wannabeaphd

+1 on Geertz! I've used him a million times! Also, something by Margaret Mead. Stigma by Irving Goffman -- it's a quick read but very accessable and incrediably useful! I'd also look at "The Spirit Catches you and You Fall Down" and "Nissa, the story of a !Kung woman" (or those approcximate titles) as a couple of good (but different) ethnographies.

Can I ask when this weekend is? I was unofficially admitted to UCR but not told about this...

Good call Hitomimay! Besides, isn't USC ranked like #7 in the subfield of Ed Policy? Besides, it's actually a good enough deal (financially) to be an end in itself if the right kind of jobs aren't available when you graduate.

I have to say that I had a ranking of my own in terms of programs (reputation, faculty, opportunities, proximity, ability to get in) but I ended up allpying to: 1 top 10, 1 top 25, 2 top 50, and 1 less than top 50 program. It seems to have worked out well, and now i really know where I fall in the pack.

Here's hoping you all get in! It's actually a great school, and the Jewish holidays are AMAZING! You get like 10 days off a semester and 2 spring breaks!

I like that idea abc123xtc! I thought about getting the Long Beqach city seal tatooed somewhere -- because it was the such a happy time for me -- but I haven't done it. I'm thinking STRONGLY about getting it if/when I move back (which i seriously hope to do... if I can ever afford a house).

I don't think I'll get a chance to go this year -- work and saving money, you know. But I did go a couple of years ago when it was in San Diego and had a wonderful time! I'd highly reccomend going, espcieally since B.C. is such a great city, and will be spectacular in the spring! I'm thinking i'll go to Atl, 2013.

bigred65 -- Thanks! I used to live in Long Beach and I love the OC beach towns closr by, so I think i'll be really happy in Irvine! And Hitomimay -- I don't think there's any reason we can't have coffee! In face, it might be cool to arrange a Fall semester meetup for anyone who got into any program in the greater LA area in Ed. That way we could all ge to know eachother and chat about our classes and profs and cohorts together, since we'll be collegues someday anyway.

DorindaAfterThyrsis - I've done the de-piercing thing as well -- went from 11 to just 4 in my ears a few years ago. But now i'm ready for the nostrils again. They were always my favorites and the easiest to care for. I think I'll wait for after my dissertation defense to get the tat.

Thanks HigherLearning! I think that's a good way to think about it.

Well, now that I'm in the enviable position of having all my results in hand, I think i'll open that fancy belgian beer tonight and call my family.

Hi all, Just wanted to update that I recieved my UCLA SRM rejection letter this morning. Posted on the board. Not too sad. I'm actually pleased because all my decisions are in -- and I'm headed to beautiful UC Irvine! Congrats to all who've gotten in and hugs to all who didn't.

I'm lucky to have gotten some acceptances this year, but I got my first rejection (and I'm sure most painful) from a program that I'd applied to last year and been rejected from... buh!

@keepswimming -- I applied to the SRM, social research methodology program there... in their GSE

Thanks all! And congrats captainwombat27! Lookslike things are happening... No word from UCLA though...

OK, so, I have this dilemma… what would you do? My field is Education – Higher Ed. Policy Choice 1: Go with the good school I got into and never look back. The school is ranked around 40-50, but seems to be “up and coming.” Faculty fit is good and the people are friendly. Placements are decent in the geographic area I’d like to work in, but not super prestigious… Choice 2: Go to the school mentioned above for a year and then apply to my dream school again? My dream school is ranked around #15 and is arguable the most prestigious program for my sub field in the area. I did a phone interview and an in-person interview there this year and the DGS basically told me I just missed getting in… My ultimate goals include becoming faculty at a UC or CSU, doing research, and/or (preferably) becoming admin at a college/uni. Basically, my question is do you think that going to a school ranked around 40-50 will torpedo my dreams?! Also, do you think pursuing Choice #2 makes me an awful person and will burn bridges? Thanks all!

Rejected from USC last night... personal email from the DGS at least...

@ NOLAConstance -- THANKS FOR CALLING! OK, whew, there's still hope! If we both get into USC, I will take u out for coffee/tea!

sciencegirl -- Right on target about USC! I know they definetly have a superstar initive and I know they've hired 2-3 people for next year. The dept. is definetly expanding and I think the rankings will soon reflect that. For what it's worth, I also agree about UCI -- I visited there last year and not only are the pople there incrediably nice, the work being done seems to be very high quality and exciting.

HI all, I live in LA and my SO goes to USC, so I have some insight to share. First off, congrats! Eternal Icicle is exaggerating the prices of housing... mostly. I live in a 1bdrm in a very hip and desirable area (N. and E. of the city proper) and we pay $1250 for a large 1 bdrm apartment with gated parking included. I think it's a killer deal, but you can easily get a 1bdrm for $1400 in many good areas. Studios are more like 1000 depending on the area. The sales tax is high here, but food and entertainment are mostly cheep. Every restraunt has a special happy hour night/menu and there are lots of ethnic markets where you can get bulk grains/spices/etc. For entertainment, look no further than the beach. If you want to get really fancy, go to the getty center or villa -- $15 to park your car and enjoy the art and grounds all day long -- or take a scenic drive to get awesome boba, pho, tapas, or crepes! But yes, a car is pretty mandatory. It's a great place to live!

Thanks Allport (1954)! I actually had not checked out that thread yet because I'm looking at a piercing not a tat...

Hey all, Just got a email from UC Santa Barbara to check my decision status online. Accepted! No funding info yet...

In the spirit of the “What will you treat yourself to?” thread, I thought we might start a thread on the subject of treating yourself to that new piercing/tattoo when you get accepted. First off, do you all think that piercings/tats are acceptable in grad school/academia? Will you keep your new piercing just for grad school then have to take it out again when you go on the job market? How do you think your advisor will react to the new art if you’ve met him/her before you got your new piercing/tat? Are there fields where this is more/less acceptable? And what do current grad students think? Now the fun part: So what are you going to get? I had dual nose rings (studs actually) in college. I had to take them out after college for a job, but now I’m thinking about getting them back for grad school and beyond! And why do you want to get it? I want to get mine back because I think they were really cute, I liked how they made my face look, and I’m interested in doing just a little of the youthful rebellion thing while I’m still technically young enough (almost 29) to do it! Anyone else?

Hi all, sorry for the cloak and dagger. My partner is in the program at USC so I have a bit of an inside track there. Also, for the record, I'm in education, not Soc, but I wanted to give you all an update, since I have some info! I'd want someone to do the same for me. USC usually does have small cohorts of 3-5, but this year they've decided to admit 10 people. Not all of those will go of course, but they are shooting for a larger cohort this year. Basically I just wanted to let you all know that they've selected a large cohort, so more people than usual will be recieving offers, and that the letters should go out soon because all they need to do now is secure funding for all of the admitted students. Btw, the funding is spectacular there, if it's anything like what was offered to the students last year!

Wow, congrats all on all the good news!!! And, don't be discouraged NOLAConstance, I haven't heard from USC either... soon though. I called Aba and she said that all acceptances will be out by mid-Feb. I guess they must get sent out as funding is secured?