Armadilla

Dal PhDer, first off, I do appreciate your opinion but we do not know the specifics. I have no idea how much help and assistance the student is asking for, so this is very hard to judge and make assumptions. Second, if the author of the post is a mature individual (which I presume, she is), she will straightforwardly and yet candidly express her concerns to the student in question instead of ranting on an online forum (on another note, if you have an issue and have a problem, are you really THAT lonely and isolated in your life that you need to take this problem to an online forum?I, for instance, do tend to rant about immigration because this is my immature way of increasing awareness of the issue since, in light of the latest immigration debate, the general population does not seem to be very educated on the subject; but if I have a personal issue I talk to my family and friends, I obviously do not passively express my irritations on a public forum). Basically, why not have an honest conversation with this person instead of posting more semi-exaggerated examples of a vile and pessimistic international student?Sounds like high school. And again, the problem I see here is not only the lack of communication but also the classic individualism vs. collectivism values clash that I have observed here so many times. And very few people make an effort to be a little bit open-minded and see the other side.

Believe me, I really do not care how many positive or negative posts someone gets on an online forum. The fact that you, an adult, care about such things and accuse someone of even more ridiculous behavior is sad. You questioned my intellectual ability and this is absolutely inappropriate. In case I said something that I offended you, I already apologized. You, in turn, cannot admit the fact that you went overboard and you were clearly disrespectful. Instead of considering the other side's opinion, you are counting "likes" or "dislikes," question one's intelligence, and act defensive. Even the way you are handling this "virtual misunderstanding" is  illustrative.  I don't know what kind of relationship you have with this student, but the fact that you act in such an immature and rude manner online is beyond inappropriate. 
Either way, I am done with this discussion and hope you have a great day/night and I wish you all the best with your graduate studies.

I am sorry, but a lot of things in your initial rant sound clearly misleading. Of course it is extremely nice of you to help her out with her kid and give her a ride, but the way you portrayed her sounds like she is plain stupid, lazy, and unwilling to make an effort. Now, here comes a bit more realistic side of the situation: SHE IS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT. English is guess what..probably not her native language and the legal immigration system in the US is one of the most disorganized, unfair, and stressful immigration systems in the world (I can rant about it endlessly). If you are gonna make an argument, such as "then why does she even come here??" or "why do all these foreigners come here if they can't handle it?", then you are running into a fundamental problem here: having foreigners in the US and in your program benefits YOU, as well as other American students and the US academia as a whole. It attracts a lot of grant money, foreign investment, foreign tuition/room/board/visas/US  taxes expenses etc.
All these foreigners contribute tremendously to making YOUR country and YOUR program one of the best in the world. For your information, education is one of the top services US economy provides to the world and in this current economic crisis these foreign funds should be at the very least appreciated. In other words, if you or any other person does something minimally altruistic to a foreign student, that will make YOU a better person. And yes, that might be a little uncomfortable because you are taught from your very upbringing to be independent and highly individualistic but you also live in a very globalized world and this is not how the rest of the world works. I am sorry for my rant, but I, as a person who has gone through the worst cycles of the US immigration system just really want to see US citizens being a little kinder and more open to foreigners who make so much effort not only to stay here, but to make this country intellectually competitive. 

I am sorry, but a lot of things in your initial rant sound clearly misleading. Of course it is extremely nice of you to help her out with her kid and give her a ride, but the way you portrayed her sounds like she is plain stupid, lazy, and unwilling to make an effort. Now, here comes a bit more realistic side of the situation: SHE IS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT. English is guess what..probably not her native language and the legal immigration system in the US is one of the most disorganized, unfair, and stressful immigration systems in the world (I can rant about it endlessly). If you are gonna make an argument, such as "then why does she even come here??" or "why do all these foreigners come here if they can't handle it?", then you are running into a fundamental problem here: having foreigners in the US and in your program benefits YOU, as well as other American students and the US academia as a whole. It attracts a lot of grant money, foreign investment, foreign tuition/room/board/visas/US  taxes expenses etc.
All these foreigners contribute tremendously to making YOUR country and YOUR program one of the best in the world. For your information, education is one of the top services US economy provides to the world and in this current economic crisis these foreign funds should be at the very least appreciated. In other words, if you or any other person does something minimally altruistic to a foreign student, that will make YOU a better person. And yes, that might be a little uncomfortable because you are taught from your very upbringing to be independent and highly individualistic but you also live in a very globalized world and this is not how the rest of the world works. I am sorry for my rant, but I, as a person who has gone through the worst cycles of the US immigration system just really want to see US citizens being a little kinder and more open to foreigners who make so much effort not only to stay here, but to make this country intellectually competitive. 

it's also because the Grumpy Cat herself is gonna be in town for sxsw, so a lot of people are heading to austin and clogging the highways just to see the celebrity!

it's also because the Grumpy Cat herself is gonna be in town for sxsw, so a lot of people are heading to austin and clogging the highways just to see the celebrity!

Well I'm sorry that you think your life is over with 28. I believe there are many grad students out there who will think: "WTF, only 28? Where's the problem?"

I am truly sorry about the rejection, though. However, even the best scores, grades and whatever don't spare you those because you simply cannot fit in perfectly everywhere. And if you would have tailored your SOP perfectly to all schools you might not get happy in these programs since it isn't what you really want to be.

Yay! Optimism!

Tired of getting e-mails about picking out your lunch?  Just you wait:  UT Austin's recruitment efforts will consist entirely of serving us the best sandwiches ever, resulting in 100% yield.  No one can compete with damned good sandwiches.  No one.

Mochicologa- do you know if acceptances have gone out for archaeology already? 

TeaGirl, great advice, but one very important correction: you can be unemployed on OPT only for 90 days during your whole OPT period (12 months, or 120 total if you apply and receive the STEM 17-month extension)

What TakeruK says is true for the jobs in the market. In the academia though, everything depends upon whether you are able to land a TT position in a reputable institution as soon as you complete your PhD. Applying for a Green Card from thereon is relatively less troublesome as compared to the jobs in the business sector.
 
You need to be in the top range and have very good contacts to land a TT job straight after PhD. 
 
Of course, it depends upon whether you are applying for a PhD or a Masters.
 
I am not sure that candidates from India are mainly immigrating to join families - except those coming on a spouse visa - this is true for other immigrants, not for Indians. Indians mostly arrive in the US to study and keep on moving from one degree or job to another till they can file for a Green Card. Perhaps this is why Dardie has asked this question.
 
I wish the USCIS would grant immigration to those who have a US degree and who have found a regular job after completing their US degree, rather than making the candidates dependent upon the employers to file for immigration.
 
A candidate who has a US degree and has found a regular job after getting the US degree should be able to file for Green Card on their own. 

Your point about some people's grammar might be true but it's irrelevant. As a rule, it's true: People who acquire a language as children become native speakers of that language. They have implicit knowledge of their language that second-language learners can never obtain. It follows from the brain maturation procedure and how/when language develops.

Hating someone for being condescending is really a waste of your time and energy on someone who is clearly not deserving. Best I can suggest is, grow up and move on. There are always going to be immature people who get a kick out of making others feel small. It's your choice to get offended though, and it's much a wiser choice to simply ignore such people and not be friends with them.

Do you mind if I ask your source on that? If this is true I'm a bit put out, not because I didn't get in but because I would have expected at least a note from my undergrad advisor there letting me know.

I feel like I carry everything I own everyday...
 
Bag 1: Normally my old MEC backpack
-Wallet
-Cell
-Laptop (cord and mouse)
-Headphones
-5lbs of keys
-Lip gloss
-Textbooks (1-2)
-Notebooks (1-2)
-Note cards
-Agenda
-Pens/highlighters
-Lunch & afternoon snack & a snack for emergencie
-Coffee mug
-Water bottle
-Costco sized bottle of Advil (not joking...it goes everywhere with me!)
 
Bag 2: Tote
-Sneaks
-Gym clothes
-Makeup / deodorant
-Hat for post-gym hair
-Towel
-Yoga Mat (occasionally)

"They would just throw stuff on the ground and expect somebody else to pick it up. It was terrible."

I had this experience at a high school in an affluent neighborhood where I taught kids who were from blue-collar money. Many of my students got Cs or below, and I rarely heard from the parents. Drugs on campus was rampant, and the kids were dirty--they even said that it was the custodian's job to pick up after them. Many of them came to school wearing designer clothes, shoes, and handbags, and dressed to the nines! Every day! Ninth grade girls in full make-up!!! The principal asked me if I wanted to come back the next year, and I said no. I'd rather teach poor kids than rich kids. I grew up a poor kid myself and what saved me was the gifted program and caring teachers in the public schools. I just can't relate to rich kids, probably like rich kids can't relate to poor kids.

The American dream for many is just that--a dream. Even if I get the highest degree I can, a PhD, I will still graduate with debt. My colleagues who are married have bought homes here. One pair bought a home here AND has a condo back in California. I don't have parents who can help me out. I don't have a legacy of money handed down from generation to generation. I don't have a trust fund. But, I do have two kids that I raise practically by myself, and I don't think it was a result of bad choices (maybe naivete, but not bad). I have the head on my shoulders, and I won't let my socioeconomic background limit my choices. But, many of the cards have already been played, and there is only so much I can achieve on my own. It's not all about individual achievement--that's what they want you to believe. The truth is that the system is already structured for some students to win and others to lose. Middle and upper-middle class parents know how to play the game--they are able to place their children strategically within the system. For the rest of us, it is either chance, luck, or a concerted effort on the part of those concerned with democratic equality to provide pathways for poor and disadvantaged children to have the same opportunities as those from privileged backgrounds.

Even though I consider myself lucky in many respects, and I credit my intelligence and hard work as far as getting to this place in my life, I recognize that there are limits and inequities still in the public schools and in American society. We are a long way from accepting people as they are and promoting equal opportunity for all.

This has been an interesting thread... In my limited experience - having only attended one grad school - I've found that it kind of goes both ways. For instance, I'm in a private university which is top tier. In my cohort only 2 of us (out of 9) came from state universities; everyone else came from private (and expensive) private universities. Some of the kids definitely have wealthy and professional parents; some of us have middle-class to aspiring mid-upper class parents. But no one acts the brat and in fact, the more "privileged" ones tend to want to position themselves in the middle class to avoid the stereotype of the spoilt rich brat. 
 
Say, take me for example: I went to a private secondary school overseas (but I got to attend it because my mom worked in the school library and got a significant break on my tuition), I got to travel a lot as a kid (because my dad's job moved us around a lot and because my mom likes to do the touristy thing). In UG I went on 2 study abroads and visited London (I got grants for my SA programs and paid for it with financial aid money). I paid my way through my UG myself and with financial aid money. 
 
I have a stipend and I am making more money now than I did during my UG. I have splurged on fancy food and shows. I went to see Cirque de Soleil over the break. But I also eat ramen noodles and baked beans at home. Spending habits are performative; people let you see what they want you to see. 
 
That said, grad school is a luxury that many cannot have (not afford, but have): not everyone academically qualifies, not everyone who qualifies gets accepted. There is an elitism about grad school that goes beyond money and it may be that sense of exclusivity that is being (mis?)understood here as "privilege". Just a possibility... 

I don't think anyone is asking you to apologize, but be aware and self-reflexive of your privilege. My family are Holocaust survivors, and education was important to them, but education is secondary when you have to survive.
I also think there is a bunch of conflation of what we are all referencing as "privilege" like you point out, but I think what koolherc states is the more salient conflation (imo) - privilege through economic status and privilege through cultural, societal status.
I may not come from a wealthy family, heck, by Canadian standard my parents are below the poverty line, but I was lucky enough to live in a metropolitan city that gave me access to people and resources to have that cultural capital to assist me in working towards a PhD.
By the by, how come for the life of me I can never spell privilege right?!

It seems you hardly adjust to your surrounding even in your own country.  After all, life is not just about good job with high pay or good university. You think too much on what you have or cant have. And you think too much on the major you are studying wont satisfy your professional goal.  And that's the price you pay for selecting something based on money not "fit". I too is an international student, I got an undergrad degree in US from not-well-known institution but I was working my best to get a six fig job here. I have no problem adjusting and never ever burn the "bridge". I say, chillax, and accept your choices which already have been made, do your best and have fun. The hard part of an adult life is to do what you dont like and be good at it. School will take you certain places, but it's your job to accomplish your goal.

I got into Michigan! Archaeology. I know from results there are a few of us on here, so congrats to everyone. I am SO excited to get an acceptance!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am cognizant of the fact that a lot of archaeology programs are located withing anthropology departments and ad coms vote collectively on all applicants, regardless of their concentration. However, there are some programs where Archaeology ad coms are separate and yet they form a part of their anthropology department. So I wanted to dedicate this topic to all of us, people who love cold beer while excavating the precious cultural evidence of ancient complex societies  who are applying to an archaeology program regardless of what department their program belongs to. Let  us know how you are doing, how is the application process going, and whether or not you have booked your April flight to Honolulu.

Hold up, was I the only one that gave them a stack of cash ahead of time?

BrazilianGuy, are you applying for anthropology as well? que legal!

I think geology would be a perfect second major if you are very interested in archaeology. Or any geo sciences in fact.

I am sorry, but a lot of things in your initial rant sound clearly misleading. Of course it is extremely nice of you to help her out with her kid and give her a ride, but the way you portrayed her sounds like she is plain stupid, lazy, and unwilling to make an effort. Now, here comes a bit more realistic side of the situation: SHE IS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT. English is guess what..probably not her native language and the legal immigration system in the US is one of the most disorganized, unfair, and stressful immigration systems in the world (I can rant about it endlessly). If you are gonna make an argument, such as "then why does she even come here??" or "why do all these foreigners come here if they can't handle it?", then you are running into a fundamental problem here: having foreigners in the US and in your program benefits YOU, as well as other American students and the US academia as a whole. It attracts a lot of grant money, foreign investment, foreign tuition/room/board/visas/US  taxes expenses etc.
All these foreigners contribute tremendously to making YOUR country and YOUR program one of the best in the world. For your information, education is one of the top services US economy provides to the world and in this current economic crisis these foreign funds should be at the very least appreciated. In other words, if you or any other person does something minimally altruistic to a foreign student, that will make YOU a better person. And yes, that might be a little uncomfortable because you are taught from your very upbringing to be independent and highly individualistic but you also live in a very globalized world and this is not how the rest of the world works. I am sorry for my rant, but I, as a person who has gone through the worst cycles of the US immigration system just really want to see US citizens being a little kinder and more open to foreigners who make so much effort not only to stay here, but to make this country intellectually competitive.