CookiesForDinner

I grew up in the Philadelphia area, live there now, and am starting at Penn in the summer! There are definitely some options for places with at least a small yard for the little guys. I currently live in Northern Liberties. It's a pretty inexpensive neighborhood to live in, has a GREAT dog park (I go with my Boston about everyday!), and lots of restaurants/bars/things to do. Some parts of the neighborhood are close to the El (subway), and it's an 11 minute ride to the Penn stop plus a ~5 minute walk (I timed this a few weeks ago). Most of the people in No. Libs are what they call "young professionals". It's mostly houses/row houses. I have a 3 story house (3 bedrooms) and have a small backyard with a doggie door. Rent is considerably lower than center city, plus lots more bang for your buck.

Another reasonable neighborhood to live is South Philly or Graduate Hospital. South Philly can be spotty, so it's definitely a street by street thing. But there are some GREAT deals down there, and most of the houses have some sort of backyard. Graduate hospital is the same, maybe a little more expensive. Again down there, you'll want to make sure you're close to the Broad St. Line subway (if you're planning on using that).

Craigslist is really an awesome way to find places. Most of the realtors list their properties on there. But there is also Philadelphia Management Company (though they might only do apartments), and Penn has their own site, http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/offcampusservices/ which is...moderately helpful.


Okay, that was kind of a novel, but let me know if you have any other questions!

I spent 3 years as a "ski bum" after finishing my undergrad, and I don't see any problem with it. I have some life experiences that most people will never get, and I actually lived completely for myself for 3 years. Something most people also don't do. You only get that chance once in your life, and I would never trade those three years for anything.

Was accepted into UPenn last week. woop! All others should be hearing shortly I suppose. Good luck!

Finishing/adding tattoos. The extent of the tattoo depends on the school(s) I get into. If I get into my #1, I get to finish my sleeve

**GASP** yes a woman in grad school with a full sleeve. oh the blasphemy.

Finishing/adding tattoos. The extent of the tattoo depends on the school(s) I get into. If I get into my #1, I get to finish my sleeve

**GASP** yes a woman in grad school with a full sleeve. oh the blasphemy.

21...birthday next week! yee haw.

Seeing that many of you are older than me gives me hope that maybe if I fail at this round of apps my life won't be completely over!

When I start grad school this fall, I'll have to wait nearly 2 months until I can legally buy alcohol... Then again, it's not like I need it.

Apparently, age matters not too much, since I got accepted!

I'm 26, and will be 27 by the time I start. I don't think my age makes any difference whatsoever. Maybe it would if I were 40.

I spent 3 years in industry and am about to finish up a 2 year M.S. degree. That explains the 5 year differential. Hey, at least I wasn't a ski bum or something.

I appreciate the aim of your post. However, I cannot agree with you.

I will reiterate that I respect those establishments that recognize my potential/worth from the beginning and want a chance to cultivate it. What I don't appreciate are people and institutions who come along afterwards--after they have rejected me yet after someone else has given me a chance through which I have blossomed--to say that I have now earned their respect and a place in their program; it's arrogant, and I have loyalty to the people and institutions who initially see my potential and give me a chance versus those that don't and only want me after I have proven myself in spite of them because of the faith and belief of others. For me, it's a question of character rather than prestige.

Thus, I am not an ambitious grad student who is going to take any and all opportunuties to suckle at the hegemonic power teet and do any and everything I can to get into the most prestigious program possible; clearly, I have a different set of criteria for the kind of program that I want to be a part of. Because, sometimes, the "best" program is not always what is "best" or appropriate for a particular student, which is why it really is (or should be) all about fit.

However, by all means, have at it. I appreciate your "concern" but being who I am is precisely why one of those top programs--and all of the [what I consider] sycophantic pandering that goes along with it--are just not for me. I will always be a candidate who understands that programs need us just as much as we need them, that a healthy relationship is one of mutual respect, rather than one in which students should be humbly grateful and deferential for being even the slightest acknowledgement; really, do I sound like someone who is ever deferential?

AGREED! I thought I was a strange, quirky person before this process. But I am now crazier than Bedlamites!!!!!! Very little distracts me for any length of time from checking email, refreshing the acceptance survey, or checking websites from institutions. This process has proved that I am not sane. Not sane at all.

Really, I think you already know the answer to this: no. This is my second app season.

Sorry to hear that, doubledotty. Hang in there - I know a little of what you feel - that unpleasant surprise when you find out, 'oh, THAT'S what I was supposed to do in my app.' But now you're a lot better informed, and if you choose to apply next year, you will have an awesome, compelling application!

I had a friend who used to sigh whenever people were around her. Naturally, we would ask her, "What's wrong?" Then, she would reply,"Oh, I don't know what to do. I got into Harvard and Princeton, but like I don't know which one to go to. I mean...it's like Harvard and Princeton, you know."

Five minutes later, she's having this same conversation like 10 meters away. Freaking wanted to throw my apple at her face.

I think i should be in the Guniness World records for the most refreshes in an email

Update 12/22: Director of USC's PhD program just emailed me last night. She says she thinks I'm a very good fit for the program and she wants to talk on the phone tonight! OMG!!! ><'' Fingers crossed. Wish me luck! (Wasn't aware USC had interviews? O.o?!)