PETRAL6

Thanks! That was really good advice and really calmed my nerves a bit! Since I'll be starting grad school in the fall, I wanted a job that would be easy to hold just for the summer and would be non-academic since I will have a grueling first year ahead. So I was looking for restaurant jobs and such and it's nice to know that it will not be incredibly difficult. I'm from Cleveland and a few years ago when the economy in Cleveland was one of the worst in the nation. I couldn't find ANY summer job that summer and so I am a little weary of moving somewhere and not having a job. I don't need a high paying job, just enough to get by for the summer and from what you said that seems like it should not be a wild goose chase. YAY! Excited about moving now!

I am planning on living either in Lincoln Park or Lakeview. I am a little wary of not checking out places myself. I don't want to get there and realize the place is a hole and also be paying an extra fee for the apartment services. Maybe I'm just paranoid. Small town girl moving to the city makes for a nervous situation. Plus, a little nervous about signing a lease and not knowing if I'll be able to quickly get a job. *sigh* all this and trying to do an honors thesis and graduate and such. Thanks very much everyone for the help I'm sure I'll be bugging you more and if anyone knows job statistics or has an idea of how likely it is to quickly get a job, I would be ecstatic to know.

Does anyone have any suggestions about finding a job (temp restaurant or something) and an apartment? I want to move up for the summer before I start (prob June 1st move in) but I would need to find a place before I move obviously and I don't want to spend a few weeks or more looking for a job and relying heavily on savings. Is it possible to find an apartment and a job in a couple days visiting in mid may?

Depends of the program and the school. Most schools and programs for PhD programs don't seem to allow you to defer. The website may say and if it doesn't specifically state it, ask the department. Without any more information I would say probably not though.

If you've already bought the ticket and are willing to eat the cost yourself, tell them you won't be attending because you've already decided to attend another school. Talk personally the professors you would be working with at School A and tell them how interesting their work is and how their offer was very difficult to decline, but the other school a) was in a better city for you (can't get offended about that) gave you more money c) had research interests that better meshed. Otherwise, in this situation, you may want to attend so you get the ticket refunded enjoy the schmoozing, and wait until a few days after you get back and call the profs from that school the above. Over the course of the weekend, you should prepare them for this by telling them you have a very difficult decision to make because you like professor A and B at school A, but you have another very good offer.

I think they understand you're position. I would say up front that you appreciate their offer, but have decided to attend another school. This will allow them to talk to the next person in line. They may be a little disappointed if you were one of their top choices, but they go through this every year and I'm sure will not hold it against you. If they e-mail to talk to you on the phone and you know that you will not attend the school, say politely that you have decided on another school. Usually they ask if you have made a decision before they ask for a phone call, so it's surprising they didn't. If you can't politely turn down a phone call, they should ask you what offers you have at some point or what decision you have made and you can politely say that you plan on taking the other offer at this point.

My friend's dog hardly ever barks unless my dog is annoying him. When ever one of us is out of town, we take care of the other's dog usually a fairly feverish event we call Beagle Bonanza. We may be the lucky ones with the barking, because even whn they are together, we can keep them from being REALLY loud. The other thing you can do is get bark control collars to train your dog. They have ones that shock (which I wouldn't do, but some say that it's not that painful) or one's that emit a high pitched tone. I used the latter for a few days when he started barking, but he doesn't really do it enough for me to feel I have to continue. I have also heard that barking (or the beagle howl) is connected with puberty and mostly in male dogs. (We both have males). Neutered dogs (both alos neutered) I think are less vocal. Obviously, for a myriad of reasons, I think any dog should be spayed or neutered unless you plan to breed, and it doesn't seem that that is in your plans. Again, however, this might be a factor that varies greatly between dogs of the breed.

Wow! never thought I'd ever hear any other dog with that name. Yeah, I'm partial to beagles, for obvious reasons. Beagles can get chubby though, but if you can teach yours to run on a leash that might work out. Good luck!

Both my friend and I have beagles. There are ups and downs of the breed. He's the sweetest dog and he was potty trained really easily, but he's a bundle of energy and will not walk on a leash that well. I crate trained him for the first 2-3 months and he was never alone for more than 4-5 hours. Now, he's allowed out in my room unless he;s recently destroyed something major or I have to keep something out that he might destroy. He was really almost ideal until 6 months. He never caused any problems barking or destroying things. Now, he barks occasionally and chews everything. But, I love him enough to scream inside and buy replacement items. The problem with dogs is you never know what kind of temperment they;ll have. Some breeds are better than others, but there is a lot of variation within a breed too (just like people). In addition, when dogs are young they can suddenly *discover* a new annoying trait. Like my dog realized he could destroy things at 6 months where he had never thought of it before, or barking, or god forbid biting. If you can find a relatively easy going breed and can guarantee a couple of months that you will have someone at least to let the dog out every 4-6 hours (8 max, and only if you *have* to every once in a while) you could be alright. No matter what I am glad I have my dog. I did, however, purposely get in this year so he's pretty well trained and settled by grad school. Not sure it will work, but I attached a pic of the dog. His name is Ryobi and this was when he was pretty young.

Honestly not trying to dissuade you, sorry if I sounded harsh. I'm sure you wouldn't do that. I have a friend who rescued from a shelter at about a year. There are some problems with that as well. Make sure you go to a high quality shelter (I know that sounds strange because you want to help the dogs who need the most help). Often they can not afford to take good care of the dogs and the vet may come infrequently and see so many dogs that things may slip by. My friend was told the dog she adopted was up to date with shots and had no medical problems. She ended up finding out the dog had mange which needed to be treated three times a day for about 4-6 months. Also, rescued dogs often have strange habits because they have a difficult schedule. (They may get taken outside in a shelter many times during the day, but have to be inside from 5 at night to 10 in the morning). they also may be used to paper training which can be hard to break them into going outside and holding their bladder for a bit. It took about a year to get everything straightened out, but he's a great dog now and healthy. However, some dogs may have had good training and be fairly healthy and only have been sheltered because a family moved to somewhere that can't have a dog, or sadly enough the owner passed away. So, if you rescue a dog, make sure to visit the dog a few times before bringing them home, check medical records, ask about past history if they know, and choose a dog that seems to have a clean cage. If you can take a week off (or a couple days each) to stay with the dog and get them acclimated that can really help so that they know what the rules are. Also, shelters that specialize in certain breeds (if you know what kind you want) generally have dogs that are abandoned on better terms since people seek them out. Another good thing to do is check breed data sheets and find a dog breed or mix that seems to be in line with your needs. (some dogs need a lot more attention than others).

I have a puppy and live alone. I have been fine, but not sure you'd want to get a brand new puppy right when you start grad school since they have a phase early on where they have to pee 10 times a day and I doubt you'll have time for that. Right now, I usually let my dog out three times a day, but he should be alright with twice a day by the time I start grad school and he gets even better at being home alone long periods of time. If there are two of you and you have different schedules, it might be doable, but if you're both working long days getting a puppy might be a little cruel to the animal and to you house which will be covered with little puppy presents/

Hey thought it might be neat to see where people have decided to go. I am 99% sure I'm going to U Chicago for Biopsychology. Its a great offer and the only offer I've gotten so far and a great school. I have already started looking for places to move in May or June with a friend who is going to a school in Chicago as well, but have not gotten up the nerve to check the box and send it in yet.

It may be the field people applied to. Your friends may be applying to less competitive programs or schools, or even law and MA programs which tend to have higher acceptances. Either way, comparing to others is no fun because there are so many factors that go into these decisions that often have nothing to do with you. Some fields you are more likely to be accepted, and accepted to many programs, than others. If you are in a field with relatively few spots for a lot of applicants, getting waitlisted even rocks. Also remember, that it is possible that there are a handful of superior applicants who may be deciding right now and are not really considering people like you when doing it. They may be holding 3-4 spots and having a hard time making a decision. Ultimately, though, they will be forced to reject some opening up spots. I don't know how long the waitlists are or how likely you are to get off of them, but try to relax until the second week of April. If it ends up that the people offered the positions at your schools take them and you don't get off the waitlist, then work on finding a way to improve your chances for next year by contacting professors at a lot of schools and contacting the schools you applied for and asking how to improve your app. Good luck either way!

Sounds like you have a lot of good choices. Talk to profs, students, etc to get a feel for where you would be most comfortable (both physical and economic comfort) and where you could be most intellectually encouraged when you visit. The only other advice I have is decide quickly. Rule out one if you can, then the next and then decide between the last two. But, don't wait until April 15th to reject three because people are probably waiting to hear from these higher echelon programs.

Where are you studying and in what field? Human sexuality can be covered in a number of areas. I am studying female sexuality in biopsychology at Chicago. Might be interested in discussing with you sometime.

Thanks. seems like both are not so good of options. Don't know what to do now.

I agree that a pant suit fits that situation, but not that a skirt is less appropriate. I hate that people thing to be professional you have to hide all femininity. This only give the impression that women must try to be like men to be successful, making it harder again for women. If a male prototype is made for success, women will never be able to out-male a man. First goal, look professional. Second goal, be comfortable and confident in the outfit you're wearing.

This blog is just too long to read it all, so sorry if my skimming missed an answer to this. I am 99% sure I am moving to Chicago to attend U Chicago. I will be living with someone who will be attending Chicago kent for law school. We think probably Lakeview or Lincoln Park. I was wondering if the hassle of getting a space for a car or the hassle of taking public transportation down is worse. So basically, living in these areas should I sell my car and use public transportation or keep my car and find parking spaces that will not be overly expensive?

That doesn't seem like too much of a problem. I would suggest at least putting part up, so the hair is out of your face or a highish sleek ponytail. If you have a friend who would be able to do and/or teach you to do a quick updo (not super difficult, because it might look like you're going to prom) that would also be a choice. If all else fails, shave your head and donate to Locks of Love and make sure to mention it. They may like your charitable attitude. J/k.

Ok, you have me curious. Why is well groomed hair problematic? Dredlocks, mohawk?

Everyone is rejected somewhere. If you are accepted anywhere it is actually against the odds still. Because they can accept so few, they must really really like you if they offer you admission. Getting two acceptances is great! Forget about schools that accept you and get to deciding which school you want so that you can get other people off the waitlist at the school you don't attend and make those people happy too. As for the after interview rejection, I had a phone interview that was VERY positive and even suggested massive funding and then was blindsided with rejection two days later. Sometimes, it's just funding isssues around your interest or the program in general. They may really want you, but can't afford you. No one is accepted to every school. Also, if you happen to be social psych, it seems that there were very few spaces in general this year.

I applied to three social, three evolutionary and one biopsychology. 2 rejections for social, one acceptance from bio, no word really from ev. I will probably take my offer because it's really good, but yeah, it doesn't seem that social programs are really taking a lot of people.

I would agree that it is hard to be too formal. However, if you can, wear something that you have worn before and that you feel confortable and confident in. If you need to buy something new or borrow, wear it and make sure there is nothing awkward or uncomfortable. You don't want to be fidgeting or worrying about something like the pant legs being too short in the middle of an interview. If you need guidelines or examples, the following sites may help you out: http://amdt.wsu.edu/research/dti/Women_Tips.html http://tcbsolutions.net.phtemp.com/Prop ... %20attire' http://www.collegegrad.com/interview/jo ... tire.shtml The first one is probably best. Good Luck!!!!

In programs that you have rotations or have no real connection to the research of one professor, be broad but in the area of the program. In research intensive positions where you will likely work closely with one or two professors, it is ESSENTIAL. I know in my program, I needed to have two people say that they were willing and wanting to work with me. I think the one just pushed so hard that another person said ok. I wrote a paragraph in each geared toward one or two professors.

I would (very nicely, espeically since you may end up there) mention the NRC thing to them. Perhaps asking it in a question form. Something like "I am a little confused, I talked to my other school and they said that I am waitlisted and may not know until the 15th because they give until the NRC deadline. Are you guys part of the NRC Resolution? I would also anonymously tell the NRC what they are doing, expecially if you don't end up going there. They totally suck though and I wouldn't trust them with later financial help unless you read the fineprint *thoroughly* and or with a lawyer.