commcomm
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Everything posted by commcomm
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Depends on your area of interest. What are you looking for in a program?
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Weighing decisions
commcomm replied to LaBrunaFurba's topic in Communication and Public Relation Forum
Those are both such great programs that, in terms of value of the degree, you're good to go either way. Have you had phone conversations and/or met professors from either school? Sometimes you just "click" with someone. I've also been accepted into UW- Madison but I hear funding is hard to come by. Is U Penn fully funded? I didn't apply there but wish that I had. Funding is key for me, so I'm afraid Madison might not be an option. I've only been to the city once and it was ridiculously cold- but it was a fun, eco-friendly and young atmosphere. You could try the old trick of flipping a coin. When it's in the air, you often realize which side you want it to land on. -
@Saviya- thank you! @Iamhere -awesome! I have to wait on funding too. I don't have the kind of money to pay for it on my own (I mean, who does...) I get the impression from the stats pages (accessible through the portal where you check your status) that they only fund about half of their students. So...fingers crossed. Anyone else waiting on funding info from a program before they can make a decision?
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I just received an acceptance (via email) from UW- Madison's Journalism and Mass Comm program. I'm actually kind of shocked. (But very grateful!!!) Did anyone else hear from them? I have no idea if all acceptances went out at once. My email was addressed to me-- but was otherwise not personalized. It says funding decisions will be out March 5th.
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I haven't heard from UW (Journalism and Mass Comm) yet either. A few weeks ago, they said decisions would be out by Feb. 24th but the online portal says March 1st. You should probably contact the grad studies office at Northwestern to find out where you stand. From what I've gathered from this experience-- a lot of programs aren't quick to inform you of your "wait list" status.
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Congrats @edost! That's a great program! I haven't heard anything from the Journalism and Mass Comm department at UW- Madison. I'm not banking on getting in (though it would be awesome!). I'm still in mourning over being wait listed at Boulder. I was really set on that school for some reason.
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I also really enjoyed living in a 2 bedroom at Katy Place. They have a really great pool and tennis court and only allow grad students (or those 21+). Good luck making your decision! If you do decide to come to Columbia, I'm more than happy to help!
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@brancan my roommate last year was from around Toronto-- she always thought it was funny that Missourians get nervous driving on a few inches of snow, haha. The Greens is on the north side of town, which is farther away from campus. A lot of people who use the bus system live in The Reserve-- I believe it's right on the line. It's also around several other apartment complexes (Copperbeech, Grindstone Canyon). I really liked living in Providence Court because it was all inclusive and the rental agency, DBC Rentals, was great. They have two locations-- both on South Providence. The one farther south is the nicer of the two complexes. I know there's a bus stop nearby. Cable and internet is just a money pit in the Midwest-- and I assume that's the case for most of the U.S. There are so few companies who provide the services in each area that there's almost no competition to keep prices down. I watch most of my shows online. I do get my internet for only $20/month from Mediacom because they were having a special. As for utilities-- they vary greatly depending on which services you're getting from the city and whether you're paying for gas and electric or just electric. Each complex you talk to should be able to tell you the average utility payment for the different sized apartments. The utility companies also have that information. Ballpark figure for one person would be between $60 and $80. I think it's smart to take an in-depth look at the area where you might live. It'll help you make a better decision in the end!
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@brancan-- I've lived in Columbia for 7 years now (but a few of those were on campus) and have lived in several different apartment complexes, as well as a few houses. Prices are all over the map. I'm paying $600 for a 2 bedroom right now on the south side of town-- but that's a pretty sweet deal. I lived in a 2 bedroom apartment in Providence Court (which includes all utilities+ cable+ washer/dryer) for about $900 a month. A three bedroom house can be anywhere from $850- $1200, not including utilities. Most landlords assume their tenants will have roommates. Most people get cable through Mediacom and much like every other cable company, it seems to cost more than it's worth. We actually only pay for the "basic" cable and internet, so our bill is only $45 a month. Full cable and internet can run you about $80-$100. There are a few other options in town, Mediacom just has the widest service area. We do have a bus system. I don't personally use it so I can't attest to its reliability. There are apartment complexes which have their own shuttle services, mainly Brookside which is on the south side of town. Living there is kind of pricey-- but if transportation is important to you, it might be worth it. As for living close to campus, there are a lot of older houses east of campus known as "East Campus" (very creative). Shop around, and feel free to PM me if you want any input. I would start looking now, as rentals and renewals are in full swing by March around here.
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I'm worried our forum will soon lose its "hot" status if the silence continues... What schools are we still waiting to hear from? Looks like UW- Madison is still working on it. Must be reading those 200+ apps super carefully.
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@Ville Congrats! @Hank Jenkins I saw an acceptance to the Mizzou Journalism Phd program in the results survey. Not sure what program your wife applied to. The Communication school is totally separate from the Mass Comm and Journalism school here (I go to MU) @scrapster I like your point of view. I think not being the first choice would make me work even harder. I would feel like I have more to prove!
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@superbygk-- I think I'm going to deal with this wait list situation by making alternative plans so that I'm not crushed if I don't get in - but I'll be thrilled if I do. I wonder what it's like getting into a program knowing you were a second or third choice. I think I would just be grateful to have a spot.
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@superbygk -- she said she was preparing an email for those wait listed and she would send it out as soon as it got approved by the director. I haven't gotten it yet. I'm primarily interested in the complexity levels of political media messages and how they influence attitude extremity. I guess I'm the "back up" for whoever shares that interest. Or I could be the back up for the back up, which would really suck. Since Boulder isn't a top comm school - and it's in the middle of a department makeover- I'm keeping my fingers crossed that someone will opt out. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you as well that the media and religion candidate goes elsewhere!
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@AlexGuermantes I applied to the Journalism and Mass Comm department. The secretary's name is Martha LaForge.
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I got impatient and emailed Boulder to check on my status. I've been wait listed, along with 11 others. I'm "one of two alternates for one of the candidates with similar research interests". Better than a rejection-- but having my future in the hands of one applicant who may or may not accept a place is not a very comfortable feeling. Hopefully now that more decisions are rolling in, everyone will begin to accept and decline offers so those of us playing the waiting game can get some closure, one way or another.
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@AlexGuermantes did you hear anything from Boulder? I haven't. There was an acceptance posted in the results section and now I'm driving myself crazy refreshing my inbox (and @monde, I am also ready for the obsessive anticipation to be over. My stomach is in knots).
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This isn't much of an answer-- but I currently attend what I consider to be a pretty reputable research school and my professors are from all over the map. Many have told me that it wasn't as much about where they got their degree as it was about the connections they made in the academic world ( at conferences, meeting people through joint research projects, etc.) I imagine that regardless of where you end up, finding a good job will depend on your personal record and the connections you've made along the way. My advice would be to go wherever you feel is the best fit! Side note for anyone wondering-- UC-Boulder decisions should be coming in the next few days, according to the very nice and helpful graduate coordinator.
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While I'm waiting to hear back from PhD programs at other schools- I thought I'd extend a helping hand to anyone considering a Missouri graduate program. I've done my undergrad (Broadcast Journalism) and Masters (Journalism) at MU. I would love to stay for my PhD, if not for that whole unwritten rule about "academic inbreeding". When I applied for my MA, I got the acceptance letter via email in March (if that helps anyone looking for a general timeframe). Respond to this thread (or PM me) if you think there's something I can help with. Good luck everyone!
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Thanks @nullsymbol! 200 applicants for UW-Madison? Geez. With that many contenders, I won't feel too lame if I don't make the cut.
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@edost I have been looking at the results survey for an idea of when applicants heard back last year. At UW-Madison (Journalism and Mass Comm PhD), it looks like people didn't find out until near the end of February. For another one of my programs, UC-Boulder (Journalism and Mass Comm PhD), people heard back February 7th, 2011.
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Does anyone know how "wait lists" work? Does a school let you know you're on the wait list? Or do they pretend like they haven't made offers yet? It seems like most schools won't end up getting every single one of their first-choice applicants. One person who works in the graduate office told me her school makes about 6 initial offers but eventually ends up pretty deep (12-16 people) into the wait list. @clarisse09 In my program at Missouri, people are pretty split. My professors for history, literature, and ethics-themed comm classes lean qualitative. Those doing research in new media, physio and psychological responses to media, and strategic comm are very pro-quant.
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@nullsymbol -- No harm in calling the department secretary and asking for a general timeline. I called to ask about the protocol for notifying applicants of admission decisions and the secretary was more than happy to chat. I'm sure they're used to getting those phone calls. @Iamhere -- I applied to UW- Madison's Mass Comm/Journalism program as well and haven't heard a thing. I'm not very confident I'll get in-- but even if I do, I'm worried that the funding won't be there. Meanwhile, I'm trying to work on my thesis for my Masters (Journalism) at Mizzou and am finding it hard to concentrate during this waiting game...