Morrius

Here's a question for someone in the BC area. Where do you guys go for grocery shopping? I don't have a car, I'm planning to live alone, and Peapod requires a minimum $60 order, plus a $10 fee. That sounds like it could get pricey in a hurry. What if I just want to get a gallon of milk somewhere?

I've asked before on several occasions, both to the head of the graduate committee and to the department, and I've always gotten a vague sort of non-answer. Usually it's just a matter of the rest of the field being better than you. While there is some variance as to how good each crop of applicants is from year to year, unless there is something glaringly wrong with your application, don't count on getting a straight answer.

I've had a similar experience with another university, won't say which one.

Hmm. I had a 2.6 GPA, a 1400+ GRE with 5.5 AW, and I could not get in anywhere until I had two journal publications in hand. I think the 3.0 isn't a hard cutoff number, but your chances will certainly dip.

I'd like to know a little more about the Boston College area. This will be my first rental and I don't have a car, so I'm a little nervous about living off of a stipend.

Six years removed from undergrad here. Help, I'm old!

I've been a train commuter for many years now. If you can get work done while on the train, it's a good deal. Bring your laptop, as some trains now offer wi-fi too.

Another thing to keep in mind is that stipends aren't taxed at the same rate as normal income. You'll probably have to pay into Social Security, and some states tax them, but I don't think there's federal income tax on stipend.

Good luck, Astaroth. Brandeis is crazy competitive. Three years in a row I applied, got interviewed, and was rejected.

I tried Dartmouth last year, and didn't get in. They never sent me a letter; I had to call them to get the bad news. You might want to do the same.

BC is offering me $27k a year, which works out to $2250 a month before taxes. I'm looking for a studio, which works out to around $900 to $1050 a month plus bills in BC's neighborhood. (I hate commuting.) I'm still trying to approximate a budget in my head. I'm anticipating $300/month food and other consumables, $100/month utilities, and $100/month cable, internet, and phone. Am I close?

You have my condolences, ndufour.

Graduated in 2003 from WPI, BSc in Biology, 2.6 GPA. (Don't ask.) GRE Verbal 670, Quantitative 770, Writing 5.5 1.5 years working at Harvard Medical School, 3 years at Mass General Hospital with 2 publications in prep Applied to Tufts (Interviewed and rejected) UMass Medical (Rejected) Brandeis (Interviewed and rejected) Georgetown (Interviewed) SUNY (No word) BC (Accepted) I've already signed on the dotted line to attend BC, and I have to admit, it's a little intimidating. Are there any other BC students out there? The interview session was good, but I have a nagging feeling that I'm missing a piece of the puzzle.