[What was the lowest GPA you ever heard of someone getting into graduate school with?]

I had a 2.5 as an undergrad (from a big-name university), and I got into an MS program with a prestigious scholarship from the college. I got into the other MS program that I applied to in that round, as well.

In the year and a half between finishing my undergrad and submitting my MS applications, I worked full-time as a junior researcher in industry, took five non-degree classes (in which I got decent but not outstanding grades), had two peer-reviewed publications as second author, was president of the women in CS group at the place where I took all but one of my non-degree classes, and won a conference attendance scholarship.

I'm applying for PhD programs this fall (I'll be submitting applications 4.5 years post-bachelor's), and have continued building up my credentials. They are pretty strong if you take out the undergrad grades. We'll see how I do. I'm also going to apply for some fellowships. If you don't ask, you don't get, and the time that I've spent working in industry means that I'm not cash-strapped.

One of the best psychology professors I've had was someone who had done shockingly terrible during his undergrad. I don't recall the GPA, but he did share it with us, as I think he hoped it would serve to encourage students with less than stellar academic records. Probably around a 2.0. He had no problem getting a doctorate, so there's surely hope for you!

[TA-ing this fall]

Do you have any kind of cushion (money in savings)? If not, a loan could be a good idea so that you have rainy day money—especially if you've got a student loan offer with low interest. If your car were to die in a month, for example, and you didn't have a money cushion to get you through repairs, you might get stuck taking out a last-minute loan from a bank or private lender at a less favorable rate.

I'm only an undergrad, but I'm of the mindset that there's not much harm in taking out a little extra loan-wise, just in case. I always have, and though I don't believe I've ever touched it, I love the reassurance of knowing it's there for any unanticipated crises that may arise. It's definitely preferable to taking out a high interest loan elsewhere in the event of an emergency, and if you don't spend it, you can always just pay it back immediately and not worry about languishing in additional debt.

[Lincoln, NE]

Yeah, I'm finding that even looking online, there are tons of choices. I hadn't considered just driving around. I'm visiting at the end of the month and need to cram lot of apartment shopping into a relatively short time span. I'm looking forward to a relatively low cost of living. Hopefully utility rates are just as low.

Does anyone have any advice on phone service in the area? I have ATT right now, but it's about time to get a new phone and re-up, so I'm wondering if ATT sucks there and if I should switch to Verizon. Are they both pretty good, both for voice and data plans?

A lot of people use Verizon and like it. I find that I can get more features and equally good coverage for the same price with Sprint, so that's my preference.

[Lincoln, NE]

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be entering UNL's MA program for history in the fall, and I'm apartment hunting. I can't decide if I want to live alone, or if I want to try to find a room mate (is anyone looking for a room mate?). I was looking at a place called The View that's near campus and specifically for student housing. Looks like it's basically a really, really fancy student housing complex, but it screams "party dorms" to me. Also, I've read some pretty nasty reviews of the place, so I'm a little hesitant. Does anyone have any experience with the place?

And in general, does anyone have any advice on where the best location to be in Lincoln is? Everyone keeps saying how cheap the housing is, and how low the cost of living is, but it seems that's all relative, so I have no idea what people mean by that. Any advice at all would be welcome. Are there any areas I should absolutely stay away from?

Thanks in advance.

As the other poster mentioned, near south is popular for college kids, as is what is referred to as the highlands area. Both are sometimes considered low-income/high crime, but I don't really buy into those sorts of associations. I don't feel there is such as thing as a "bad neighborhood," at least in Lincoln (where I've been living for the past 8 years). Apartments are dirt cheap in Lincoln (you can easily find a decent one-bedroom for 300-550/month), and quite plentiful, so you should rest assured that you won't have trouble finding one, even on short notice. Many apartments aren't advertised online or in print, and it's often easiest to drive around the areas near campus to scope out the places with "for rent" signs in the yard.

[How to cope with forced schooling]

I did have a job, but I was fired from it for many reasons...one of them being my need to take time off for school. But I was also verbally and mentally abused at that job, so it was not a big loss. I honestly almost hit my boss because I thought I could have a little escape from the abuses I suffer at home. But I got them worse at work on top of my home life and I genuinely wanted to hurt her badly. And I honestly have nothing in savings. All I have right now is maybe fifty dollars and that is going toward homework (need lots of posters printed).

And I have read the advice offered here, and I admit I'm afraid to take it because deep down, I really do feel like nothing will work. I feel deep down anything I do will backfire and just make my life even more miserable when I end up right back here. I feel like any domestic violence shelter would laugh me out the door because I'm not being abused by a spouse. Maybe I'm just so used to the crap I deal with regularly that I have learned how to overall cope with it,and I've learned that my life is simply not mine to live and it never has been. I feel a sense of defeat only because that's all I've experienced - there have been no small victories to encourage me further down the path to freedom. It's all just been a bunch of failures when I step outside the little box people expect me to stay in. Besides, I couldn't live for the rest of my life in a shelter.

Unfortunately, since I live with my mother, there's no way for her to not know how much money I bring in from any job. Believe me, my mother has been poor her whole life. I am poor. Living frugally has never been an issue because we've never had another option. Also,I'm not saying I personally am holding out for a six-figure job - my mother is the one who believes a master's degree will guarantee me a $100,000 job. I just want to be able to afford to live - I couldn't do that at my last job, at which I was making less than $10K annually. And yes, my mother maybe did at one time have my best interests at heart - maybe when I was five and I was prone to doing silly kid things that might harm me. But now she's at a point where she just feels she is right and must reign over me that if I deviate from the plan she's got laid out for me, I will hear about it. I wish for one second she would think about whether or not I actually want to do something...or more importantly, if I can afford to do it to begin with.

She expects me to do everything her way, but if I want something, I either can't have it or I have to endure lots of screaming and sobbing to get it. Like visiting a friend of mine a few hours away. I don't ask for money, don't ask for a ride, nothing. But I literally have to put up a fight and be so stressed out just to do something that in no way inconveniences my mother. And frankly, I am at a point where I am just sick of fighting for myself - I can do it for friends, but not for me. Otherwise, I would be fighting every single moment of every single day for the rest of my life. I can fight, but not that much. I know because I've tried, and eventually I weaken, crumble, and end up defeated. I only feel this way based on what I have been experiencing my entire life: Giving in and fighting yield the same result, but fighting makes it a lot more difficult for me.

Despite all of it, I honestly do find joy in little things, and my friends and significant other keep me going each day. I only hope they will continue to have that effect; I worry one day even my friends won't be enough to make me want to keep on living. I honestly kind of hope one day I go absolutely insane and get admitted to the psych ward. That way, maybe my mother can see just how much she has damaged me and maybe be able to talk to someone about it and they can see I'm not truly insane - just someone who is broken.

I can guarantee you that no one would laugh at you or look down on you for seeking help at a shelter. You are involved in an abusive relationship. Unlike many other women, you didn't even have the ability to choose that relationship for yourself. You were born into it. How could anyone fault you for existing in a situation entirely beyond your control? I am certain that you would be able to relate quite well to any survivor of domestic violence. It doesn't matter who the perpetrator is... you all still face the physical and emotional isolation; control of resources and time; verbal assaults, guilt, and blame; and complete despair. I can think of no one who would be better equipped to help you than a domestic violence advocate. And if you don't believe me, why not try and call? If they laugh at you, then you can be vindicated in your prediction. But I know enough to say that you will find nothing but compassion and understanding.

People who go to domestic violence shelters typically stay there between 4-6 weeks. That's seriously as long as it takes to get someone a job with a living wage, independent housing, furniture, food and other necessities, transportation, and everything else. They know what they're doing, and they do it well. A brief stay in a temporary environment may be a small sacrifice to make if it means reclaiming your future. You're so young. You have your entire life ahead of you, but there's no reason to wait. Beyond that, I can't imagine that you would find living in a shelter to be any more unpleasant than living with your mother. You could still go to school if you chose. You can come and go as you please. You really don't have to answer to anyone, but you would have the structure and support that you need, having been dependent on your mother for 23 years. I really hope you find the strength to take that first step and pick up the phone. You truly have nothing to lose. I wish you could see what we all see waiting for you on the other side. I know that if you can reach out to someone, you will never regret having done so.

You say you wish you could go insane and get admitted into a psych ward. You don't have to be hearing voices to do this. If your primary motivation to keep trudging through one more day is the comfort of knowing that you could end your own life at some point in the future, mental health services are clearly warranted. If nothing else, I hope that someone in your life recognizes your pain and makes the effort to connect you to people who can truly help you. If I could do that from where I'm at, it would be done already.

[How to cope with forced schooling]

Sadly, I cannot afford to leave home. Even if I did, I guarantee I would just end up right back here because I cannot afford to live, even if I do find a job (which there are none I would be qualified for where I live. Truck drivers, etc.) She doesn't give me money, but I do live with her. I guess that means she can decide where I go to school since I'm not contributing to the rent (I can't with no job anyway).

And I did undergrad at an Art Institute, which has a reputation as a bunch of diploma mills and for churning out ill-educated graduates. I have a LinkedIn account with my work posted...never once have I gotten anything from there. The school I went to is for-profit, meaning they just give good grades to everyone so they can get their money when, in reality, I am, at best, a mediocre artist. I can't even get freelance jobs for two dollars an hour.

If I had no debt and a job and a vehicle, I could probably pack up and leave. But having none of those things, I am stuck. There's not even any available income-based housing because it's all filled with broke people. At the very least, I believe some of my private loans will get forgiven when my mother dies since she's my co-signer. Maybe if she drives me to insanity, I can claim I am too disabled to work and get my loans forgiven like that too. I don't think that's too far out of a possibility.

I can't help but get used to going to school against my will because I have been informed if I don't make six figures with this master's degree, I will need to go back to college for yet another art degree. A higher one. The way I see it, though, if I ever really do feel trapped enough, suicide will always be an available option. I may not be able to make myself do it now, but one day I might just get that depressed.

I think you can leave, even with nothing. Is there a domestic violence shelter in your city/state/region of the country? What you're experiencing is abuse. You sound as though you've been beaten down to the point where you believe you have no options left. If you can do nothing else, make a phone call to a domestic violence hotline. They won't call the cops or force you to do anything, but they will listen and explain to you that there are options for someone in your situation, as desperate as it seems.

They can help you develop a safety plan to get help without your mother's knowledge. They can build you back up and allow you to reclaim your independence once and for all, if that's genuinely what you want. Nothing bad can come from reaching out to someone, but you know as well as all of us that nothing good can come from continuing down the path you're on. It sounds like your mother did have your best interests in mind at one time, but she's no longer oriented in reality. If you don't stand up for yourself, no one will. I really hope you can find some peace, whatever you decide to do.

[Schools Really Only Take Your Highest Score?]

My understanding is that schools ideally represent themselves as considering the highest score, but I don't think it's that simple. I've heard that some programs will average the scores, which really only helps you if you do significantly better across the board. At the very least, I imagine admissions committees can't help but take the lower scores into consideration, even they don't do so "officially." It's sort of like a judge instructing a jury to disregard something said in open court.

If your concern is AW, I would suggest that you don't bother re-taking it. AW scores are rarely considered, to my knowledge. Even the most terrible AW score can be easily overcome by submitting a strong statement of purpose/writing sample, etc. Admissions committees will surely give more weight to something you wrote that they can read versus a numerical score. If your quant/verbal scores are strong, it makes more sense to direct your effort to improving those parts of your application than it does to take the GRE again.

[online msw/social work experience???]

Hey, i have a few questions...I've noticed on this forum that no one really talks about online programs. what does everyone think about them? Are they generally frowned upon in the real world? If there is a general positive connatation with them, then it might be something I highly consider (w/a hubby in the military). Although i'm not a big fan of taking classes online, it does seem like it would make life a lot easier.

My second set of questions come from the fact that I have basically zero experience with social work, it wasn't even my undergrad major, although my major of anthropology seems pretty applicable with social work. So, before applying to any grad program whatsoever, should I try and acquire a little bit of experience?? I will actually be getting my BA in the fall, and was hoping to apply for fall of 2012, is that not enough time to make myself "look good" and have a higher chance of acceptence? Thanks all!

Speaking as someone who completed a portion of my undergraduate degree through my university’s distance education program, I would strongly advise against it. In general, I’m very skeptical of graduate programs offered entirely online. Employers are, too. There are likely some reputable social work programs online, but the person looking at your resume will not know that. They will assume you earned your degree through a diploma mill, as so many people do these days. Many schools do offer some of the MSW courses online, so if you’re looking for greater flexibility time-wise, a combination of classroom and online instruction might work for you. Social work is an area of study that is best accomplished through face to face interaction, in my opinion. If you had a BSW, I might tell you that your four-year foundation would be enough to compensate for the lack of a brick-and-mortar education. Because that’s not the case, I really urge you to consider other options.

As far as getting experience, I’m sure all of us would recommend you seek out every opportunity to do so. For one, it will definitely help your application. More importantly, it can give you the insight you need to determine whether or not social work is the right field for you. Many, many people enter the field and discover rather abruptly that they hate it. Your professors and fellow classmates will present to you a rosy portrait of your rewarding role in helping to make the world a better place, and your experience will probably not be quite so romantic. It may be downright brutal. Volunteering or interning somewhere is really the only way I can think of to even begin to understand the profession.

You also don’t mention what you want to do with a graduate degree in social work. Counseling? Teaching? Community organization? If you plan to go into clinical practice, you will definitely need to consider the accreditation of the school you choose to attend, or you may find yourself unable to obtain licensure. Good luck to you, whatever you decide to do.

[Fundamental flaw in GRE reading comprehension test]

Even if the author is wrong in how he's re-worked the sentence, he's broken it down into shorter chunks, something you've agreed with. I'm sure you would do a better job of reworking the sentence and writing it more clearly. If the GRE passages are written more clearly, they'll be easier to comprehend, which in turn means that the test-takers' scores currently cannot entirely be a reflection of ONLY their reading comprehension ability. Comprehension naturally depends on how clear the writing is too.

I believe you misunderstood me. While I agree that it is possible to break the sentence down into shorter statements, I don't agree that it is necessary or even appropriate for the purpose of the GRE. To me, reading comprehension doesn't mean regurgitating the statements in front of your face, it means interpreting them correctly. If the sentence clearly said "More married women started working because x and not y," followed by a question about why women started working, you don't have to comprehend anything.

I agree with you only to the extent that I think it makes sense to provide passages of varying difficulties (though, as someone who has not taken the GRE, I assume that's already the case). If all the passages are above everyone's head, then the test wouldn't be an accurate measure of reading comprehension. The fact that some people do answer the questions corresponding to "difficult" passages correctly leads me to believe that the test isn't flawed/biased/inappropriate. Even the author of the original article is making the case that these passages can be understood with a little thought. My view is that the person taking the test should be expected to decipher what is being said; it shouldn't be spoonfed to them.

[Fundamental flaw in GRE reading comprehension test]

It is not a passage but a single sentence! But it is so long that you mistook it for a passage, which kind of proves the point.

I think the author's already done a good enough job of re-working the sentence:

In the 20th century, more married women had jobs because they needed the money – not just because domestic appliances freed up their time. Also, employers used to only hire single women, but their supply was cut by high marriage rates.

I didn't "mistake" it for a passage; I suppose I should have said, "There's nothing wrong with that excerpt from that passage." I know what a sentence is. And I don't care for the "re-worked" sentence. It sounds like something you might read in middle school. It also doesn't really make sense. "Blah blah -- not just because blah blah." isn't a sentence, it's a fragment. To begin the next sentence with "Also" when no argument was made about why women had jobs in the first sentence is grammatically incorrect. I agree that the sentence could be broken into several shorter statements, but the example you provide doesn't do that effectively.

[Fundamental flaw in GRE reading comprehension test]

The sentence below from the GRE sample passage is not a definition, but I would hardly say it is written with any degree of precision.

The increase in the numbers of married women employed outside the home in the twentieth century

had less to do with the mechanization of housework and an increase in leisure time for these women

than it did with their own economic necessity and with high marriage rates that shrank the available

pool of single women workers, previously, in many cases, the only women employers would hire.

There is nothing wrong with that passage. In my opinion, it reads very well. Do the commas confuse you? I suppose the last few words could have said something to the effect of "in many cases, the only women employers would previously hire." What is your criticism here? How would you have written the passage?

[Low Quant score (630), great GPA, where to apply?]

Well, I know that the cutoff minimum for many of the schools I am looking at (Berkley, University of Chicago, etc.) is higher than what I have. Berkley is a 709 minimum, and U of C is 75 percentile (which is way above what I have).

I have been studying for 2 1/2 months, focusing ONLY on the quantitative portion, as I knew my qualitative was already above what I needed. I understand the material I have been studying, but the questions just throw me for a loop. I seem to keep missing out on the shortcuts for each problem type. I have never been exceptional with math. Give me a formula, and I can plug in the numbers from data, but the GRE questions just keep stumping me.

What I really need more than the standard math review type of books is how to tackle the actual GRE question formats. I can study the math reviews until I am blue in the face, but unless I can apply the concepts to the GRE questions themselves, it will do me no good. Are there any good resources out there for that? I have the book put out by ETS, and I have Power Prep. I also got the full access to MyGRETutor which did definitely help me out quite a bit (between all three I went up from being in the 500s to being in the 600s). However, it is apparently still not enough.

You sound just like me! I began going through Nova's GRE prep (specifically quant, since I'm relatively confident in my verbal/writing abilities), and I found it was better to abandon the GRE prep and first review the basics: arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. For instance, I couldn't even remember the procedures for things like factoring, dividing fractions, etc. Sure, it's helpful to understand the format and types of problems you'll encounter on the GRE, but that's useless if you don't have a good grasp of the basics. Good luck!

[Does a GPA misstep in a masters program spell trouble for PhD apps?]

I'm pretty sure an A- doesn't signal anything more than the fact that you are, indeed, human.

[A few basic questions on LOR]

The most important thing about references is that they speak to your ability to perform at the graduate level. In that respect, I don't think it's inappropriate to include references from professors in other disciplines, so long as they can do so.

I think most people would caution you to try and avoid references who can't say much more than "this student took my class and did well." That can possibly be prevented by offering up some of your work from their class to refresh their memory, explaining more about your work outside their class, and identifying how characteristics they have probably observed in you as a student relate to the programs you've selected.

Your fear of asking for LoRs seems common, although I personally don't understand why students are so apprehensive about asking for them, as though it's some extraordinary favor the likes of which has never been encountered by any faculty member. Just realize that everyone who wants to get into grad school has had to do the same (including your professors).

Someone mentioned assisting with research, which can be a great way to build a solid student-faculty relationship. Beyond that, if counseling programs are anything like social work programs, they don't mind (and often require) a non-academic reference, such as from a supervisor at a relevant job, internship, or volunteer commitment. I'd suggest looking into that, as well.

If you're worried about burdening people, make it as easy as possible for them by identifying the exact places you're applying, your specific objectives, a resume/CV, and possibly a draft of your statement of purpose. Yes, they're doing you a favor, but if you do your homework beforehand, I'm guessing most would be happy to help you.

[keeping it together]

I wasn't overly organized or anything, but I did make an actual materials checklist for each school and hung them up in my bedroom where I would be able to look at them all of the time, each time I looked at them it sunk in more and more what exactly it is I need to do. I didn't keep binders or folders of stuff, didn't really have much in the way of physical materials from schools, but I am the kind of person who really likes to check things off of to-do lists. Each time I can put a check mark next to something the less overwhelmed I am and the more accomplished I feel. I didn't take down the lists until I heard from each school because it was only then that I felt really "finished" with them. I also came across a really great "fortune" from a fortune cookie while I was in the middle of the "waiting for results" process and really needed a lift because I had just found out I was on the waitlist for my dream school, I hung that up next to the lists, it says "never confuse a single defeat with the final one." It was so appropriate at the time that it was a little eerie. Now for some reason I can't seem to bring myself to take down the one from the school I was accepted to. It still hangs there, right in front of my face...the other 2 I took down right away and put up my acceptance letter next to the check list...sentimental maybe. When I stop to look at it I marvel at how much work it was, that I actually got it all done and it paid off. It's my favorite list at the moment.

That strikes me as both adorable and awesome. I'm also a HUGE list writer. I love post-its as well. In fact, my apartment is more or less wallpapered in colorful standard sized post its with GRE words that I didn't recognize when going through the list of 4,000 in a NOVA'S prep book. It's pretty, and actually a wonderful way to learn (seriously, I've learned at least 150 new words in the past week through this technique alone). I might steal your idea a bit, but in the form of a bulletin board or magnetic whiteboard. Love it!

[applications asking about other programs being considered]

Thanks, fuzzylogician! I had attempted to search for similar topics, but couldn't really come up with any search terms that I thought would capture the essence of what I was asking.

I realize that letters will invariably be somewhat generic (save for the individualized questions of each insitutution). That said, my top choice doesn't have a specific form for letters of recommendation. It's totally up to the writers, so perhaps that's why I would really like my professors to transcend the typical LoR. I want to ensure that they highlight aspects of my qualifications that relate directly to that program and touch on issues that are emphasized in the program but not explicitly communicated, in the absence of any formal criteria from the program itself. I hope that I wouldn't be out of line to ask that sort of favor from those who are graciously donating their time to provide recommendations.

Unfortunately, my undergraduate degree is in psychology, so I really have no one with whom I can discuss graduate programs in social work (my school doesn't offer a social work program). Really, that's why I'm spending so much time on these forums. I'm desperately trying to compensate for the lack of a mentor or any advice from my undergraduate institution.

[applications asking about other programs being considered]

So I’ve finally identified my top five social work graduate programs (for reference, but probably not germane to this discussion and in order of preference: WUSTL, University of Texas-Austin, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor). I had a “safety school,” but eliminated it from consideration when I realized that if I were to be rejected from the other five, I’d prefer to spend a year working and strengthening my application than to accept an offer from that school.

All of the programs seem like a good fit for me, some more than others. In reviewing the applications for various programs, I’ve found that some of them specifically ask about the other programs to which I’ve applied. This caught me off-guard… Can anyone explain why this is asked? It’s hard for me to admit to my top school that I’m looking at four other programs, even though I realize it’s not reasonable to apply only to one or two schools. I’m still curious how that information is used or considered relevant to my application.

Additionally, when asking people for LoRs, is it wise to indicate to such people the programs at the top of my list? Because I will be seeking LoRs from the same people for each program, I’d prefer that if they must delegate their time between the five letters, they focus a greater amount of their attention on the letters to my top two schools, versus the other three. Is this strategic or might it backfire in some unintended way?

[keeping it together]

I'm sure I'll have more profound questions about applications as deadlines near, but for now I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the amount of STUFF that is sure to accummulate in my apartment in the next six months. Most (if not all) of my applications will be completed online, but I'm the sort of person who prefers hard copies of things to intangible electronic versions, so it's likely that I will have printed a million essays, collected brochures and literature from potential schools, not to mention the resumes/CVs, transcripts, application checklists, etc. How do I keep it all organized?

I probably lean toward over-organization, so neurotics feel free to weigh in. I have ADHD, so everything must be color-coded and not tucked away in a drawer (if I can't see it, it doesn't exist--I'm not sure if this is an ADHD thing or just a personal preference, but it's crucial nonetheless). I'm thinking it might be wise to invest in a binder for each of the six schools to which I'm applying and start filling them up with the essentials, making a cover page with the checklist and specific requirements for each...

Does anyone else have any thoughts on what to do/not to do when managing the massive amount of application-related materials? I honestly believe that for me, the application process is going to be the most difficult aspect of graduate school (and I say that with the upmost appreciation for the tremendous amount of work that lies ahead). Thoughts?

[first generation students]

I had to resurrect this thread if for no other reason than to thank those who shared their experiences and bring it to the attention of others in similar situations. I’ll be graduating from a mediocre state college at the age of 26, after having spent several years in the real world following a humbling two-year stint at a community college. I’ll spare you the specifics and provide the abridged version of my life story:

Poor family. High school drop-out parents. Rampant drug addiction, alcoholism. Perfectionist. Squandered scholarships. No longer special. The real world. An existential crisis or two. Present time.

In my research into graduate programs, I’ve come across numerous articles authored by bitter, self-hating PhDs who advise no one but the independently wealthy to so much as entertain the idea of attending graduate school. I think that’s ridiculous. Is a privileged 22-year-old any better equipped for the task than a seasoned quasi-professional in his/her late-twenties with years of real world experience and a stellar academic record? If anything, I believe that my economic challenges are precisely what have made me an ideal candidate for graduate school. I’m idealistic, but not naively so. I’ve been around enough to have formulated solid educational and career objectives. I can balance a budget and I can juggle responsibilities to a degree that should be considered insane. I can also count on one hand the number of times I’ve felt sorry for myself (this being one).

Adcomms don’t want to hear my sob story, and I don’t want to tell it. There are times when I would like nothing more than to explain how working 60+ hours a week and attending school full-time has given me the time management skills necessary to succeed in graduate school. I’d love to explain how I wasn’t able to prepare for the GRE because I spent every night fielding crisis calls from clients and writing incident reports, but I know better. My hope is that I will be able to write a statement of purpose that reflects my potential—without offering excuses—and still showcases exactly who I am. I know that if I’m able to do that, I will have no problem navigating the journey ahead.

I have no doubts about my plans. I know my decision has nothing to do with extending my youth, escaping reality, maintaining a fragile ego, or earning a six-figure salary. I would love for my family to one day embrace the choices I’ve made with my education and my life, but I know I have to be prepared for the possibility that they will never fully understand why this was right for me.

[scholarships]

I'm not much help, but I've found that certain programs offer quite a few scholarships, while others make it rather aprubtly clear that they will be happy to help you along in your journey toward crippling student debt. I've forced myself to focus only on programs with a glimmer of hope for funding, be it in the form of scholarships, work-study, assistantships, etc. Fastweb is pretty much a joke, and I don't know that there is much in the way of outside aid to graduate-level social work students. I'd be curious to hear what ideas others might have...

[Terrible AW, what to do?]

You can also remove any doubts they may have about your writing by sending in a strong Statement of Purpose.

This. I imagine if you're going to botch any one section of the GRE, analytic writing should be the one, because it's the easiest to reconcile in your application. Many schools to which I'm applying don't even reference the GRE (masters programs) but if they do, they typically zero in on the verbal/quant sections because they can see your writing for themselves when they review your application. All is not lost.

[GRA/Admission Question]

From what I read of the original post, he did not accept with the RA position contingent. Rather, he had an unofficial offer for an RA position, and accepted.

Thank you. I overlooked that when reading the post the first time.

To Green31, I agree that if it's not an issue of funding vs. no funding, there may not be any compelling reason to jump ship. If you have a TA position at School B, I'd run with it and worry about research down the road. I don't know that many students are expected or even encouraged to pursue research during year one. If you have reason to believe that research opportunities will be available in the future, it seems prudent to stick around and make it work at your school of choice.

[GRA/Admission Question]

As someone in a totally different field who hasn't even begun applying, take this for what it's worth. My opinion is that there is nothing wrong with discussing your options with School C. Your acceptence with school B was contingent upon the availability of funding and research opportunities. Things have changed. I can't think of a more legitimate reason to explore your alternatives. My opinion is probably guided in some small way by my aversion to the idea of pursuing a PhD at one's undergraduate institution. Regardless, I don't think you're obligated to keep your part of the bargain (attending) if the school is unable to keep theirs (research).

[Needing advice on pre-app visits, please!]

I don't have all the answers. A couple things: definitely visit! That's a no-brainer. As far as contacting professors, I can't comment because I don't yet know enough about what is/isn't appropriate. Others can help you there. I don't think you should worry a great deal about having to discuss your research background... I'm thinking the professors would be happy to entertain your (insightful and not obvious) questions about their own research, which you could, in return, connect to your research interests, even if you don't feel your research experience is relevant.

[Does a nurse's aid do all of the dirty work?]

Many of my friends have worked as CNAs and really enjoyed it. It depends on the environment, for sure. At a retirement home, for instance, there's probably going to be mostly diaper-changing, toileting, bathing (and depending on statutes and training, med administration), but I had one friend who scored a one-on-one job working with a parapalegic and a lot of it was just companionship and basic home health sorts of things. As far as it being a step toward a career in nursing, most nurses I know did work as CNAs at some point, but the majority of CNAs I've known never went on to pursue an education in nursing.