yin-bodhi

Well, I can get this M.A. degree in two years (okay, I WILL finish next summer or fall but I am going to get a certificate as well if I can); so that means I have to apply around Fall 2007 for Fall 2008. My concern is having a Master's thesis completed by then... I want to have something real good to show Ph.D. programs.

If you want to study transgender stuff, OSU is not the place you want to be... I have my B.A. from OSU and there just isn't much going on in the transgender or media areas in the department of Sociology at OSU. Plus, crime on campus is spinning out of control. Indiana U might be a better place for you. They're very open and accepting to those issues. Northwestern might be a good fit as well. Have you considered Cornell University? I would choose Cornell University over NYU.

I was told to start my Ph.D. search NOW since I'll be applying in a year. That's such a weird thought... My list: Syracuse University, Brown University, University at Buffalo, The University of Chicago, University of Illinois- Chicago, University of Pittsburgh I'll keep looking.

I just moved to St. Louis and Saint Louis University doesn't seem like they're THAT religious (I go to UMSL). Plus, St. Louis is a good sized city and there's lots of diversity so even if something bothers you, you're not far away from something that may be more to your liking. Notre Dame on the other hand... small city, mostly Catholic, and there's no escape. I'm a bit glad I didn't get accepted. I don't think they wanted a Buddhist anyway, lol. Someone else on here going to Notre Dame maybe able to answer better. If you can, I would visit the schools and make sure you are comfortable being there.

Guess who starts her Masters Degree on Monday? That's right! I'm taking my stats class and "Conflict in Organizations."

Updates, anyone? Well, I'm going to start classes in the summer. I will take Stats and class on Conflict in Organizations. My last final is the 8th and classes at UMSL start the 12th (they're 8-week classes). I will have very little time to move; but I think this is for the best. I talked my one professor into letting me take the final on the 5th and I'm trying to talk the other one into letting me take his final on the 6th. This way, I would have three extra days. However, my Physics instructors (they're not professors) are being impossible! They say that if they let me do this, then they would have to let others take their final early. Come on, this is for GRAD SCHOOL. The other kids just want a couple more days of summer; I'm moving to another time zone! Why can't they work with me??!?

Mnemosyne9- I'm so happy for you! I'm also glad I didn't apply to University of Toronto. They were pricks at the grad school fair here when I talked to them. I just wasn't impressed. I signed up for classes today at UMSL. I am a little upset because this is supposedly one of the only places in the nation you can study conflict but they only are offering an undergrad class in conflict and grads can't get credit for the class anymore since it was changed around. Their International Studies graduate certificate is also hard to get because a lot of the classes are at the undergrad level... WTF? How can you have a graduate certificate based off of undergrad classes? I don't get it! Oh well, we will try to work something out... However, everyone has been helpful. I like the chair of their department. I am going to e-mail the guy I want to be my advisor and pray he's a nice guy because he's the only person there who studies what I want to study. He's my Proseminar prof, so things HAVE to work out. I'm taking Proseminar, Stats, and Selected Topics in Social Policy. I might change the last one depending on the topic. I might take Sociology of Minority Groups instead.

I didn't go see my advisor today. Now everyone (but my mom) has me re-thinking this....

Thank you so much! I sent an e-mail to the contact person for both the condo and apartment place. The third apartment place is furnished and for undergrads; so I don't think that would work for me. You're right, we should be able to work something out or they might be able to help me find something off campus. I checked the craigslist and there are some nice deals! A two-bedroom apartment for $450???? They're almost $700 here in Columbus!!!! What's the catch? lol

Thank you! The only thing is I need a two bedroom because I have a boyfriend and a cat. I don't know if they would let me rent out a two bedroom by myself and then allow someone else and a cat to live there. I'll look into it, though. The policies may be different between resident halls and graduate apartments. I heard it was safe around that area, so I am confident I should be okay living around there.

You don't think it's worth it? :?:

I just accepted an offer for UMSL. I am moving to St. Louis from Columbus. I want to live near campus (if it is safe) and I will need a two bedroom apartment. How much will this cost me? Where around campus should I live? Where do most grad students live? Thanks to all who can help me!!!!

CONGRATS, Shelly!!! I also got some AMAZING news today: UMSL has offered me an assistantship that includes a tuition waiver and $7,000 a year!!! I said "yes" and I am so excited! I didn't think I would get to go anywhere!!!! Bad news: I have to take three summer classes so I can graduate "magna cum laude" (you need a certain amount of credit to get this honor and I'm only a couple of classes away). So, NOW I have to take three first term classes and cram in everything so I have enough time to move to UMSL and get ready to go for fall. I won't even have my degree by then (OSU- quarters; UMSL-semesters) but it's not a problem. I am going to see my advisor tomorrow to have her fill out a form to try and get me my degree after I'm done with classes and so UMSL knows I'm done with everything. Obviously, I won't walk for graduation, but I should be able to pick up my degree before then. When I woke up today, I didn't think I was going to grad school. I had an interview at Sears to make $7.11 an hour selling jewelry. When I got home, I checked my e-mail and I was offered the assistantship. I jumped up and down when I saw $7,000 (not even knowing it was also a tuition waiver as well). When I saw it had BOTH, I was soooo happy.

Mine is updated (again) with some great news!!!

Which two schools? Chances are SOMEONE here did their undergrad or M.A. at one of the schools. It may also be that someone here has already visited the schools and can tell you their impression of the school. I agree with the previous two posters. You have to take that leap and go with your gut instinct.

Guest, if I take out the max amount of loans awarded/allowed by FAFSA I don't have any money left over to live. I highly doubt a part-time job will pay rent, food, and other things for two people (and a cat) for two years. I am trying to find jobs for my man. If he can find a job, that would solve EVERYTHING. However, he needs to find a job before the decision deadline this month. I don't think that will happen. Companies do not work that quickly. I guess I can take a $200 gamble, but again, I had to pay rent this month and I only have enough to pay rent for next month and then $11 left over. Somehow, I don't think I'll be able to make this work. My parents will only give me so much money. I'm pissed off at them. They KNEW my boyfriend was going to lose his job and we would need help... yet, they still went out and bought a new truck, and now say they don't have much money to help us. I've applied to a ton of part-time jobs, without any luck. I'm going to a job fair on the 19th, so maybe something will come from that. However, the deadline is this month and people don't get hired on the spot. I'm going to call New School monday and ask if they still accept people after the deadline because I can't make it work right now. I hope they understand. My only option is to apply to schools that still have funding and their deadline has not passed OR find a full-time job and apply for spring 2007/fall 2007. Working just doesn't feel "right" to me. I've been drugged out on Xanax since Thursday night because I was anxious to hear about GMU and now I feel like my life is falling apart. I'm not motivated to do anything right now and I have a stack of readings for my 700-level class waiting for me. I got the ones done for last week and I'm sure I will get them done for this week.... I'm just not feeling up to it right now. I have an appointment with someone for my Marshall's scholarship thing, but we all know that's a long shot. I need to research UK programs before I meet with this lady. I've also applied to a bunch of places on monster. I need a cover letter before I can get to jobs on OSU's system. Again... that whole motivation thing...

profile updated again... :cry:

Okay, that second George Mason submission was mine. I want to cry. I don't think UMSL can give me money. I can't afford New School (they sent me my financial aid information today). I can't afford to apply anywhere else since my boyfriend was laid off. I still might, though... fuck it... I'll go into debt. I'm crying. I'm upset. I e-mailed the head of the department and George Mason and asked her to consider me for the Masters program, if possible. I told her about the grad-level class I took last quarter on conflict based on nation and identity and about the second year grad-level class I'm taking this quarter. She probably will say "no" but it was worth the shot. I don't have anything to lose at this point.

I just wanted to let everyone know that the George Mason submission was NOT mine. I haven't gotten my letter yet. When I saw the submission, I RAN to my mailbox but we didn't get any mail. I will check again around 4, but the mail usually comes before now so I will probably have to wait until tomorrow to find out whether I'm in or not (or Monday... or Tuesday... or... ugh...).

Shelly, I guess our voodoo worked!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!! I also saw it on the results page and was like, "OMG, Shely got in! WOO HOO!" I was very excited for you! :D Good news for me: I got into the M.A. program at University of Missouri-St. Louis!!!! I got a call and the head of the department left a message on my voice mail. She didn't sound too excited for me and had questions about my stats class. I sent her my stats syllabus, my methadology syllabi, and my research report. That should clear up any doubt in her mind about my abilities. I also mentioned I was taking a 700-level grad class and would be around to take her e-mails or calls. Depending on funding, this may be something to consider.

I don't have a clue, sorry. I guess you could look things up on The Weather Channel's site. There are also sites where you can compare cities. Good luck!

Not too much news from me... George Mason said decisions have been made and letters went out. I should get a letter the beginning of April. UMSL still hasn't contacted me so I will call them today or tomorrow. I will apply to two more schools depending on what George Mason and UMSL says. If I have the money, I may do three. I've decided to only apply to programs that have funding because I'm currently in a situation where I will need that money. Eastern Michigan and Duquesne University both have funding left. William Paterson University may have some funding and they offer classes in subjects I would love to learn. If I get into George Mason, I will probably go there because I know my partner can get a job in that area and the program fits me so well. If not.. well... we will just wait and see what happens! I'm taking a 700-level grad class and although it's going to kick my ass up one side and down the other, I am having a blast! I love the subject matter, so I don't mind reading stacks upon stacks of journal articles. The professor is not making any exceptions for me and I have to do all the work that grad students have to do. He also expects the same quality of work! I'm up to the challenge, though. In discussion last night, I kept up with the grad students. I was so nervous (sick to my stomach), but by the end of the class I felt comfortable. I am the only undergrad in the class and had to get special permission to take it. It's taught by a leader in Rural Sociology and he really knows his stuff. I feel lucky I am able to take his class! I'm also taking a 600-level class, but it's not that hard. If I do well in both classes, I will be confident that I am ready for grad school! Mnemosyne, I can't believe Toronto and Penn have not gotten back to you! I forget if you applied to UPenn or Penn State. If it's Penn State, they have been nothing but rude to me when I was looking into the school. Their rep at our grad school fair in the fall was stuck-up. It's not a big deal if they don't let you in. I love UPenn because I think Dr. Elijah Anderson is amazing! The way he conducts research with inner-city youth is progressive and awe-inspiring. He has a real grasp on race relations in the US and I would love to work with him one day. I agree with you that their loss is Portland's gain. Portland saw someone who was awesome and was wise to snatch you up before others could even get the chance. Screw Toronto! I'm glad that your partner has a job interview! It seems like everything is finally falling into place and that's a great feeling!

Thanks everyone! New School gave me $6,102 in a tuition scholarship. I checked FAFSA and it told me I won't get any grants because I am working on a graduate degree. This is odd to me. Shouldn't I get SOMETHING from them besides a loan? My EFC is $0. I don't know if I can take out enough loans to pay off the rest of the tuition AND live in NYC. I'm not feeling too optimistic right now... :?

Thanks, everyone! No word on funding yet! They said that an information packet is in the mail and funding information would be in the packet. It wasn't in the mail today... I hope they give me something. I really want to go! I'd be willing to take out loans, but I need something to live off of. I hope UMSL calls me tomorrow or friday. I also hope George Mason calls me soon! I really want to hear from these two schools. Long Island University is taking their good old time. What's the hold up? Oh well... I still might apply to one or two more schools, just to see what happens. I want a couple of options and, who knows, I might get some funding. I'm still pretty happy today!

I just got an e-mail today saying that application packets are in the mail and I was accepted. Check your e-mail and see if they sent something to you! I guess something happened with the packets because they were sent out the second week of March and they found out people were not getting them. I hope I get mine tomorrow! I also hope you got in!