mjej

My visit went really well. I liked the size of Newark, I think the campus is beautiful, and I like that it's located close to big cities-- but not in them. However, the most important aspects in a grad school decision are the strengths & "feel" of the program. I liked my department, the curriculum, and the assistantship work I'll be doing. So I accepted shortly after my visit & I'm excited to get started. Good luck in your decision!

Thanks, Nikara. One other question: Someone above (from a previous year) mentioned that the apartments feel kind of "dorm-like," noting that they have a cinder block wall and tile floors. How do you feel about that? Do they feel like fairly normal apartments? Is there decent light/windows? Thanks again!

Nikara.....Thanks much for sharing! My wife & I are actually hoping to look into Conover Apartments while we're in Newark on Friday. We like the idea that they're right there on campus & all the utilities are packaged into the rent price. A couple of questions: Do you know if there is a lot of turnover from year-to-year? The housing lady said there is already one family ahead of us on the waiting list if we apply now, and could be more in front of us if we wait very long. Also, do you know if they show open units? I'm guessing not, since they are probably all full. Thanks!

Hi "User_Name"..... This board has proven to be inactive thus far in 2012. I've been trying to get info myself. That said, I spoke with someone from UDel who said one person in their department communtes from Philadelphia (!). Not recommended, but she does it. So I've gotta imagine that Wilmington is possible: Mapquest says it's a half-hour commute.

Thanks for sharing! I've never seen this report. His conclusions makes sense.

Hey all! I thought I would "bump" this Newark/UDel thread to see if we can get some discussion going for 2012... I am considerting a Masters program for Fall 2012 & I'm looking to explore Newark during a visit there next week. I have a wife & a 3 yr old who would be moving with me, so I'd love to have some advice about affordable places that *not* party complexes. Can anybody weigh in on the atmosphere (and value) of the following complexes, and/or add new ones for us to consider? Any info is greatly appreciated!! West Knoll Apartments 260 Elkton Rd, Newark, DE 19711 302-368-7912 Victoria Mews Apartments 12A Odaniel Avenue, Newark, DE 19711 302-368-2357 Studio Green 91-2 Thorn Lane, Newark, DE 19711 302-368-7000 Apartments at Pine Brook 1314 Wharton Drive, Newark, DE 19711 302-731-9253 University Courtyard 100 Scholar Way, Newark, DE 19711 302-894-1500 Foxcroft 120 Wilbur St., Newark, DE 19711 302-456-9267 Conover Apartments (On-Campus, University Grad Housing) Pride's Court LeSussex Road University Village 207 Mederia Cavalier Country Club Apts Chelsea on the Square 41 Winterhaven Drive Apple Chase 2102 Ashkirk Drive

Oh, OK, that makes sense then. I guess I didn't realize Penn had different concentrations. I'd have a hard time deciding between living in Ithaca & Philadelphia. Obviously, if you're looking for a city experience, it's an easy decision. You have to feel good about your living situation. That being said, have you visited the departments? For me, that is HUGE. Meeting the faculty (or a couple of them) is helpful, and if you can meet a couple of the current grad students to measure the "vibe," it can be invaluable. In my experience (I already did one Masters), current grad students will be very candid with you about +s and --s, especially if you speak with them without faculty around. Facilities mean a lot, too. I assume Cornell & Penn have top notch buildings, etc, but in the past, I've visited schools where I was so turned off by the department's facilities, campus location, grad student offices, etc, that I ruled out the school. But perhaps most important to me is funding. If I have a full tuition waiver & a sizable stipend offered at one school, but far less than that at another school, I think it's kinda silly to go into debt --- unless you feel VERY strongly about one school over another. This is related to your comment about being "guaranteed a job." I would think that's quite unlikely. I think your work experience, networking, & your personality are *far* more important than the school on your resume. Just my 2 cents.

I'm not an expert, and i don't know your goals, but aren't the Cornell & Penn programs very different in their content & focus? I'm thinking Penn is very design-focused, whereas Cornell was very planning-oriented. I could be wrong.

Absolutely. I'd go if it costed twice as much to visit. But it sure would have been nice to have some of my costs defrayed.

I am applying to MA programs in HP. I actually didn't apply to Cornell because it was so heavy on the 'planning' aspect, whereas my career goals are geared elsewhere. After a ton of research, I identified 3 programs that were ideal fits, and applied only to those 3: U of Delaware, U of Vermont, and U of Maryland.

Well.....the results are in......and I wasn't offered travel funds for my visit. The DGS said they don't have any funds to support student visits, though she hopes they will in the future. lol.....I hope so, too, but it doesn't help me much now! Still the email was friendly and I'm looking forward to my visit, even if I will be shelling out several hundred dollars :-( .

Sorry to hear about that, but you didn't want to live in Ithaca, anyway, right? My wife & I visited there 2 summers ago, and while the area itself was absolutely beautiful, I just didn't like the vibe in town.

I'd feel sorry for that grad student . . . I have a wife & 3 year old now. :-) You're right, though . . . That arrangement would be helpful for a single student

Frankly, if all else is equal, then just go with what "feels" right. Where do you get a better feeling when you visit? What campus is nicer? Which has better parking (lol). ntangibles & "emotional" factors are sometimes just as important as the nuts & bolts. Certainly, one must "feel" better than the other when you visit, right?

I haven't seen any signs of other Historic Preservation applicants for Fall 2012. Anyone else on this site in the HP field?