kbui

I want to have a career transition from science & non-profits to government & private, and I have a high interest in economics (especially behavioral economics). I would eventually enjoy a high-profile position in government working to help secure U.S. interest and investment in Southeast Asia. I graduated cum laude at a private Catholic university in Minnesota with a B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Mandarin. I've read many popular economics books including: Freakonomics, Super Freakonomics, the Tipping Point, Outliers, Naked Economics and Naked Statistics. I have not taken any economics courses, but have taken statistics and calculus with stellar grades. I have two questions up for advice: Are there (decent) schools and programs that don't require students to have an undergraduate background in economics? If not, would an online course in micro and macro suffice for pre-requisites for (decent) schools?

I think it's different for each country, but we went through a third-party agent in Chicago. They were a Thai company. I'm actually flying out of San Francisco instead of Minneapolis, my home city. They didn't care.

I like many of the advice on here. Right now I think that I will: Evaluate the level of commitment and potential for a future together with him Understand that it's not going to be the honeymoon phase forever (most probably) and that I should be prepared to accept him outside of that phase Ask him if he could sacrifice and move to New Haven or the East Coast so we can be closer together (if that's an option for him) Understand that a year apart is a very long time Discuss options that will work for the both of us because giving up graduate school for a new relationship may put a lot of burden and expectations on the relationship Understand that a relationship that is worthwhile should not require me to give up my dreams and aspirations I greatly appreciate this advice, GradCafe!

I was set for the next three years. Fulbright then two years of graduate school, graduate, get a high-profile job in government, then meet tons of great people and live a life slightly less glamorous than Britney Spears. But now I've met someone, and at the moment (because as we all know it gets a lot less dreamy after a while) he's everything I've ever looked for a in a partner: generous, smart, attractive, ambitious, and witty (in addition to tons of other great qualities). He lives nowhere near New Haven or the East Coast. After I get back from Fulbright, assuming that we will want to continue our relationship, should I not attend graduate school for the chance to be with someone who's potentially a long-term partner? I mean, graduate school will always be there and I don't know if I really need a graduate degree after seeing friends graduate still as scared of starting a career the real world as they did in undergrad. Advice from people who started relationships before graduate school?

Congratulations! Make sure you update your information to the spreadsheet!

I remember reading another scholar's personal statement, and they analogized teaching science as a "foreign language" to the students. It was really interesting to read how they related learning about different chemical compounds and fitting them together like words in a sentence. I'm sure you can go something along these lines, or get even more creative. Also, teaching is a translatable skill and is not always exclusive to a subject. As for the "side-project," some ETAs choose to teach/engage in the community some other way. Some will teach American football, start a summer camp, create dance classes, explore traditional art, do preliminary research on a topic of interest, and much more! The side-project shouldn't take up the bulk of your statements, but make it a well thought out and pragmatic project and you'll stand out in the application process.

Hi Starlettmimi, I am so flattered that people at Grinnell are talking about little 'ol me! I really appreciate the comment, and I'm very, very excited! I've already started preparing lists of items to bring to Thailand for teaching and looking at where I can continue Thai lessons. Chiang Mai is going to be so beautiful! You're going to love the cultural capitol and second largest city of Thailand. I'll be in a smaller provincial town, but I'll definitely be looking at ways to travel around. I'll have to contact you after we exchange blog subscriptions & contact information!

Hi all, I've added a GradCafe Statistics chart on the bottom of the spreadsheets for those curious minded and statistics folks.

I'm an advocate of asking.

I think there are many circumstances that may bring you to principle status, and the principle candidates not accepting their grant is just one possible reason. Other reasons may include: extra funding for the country, the principle statuses decreasing the amount of their grant because of outside funding, and some other ones I can't think of right now. In whichever case, Fulbright might be able to tell you the status for funding/the principles; however, I wouldn't be too surprised if they kept it confidential because we're not really entitled to know that type of information.

Could you give us more details on your grant and the situation? It sounds like you're a non-US student applying to the US into Columbia, and that you're gaining $8,000 in funding (but will presumably need to either take out loans or somehow get the rest of the money for board & tuition), and that once you are finished you will have to work 2 years in your home country. Is this correct?

Greetings Gradcafe, I have a serious question. I got into a really good graduate school program, and I also won a very nice fellowship to go abroad for a year, but after mapping out my five year plan (I know, I'm too organized for my own good), I am having some qualms about graduate school. I'm currently 24, and I love enjoying my youth. Currently my plan is to spend a year abroad and then return to the U.S. to attend graduate school for two years. By the time I graduate I'll be 27. I'm afraid that if I throw myself into graduate school right away, I won't be able to enjoy the prime of my life. I feel like it'll be like when people retire and then go traveling instead of traveling when they're young and able to do random things and go enjoy things young folks enjoy. But on the other hand, I would love to go to graduate school and learn more about something I love and to become a leader in my field. It would be nice to have extra credentials and a good name to go on my resume, but is it worth two years of the apex of my life? Enjoying my youth, or graduate school: who should win in this battle?

Haha, I wish I could meet you guys in D.C. But Thailand actually just has an in-country orientation in Bangkok.

I love Magoosh! I highly recommend them. If you put the time and effort into it, you won't be disappointed with the price.

These applicants are all going for MDs, JDs, or PhDs! I hope I'm competitive enough...

I hope you succeed this round! I still can't believe they actually take grants away...

Greetings! This is directed to students who were admitted into the Harvard School of Public Health Masters program. Besides the eligibility requirements, do you have any tips for a successful application?

Tenacity will pay off!

Hey Kelseygwynne, I know your pain. I applied ​three times and to FINALLY be selected. I forgot if your project was recommended or not, but what made you change your country?

That sounds horrible! I can't believe you called you to say that you're no longer funded...

I think either the data on the spreadsheet got deleted and then someone had to fill in the data again, but a lot of my information got changed. I fixed it, though it may've happened to other folks too.

A lot of people have been asking me that, lol. I actually deferred Yale until 2015, leaving 2014-15 for Fulbright (or the other opportunities). During that year, I'm going to apply for fellowships/scholarships/grants to help cover my graduate school costs--since we all know the ROI for graduate degrees aren't high enough to be worth 100K+ in debt, lol. AHH! I can't believe our dreams are coming true!

Congratulations!!!

Jonathan called me and said that "[Thailand found some extra funding, and the commissioners told me to call you to inform you that you've received a grant.]" It was so unexpected! I actually received a very straight-forward, "You are not selected," email back in April, with "NS" in the subject line. I don't think they made a mistake, but that extra funding just appeared. Though I'm not too sure on what the situation is for alternates to Thailand for an ETA. I don't know if there are any on the forum that received the same email/phone call that I did, but I hope this is the case for other applicants also!

Hehe, oh Secret_Ninja.