Bookman84

I am a first generation college graduate. My family is really excited about my admission into Doctoral Programs, and even more so that it is all being paid for. I turned down MA offers from Ivy League universities and that was a little hard for them to understand, even when I had a Ph.D offer on the table. I think they easily equated the debt, even with scholarship, that I'd incur from Harvard to = a nice job right out of school. When i decided to go with the Ph.D offer they were fine with my choice- not that I needed their approval. They, and myself, feel I'd make an excellent professor since I've been teaching for a very long time. Of course there is the research portion of the job too. However, I've kind of been turned off by how long it takes to become a tenured professor, the post doc/lecture circuit process, the time it takes to get tenure and the fact if you don't get it you are screwed. I'm also not cool with never being able to decide where I want to live, which doesn't seem to be an option if you are going to Professorship. I've tried to explain to them why I've changed my tune on becoming a professor. They still don't get it. I'm in a new mind-set now. My program requires me to write a thesis before dissertation. I'd love to be a research/program coordinator in conjunction with lecturing at a community college. I'm going to keep that as a goal for the first 2 years. If I continue to fall in love with grad school I will continue the subsequent 3 years to write my dissertation and obtain the Ph.D. If not I check out debt free! My family thinks I'm quitting on grad school already, but I've tried to explain to them the lost income, degree/salary comparison, etc. They still don't get it. They just are too caught up with the fact their son might get a Ph.D., and caught up in the excitement. I've heard over and over, " They are giving you 250,000$ in education over 5 years. Why would you leave?" It's a bit frustrating! But all I can do is do me!

Is it hard to sublet a studio apartment outside of Boston for the summer? I'm seeing things in my price range, but I don't want to be around in the summer and am thinking if I had roommates getting out would be easier.

Thanks so much for this! Ya, we'll be 90 minutes of highway driving away from each other. It's feasible enough to get there on a weekend without spending a whole day driving, and I think makes getting there on odd days off like Veteran's day much easier. I guess it makes it seem like a semi LDR if it s feasible to get there even for a day or two at the most and vice versa. I'm also hoping splitting the commute will save on cash for both of us. We did the distance thing at 2.5 hours when we first met. I was pretty pessimistic about it going anywhere, but by a thread of luck she ended up in my neighborhood for a temporary lab job and the relationship has been going somewhere nice! I think the only way we live together in the short term though is if she ends up working a bit more south and I end up commuting from 40-50 minutes outside of Tufts. I wouldn't ask anyone to make that kind of sacrifice for me though. Anyways, I'm rambling and hijacking my own question!

Melrose and Stoneham seem to be within biking distance (5 miles) of Tufts. I have a buddy who lives in Woburn which is close. Maybe the thing to do would be to bring my bike town and take a drop off in Stoneham and bike to Tufts, and the same goes for Melrose. The drive isn't killer, even if I factor in gas at 5$/gallon. However, I have sat in the traffic down there on several occasions, and getting places at rush hour sucks. THe good news is a wuick look at my potential schedule and I only have classes 2-3 days a week and need to be there once by 9! If I head north of Stoneham I find more places that have garages and a little more for the cash you spend. I guess my logic is since I know I'll be commuting 95 miles home at least 2 weekends a month and on vacations, and that my SO will be coming to see me 2 weekends being a bit more out might make that easier in terms of having less roommates, less drama more parking, etc. However, I am sure there is something I am missing in that thought!

I believe all loans will go into deferment as long as you are above half-time status. The Unsubsidized will accrue interest and the Subsidized I believe will not, but I might be wrong on that if you are going to grad school. Either make interests payments from your stipend or take your federal subsidized and make the interest payments. I f*cked up and consolidated so I think what were my Subsidized staffords, however measly the small amount I was awarded was, will accrue interest. Score 1 for me on the stupid chart!

So, check this tidbit out: I was poking around Tufts' website for tax information when it comes to stipends. I have to complete a W-9, but it says Tufts does not deduct taxes from payments and does not issue a 1099! I just found that odd. I guess I just need to budget harder. I can't imagine the tax bill will be huge when you take the standard deduction, deduct the Life Long Learning credit, any interest paid on my undergrad loans? Also, am I wrong in getting the impression after following these threads over the last year that some universities interpret the tax code differently? Is it a grey area for some schools?

Beautiful! This makes me happy to know I can be near Tufts without parking issues. I have a buddy who lives in a complex in Woburn...I call it the concrete jungle! The houses aren't that bad though. I'm coming from the country so transitioning to a more busy living area is going to be an adjustment because, well, I like the quiet! I figured maybe play it safe and live out for 9 months. If I love it I can move closer, but I haven't ruled out Medford at all. it is also great to know roommates are reasonable. Just as a side how did the LDR work? Maybe that is too personal, but it would be cool to compare dynamics to know better what I might be in for! How about rents is 650-800 a good range? I'd imagine the upper threshold includes utilities. How is Stoneham and Melrose? Are they close to metro lines? You've been a huge help.

So, I will be headed to Tufts as aPh.D. Student on September 1st. I wanted to brieflyoutline my personal situation and ask for advice in order to make aninformed decision for matters pertaining to housing. Thanks ahead oftime for feedback! I am a country guy and am moving to Boston from a rural place. I like my hippy farm co-ops, quiet streets and the sound of nature. In fact, I wouldn't be moving to the area if it wasn't for the fact it was close to home and was my best offer.I don't know if I want roommates yet or not based on the fact that I've never had roommates before. While in grad school I will be maintaining a semi, but drivable, LDR. We plan on seeing each other every weekend and splitting the commute. I don't know if this would be a problem if I had roommates? I plan on being away from my apartment in Mass 2 weekends a month, on all long weekends or additional 1-day Holidays and during all breaks- so, I'd imagine it is kind of a trade off, no? I can totally respect if roommates didn't dig me having company a couple weekends a month, but would hate to get in a situation where I didn't say anything about this and it was a problem. Should I disclose this up front?What neighborhoods should I consider? I will be bringing my car and would prefer not to have to menace with others for parking. Also, in making this housing decision I really wouldn't mind driving in to Tufts from someplace North if it would be a bit more Suburban and cheaper. I know ideally you want to be close to the lab, but sometimes it is nice to be away and able to shut stuff off when you go home. What neighborhoods North of Medford would be reasonable drives if I hit the road in between the high traffic patterns. Yes, I've driven around that area several times and know how bad it can be at rush hour!Outside of Medford, maybe with a commute in, what would a studio run? Could I grab one for 850$?The job I have now doesn't pay a lot, but I have been able to save for the move. I will have what I think is more than enough to move (banking on paying 3 months rent up front) by July 1. Is this too late for September 1?