Astarabadi

Well to add to your question smootie: I am wondering if there are any discussion lists, groups, or online forums like this one dedicated to librarianship. I have found tons of blogs, which is good, but not many helpful discussion groups or lists. Also, if someone recommend any by specialty (archivists, digital, cataloging) I would greatly appreciate it!

Ok, thanks guys.

So, 1. Person A is a graduate student at a PhD program and is satisfied. Can move on and finish PhD and get job, whole 9, etc. Good relation with advisor and faculty and fellow cohort. 2. Same person A is also interested in a job at another university--at another department, with other people, nothing to do directly with his current university. He applies for the job. 3. Now is the search committee at the university that will maybe hire him bound not to speak to his current adivsor (boss)? Because person A has listed nothing in his application stating that his current advisor will be a good reference. Also, his current advisor should ideally not find out that he is applying for a job. Person A just wants to apply for the job quietly, find out if he was hired, and move on and tell his advisor. 4. Now the question is legality: if the search committee directly or inadvertently contacts his current advisor, then that is trouble for person A. He might not be hired and might also be denied candidacy. But then is there not the question of legality--the university he is applying for will be held responsible for contacting someone and then damaging the career of person A. He never asked that his advisor be contacted and wanted that to stay quiet. Both advisor and hiring university are implicit is maybe damaging person A's career. any advice? any thoughts? who is maybe the best person at each university to consult in terms of legality? thanks !

Since we are on the topic, I had a question: The courses I am about to take (first quarter as a GS, PhD progam) offer two methods of evaluation: 1. Letter Grade (ABCDF) 2. Credit/No Credit. I'm wondering what the difference is, since I can opt to choose either when registering for the same course. What sort of experiences are to be had with each one?

I believe both rising star and wild violet make valid points.It seems sensible to take minimum load of credits (11 credits per quarter where I am) and then test out how one's schedule and work load corresponds. maybe one can add more credits after settling in and getting a feel for the program. Also keep in mind that taking only the minimum number of credits will prolong your career at your program, which can be a plus or minus depending on how you use it.

RE: Housing check out http://www.stanford.edu/dept/rde/cgi-bin/drupal/housing/charts/graduate-residence-chart. has anyone heard anything about Vaden Health Care? Is it valid only at the physical location at Stanford or elsewhere (a network, maybe) as well?

wow, lot of "desis" here.,, any idea about graduate housing? I know there's apts avail. at Escondido Village, but how much are they and is it feasible to rent them with the av. stipend is the question. I'm going to be in the Humanities, btw. enjoy the weather there!

Wow, if you did get invited to NES at Princeton that is a big deal. One of the faculty members told me personally that last year they had 144 applicants, shortlisted 18, and chose only 4. I am curious to know these stats about NELC and SALC at U of Chicago. good luck with the interview!

Actually, teaching is an important part of training as a graduate student. Also, I know two of my friends from Princeton who opted not to focus on being TAs or TIs and it did hurt them in the long run. One of them had a good deal of trouble finding a job, and finally settled in another Ivy League in NYC. He had to teach as visiting professor at 3 places across the country to build enough experience so that his current place would hire him. A degree from Princeton only took him so far. I also know from another friend who now works at a good state school and got a degree from one as well...I quote "Ivy league/good private school graduates have a very specialized knowledge of the subject, but they lack in a vast, general knowledge of the subject area. They also have minimal teaching experience, which makes them less attractive as candidates for jobs. with graduates from state schools, they are not necessarily specialized but have worked as TAs, or have had to do so to maintain funding". I don't know how true that is for subjects outside the Humanities, but from what I can tell it might be true.

Thanks to both of you for making things clearer. StrangeLight, I actually followed your earlier advice and avoided all mentioning of actual numbers during the interview. But I was given exact numbers, which were brought up either by faculty (the last part of our conversation) or grad. students. I happily smiled to let them know I heard the number. I've gotten a standard package at a good private university. It's not all that bad BUT what I want to know is this: who has the authority to increase the yearly stipend/fellowships? You say director of graduate studies. Obviously he or she has to negotiate with the university and the people (which people?) who make the budget. I am not trying to understand the deep meshed world of university red tape and bureaucracy here. All I am trying to do is: A) IF I get a better offer of funding from another university (which is actually just as good as this one) then I can ask these folks to match it, thats all. Like Simple Twist of Fate said, i can be spoiled for choice if two equally good universities have chosen to admit me (for which I am thankful).It is very likely that the "other" university will send me an offer soon and offer funding. I know the second university to have better funding too, but it's my second choice considering everything else. You are right, I do not want to offend the POI or the faculty by bringing this up with them directly. That is why I want to be careful and not mention it and sound crass. If I could speak to the "person in charge of delegating funding" (yes, I dont know what sort of animal that is) and just say to them, gingerly over a cup of green tea "you know, I love your program here and I really want to study here. BUT XYZ has offered me N amount of dollars more. Can you match that please?" and they simple nod their head and write that number down in my file somewhere and everything is magically fine. C) I want to do this simply because I know I need the money. Some of us have families, dependents, etc. and the extra dollars can go a long way So I do have a need for it. I'd like to hear more, please continue..... (GC is awesome. good luck to everyone else).

Great. Thanks. I'm still not sure about the workings of power, so am trying to be nice to everyone. Who handles funding then, if I want to negotiate something?

Folks, just need some tiny advice.... got into my top choice program (yay!), received letter of acceptance from PI. Official to follow soon...how to respond to the official letter?? Do I write back to the Dean in a thank-you sort of way? Whats the correct response to a official notice btw? thanks, good luck to all.

So, I did have a good day at my interview. Top school, great funding. It turns out that out of 50+ applicants, they are considering only two. I was the only one to be interviewed, which is a *big* step, since PI is considering me. Don't know if it's a yes or no. Am in wait purgatory, right before release. PI and committee said it might take up to a week to decide, since they will either take me or none at all. Advise? Thoughts?

um...sorry to interrupt but where are the result boards for history? here or someplace else?

Thanks for that update, hadn't thought about the "downgraded" pool of applicants (if I may call it that) from the Phd to the MA. But what about funding, if such an offer is given? and also, am I right in assuming that even these tier-two MA applicants have to be notified by April 15?

In addition, a little helpful tip that someone told me to do during the interview: Take a small little notebook with you. Anything that fits snugly in your pocket will do. Before your interview, write down a list of questions you'd like to ask each professor/grad. student. Keep the list of questions handy, and you can refer to it during the interview if you get nervous or might have forgotten something. Also, you can note down something that stands out about the professor...maybe he's bald and likes to joke about it! These little things can make a good impression, and break the ice and help you remember. It's good advice but I haven't tried it. But it's worth a shot, if you like noting everything down like I do.

I got a similar offer and am off to the university next week to the Dept. of Religious Studies. Here's some tips: 1. re: what to expect. I just received my one-day schedule from the admissions officer. I am meeting the professor who will possibly me my main adviser, then meeting two other faculty members, who are not from my field. I am guessing these two will asses my general understanding/approach to studying religion, along with theories and other work being done in the field. Will have to brush up on what they have written. I am also meeting with another faculty member, presumably to test my language skills. we might do some reading, so I might show off my language skills. Then I have lunch with the graduate students. Will have to see if they are friendly enough, what the atmosphere in general is like, and what their aspirations are. 2. re: what to wear. Dress nicely, but not more than business casual. You dont want to wear a tie and seem too business.Maybe a blazer for the guys at best. I guess my main concern is how clean my shoes will be! (just bought new ones). 3. Of course, this is not an offer but pretty close to it. I'm not sure how many other applicants I am competing with, and couldn't find that out either. But I'm sure they will make a decision after everyone has had a chance (maybe upto 20 possible applicants?). So best you can do is be confident and let your skills shine. Also take an interest in what the faculty are doing! good luck folks

Also, I found this site to have some helpful information on those wanting to know more about grad-school interviews: http://www.varsitytutors.com/blogposts/grad+school+interviews

Thanks Strangelight, this actually really helps. I guess asking about stipends is a touchy question with grad. students (I've received replies like "its sufficient" from people I dont know before. Some of my friends who are at schools I applied to have been kind enough to tell me the amount straight-up). Also, if faculty members don't have much of a clue then this begs the questions: 1. What makes you a candidate for FULL funding/more than others? Is it need? is it ability? 2. Who determines this amount, if not the professor/adviser and his or her recommendation to the dean? 3. Should you then only expect a definite amount to be offered to you when you get an offer of acceptance from the dean's office and not before? I mean, is it taboo to bring it up in the interview at all? I ask this because some of us have families to support, and having a clearer idea would be better than just "its sufficient to live on" , esp. when coming from a single guy. See what I mean?

Also, How does one find out what the graduate stipends exactly are at various schools?

So, I recently got called for a first-round interview at one of my top schools [Religion Dept., not History]. It is one of my top choices, am interested in what the faculty are doing, funding is great.... Don't know what to expect in an interview though! Do I wear a suit? What are they trying to find out? What should I be asking? it is exciting, but am trying to plan...so ANY help will be appreciated (any other posts on GC that I should read?) thanks guys

Hi there folks, just to add an update of what has *been going on* So am keeping myself busy with work, but also keeping an eye on the applications. I found out two things, one cool and the other not so much: 1. I can edit my application even after submitting it!! YES ! It might seem odd when you submit all the paper work, and especially the SOP and writing sample (for us folks in the humanities out there) that everything is FINAL. It's not like the websites and admission officers/officials don't make that clear to you. But I had a trick up my sleeve--I called a few times in the Fall of ask questions and familiarized myself with the *nice* and *not so nice* admissions officers out there who will of course be responsible for arraigning my paperwork and receiving it, etc. So after I submitted I looked at my SOP and writing sample and corrected a few mistakes. Nothing major, but a few spelling errors, a few other additions to my SOP, and so on. I did this after a professor kindly corrected them for me. I trust his judgment so gave it a shot---and guess what! I called the admissions officers up and asked them very politely if I could submit *new and revised* copies of my paper work. At this point I was expecting a flat-out no since *there's so much work, you already submitted, we cant honor that request, blah blah blah* but YES! some of them DID accept my work again by email and put it into my application. That is very nice, it gives me peace of my at least. Some of them did refuse, since the *rounds* have started. 2. That officially colleges have to inform you of their decisions by April 15. Yes, I know some of you have applied before, some received offers (congrats goldielocks),but for first timers such as myself that's a long ways down. I'm hoping I get the acceptance/rejection letters from my top schools first, so I can decide early. Any thoughts on this?? 3. Also, I have decided to email the professors I was in touch with all through Fall and just touch base with the. *dear Prof. X, I submitted my application in blah blah and ....* just to have my name pop out in their minds. If i could I would enter their dreams. Any thoughts as well? good luck chumps