure to post if/when I hear anything, though.

I'd recommend asking one of the admissions people about this; it will likely vary by program, or even how many students each professor is currently working with. Admissions folk are usually very helpful! You might want to email so they can get back to you on their own time though, since it's a busy time for them to field phone calls.

A Masters thesis is an option at Illinois, but the internship/experience segment isn't as prominent, though I'm sure my familiarity with the bureaucracy of UIUC will help me in trying to find potential experience opportunities either within the University or at outside venues. Mostly it's the issue of a more theoretical, prestigious program (UIUC) vs a more scientific, practical one (Maryland). Good point about the faculty contacts; I hadn't thought about it that way. Thanks!

For information science. Basically my decision comes down to cost vs. program. These two were my top choices, precisely for these reasons - Illinois is the least expensive, and Maryland has the ideal program for me. So essentially my decision comes down to whether or not I like Maryland's program twice as many dollars worth as Illinois'. And therein lies the problem - I can't quite figure it out. A little background: I'm currently two years out of undergrad, working as a researcher in the recruiting field, but I want to get out of that, ideally into UX and information architecture analysis and consulting after I finish my masters program. Obviously, this could change as I work towards my degree but that is, for now, my end goal. So here are my main points of contention: ____________________________________________________________ ILLINOIS (Urbana-Champaign) Pros Much less expensive (in-state tuition + cost of living)#1 ranked (tied) MLIS program; great name recognition in the information science field for job placement post-gradGuaranteed job during program even if no assistantship (this is my alma mater and my old job will hire me back, nothing fancy but it'll be some income at least)Familiar with the situation so the transition will be easier, may even be able to room with my BFF who might head back as well (read: cheaper to share) Kind of want a new environment; may show a lack of breadth on my resume if I attend the same school for both undergrad and grad? Not as targeted of a program; would have to self-structure my desired focus (human-computer interaction) MARYLAND (College Park) Pros Urban setting, which potentially sets me up for better networking opportunities and career options (esp. government ones) post-grad. Very targeted program, with my degree title actually being MA in Human-Computer Interaction; UMD offers an HCI lab Program requires both an internship and a capstone project, will will be applicable practical experience for my career goals Cons [*] Moving cross-country is a rather complicated process, not only the actual moving but finding a place to live & cost[*] Over 2x the cost of UIUC - tuition alone, plus more expensive urban cost of living[*] Brand new program, so no actual prestige/ranking yet, and being part of the inaugural class for the program could mean it's still disorganized and frustrating _______________________________________________________________ If anyone has any input/insight I'd greatly appreciate it - or if you are having similar issues or looking into the same programs and just want to commiserate!

Accepted to Illinois and Maryland - should hear from Wisconsin today, but with everything that's going on I don't know if I want to go there even if I do get accepted. Waiting on Texas and Indiana, but they're pretty much out of the running as IL and MD were my top choices. As for my decision, it's pretty much program vs. money. I'd be doing Maryland's new HCIM program, so very focused and requires a capstone and an internship, and is in a metro area which is good for finding employment once I'd finished with the program. BUT it's twice the cost of Illinois (I'm in-state), Chambana's COL is also much lower, and I have a guaranteed job there (if I don't get an assistantship) since it's my alma mater. Maryland also doesn't have a tuition freeze, so the cost may even be more than I anticipate. Right now I'm learning towards Illinois, for the money, and it's not like I'm compromising that much - it's still a top ranked program. I'm just worried how a broader degree with less practical experience will affect my employment outlook at the end of it all.

Nope... I applied to the new HCIM program there, still in the School of Information, and got information about enrollment but nada about financial aid or assistantships, etc. There are a few school-specific scholarships that are coming up due, though - you might want to look into those if you haven't already. Considering it's more than twice the price of the other program I was accepted to, it's looking as though I might have to rescind my acceptance, despite it being my ideal program.