yoshiko

Cool research areas!!! It's actually good to have something on your statement of purpose/interest that you would like to pursue new areas of study, as long as you think the program you are applying to has professors that can support you in that area. Plus, its not like this two areas are completely different, you are clearly interested in media and so you can tie your past research experience with what you would like to continue to do. Plus as a PhD student, you don't want to just study one thing and so you can propose having these two areas of media research. As for your other question about changing diss topics after acceptance...again will depend on the program. In my program for instance, I am not even allowed to choose my adviser (even though I know who I would like to work with) until the 2nd semester of my first year because they want me to explore new areas and get to know myself as a scholar. A lot of students change their minds when getting in a program and so this is normal. As long as you don't change your complete area (although this is also not a bad thing either!) you will be fine. Students that come into programs only wanting to study one thing and come out with that same thing are actually disadvantaged in my opinion =). good luck!

you are right about PhDs in the UK being vastly different than ones in the US. You cannot compare them. I understand you might not read this but maybe people that are interested in a UK PhD can benefit. UK PhD programs expect that you know how to be an independent researcher, thus guidance from a supervisor is very minimal. Of course, each advisor/supervisor will communicate differently but the consensus is that UK PhD programs focus solely on research. Students need to work on their own, develop something, and then go to their advisor AFTER they have already produced something. Funding is not a problem for UK residents or EU citizens. They barely pay anything at all (depends on the department). This impacts how the research is done and when it is done. Students create their own timeline for their program of study. But again, if we compare UK PhDs to US PhDs, there will be bitchfest because the programs are laid out so differently. Ultimately, both programs will do a dissertation but the journey in completing it, is very very different. Also, the prestige of the PhD in the UK is different than that in the US. I'll stop here.

Yep just adding to the same testimonies above - went to a state school and got into some of best PhD programs for my field. Experience and letters of rec matter a lot.

This depends on program of study as well as public vs. private funding. For a MA/MS program, the April 15th deadline usually does not exist for a CSU/UC. Sometimes its later because the deadline to apply is usually later. Also, I think future grads (and current ones) should take into account the financial crisis that California is in. Being a graduate of a CSU (both undergrad and grad) as well as a lecturer at a CSU, I can speak confidently about how grim the future looks for CSUs and UCs. The more prominent UCs (such as Berkeley, Davis, ect.) receive a lot of outside funding but are still getting significant tuition hikes where students are outraged, ect. I think the CSU's really have it the hardest and so if anyone is applying to CSU's, keep in mind that some deadlines might be "off" because they are waiting for funding. In my grad program, they were almost forced to cut grad classes (which is insane) when we were already enrolled in the class. One semester, they hid copy paper from us and we couldn't even find a stapler in the copy room. No joke. CSU's are fumbling and so deadlines will also fumble. That is my take on it.

ILuvPsych2013- Hey I just sent you a PM, not sure if it worked but had some questions for you =). I will be looking for apartments in Lincoln soon! =)

Every department is different, every degree and program is also different in regards to timelines. I received my PhD notification from UT in January but that was for a PhD in Comm. I have heard others waiting until March for a PhD in another program. the only thing you can do is call up and ask. It is a normal question. I suggest asking the graduate coordinator and not just any professor because the grad coordinator's job (part of the job) is to answer questions regarding apps/decisions/logistics. Good luck.

Wow thanks ILuvPysch2013!! I just visted Lincoln the past weekend for the first time and really enjoyed my time there until the tornado sirens went off...is that normal? I was hearing a lot of mixed responses to this. people were saying it is normal and it can happen (tornado wiping out Lincoln) but other people were laughing at it and making jokes saying "Lincoln can never get hit, why are sirens going off?!?" Anyways, being from the coasts makes me very uneducated in tornadoes, although I have been researching on my own in the matter. Thanks!

I assume that you applied for funding and that these schools clearly said that no funding is being offered. If this is for a PhD program, I recommend not going without funding unless you are okay with taking out several thousands of dollars worth of loans. Since you are international, then you will pay out of state tuition. First, you should try to get a clear answer from the grad coordinators about the funding situation. How can you get tuition waived, ect. Second, you can try to exhaust other options for funding. For example, you might be able to get a job on campus and that might give you in-state tuition (not perfect but better than out of state tuition). Lastly, I don't recommend going without funding when you might not be able to be a part of projects and teaching. These experiences are invaluable to your experience in the program and help you form networks, relationships, and ultimately those will get you a job. Funding is crucial as it also tells you that the program wants you to be a part of their university. Good luck.

Not sure if you read my somewhat recent post about LD and my decision for a PhD program. Actually, my decision is still in waiting BUT I am pretty sure I am going to attend a PhD program 1800 miles away from my SO. I've actually been in one LDR and it didn't turn out great, but I am older now and my relationship is a lot different now. We have the finances (lucky i know) to visit each other often, he has a job that he can telecommute from and I have 4 months off per year to live with him at home. So I guess all in all, it might be the best situation for a LDR. BUT ultimately, it is the approach and perspective you have going into this - how would you feel doing a LDR? How would your SO feel? Positive perception is crucial in making it work. If you both think it wont work because of $$$, time, distance, ect., then you need to reevaluate how happy you would be going to a program that is closer. You also need to make a plan on when the LD would end. PhD programs can be a bit mysterious in that the length of the program can take numerous years (more than 5). So be realistic. How many students have graduated the program in 4 years? You might even ask what the work-life balance is like. Another reason I am pretty sure I am going into this PhD program is because the faculty and students are very supportive of work-life balance. They understand I have a relationship and although I don't expect them to accomodate my relationship in any way, it is really great knowing that they are understanding and supportive of my life outside of academics. The program is also well known for students getting done in less than 4 years ( in some cases 3). Again, for me, this is the most ideal situation for a PhD program for my relationship, despite it being 1800 miles away. PM if you want to talk more.

If you can reasonably see your research being applicable to the POI at the other school, then I recommend keeping in touch or at least sending them a message saying how you hope to meet and work together one day. During this application season, I found that academia is a small world (smaller than I originally thought). A lot of the POIs from various programs had worked together in the past and since (at the PhD level) research is rather specialized, it is likely that I will meet with these professors at conferences (at the very least). These POIs could also be potential employers in the future. All in all, I don't think it would become problematic if you said something like "Even though I have decided to attend another program, I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your willingness to talk with me about X University. I found our conversation very useful and helpful. I hope that one day we can meet each other at X conference and perhaps someday we will be able to work together." Good luck!

Go with your gut.

From the information you provided, it seems that Yale is the better program. But you didn't really talk about anything else other than money....sorry not sure what else to input here. I will say that SF is very very very expensive to live in - I live there now. I can't imagine even a 30K stipend to cover living expenses there...however, you don't need a car BUT I would recommend one so that you can explore the Bay Area.

Thanks ILuvPsych! I can already tell that the people in the Midwest are very nice and welcoming from just your posts alone!! I will most likely come back to Lincoln in Julyish so that i can get a place by August. I have been looking at a lot of complexes online....there are a lot of choices actually! Oh and I am from Los Angeles, and currently live in San Francisco...so I know there are going to be a lot less things to do in Lincoln as opposed to these areas. I am also an outdoors person...love mountains...so again this will be difficult for me BUT I am trading this for a PhD in a program that I am very enthusiastic about. Also, some comforting advice professors have told me is "do your PhD in an 'uncool' place so that you can finish faster" - I do not wish to label Lincoln as "uncool" since I haven't lived there yet but the general gist is that getting the PhD done in an appropriate time frame will mean moving to more places. I consider this move to Lincoln as one that can also help me grow as a person because I have always lived in hustling and bustling places.....this may be good for me!

This PhD application season has been one of the most emotional processes I've ever been through - when I applied to these programs, I thought I had them all ranked out and was sure I knew where I wanted to go if I received a good offer. Wow was I wrong. This is one of the biggest decisions of our lives and there is no right or wrong way to make it at this point (unless you say yes to all your offers!). All we can do is trust ourselves in the end...and that scares the shit out of me and so I am taking my time.

You are actually one of the few students doing the right thing by declining offers that you KNOW are not going to work for you. So why sit on them? If you are most likely not going to take an offer then why do people keep them, which then does not give other students that same opportunity. Academia is a small small world. I think this department just wants to know where you will be...you will most likely meet each other someday at conferences or maybe even work together in some capacity. I wont be surprised if I get to work with multiple POIs from different programs because that is how a lot of publications (in my discipline) get out - two or more profs from different unis work together and then ask grad students to come on the project.

A crisis of choice, of ample opportunity can make you feel immobilized and scared - that's ok. Sleep on it, eat a cookie, seek counsel from authentic folks. But at some point you must trust yourself and settle into the strength and courage of your convictions. So much to see and achieve in this world...how silly we are to think there are only a few answers to our midnight pondering. We love seeing you out in the world, even if we don't remind you of that often enough. Love to you and yours. Good luck everyone =) If you're wondering about the obstacles that I am facing with my decision, well, I am on the verge of leaving a place that I have created a home with my long-term partner. I might be moving to a place that people have labeled as "the middle of nowhere" and I live in a place that has the highest quality of living right now. But this would be for my dream, my passion, my motivation to complete something that I never thought would ever even be an opportunity.

Please put into account that interest accumulates during graduate school (even though you defer). Your loans might accumulating over $300 in interest each month...then it can capitlize....my student loans have severely increased now that I am in my gap year after my Master's. I don't think many students realize how interest adds up...and now you cannot subsidize ANY interest for a graduate student loan...not even for a IBR. This is heartbreaking. I was talking with the Dept of Education and they pretty much told me that I'm screwed if I cannot make $500 payments a month and I have less student loans than you.... Just be mindful of the aftermath of student loans. They are ugly.

Hi everyone, I am a born and raised Californian, possibly moving to Lincoln for a 3 year PhD program. I am going to be honest: I am scared shitless to move to Lincoln because I've actually never been to the Midwest. I am visiting Lincoln in the next week so I guess I will have better insight on it. I already know the weather is significantly different than Cali (really cold and really humid). A question for those already living in Lincoln: How are the people like? Since the university is a big part of Lincoln, are there a lot of out of state people? Would it be a bad idea to wait until August to look for an apartment? I wont lease an apartment from an online ad and I wont be able to actually move to Lincoln until August when school starts. I might do the whole living in a weekly rent hotel for a bit until I find a good place. A question for those considering or going to Lincoln: Are any of you from the east or west coast?

I was offered a fellowship and a TAship and I am in a social science too. In my program the fellowship was just extra money, not an invitation to work with or for a professor. However, I'm sure since you are being offered a fellowship, that you are very wanted in the program, meaning that there are people that want to work with you. You should ask your POI how you can work with him/her during your program. A RAship is great in that it promises you research experience but if you are going into a good PhD program with a fellowship (again meaning that you are a top student), then you are going to get research experience and publish. Good luck.

If a school is offering funding, you need to accept by April 15th because they want to make sure that any other unfunded students have the opportunity to get the money if you don't want it. If you pay the deposit and then forfeit your spot, I agree, that the program wont take you to court or attack you in any way. BUT a word of advice about academia: it is a small small world. I didn't realize this until I started applying to program and talking with professors at each school. It was amazing how many of them had worked together in some way or simply been on the same panel at conferences. I would be weary of what withdrawing an offer can do to those interactions in the future. Of course, it also depends on how you word the rejecting of the offer. A phone call would be better than a short email. (I am a communications major and so open communication is important!!) Good luck

I'm just piggybacking onto a lot of what people are saying here: Follow the money, follow the opportunities for teaching experience, and research experience. To make you feel better, I am also most likely moving to the Midwest (from California!), leaving my long-term boyfriend, family, friends, and the amazing state of California. I am scared shitless to move to the Midwest...call me a stereotypical Californian, thats fine because I am. Anyways, I am also going into a smaller lesser known program instead of a very big program (top 5 in the nation) but they did NOT offer me any funding. They said I can compete for semester by semester TAships but in a PhD program, I do not want the stress of not knowing if I am supported the whole time. Therefore, I am going into a program that is offering me full funding, TAship, research opportunities, conference funding, and since it is a smaller program, closer contact with faculty. This is way better than going into a big program with no funding, no TAship, over 90 PhD students, meaning lesser contact with faculty and no funding for conferences. No funding not only means more financial burden but also less opportunities to be a part of the department, something you NEED on your CV in order to get a TT job. After talking with numerous professors from across the country and reading articles on higher ed and spectra, the two important things that everyone needs for a TT job is :publications and teaching experience. Both of which should be substantial, meaning publishing at least one article and also having something in press when you are leaving the PhD program (most likely from your diss), teaching experience of at least two or three different classes, showing that you have range in the discipline. If you want to chat with me about moving to the Midwest (hey maybe we are going to the same place!!), PM me!!

I don't really have insight on the Ed.D but I just read the article regarding Harvard cutting their Ed.D program. I find that very important to consider in your own decision because Harvard is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and Harvard was the university to actually introduce the Ed.D. program. For them to completely cut the program shows that they did not value the degree enough to keep it open (it's not like Harvard is going through terrible money issues right now). Therefore, if I was in your shoes, I would be considered how the Ed.D will decrease in value even more, now that Harvard has come saying that they don't think it's worth it and that the PhD of education is the way to go. My two cents. But I honestly do not know much about Ed.D degrees.

Honestly, I don't think an award for your thesis would really push any school in giving you more money or a fellowship at this point in the app season. Plus, I'm not sure how you would word that or sneak that into a conversation without sounding like "look at me look at me" type of a thing. If a school wants you, it is normally because your research interests match very well with a professor's and he/she sees quality in your ability to be a scholar. I don't think an award is going to really make or break anyone's decision BUT that is just my opinion.

Just as my topic asks, is anyone gong to wait until that last week? I want to because I actually can't visit the school until that last week (only days I can go) and I am pretty sure I will say yes to them but I really don't know until I go there.

Eeek. Which UK school may I ask? I have friends doing PhDs in Edinburgh and they chose to just fund it all on loans, which I think is ridiculous. I would not recommend it because you can't even work many hours with a student visa, thus making no money. Scholarships are the only way to go for UK funding and from what I hear, they are limited and competitive because most of them are for UK/EU residents and not for US residents. I honestly dont think a UK program without funding could really be better than any US program with funding. When you have funding, you will be a part of the department, working for them, publishing with them , and making more contacts. My friends at Edinburgh hardly know anyone in the department (besides students) because they don't need to take classes and aren't teaching/tutoring. For a PhD program, I wouldn't find that ideal....