Taco Superior

Doing Cultural Studies by David Walton (2012).

Ah! I see. I'm out of upvotes, but let me just say, "Respect."

Oldies unite! I was worried about this too. It helped when one of my advisors said it wasn't that big a factor in his opinion (and he's frequently on admissions committees at a UC). The other thing I had to figure out how to massage was a very turbulent period in my early twenties (including leaving one school in my senior year and finishing at another a few years later). In my first app cycles I went into too much detail about my troubles; in the most recent, I glossed over it in a few sentences. I would also send you my SOP if you needed it, Ken.

Your compliments have a funny way of sounding sarcastic, but I take it that's just your way. And tone is very hard to read in webchat land... Anyhow being just like me is not especially fun, so be careful.

I already covered this in the "Plan B" thread, but I'll refresh here (in case anyone wants to message me I'd be happy to chat): It's my 3rd time applying and I got into a solid program with full fellowship for 6 years and nominated for additional (American Studies) fellowship. I did retake the GRE (170 v, 151 q, 5.0) mostly because I skipped the math section the first time. I wrote new sample and statement and looked for fit in my programs. I'm 36 and have been working in construction for 12 years so I had a lot of 'splaining to do in my SOP. I've had a lot of help along the way and would be happy to pay it forward in terms of what insight i've gained in 3 years of apps.

bfats!!!!! Victory!!!!!

also still waiting.

ucla or uci? and what criteria did you use to decide besides your heart? or was it really mostly your heart (which is ok with me)?

I didn't want this thread to go off the front page. I neeeeeeed it.

Ok cool - since you're visiting first, I'd love to hear what you find out about housing etc. Give em hell!

Ya, so far I ain't herd nuttin' (that's my texas accent).

Me! I'm trying to figure out whether to just go for grad housing for the first year for the sake of convenience, or to look elsewhere. Visiting weekend (march 27-30) will probably help me figure this out I suppose... See you there! (incidentally I'm from the bay area CA and I'm NOT used to such cheap rent: it's like $1000 for a studio here, so I'm amazed at the midwest prices.)

Man, I just took a glance at the forums for some other Humanities programs like history and philosophy - I have to give us credit, we have a way more vibrant scene going on here.

also haven't heard.

My partner will be finishing undergrad at a UC for two years; planning on visits and skype! (not a very comprehensive plan, I'll warant you)

I'm so happy for you! That's sick.

Ah - Captain, we're in a GRE spiral! Pull up! Pull up!

You know what? That is scary. who knew.

I'm curious to hear from current or former WashU students about their opinion of on campus grad housing versus living off campus. I know grads often like to live off campus to have more of a life of their own away from undergrads etc. I've had a life of my own for 12 years out of school and at this point I don't care about that: my main priority is convenience in terms of coming and going to class and library etc. Has anyone lived in grad housing and if so, what should I know? Thanks. (I actually havent looked it up on the school website yet even, but it seems more fun to ask here...)

Oh snap! UT Austin is on your list! Congrats! Are you the one who said it was their DREAM program?

I confess I was actually proud of my 151 after 3 months of math study: I hadn't taken a math class in 17 years, since high school. Also, let me add for no reason at all that I only studied the verbal for 2 days (after the 3 months of math) and got a 170. As for the total score, Buffalo even lists an overall minimun for certain fellowships, I think it was 313... anyway, in a lot of ways it's like whatever, you know?

Been reading this once a day.

Mr Adviser just clarified that it wasn't about effecting my admissions status, it was about program gossip and possible long term implications for the job market. He said he was at STanford with a guy who had AIDS and the guy never got a job.

It's not about getting a good score, it's just about not looking like a slob by getting a zero, as mentioned above. One of the professors from a place I was waitlisted at actually told me that this affected my application. I studied math for three months this time to get a 151... pretty sad, but I think I would have been in the bottom %10 without the studying.

The idea was that if they knew I had any medical issues they might view me as a liability.