Jump to content

gurlsaved

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    27

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by gurlsaved

  1. gurlsaved
    Hey, I am also terrified at the moment. I'm not even sure I'm going for my PhD at the moment because of relationships and money. Since you did not enjoy your MA institution, I would opt out of their PhD program and apply to just adjunct. is that a possibility? Then you can stay in the department, keep good connections, and apply to more PhD programs next year. I recommend not going into a PhD program without good funding. If it is a year by year basis, you will be stressed each year and you don't need that for a PhD, especially at a place that you are not truly happy at. Another thing to consider is whether you really want the PhD or not. Is your fiance willing to relocate for you? Good luck.
  2. gurlsaved
    From what I am reading, it seems like you are going into a MA program, which for many universities, do not have a lot of funding options because of the nature of a MA. If I am wrong here and you are going for a PhD, then this changes things. You can try to defer and go again. Again, for an MA, it is different. A lot of times, research is not as heavily pushed in a MA degree and therefore you are more likely to be accepted for a deferral. But for a PhD, it is a delicate state because professors choose you because they are ready to work with you (maybe not the first year but certainly in the 2nd). And so if this is for a MA degree, deferral and reapplying is okay as long as you tell the program that is what you are doing - saving money so that you can afford the program. I don't recommend getting more loans since you already have loans. I actually did get loans for my MA and BA but I kind of regret it...I mean I dont regret getting my degrees because I had such a great experience. But I do regret not taking a step back and realizing the debt I was walking into. Because I also want to get a PhD and so now money is a big factor in my deciding process. Sooo is this for a MA because my info will change if for a PhD.
  3. gurlsaved
    Well if money is no issue, then I would look at research fit and faculty. Taking trips might be important depending on if you are traveling home because of a relationship - that would be important.
  4. gurlsaved
    R Deckard - I've already been to grad school if you count being in a Master's program (and graduated). I loved it. I loved teaching, I loved seminars, reading articles, books, and writing. So why not a PhD? Well, I have an opportunity to work this year and I think I'm going to take it and see how that goes before going on to the PhD.A PhD is so limiting for career options...and it will limit not only my career but also my ability to have a family. I know people have had families with PhDs but for me...it just isn't in the cards. I'm not sure I can topple this hurdle. I am well supported where I am right now. If I wasn't, and I didn't have a career opportunity, then I would probably pursue the PhD because it really does suit me.
  5. gurlsaved
    svh - If the funding is greatly different, then I would follow the money. Money is so important (unfortunately) and you don't want to accumulate debt.
  6. gurlsaved
    It is really nice to read these comments...not because I'm happy some of us have cold feet, but to know that I'm not alone in this process. I honestly don't think I'm going to start a PhD program next Fall because I keep finding excuses to NOT go. Shouldn't it be the other way around? All my academic friends/professors are telling me that this is a great opportunity and I have been talking to the department and still getting amazing information. It is so tempting and I know I will enjoy academic life but I keep finding ways of not going.
  7. gurlsaved
    I am feeling the same thing and asking the same questions. Many people might respond to this topic with "Well you are probably not right for academia if you are questioning it at this point" but these are really good questions and I don't think a lot of pre-PhDs seriously (and I mean seriously) put into account the amount of uncertainty one walks into when going into a PhD program, and I don't care if you are going to an Ivy league school or a small unknown program - you will never know if you are going to work well with your POIs, get your manuscripts published (let alone written), and also life OUTSIDE academia - personal life, family, relationships. A Master's degree is easy to commit to (in my opinion) because it is a lot shorter and a Master's can be applied to more than just academic careers. When you get a PhD, you are limiting your career options severely, albeit, you might be able to get a fantastic tenure-track job, but the chances are low and you need to be willing to relocate at the drop of a hat to get a job. In short: I am questioning whether I want to get a PhD too. I love school, I love taking classes, learning, researching, and developing not only my own mind but my discipline and students. But I am also approaching my 30s and I want to have a family and have a stable life. A PhD does not bring much stability. That is the reality. These are my honest thoughts right now. But I still respect and admire those that are in or have completed PhD programs.
  8. gurlsaved
    I'm asking this because when I started applying for programs, I was excited and jubilant. I didn't know what my future held but knew that when I got my opportunity, that I would feel 100% about it, despite the downfall of the PhD job market. So I received an amazing offer from a school that really wants me. People keep telling me that I cannot turn this one down. It isn't a top tier school but it really isn't that far behind - plus when faculty want you, and are practically throwing money at you, really, what is there to lose? For some reason, I still don't feel 100% about going here. It feels like cold feet before a wedding. You love that person so much but then feel that your life is going to completely go in a direction that you don't want it to...or you just dont know what the future holds. That is me right now. Anyone feeling this? Cold feet? Even though you have a good admit?
  9. gurlsaved
    Follow the money.
  10. gurlsaved

    FAFSA

    gurlsaved replied to wheninhell's topic in The Bank

    The government is always looking for ways to make this a troublesome experience. I know this from a lot of FAFSA apps/decisions/ect. You can try to meet with a financial aid counselor at the school you are attending for a change in your EFC. You might not be able to do this right now but once you get close to attending, you an opt for them to recalculate your EFC. I have done this many times. It is a pain in the ass but if you really need the money and can prove it...the government will happily it to you...just remember the interest rate is 6.8 and unsub loans don't defer. GL.
  11. gurlsaved
    Deferring can be a problem for unsubsidized loans though. Interest will accrue on unsubsidized loans and it will kick your ass (sorry but true) if you don't pay the interest during school. I have 1/2 sub and 1/2 unsub and the interest was insane during my Master's deferment. Just some advice....
  12. gurlsaved
    I have two friends going to Univ of Edinburgh from the U.S. It seems that the UK does not give funding for internationals..according to them and so scholarships are the only way to go. UK or EU citizens hardly pay anything (if anything at all) while internationals will pay upwards to 20,000 pounds a year. If you love this school and connect well with professors, then it might be worth it because you might be able to get a tutoring assistantship if you connect well with your professor. It is a gamble but worth it if this is the place you absolutely want to be. GL.
  13. gurlsaved
    Hi, congrats on your acceptance. I am not going to Cal but I live in Emeryville, which is practically in Berkeley and it is cheaper to live here. Additionally, if you have a family, Emeryville is very quiet, safe, and fun. If you need tips for the area, PM me.
  14. gurlsaved
    reterik - I wouldn't think professors would be shocked at what we are talking about on the forums - we are all very very very eager to into a good program and to start!! I think that is a good thing =). Waitlisted is better than a rejection, so congrats on that - they want you! Unfortunately, waiting is becoming increasingly difficult for many of us =/.
  15. gurlsaved
    Ah nah, my fault, I didn't read it correctly. But I would think that programs with both Masters/PhD would send our their decisions at the same time. With terminal Master's programs, they tend to send out notifications later than PhD ones because with PhDs, there is obviously more weight and more at stake with funding, ect. Master's is only two years and boy does that go by fast!!!
  16. gurlsaved
    Hi @reterik - From what I understand, most programs that have both the Masters and PhD require that you apply for the Masters and then reapply for the PhD once you have the Masters. I had a friend who did this in a sociology programs and found it easy to get into the PhD track because she knew the faculty she wanted to work with and knew the style of the program so well. I say, if you get the Masters from that program, then you will most likely get into the PhD track. In other news, I've been trying to stay away from forums only because its driving me nuts and I can see I'm not alone in this feeling. I've been waiting for funding news and still havent heard a peep from a couple schools. One school emailed me telling me the professors were having a meeting about the applications and that was two weeks ago...still nothing. So I'm trying to just forget about it because there is nothing I can really do at this point....but it is terribly difficult. Hang in there everyone and congrats to everyone who has been accepted!!! To those who have received rejections, well just have a drink or drinks... =)
  17. gurlsaved
    S@lly - Heather will most likely email you back on Monday. She always responded back to my numerous questions in good time (never more than a day unless weekend).
  18. gurlsaved
    S@lly - you should email Heather.Freireich@asu.edu. She is so incredibly helpful and is there to answer all questions. Usually, funding offers are sent before April - ideally earlier!
  19. gurlsaved
    Congrats MediaMom and IronicStatement for your acceptances!! I think a lot of PhD programs look for research interests to match more than just the numbers game, which should in the long run help both the department and everyone's career. I, too, am trying to get over ASU. I still have two smaller programs that are pending (Univ of Denver and Univ of Nebraska,Lincoln). @iamhere - I would love to go to UCSB!! I looked into it but they are more quantitative and there isn't an area for my research interests...I am from Los Angeles and the only place I would consider moving back to would be the SB area because it is so freaking awesome. There might be too many younger college kids, but the weather and scenario make up for it. Good luck, I'm crossing my fingers for you!!!
  20. gurlsaved
    I PMed you S@lly
  21. gurlsaved
    Congrats S@lly!! ASU has an excellent program and one of my classmates from last year is now currently attending and so I've heard a lot of great things. ASU was my 2nd choice, UT Austin my first and I got accepted there so I shouldn't be too down in the dumps but waiting for the funding offer is pretty stressful too. Did ASU say how their funding works? I remember applying for a TAship there separately. Actually, my only beef with ASU is the SOP guidelines did not allow me to really explain a lot about my research, whereas, UT Austin requested a separate essay on just research questions. But a lot of students apply there. Congrats again! @iamhere - did you apply for the MA program? the e-mail that UT Austin sent me stated that they still haven't made all their decisions...but I guess if you saw a reject on the website, that might be final...sorry again.
  22. gurlsaved
    Hey @iamhere and @ironicstatement - Sorry about your rejections. I just got one myself from Arizona State University in the Comm program ...the e-mail was even titled "Deny Letter" and they sent it right before my dinner. I don't feel like eating anymore....It was my 2nd choice and it is a fantastic program...oh well lets just hope that Feb will be better. Did you both apply to the Communication Studies dept or to another comm area? Hang in there everyone!!!
  23. gurlsaved
    Hi trippytraveler - The States are hard to generalize because it is so large and there are so many different places you can study. I just completed my Masters in Comm from San Francisco State University and so that school is incredibly diverse and has a lot of liberal slanted research. I've never heard of programs or schools where people segregated according to nationality. This is really going to depend on the school and location.
  24. gurlsaved
    hi everyone! This is my first post!! I am a Communication Studies applicant for F12 and applied to UT Austin, Univ of Denver, Univ of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Arizona State University. I applied within the interpersonal communication area for all programs. Congrats to everyone that has been accepted so far! I feel kind of alone in this waiting game and none of my non-PhD seeking friends really understand the stresses and unknowns of grad school apps. My good news is that I got accepted to UT Austin! This is my first choice and so I am thrilled! But now I have to play another waiting game for funding offers. fanon_fanatic: What area did you apply for at UT Austin?
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

  I accept