michigan girl

Wow, this morning I received another surprise. I was admitted into the Master of Science in Information program at University of Michigan! Revising my statements paid off in a big way!

Has anyone heard from the University of Michigan School of Information? Specifically second round?

Thanks, FSIA. Michigan is my first choice school too. At least I know I will attend graduate school this fall!

The Midwest gets no love from either coast. I'm a Midwesterner myself, and I enjoy the friendly personalities, small town feel, and seasonal weather. You couldn't make me live in the Northeast or southern California. The Midwest isn't for everyone, but it doesn't deserve the negative reputation it often receives here. The Midwest can be affordable for graduate students. Some of the best college towns (Ann Arbor, Madison, Columbus, etc.) are located in the Midwest.

I received an email congratulating me on my acceptance to the MSW program at the University of Michigan! Woo-hoo!

Yes, there is a Trader's Joe in Ann Arbor. Sam's Club is outside Ann Arbor (in Ypsilanti to the east). I highly recommend these sites about Ann Arbor: http://arborweb.com/cg/t0170.html (Restaurants by Category) http://arborweb.com/cg/t0188.html (Stores by Category) This (http://arborweb.com/cg/t0459.html) tells you about the different food markets in the city.

Basically what ticklemepink just stated. Major chains: Target (not exactly a grocery store, but you will save $$ on items), Kroger, Meijer (you may notice that locals always add an "s" to the end of the store names), Busch (more expensive, higher-quality food) Expensive Chains: Whole Foods, Plum Market Just outside Ann Arbor: Wal-Mart, Costco (you'll need a car to access these places)

Do you recommend paying private or unsubsidized loans while attending school full-time? Or defer them?

Do you recommend taking out (let's say $10,000) loan to cover housing and other educational-related expenses?

High school teachers in wealthy middle-class school districts will earn six-figures.

I would also recommend Michigan. They have a top-ranked demography/population studies program. Their sociology program also leans more quantitative (this is particularly good news if you love statistics). You may also want to check out the Ford School of Public Policy (http://www.fordschool.umich.edu) for MPP and doctoral study. Some of the required courses there are calculus, statistics, econometrics and microeconomics.

I will offer you a different opinion. What do you want to do career-wise? If your aim is a PhD, why go to a more expensive master's program that (assuming you take out loans) will cost you down the road? If you're not interested in finance, would the Columbia engineering curriculum fit your needs? What sectors interest you? As for Michigan's location, you would probably be too busy studying to venture outside Ann Arbor to see metro Detroit (the negative comments are very exaggerated), northern Michigan, Chicago, Cleveland, Toronto and other surrounding areas. Ann Arbor is a cool, progressive place with plenty of things to do for college students. Remember, you would find Michigan alumni ANYWHERE. Good luck with your decision.

I will hear back from some of my schools by April 15th. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I live in a different state now, and I plan to travel back to my undergraduate this summer to visit my old professors. I will bring a bag of goodies (books, brochures, etc.) from my post-college experiences too. What else should I bring besides a personal thank-you card?

In your opinion, which university has the better sociology program (especially on social policy and race/ethnicity): Michigan or Harvard?

I definitely recommend business casual. If you want to wear jeans (blend in with the students), make sure you look neat and presentable.

I don't see anything wrong with going to the same university for a master's and PhD. You still received your undergraduate education elsewhere. If the graduate program is top-ranked and has professors you want to work with, it's all good.

I am only applying to master's programs. I attached an addendum about family problems affecting my academic performance. I took the test two years ago, and I didn't do so well (980; 4.5 AW) and my overall GPA is 3.4-ish. Since then, I have been working in the field with some prominent professors and practitioners who love my performance. Do you think the admissions will ignore my scores?

I say pick the school that has the professors you want to work with. Then location should be the next factor (I love Evanston and Ann Arbor).

I am applying to social work schools late in the game obviously. I hope to get into my first choice (Michigan) next month.

Although I'm not interested in a library career, I am applying for a Master of Science in Information at the University of Michigan. I am praying to get into the school.

Does this mean my chances of receiving acceptance to master's programs after April 1 drop significantly? Note: They are not my top choices but rather safeties if I don't get into my top choices.

Hi everyone, I wrote a few sentences about my academic record in my statement of purpose. Does this sound good? During the (blank) academic year, I experienced personal difficulties that included the deaths of my closest relatives. After the completion of my senior honors thesis, I took time off by returning to Michigan to mourn and recover with my family. This period represents an aberration in my overall academic record. I progressed with my bachelor

I live in Michigan, and it was 44'F today. Yes, it's February. There are several days where the temperature dips below zero. Sometimes you have temperatures in the 40s and 50s. I would say overall it's not that cold here (Wisconsin and Minnesota are colder states!)

Thank you for the suggestion. I will ask one of my recommenders to write on my behalf.