WalterBenjamin

I had two advisers on the MA level. The first was a stereotypical "Professor Smith" from the PhD comics. It turned out that he was incredibly caring at the end of my program, but you could not tell it the two years that I TA-ed for the man. He was very... detached. In fact, he sort of avoided having an eye contact with you, but we did drink a lot of wine in front of his fire place while talking. His approach to mentoring was loading me up with books, loads so huge, that I once went tumbling down on the floor right outside his office. I transferred to a different adviser, and there were no hard feelings. It was over a difference in academic interests/methodology. In fact, my family still goes to his house for Thanksgiving 7 years later.

Second adviser was a dream. I remember sending her my thesis at 11 at night, and having it back with her hand-written notes at 7 in the morning the next day. And the thing was HUGE. She was thorough, respectful, fast. We ended up having a great connection. I flew across the country 5 years after I graduated to have a heart to heart with her about my academic career and what I want to do with it. Come to think of it, we stayed at "Professor Smith's" house that time.

So there you go

"OF COURSE you'll get in. I can't imagine there will be that many people applying to this program anyway"

I started dating my husband-to-be while on vacation during Christmas break. I was in the first year of my Masters, and he was working. It seemed absolutely hopeless and I did not want to get anything started, because it was ibviously doomed.

Still, he insisted we give the relationship a go. After three weeks together, I left to go back all the way ACROSS THE COUNTRY. We did long-distance for a year and a half. I think we might have traveled back and forth about 4 times during that time, which was awfully difficult considering that I only had my TA-ship to help cover half the tickets. He was paying our phone bills.

We got married 10 days after I defended my thesis. I ditched a PhD offer and moved to live with him.

8 years and a kid later, I am getting ready to work on my PhD. He is applying for his Masters next year. Grad school and the history of our relationship.

The moral of the story: If both parties want this to happen, it will. But they should really-really want it.

I had two advisers on the MA level. The first was a stereotypical "Professor Smith" from the PhD comics. It turned out that he was incredibly caring at the end of my program, but you could not tell it the two years that I TA-ed for the man. He was very... detached. In fact, he sort of avoided having an eye contact with you, but we did drink a lot of wine in front of his fire place while talking. His approach to mentoring was loading me up with books, loads so huge, that I once went tumbling down on the floor right outside his office. I transferred to a different adviser, and there were no hard feelings. It was over a difference in academic interests/methodology. In fact, my family still goes to his house for Thanksgiving 7 years later.

Second adviser was a dream. I remember sending her my thesis at 11 at night, and having it back with her hand-written notes at 7 in the morning the next day. And the thing was HUGE. She was thorough, respectful, fast. We ended up having a great connection. I flew across the country 5 years after I graduated to have a heart to heart with her about my academic career and what I want to do with it. Come to think of it, we stayed at "Professor Smith's" house that time.

So there you go

TinaBelinda, 
 
I would not get upset about your application getting transferred to Ryerson. I know people who prefer the Ryerson side of the program over the York side. While York has a tone of money - that's true - RY PhD students have a lot more control over their TA/RA loads and the commute time to your TA duties (all administrative matters) is a lot shorter. Most ComCult PhD students registered at York have to be at York campus twice a week to teach in addition to the classes they are taking. And the teaching load is heavy. At RY, you can pick a gradership / a less demanding teaching position while you are still working through your coursework and get into teaching in your second year. This saves a tone of time. 
 
In addition to that, the director at RY is awesome. Very approachable and professional. Very in tune with the needs of his students. 
 
BTW, to all those who want to try applying next year: one of the ways to get to know the program is probably to attend the grad student conference. One could meet the directors in person, talk to students, some professors, and maybe even pitch your application file in a way. ) It's over for this year, but it's an annual event. 

I had two advisers on the MA level. The first was a stereotypical "Professor Smith" from the PhD comics. It turned out that he was incredibly caring at the end of my program, but you could not tell it the two years that I TA-ed for the man. He was very... detached. In fact, he sort of avoided having an eye contact with you, but we did drink a lot of wine in front of his fire place while talking. His approach to mentoring was loading me up with books, loads so huge, that I once went tumbling down on the floor right outside his office. I transferred to a different adviser, and there were no hard feelings. It was over a difference in academic interests/methodology. In fact, my family still goes to his house for Thanksgiving 7 years later.

Second adviser was a dream. I remember sending her my thesis at 11 at night, and having it back with her hand-written notes at 7 in the morning the next day. And the thing was HUGE. She was thorough, respectful, fast. We ended up having a great connection. I flew across the country 5 years after I graduated to have a heart to heart with her about my academic career and what I want to do with it. Come to think of it, we stayed at "Professor Smith's" house that time.

So there you go

I had two advisers on the MA level. The first was a stereotypical "Professor Smith" from the PhD comics. It turned out that he was incredibly caring at the end of my program, but you could not tell it the two years that I TA-ed for the man. He was very... detached. In fact, he sort of avoided having an eye contact with you, but we did drink a lot of wine in front of his fire place while talking. His approach to mentoring was loading me up with books, loads so huge, that I once went tumbling down on the floor right outside his office. I transferred to a different adviser, and there were no hard feelings. It was over a difference in academic interests/methodology. In fact, my family still goes to his house for Thanksgiving 7 years later.

Second adviser was a dream. I remember sending her my thesis at 11 at night, and having it back with her hand-written notes at 7 in the morning the next day. And the thing was HUGE. She was thorough, respectful, fast. We ended up having a great connection. I flew across the country 5 years after I graduated to have a heart to heart with her about my academic career and what I want to do with it. Come to think of it, we stayed at "Professor Smith's" house that time.

So there you go

I started dating my husband-to-be while on vacation during Christmas break. I was in the first year of my Masters, and he was working. It seemed absolutely hopeless and I did not want to get anything started, because it was ibviously doomed.

Still, he insisted we give the relationship a go. After three weeks together, I left to go back all the way ACROSS THE COUNTRY. We did long-distance for a year and a half. I think we might have traveled back and forth about 4 times during that time, which was awfully difficult considering that I only had my TA-ship to help cover half the tickets. He was paying our phone bills.

We got married 10 days after I defended my thesis. I ditched a PhD offer and moved to live with him.

8 years and a kid later, I am getting ready to work on my PhD. He is applying for his Masters next year. Grad school and the history of our relationship.

The moral of the story: If both parties want this to happen, it will. But they should really-really want it.

I started dating my husband-to-be while on vacation during Christmas break. I was in the first year of my Masters, and he was working. It seemed absolutely hopeless and I did not want to get anything started, because it was ibviously doomed.

Still, he insisted we give the relationship a go. After three weeks together, I left to go back all the way ACROSS THE COUNTRY. We did long-distance for a year and a half. I think we might have traveled back and forth about 4 times during that time, which was awfully difficult considering that I only had my TA-ship to help cover half the tickets. He was paying our phone bills.

We got married 10 days after I defended my thesis. I ditched a PhD offer and moved to live with him.

8 years and a kid later, I am getting ready to work on my PhD. He is applying for his Masters next year. Grad school and the history of our relationship.

The moral of the story: If both parties want this to happen, it will. But they should really-really want it.

I am very sorry you have to deal with this. Here's what I think:
1. You are a brand new PhD student, right? People at conferences gossip about big shots, not about grad students. We are small fish. Don't sweat the conference talk.
2. If I were you, I would try to be in control of the gossip in academia by publishing a paper on the social/cultural bias involved in discourse surrounding rape. I am in cultural studies, so this would be my angle. As somebody in psy I am sure you can come up with an angle specific to the field.

I am very sorry you have to deal with this. Here's what I think:
1. You are a brand new PhD student, right? People at conferences gossip about big shots, not about grad students. We are small fish. Don't sweat the conference talk.
2. If I were you, I would try to be in control of the gossip in academia by publishing a paper on the social/cultural bias involved in discourse surrounding rape. I am in cultural studies, so this would be my angle. As somebody in psy I am sure you can come up with an angle specific to the field.

I had two advisers on the MA level. The first was a stereotypical "Professor Smith" from the PhD comics. It turned out that he was incredibly caring at the end of my program, but you could not tell it the two years that I TA-ed for the man. He was very... detached. In fact, he sort of avoided having an eye contact with you, but we did drink a lot of wine in front of his fire place while talking. His approach to mentoring was loading me up with books, loads so huge, that I once went tumbling down on the floor right outside his office. I transferred to a different adviser, and there were no hard feelings. It was over a difference in academic interests/methodology. In fact, my family still goes to his house for Thanksgiving 7 years later.

Second adviser was a dream. I remember sending her my thesis at 11 at night, and having it back with her hand-written notes at 7 in the morning the next day. And the thing was HUGE. She was thorough, respectful, fast. We ended up having a great connection. I flew across the country 5 years after I graduated to have a heart to heart with her about my academic career and what I want to do with it. Come to think of it, we stayed at "Professor Smith's" house that time.

So there you go

What kind of info do you need on Fargo?
It is a very... straightforward kind of a city.

MONEY: It is very cheap to live in, although you need a car, that's for sure. Check out graduate residences on campus and see how much they are. See if you can find a roommate. It gets COLD, so make sure you have really-really good "equipment" for the winter. Very good parka, good snow boots, very good hat and etc. Buy long jones, when they become available at Wall mart. Unfortunately, I am serious. That, and winter tires, is something you absolutely need to invest in. I would probably go to Marshall's or a place like that and look for winter coats with very high percentage of dawn (make sure you check on the label). These will be warmer and lighter. Just don't put the thing in the dryer, it might stink.

HEALTH: Cook at home as much as you can. There aren't that many restaurants that are ... interesting, but that depends on what you like, of course. I used to work out every day, 30-45 minutes of swimming, cardio or weights. Especially in the winter to avoid winter blues. I was really afraid of getting unmotivated/depressed, but ended up feeling amazing.

CULTURAL LIFE: there's an art museum, but it's not very interesting. The good thing is that in a small city like Fargo, you can easily take Art classes (cheap, esp. on campus), get out into the national parks, travel the state and go into heritage villages. Drive down to badlands, go to reservations. That's what I did anyway.

I have two very happy years in North Dakota. Would definitely come back, but I am a type of person who tries to make my own happiness where ever I am. You sort of have to work on it, but it is true for wherever you are, isn't it?

I had two advisers on the MA level. The first was a stereotypical "Professor Smith" from the PhD comics. It turned out that he was incredibly caring at the end of my program, but you could not tell it the two years that I TA-ed for the man. He was very... detached. In fact, he sort of avoided having an eye contact with you, but we did drink a lot of wine in front of his fire place while talking. His approach to mentoring was loading me up with books, loads so huge, that I once went tumbling down on the floor right outside his office. I transferred to a different adviser, and there were no hard feelings. It was over a difference in academic interests/methodology. In fact, my family still goes to his house for Thanksgiving 7 years later.

Second adviser was a dream. I remember sending her my thesis at 11 at night, and having it back with her hand-written notes at 7 in the morning the next day. And the thing was HUGE. She was thorough, respectful, fast. We ended up having a great connection. I flew across the country 5 years after I graduated to have a heart to heart with her about my academic career and what I want to do with it. Come to think of it, we stayed at "Professor Smith's" house that time.

So there you go

Lemasal,

I have BA in Journalism and MA in Communication. If the program is in Journalism and not Communication, it means that it is likely to be professional vs. academic. Boost your portfolio. Go get yourself an internship and write, write, write. Nobody overlooks a good print journalism portfolio even if you are planning on working in TV/Radio. Your writing skills will translate, and newspapers help you boost your writing skills like nothing else in the field.

Don't take "no" for an answer. What you are offering is free labor. If your top choice newspaper says "no" to you as an intern, write to a few reporters that you like best. Ask if you want to job shadow them. Make contacts. Then write and send things to them asking for advice. It's a tribal profession. People do end up helping each other.

You might end getting more out of this year than you ever dreamed you could. Working in the field will help you better understand what sorts of knowledge/skills you want to come back to school for.

Also, I've been advised to audit a class from one of the professors on the admissions committee, work your butt off, and then ask for a letter of reference. I've never used that, but it seemed to have worked for a lot of people.

Good luck!

I started dating my husband-to-be while on vacation during Christmas break. I was in the first year of my Masters, and he was working. It seemed absolutely hopeless and I did not want to get anything started, because it was ibviously doomed.

Still, he insisted we give the relationship a go. After three weeks together, I left to go back all the way ACROSS THE COUNTRY. We did long-distance for a year and a half. I think we might have traveled back and forth about 4 times during that time, which was awfully difficult considering that I only had my TA-ship to help cover half the tickets. He was paying our phone bills.

We got married 10 days after I defended my thesis. I ditched a PhD offer and moved to live with him.

8 years and a kid later, I am getting ready to work on my PhD. He is applying for his Masters next year. Grad school and the history of our relationship.

The moral of the story: If both parties want this to happen, it will. But they should really-really want it.

I started dating my husband-to-be while on vacation during Christmas break. I was in the first year of my Masters, and he was working. It seemed absolutely hopeless and I did not want to get anything started, because it was ibviously doomed.

Still, he insisted we give the relationship a go. After three weeks together, I left to go back all the way ACROSS THE COUNTRY. We did long-distance for a year and a half. I think we might have traveled back and forth about 4 times during that time, which was awfully difficult considering that I only had my TA-ship to help cover half the tickets. He was paying our phone bills.

We got married 10 days after I defended my thesis. I ditched a PhD offer and moved to live with him.

8 years and a kid later, I am getting ready to work on my PhD. He is applying for his Masters next year. Grad school and the history of our relationship.

The moral of the story: If both parties want this to happen, it will. But they should really-really want it.

I started dating my husband-to-be while on vacation during Christmas break. I was in the first year of my Masters, and he was working. It seemed absolutely hopeless and I did not want to get anything started, because it was ibviously doomed.

Still, he insisted we give the relationship a go. After three weeks together, I left to go back all the way ACROSS THE COUNTRY. We did long-distance for a year and a half. I think we might have traveled back and forth about 4 times during that time, which was awfully difficult considering that I only had my TA-ship to help cover half the tickets. He was paying our phone bills.

We got married 10 days after I defended my thesis. I ditched a PhD offer and moved to live with him.

8 years and a kid later, I am getting ready to work on my PhD. He is applying for his Masters next year. Grad school and the history of our relationship.

The moral of the story: If both parties want this to happen, it will. But they should really-really want it.

I started dating my husband-to-be while on vacation during Christmas break. I was in the first year of my Masters, and he was working. It seemed absolutely hopeless and I did not want to get anything started, because it was ibviously doomed.

Still, he insisted we give the relationship a go. After three weeks together, I left to go back all the way ACROSS THE COUNTRY. We did long-distance for a year and a half. I think we might have traveled back and forth about 4 times during that time, which was awfully difficult considering that I only had my TA-ship to help cover half the tickets. He was paying our phone bills.

We got married 10 days after I defended my thesis. I ditched a PhD offer and moved to live with him.

8 years and a kid later, I am getting ready to work on my PhD. He is applying for his Masters next year. Grad school and the history of our relationship.

The moral of the story: If both parties want this to happen, it will. But they should really-really want it.

I started dating my husband-to-be while on vacation during Christmas break. I was in the first year of my Masters, and he was working. It seemed absolutely hopeless and I did not want to get anything started, because it was ibviously doomed.

Still, he insisted we give the relationship a go. After three weeks together, I left to go back all the way ACROSS THE COUNTRY. We did long-distance for a year and a half. I think we might have traveled back and forth about 4 times during that time, which was awfully difficult considering that I only had my TA-ship to help cover half the tickets. He was paying our phone bills.

We got married 10 days after I defended my thesis. I ditched a PhD offer and moved to live with him.

8 years and a kid later, I am getting ready to work on my PhD. He is applying for his Masters next year. Grad school and the history of our relationship.

The moral of the story: If both parties want this to happen, it will. But they should really-really want it.

I started dating my husband-to-be while on vacation during Christmas break. I was in the first year of my Masters, and he was working. It seemed absolutely hopeless and I did not want to get anything started, because it was ibviously doomed.

Still, he insisted we give the relationship a go. After three weeks together, I left to go back all the way ACROSS THE COUNTRY. We did long-distance for a year and a half. I think we might have traveled back and forth about 4 times during that time, which was awfully difficult considering that I only had my TA-ship to help cover half the tickets. He was paying our phone bills.

We got married 10 days after I defended my thesis. I ditched a PhD offer and moved to live with him.

8 years and a kid later, I am getting ready to work on my PhD. He is applying for his Masters next year. Grad school and the history of our relationship.

The moral of the story: If both parties want this to happen, it will. But they should really-really want it.

I feel like I will never hear a word. Ever.
Like everyone is just going to continue on living, as if my application never even existed))

People,

I have just put my writing sample in the folder with everything else. One of the pages with references has a slightly bigger than normal margin in the bottom. Alas, my printer died 3 minutes ago, and I can't fix that. And, seriously, I have no more nerve cells in my brain to devote to addressing the issue of the bottom margin.

The whole thing is going to the York University addmissions office tomorrow. It's the only school I am applying to.

I am applying to the PhD program in Communication and Culture at York and Ryerson (it's a joint program) in Toronto, ON
It's the only program that would work for me anyway where I am at. I cannot relocate. I have a toddler and a husband.

Well, let the waiting games begin. And may the odds be ever in your favor.

People,

I have just put my writing sample in the folder with everything else. One of the pages with references has a slightly bigger than normal margin in the bottom. Alas, my printer died 3 minutes ago, and I can't fix that. And, seriously, I have no more nerve cells in my brain to devote to addressing the issue of the bottom margin.

The whole thing is going to the York University addmissions office tomorrow. It's the only school I am applying to.

I am applying to the PhD program in Communication and Culture at York and Ryerson (it's a joint program) in Toronto, ON
It's the only program that would work for me anyway where I am at. I cannot relocate. I have a toddler and a husband.

Well, let the waiting games begin. And may the odds be ever in your favor.