imonedaful

I was always wondering about this. I was debating if it would be a good idea or weird to join a student group on campus that is primarily undergraduate/ masters students. It is good to know somebody has already done it and it is not that weird.

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

You know what they say, "don't sh*t where you eat." I think graduate students should venture out and date people outside their little world of graduate school. At least try it. As intelligent people with a high level of education I know we sometimes get a complex. We think we need to be with like-minded or educated people to be happy. However, it can make us incredibly closed minded. You should date different kinds of people and then if you end up dating somebody else who is a grad student, then so be it. I would try to stay out of your department, especially if it is small. When you have 5-10 people in a cohort and 2 of them are dating they will end up classified as "the couple" and you will lose part of your singular indentity.

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

You know what they say, "don't sh*t where you eat." I think graduate students should venture out and date people outside their little world of graduate school. At least try it. As intelligent people with a high level of education I know we sometimes get a complex. We think we need to be with like-minded or educated people to be happy. However, it can make us incredibly closed minded. You should date different kinds of people and then if you end up dating somebody else who is a grad student, then so be it. I would try to stay out of your department, especially if it is small. When you have 5-10 people in a cohort and 2 of them are dating they will end up classified as "the couple" and you will lose part of your singular indentity.

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

Sometimes I think it is best to avoid outside sources for some application help. For basics things such as sending tests scores and deadlines you can look it up but when it comes to the fuzzy part of the application process I think you should do it your own way. When I was writing my personal statement I had looked at some writing samples from online sources and for the most part, I thought they were horrendous. I decided to write my personal statement exactly how I think a personal statement should look and added my own touches. I know many  of us think that people in the application process do not read or read in-depth personal statements but as soon as I got to the campus of the university I was admitted to the program coordinator told me how impressive part of my essay was and remembered almost exactly what I wrote. I think it helped me a lot to get in. Being that I am a social sciences field, I think it helped to think outside the box and be different. It helped leave an impression. 

I think it is weird that you read for fun too...
 
Just kidding.
 
This is an interesting topic. It is funny to me that some people have this over romanticized idea in their head that academicians are super intellectuals. In reality, it is just a career choice. It may involve a different kind of thinking, require different training, etc. from different occupations but ultimately is a job that somebody chooses. It is not necessary to downplay or overplay your accomplishments. Just act like a normal person (I know normal can be a tough word to tackle for some academics ). If somebody has no interest in, or has no respect for what you do, that is not your problem. It is their problem for being close-minded. You should also be respectful and equally interested in what other people do. The kindergarten rule of treat others how you want to be treated can go a long way. 
 
People trying to downplay something you take pride in (whatever it may be) is a personality issue. Somebody who says something along the lines of what you do doesn't matter, everything you have accomplished is easy, or calls you an idiot has a complex that makes them for whatever reason want to feel superior to you. The only reason they say things like this to you is because they are trying to counteract their own problems with feeling inadequate.  Do not take it personal because it is not about you or what you do. However, whatever you do, do not stoop to their level. 
 
I have experienced this same type of issue in a different realm. I competed athletics collegiately as an undergrad and master's student. Often times, people have the same expectations of you to downplay being successful as an athlete. For instance, I went on a date with this guy once (it never made it past date one for good reason) and we were having a conversation about competing sports in college. He had never participated in a competitive sport in his life (on a high school level) yet told me that he believed that if he had just decided to compete sports in high school he could have gotten a college scholarship. I asked him why and he said "I am athletic, of course somebody would want me." It is quite frequently I hear somebody who was an average high school athlete tell me they could've gotten a scholarship to go to college but decided not to. I am not a fan of "could'ves" and assumptions but I generally ignore these people. However, this guy had taken it to a completely different level. Getting a college scholarship as an athlete is not easy, it is hard work (just like getting a PhD) and I feel like he was severely trying to downplay something I had spent a lot of time working towards. So I politely gave him a statistical example of how many people get recruited athletically to compete in college and how even fewer are rewarded scholarships (it is probably around 5% or less who even participate and only a portion are awarded scholarships... about the same for getting published in a great research journal). He was much quieter after our discussion. Fortunately for me, I never saw him again.
 
So, I wouldn't worry too much about people attempting to belittle your field. You have the right to defend what you love doing, but always be respectful. Sometimes people dislike what they do not understand. Having a discussion with somebody about what your job actually entails can help people gain better perspective and build a mutually respectful relationship. 

I think it is weird that you read for fun too...
 
Just kidding.
 
This is an interesting topic. It is funny to me that some people have this over romanticized idea in their head that academicians are super intellectuals. In reality, it is just a career choice. It may involve a different kind of thinking, require different training, etc. from different occupations but ultimately is a job that somebody chooses. It is not necessary to downplay or overplay your accomplishments. Just act like a normal person (I know normal can be a tough word to tackle for some academics ). If somebody has no interest in, or has no respect for what you do, that is not your problem. It is their problem for being close-minded. You should also be respectful and equally interested in what other people do. The kindergarten rule of treat others how you want to be treated can go a long way. 
 
People trying to downplay something you take pride in (whatever it may be) is a personality issue. Somebody who says something along the lines of what you do doesn't matter, everything you have accomplished is easy, or calls you an idiot has a complex that makes them for whatever reason want to feel superior to you. The only reason they say things like this to you is because they are trying to counteract their own problems with feeling inadequate.  Do not take it personal because it is not about you or what you do. However, whatever you do, do not stoop to their level. 
 
I have experienced this same type of issue in a different realm. I competed athletics collegiately as an undergrad and master's student. Often times, people have the same expectations of you to downplay being successful as an athlete. For instance, I went on a date with this guy once (it never made it past date one for good reason) and we were having a conversation about competing sports in college. He had never participated in a competitive sport in his life (on a high school level) yet told me that he believed that if he had just decided to compete sports in high school he could have gotten a college scholarship. I asked him why and he said "I am athletic, of course somebody would want me." It is quite frequently I hear somebody who was an average high school athlete tell me they could've gotten a scholarship to go to college but decided not to. I am not a fan of "could'ves" and assumptions but I generally ignore these people. However, this guy had taken it to a completely different level. Getting a college scholarship as an athlete is not easy, it is hard work (just like getting a PhD) and I feel like he was severely trying to downplay something I had spent a lot of time working towards. So I politely gave him a statistical example of how many people get recruited athletically to compete in college and how even fewer are rewarded scholarships (it is probably around 5% or less who even participate and only a portion are awarded scholarships... about the same for getting published in a great research journal). He was much quieter after our discussion. Fortunately for me, I never saw him again.
 
So, I wouldn't worry too much about people attempting to belittle your field. You have the right to defend what you love doing, but always be respectful. Sometimes people dislike what they do not understand. Having a discussion with somebody about what your job actually entails can help people gain better perspective and build a mutually respectful relationship. 

(the following is in no way meant to disparage any previous posters)
 
While I'm sure that on occasion reverse academic snobbery exists, I think more often than not it's a phenomenon much like "reverse racism" - in that the very people who feel they are being wronged are in fact simply worried they will not get the advantage they feel they are owed.  I'm not an anti-intellectual, and there is certainly a strange cultural undertow which sometimes makes me feel as if I'm swimming upstream when I strive to be well informed, articulate, and logical.  For example, the constant need for politicians in America to make a big show of being "plain spoken" and folksy.  So in a broad sense, yes, I think culturally there is an annoying smart vs. "real" perception problem. 
 
But, on an individual basis, I have to assume everyone is trying their best.  I just assume an intentional posture of niavete in order to not become an ass-hat myself.  Because for me it is better to assume if someone boasts to me that they would never be bothered to read a book that perhaps they have an undiagnosed learning disability, or an incredible strength in art, or simply a strong preference for auditory learning but they listen to pod casts religiously - whatever, than to assume they are just a big stupid idiot who hates smart people.
 
I barely graduated high school, I'm the only one of my friends from that period of my life who did finish high school, I married a high school drop out, and I spent much of a decade working in a hair salon.  Many of my clients were college students, graduate students, law students, or scientists from the nearby national lab.  The most articulate, interesting, and accomplished people also tended to be the people who just spoke to me like I was a person and were completely unconcerned with impressing me or impressing upon me the importance of education.  Occasionally I had a jackass in my chair, and it's 50/50 that person thought I was an elitist high brow snob or an uneducated idiot rube.  
 
I have strong feelings about this, because I've been on both sides, and have been perceived as being on both sides the entire time depending on who I was with and what I was doing.  In the end I found that as with anything, you won't change anyone who isn't interested, who has their guard up, and the more you push the more they will build up a defense against you and what you represent.  If you have a jackass in your salon chair, or in your life, treat them well until you get get them out the door and don't let them back.  And if you're dealing with a non-jackass, don't push an agenda or a belief system, and if someone is interested in your views, your beliefs, or your value system (including placing a high value on education) they will see that in your actions and ask you directly if they want to know more.  (All this is, of course, just one blue collar lady's opinion)

It depends on how you work as an individual. Some people are more productive with a full schedule. If you are going to school, working and studying you only have a certain amount of time to devote to each and will properly budget your time. Often this is much easier than having too much time on your hands to overthink things. However, if you are a person you cannot handle time constraints then you should reconsider. But, not having to take out any student loans and be able to cover your living expenses will definitely ease your mind. And peace of mind can be quite valuable. Plus, as the poster above me said, you can always take the job and resign in the future if it does not work with your schedule. 

Remember when we were children and we would count down the days of school until summer vacation? Now as adults, we are counting down the days until we go back to school. Funny how things work that way. It is nice to know I am not the only one feeling this way. I am dragging mostly because I work two jobs (I wake up at 5 or 6am everyday and I am not much of a morning person haha) and even though I have been gainfully employed for the few years I have been out of school I feel like (and everybody else who feels like voicing their opinion) I am not living up to my potential career wise. The job market was abysmal when I graduated so I have picked up some fairly random jobs. Now, I have a better vehicle for accomplishing what I want. So now, work is slowly dragging along and I spend a lot more time looking out the window. Haha

Has anybody ever had your employer talk to you like you are going to be employed there FOREVER even though they know that you are probably extremely overqualified for what you do? This is happening to me at one of my jobs. It as if they think I should have no ambition, lol. My job is okay for the most part, but I get an ehhh hourly wage and no benefits and I only work part time so I have to have another job. They will probably be highly upset when I leave, which in part I am not looking forward to telling them. Another part of me will find great pleasure in it!

Ohhh, how untrue this is. I have an MBA from a decent state school. We have graduates that go on to do great things. One of my professors was an MBA graduate from our school and became the CEO of a fairly large corporation. Getting a degree from Harvard or Yale does not guarantee you anything. From what I know, schools with hard admissions standards are hard to get into, but easy to get out of. Furthermore, jobs do not really look at your grades so do not stress about it that much.

As far as everything being more difficult, you are just going to have to work harder. YOU were the one who decided to get a masters degree, so do not be upset with your friends or family that they do not understand it. It is your choice, and your burden. However, I believe there is absolutely no reason to be unhappy about graduate school. It is far better than sitting in a cubicle being bored out of your mind. Make what you do fun. I used to take a box of crayons and redraw graphs and diagrams of stuff I had to know and make them colorful. I am sure I looked ridiculous being a graduate student in the libraby with crayons, but I had a good time. haha

Great post. I whole heartedly agree. I was a substitute teacher in a large school district for a year that where in a wide array of socioeconomic settings. Just in that short time it was easy to see how drastically different the learning environments are at different schools. In some of these schools the kids had to worry if they came to school with a new backpack or pair of shoes that they would get stolen or jumped in the hallway. A lot of the schools lacked funding and did not have the basic supplies for students to learn. Many of the high school students worked full time jobs during the school year because they had to help support their families. None of these children chose to be in that environment, it was the circumstances they were given. I am sure some do make bad choices (as everybody does) but often they are not given the tools to make the best choices. On the other end of the spectrum are the priveleged kids. Some of them really seize their opportunities and work hard and are thankful for what they are given but there are a large portion that just feel entitled. I must add, when I was subbing, the nicer the school the messier the kids were. They would just throw stuff on the ground and expect somebody else to pick it up. It was terrible. But, with those priveleges they have a lot more room to make bad choices. Unfortunately, a child from a low income family does not have that same room for error.

That is hilarous. haha.

During my first week as a PhD student one of my professors told us that "graduate school involves a lot of people telling you that your work sucks, get used to it." He went on to talk about how everybody still gets rejections from papers they submit to conferences and everybody has been told they are wrong or are not the best at something but it is all apart of the learning process. I know it stings a little bit when you actually hear you are not fantastic at everything (haha) but in the long haul it will make you better.

That is hilarous. haha.

During my first week as a PhD student one of my professors told us that "graduate school involves a lot of people telling you that your work sucks, get used to it." He went on to talk about how everybody still gets rejections from papers they submit to conferences and everybody has been told they are wrong or are not the best at something but it is all apart of the learning process. I know it stings a little bit when you actually hear you are not fantastic at everything (haha) but in the long haul it will make you better.