Olga Childs

@buddy16cat -- I do not want to comment on the subject of the discussion, but I want to point out that you make a lot of grammatical mistakes when you write, which can not be excused because they are associated with a negligence toward the language, currently prevalent among the lesser-educated young people. I do not know what your age is, and obviously if you are in computer science no one is going to judge you very stringently, but if you are trying to apply to PhD programs and your writing -- for instance, your SOP -- has "who's" instead of "whose", and "definately" instead of "definitely", this signifies your discomfort with the written language and a possible difficulty that you may have expressing yourself in writing. So, being a person who naturally writes poorly, you have to have someone proof-read your SOPs and anything else sent with your application. As someone who used to teach English, I would surely hope that we do not yet admit people to can't tell "who's" from "whose" to Doctoral programs in this country? Mind you, English is actually my second language -- but from experience both learning and teaching it, these are mistakes made most commonly by native speakers who are ignorant to the language, rather than those non-native speakers who studied it academically. Just my 5 cents, nothing personal.

I don't know dude, even though both are essentially UOL , UCL has a perception of so much more prestigious program, that I think the difference is worth 10 000 more (not per year though?). If not, I would just go to Goldsmith maybe. I respect Birkbeck and thought of going there, but it is marketed within UOL system generally as a part-time evening university for the employed, and not a full-time research institution. Local residents go there when they have no time to take off for their education.

Hi This was an old post... it seems like they made their PhD decisions about three weeks ago -- there is one more person here on the forum somewhere who was admitted, but we are still waiting to hear anything about funding.... Which, as I was told at the time, would be 2-3 weeks more, and I am going to make a yet one more push for it on Monday. I have invited myself to a campus visit last week, a nice small campus, totally overcome by the whole political mess with the proposed Rutgers-Rowan merger at the moment. I am also quite concerned that the whole merger mess may impact their potential ability to award GA's, so for me, it's still in the air. As far as MPA admission decisions, I would be surprised that you haven't heard anything, but with a little insight into the process that I have gained lately, I am not all that surprised. Have you tried calling Sandra Cheesman, the department administrator? She is a single person that knows everything around there, and seems to be the main driving force behind most processes within the department. Olga PS I got an nice automated email inviting me to an Open House on Tuesday. It says that it's a nice opportunity for admitted students to learn about the department and meet staff.... Not sure if I should go.I've just been there last week and it did not bring much in terms of further clarity. But depending on what I hear or not on Monday, I might go. Overall, I am hopeful -- I got this far...

I used to live in San Francisco, and I agree Berkeley is a dream place and a legendary school -- while Harvard, where I've been to campus, is all old-school and uptight, at least by Northern California standards.. Boston is also snobbish and boring. The rest, you know yourself... I can see how one could go to Harvard in similar circumstances -- vanity simply prevails. I would have probably done it. But Berkeley is also Berkeley - I think there is a good chance the money will be there, after all. If you are into Berkeley and the Bay area and such like, I think you should go with your heart ))

now, again.... first of all. UC is a better school than UF I think. ANY branch of UC. Second, California is pretty diverse and multicultural, and in Florida and Texas -- especially Texas - there will be some rednecks and whatever (if you are from Iran, it may matter.). I am Russian and have lived in the US for years, and even I would not contemplate living in Texas, apart from maybe metropolitan Austin area. generally anywhere in the South, you risk encounters with crazy racists and anti-immigrant enthusiasts. Even though A&M I heard i a good school. Also, if there is no funding UC may let you re-classify as California resident for tuition purposes in a year, or something. Univeristy of Florida, if we are talking Tallahassee, only consider it if it's the cheapest by far. Tallahassee itself is a relatively progressive town (by Florida standards), but those are Florida standards. Again, Florida can bore you quickly if you are from halfway around the world and a large city. Tallahassee is not its worst place, but it's a big and relatively dull village You cultural experience in California will be much better, and the UC system itself is ten times more reputable than University of Florida system

Irvine

Binghampton isn't that far away from New York City, you sort of live next to civilisation and stuff. And Kansas is Kansas. One can complain about flooding, but have you seen the Wizard of Oz? they got tornadoes in Kansas. I mean, seriously -- more can probably be suggested if we knew where you were from (eg urban vs rural, liberal vs conservative etc) but for most people, all else being equal, choosing New York --anywhere in the state of New York actually -- over Kansas, would not be very difficult )) and a PhD, that can take years... are you seriously considering spending YEARS in Kansas, not actually being FROM Kansas or anywhere similar? I don't know. UPDATE -- I now saw that you are from Pakistan and presumably just contemplating moving to the States for the first time?. Trust me, you DONT want to spend years in Kansas. Actually you don't want to spend any time in Kansas, probably, if you can help it. While the state of New York, and SUNY, are generally pretty diversified and multicultural, you will be much more comfortable there.

I don't know who you were talking to, SOAS is a very prominent school and one of the large parts of the University of London. I've been to their building on the UOL campus in Bloomsbury, too )) Now, UOL External is a world of its own, I am not going to go into discussion about it now, and I don't know how they administer the SOAS-based program (it differs from program to program) and whether there will be a reference to External on your diploma. But SOAS itself is a reputable school.

they must really like you (why didnt i apply to columbia teachers college?!). columbia is a really great school, and generally its reputation is probably way above that of UW, no offense. if the school is offering you money that means it wants you and is ready to appreciate you a a student -- while in fact, at UW you may or may not get a GA and/or end up answering phones in the ncourse of that GA -- while in Columbia, you could be teaching. I am not sure why you were going to snob Columbia like that from the get go, but I don't think you are in any position to ignore it now

well, it is actually UCL which is like on the list of world's top 5 universities in most rankings, I think )) I mean generally, it is considered that UCL is ranked higher than LSE in education generally -- UCL is a broad discipline school though, and LSE, however, is probably better for a business or economics degree specifically in terms of its international fame both UCL and LSE are actually parts of the University of London

original scottish univertsities, such as St Andrews, actually grant Masters as a first degree as a result of a 5-year program )) but that is an ancient feature limited only to several universities in scotland generally most UK degrees are recognized as valid in the US, even though they often (in case of English degrees) shorter in study period than equivalent US degrees I personally having experience with both systems think that English (not scottish) education is more shallow, but I dont think it is politically possible in the next 100 years, that US will stop recognizing english university degtrees ))

you have to be careful with general faqs, as most of these do not apply to canadians. you people can apply for F1 on the border and stuff -- I am sure rules would work differently)) for instance, for anybody from overseas, visiting canada from US works differently from flying overseas -- for instance, if I am taking a short trip to canada, I do not get a new I-94, and will be readmitted for the duration of the original one. or mexico for that matter. I think. i have no idea whether the same would be true for actual canadians going back to canada for a short trip, but it'd be silly if rules as applying to them were somehow more restrictive )) which being said, you may still need a travel signature, but as far as I can figure they are actually valid for a period of time -- like 6 months or something, so it is not like you need to get one every week ))

Earlgrey we like you, but the same post in 4 different topics at the same time? seriously? )))

well, I'd say 100% Milano, and I take issue with The New School being less known. Milano isn't the best known bit of The New School, but The News School itself has been there for ages and in many circles is considered very well respected and even elitist, in ways in which Rutgers certainly isn't. At least, as far as The New School for Social research goes, it's not the same as Milano, but still. Also, if you are a New Jersean and would be paying resident tuition at Rutgers, depending on to what extent money matters to you, I'd say why not Rutgers, but if you can make The New School work financially, i think in terms of academic excitement and prestige it's a definite choice....

Rutgers is OK, but I'd go to Columbia if I were you. Trust me, you will make up any greater debt in substantially better employment opportunities with a Columbia degree. Teachers college I am not sure about, isn't it actually also a Columbia school? Specifically, clinical psychology, as far as I understand, is a particularly prestigious degree. I applied to Rutgers myself, and I understand some of its graduate programs are very good, but not against Columbia. I'd only choose Rutgers over Columbia if the financial difference was extreme -- eg. Columbia was full tuition, and Rutgers was a full scholarship and a stipend. Else, if we are talking about Columbia teacher's college, then the Clinical Psychology one there.

Hi pelevinfan, Sorry for the off topic, but I saw your post and I am totally fascinated, as a Russian person (although not a Pelevin fan particularly). So I take it you aren't Russian at all, and have just studied the language academically? Soviet and post-Soviet sci-fi and fantasy? Wow. There is REALLY not a lot of that going around among genuine Americans )) Strugatskie? Lukyanenko? I have lived in the US for many years, and also went back to Russia and worked with expats (mostly journalists) quite a bit, and even though I have met several people who spoke decent Russian having learnt it in college or above, I know only one who knows it well enough to read anything of that sort. And oh what mixed feelings I experience every time someone says they can't wait to return to Russia! Because you know, most of us Russians would like to avoid doing that, ever )) Anyway, respect!

Have you heard back at all? They say decisions should be out by March 1st, I haven't heard anything and it is driving me insane. The status on the system is "no decision". I am thinking maybe they lost my application altogether and are just being nice and reassuring to everyone in emails.)) I'd emailed one of the professors three weeks ago, and got a response asking if I'd already submitted my application, for my resume and whether I'd want to visit the campus for a talk. I replied Yes Yes Yes but never heard back, and even though I did send a cautious follow-up (something like, if you still want me to come, I am here), to that professor, the admission woman I know, and the department chair I have talked to previously, only the professor replied, and a bit vaguely at that. I can imagine that with Rutgers/Rowan proposed merger and all, who knows what is going on there. But I'd want to go anyway, so, still, it'd be nice to know either way. It's a small program there, I don't know if there is a chance many people here applied there, but I thought I'd try.