CageFree

I have a question about this. I am bilingual (Spanish), and took Latin in college. As a result, I can read Portuguese pretty well--- I can't speak it, but I can read and comprehend to about 85-90%. I need both Spanish and Portuguese for my field. It's not easy to find Portuguese classes to take. Now I know I will still need to do coursework or a translation test because I can't write it, but can't I just mention that I do read it in my CV?

Should not be a big deal. I emailed a professor with the right name but the wrong school LOL. She laughed it off.

Phone call? I thought that might be a little out of line.

I've emailed a few professors, who replied very enthusiastically and asked me a few questions. After a couple more exchanges, two haven't replied back in at least a couple of weeks. One of them is at my top choice school and I would really like to work with... the professor said they wanted to meet up with me (the school is within driving distance), and asked a question about where I work. I emailed a second time thinking it may have gotten lost with junk mail, but I have not gotten a reply to that either. I have no reason to think there was anything bad about my last e-mail, but I don't know what to do. The initial emails encouraged me to apply. Also, I've emailed a couple of others and gotten no response. Should I take that as a lack of interest and just not apply there at all?

I spoke to someone there and was told they are going to accept very few people just so they can offer funding to everyone.

Took the GRE today. 750-800 V, 650-750 Q. I've seen some people say the verbal is easier now so I wonder how that will affect the percentiles.

I made a mistake in one e-mail (I had sent two; reworded one to send to the second, but forgot to change the school name). I immediately fired a second email apologizing and rectifying, thinking I was done in. I got a very nice reply back saying not to worry about it because we've all done that at some point

I would love to exchange with you as well. I'll send a PM... e-mail works

I would love to exchange papers. I think I have a decent draft (my third) but it needs to be looked at by someone different.

Okay, that makes a LOT more sense Thanks for the clarification. I get it... I know a lot of people with ADD so I know exactly what you mean.

I don't know how to say this tactfully, but it seems you're kind of asking, essentially, "how much work you can avoid and still do well." I'm applying to grad schools as well but I'm also a high school teacher, and I get really irritated when I have students ask me things like, "what do I need to do to just get a C," like looking for shortcuts. I know I'll get a million negatives for this but it just hit a nerve. Sorry.

Well, skimming can be done with understanding Take a speed reading class if you're afraid that you won't be able to read everything... they are totally worth it

I left LA for another LA - Latin America I was considering going back to LA for about two years. It's hard to say what your chances are, but the lack of Latin and Greek will definitely put you at a disadvantage. The best LA programs require Greek, Latin, German and French for the PhD - you can go in with two and do the other two, but if you don't have any foundation, it's going to hurt your chances at any program, especially top programs. With Greek and Latin there are summer intensive courses you can take that will get you up to the fluency you need. They are not cheap but that's what a lot of people do. It may be worth it to do the MA and one of the major languages (Latin preferably) at the same time-- if you can, do French too. Then you'll be a stronger PhD applicant to a top program like Penn. In this particular field, job prospects are not good... and if you don't have a PhD from a top program, the chances that you'll find tenure-track work are practically non-existent. This came from my old adviser when we spoke a year or so ago. Also, do your research about who's teaching where because there have been several moves... Claudia Rapp left UCLA for University of Vienna, Peter Brown is retiring from Princeton... those are just two that I can think of right now.

Which USC? There are two of them.

I strongly recommend doing an honors thesis for the same reasons given by barricades. Mine was similar - we did not have to write 60 pages though - it was a min of 25, I believe.

I've already contacted a couple, and will continue to do so over the next month and a half.

Just to clarify, I said that they CAN come with a lot of problems too. I didn't say that they are all problems.

For a PhD, they call it "intellectual inbreeding." I asked the same question and was told pretty much what you have; it will be harder to find jobs.

It's really an issue of perception. You're absolutely right though. The idea that a big dog needs a big yard implies dogs just exercise themselves... the reality is that a high-energy dog needs exercise and training WITH the owner - quality time. Plus it gives people permission to dump dogs in the backyard, which IMO is tantamount to abuse.

I don't know where you're reading this. That's not what the poster said at all. The ex decided to keep the dog. This is NORMAL. When I got divorced, we each kept the dog we were closest to (we each had "our" dogs) - I have not seen his dog in a year and a half because we did not part well. Doesn't make the OP fickle anymore than my not having relationship with my ex or his dog makes me a bad owner. As for the last sentence, that is TOTALLY uncalled for. It's a personal attack. It seems YOU are projecting from something.

Just some thoughts: I have a 5-year old dog that *I* raised since puppyhood. We're a package deal . Thankfully I live with my fiance so she'll be okay. However, if you don't already have a dog, DON'T get one. They are good for stress relief, for sure... but they also add stress. You have vet bills, food, vaccinations, additional security deposits and licensing to think about; plus, little dogs have small bladders and need to go more often than big dogs, yet apartments (and sometimes, roommates) don't like big dogs. Then add the barking/noise, occasional accidents (getting sick, for example) - in more than one occasion I've gotten up at 3 AM and had to get out the shampooer to clean stuff, etc. As for fostering... it's a lot of work. Don't do it - I say this as someone who HAS fostered. Plus, a rescue group will not let you adopt or foster if you're in college and don't have the time to spend on the dog. Shelter dogs... they can come with a lot of problems too and they need a LOT of time and patience. My sister just had to rehome a dog we picked up from a shelter a year ago because he was not housetrained still (after two years!!!!) and was destructive. She's going to be a junior now and she has had no time to train. Thankfully he was a purebred and a rescue found him a suitable home (a family with a big yard). Since she's moving to an apartment with roommates, it just wasn't an option.

How important is it that you be able to WRITE in the language? In my field, I need Spanish and Portuguese. I am practically a native speaker of Spanish (I learned it as a child and went to school in South America), but with Portuguese I can read it with 97% of comprehension - just a few vocab terms here or there. I understand it if the speaker goes VERY slow, but I can't speak it as of yet, let alone write it. Should I spend time trying to learn how to write in it, or just develop spoken fluency and learn vocab?

I would. You've obviously grown, have a M.A. - you should try it again but not before studying.

Okay. It seems U Washington does the same thing.

Former UCLA student (undergrad) here A lot of UCLA students live a little further out, like in Santa Monica. If you don't drive, there is a big blue bus that takes you straight up to UCLA and the schedules are pretty reliable. Living near campus is REALLY expensive - moving out into West LA, Culver City or Santa Monica will save you $. The school also has vanpools that meet in different spots all over the LA area - if you have a schedule that is fairly steady, you can arrange to be part of it. You basically get a van from UCLA, that picks you up every morning at a central location. Then you go together - and you guys set up the schedule for pick up and drop off when you set up the vanpool. Just a couple of alternatives in case you're struggling with paying so much in rent