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advice

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Everything posted by advice

  1. Check to see if your program has a union. Union rules sometimes address this.
  2. Eh. You can do whatever you want to do. If you're attached thats great, if not, that's fine to. As a couple, it is good to be able to go out individually from time to time. Especially since even if you're in the same program and in the same department, you probably won't have the same work due all at the same time.
  3. If it is nine months, and you're from Washington state, the whole lived experience will probably mean little - so that won't factor into your decision much. As you've said, one program is clearly stronger academically than the other. I think what I would think long and hard about is your earning power with degrees from either school. Will you make that much more to pay off your loans with a degree from Cal? Engineering recruiters will often have a short list of schools that they recruit from - clearly Berkeley be on that list, will UW also be on there?
  4. Asking about placement isn't a bad idea. My understanding is that a lot of people with archaeology degrees end up in private industry. If that doesn't bother you - than no worries then. If you'd really like to stay in academics, it would definitely be wise to ask around about placement. What percent of people get tenure track jobs right away? How about after 2-3 years. If they don't know because they don't keep track of their recent grads, that is a pretty huge red flag.
  5. I would just ignore it. Throw it away, move on, don't think of it again. If you get another letter, simply write a polite letter to the graduate secretary explaining that you applied, were denied admission and would appreciate being taken off the mailing list. They will understand it is a bonehead move . . . probably. If not, who cares, just move on with your life.
  6. If you hope to be a professor at some point in the future, it is a smart idea to get some teaching experience early. Don't worry - everyone flounders a bit in the beginning. As a TA my first year I just graded exams and papers. By my second year I was also leading discussion section and filling in for the professor in lecture from time to time. I've worked hard to gain as much teaching experience as possible because I'd like to end up at a small liberal arts college (SLAC) but even if you want to end up at a research university - they aren't going to want someone who can't teach their way out of a paper bag - especially when there are great researchers out there who are also good teachers. Anyway, get started early as a TA if you can. As other posters have said, it helps you learn the material in a new way, gets you funding and gets you useful experience.
  7. I'd be weary of entering a PhD program without any promise of funding, ESPECIALLY if you plan on teaching. If you're going into industry, it may be a different story, but if you plan on teaching, when are you going to pay that mountain of growing debt off - when you're floating around from year to year as an adjunct?
  8. Google in quotes your field, university, cv and pdf. For example try, "Sociology Department CV pdf".
  9. I hate to say it, but I get the feeling that nothing is really normal about finances right now. Imagine that departments are waiting to hear back from universities regarding what their funding will be for the upcoming year and the universities are scrambling, trying to figure out where exactly their finances are. So this takes time. These programs typically understand that they risk losing top students if they wait until after the April 15th deadline to make funding decisions - but sometimes they have no choice.
  10. Volunteering with a local historical society or archive as the above poster mentioned is a good idea. Here is what I would recommend in addition to doing something like that. As soon as you're able to register for a e-mail address or username and password with the school you will be attending, you will probably have some access to their online library resources. Spend some quality time poking around on their library webpage. What databases do they have for finding primary sources? How do ILL services work through their library? Are they connected with any special consortium (Chicago's library is academically connected with the schools in the Big Ten athletic conference, for example)? What databases turn up a lot of research materials that interest you and what resources are less effective for the general type of research you anticipate engaging in? Trial and error is your friend. Especially the summer before you start when you have some time. Have fun and good luck!
  11. What's your goal? To be in the academy? To work in a museum?
  12. I stayed at the International House a number of years ago (I think they've redone it since then). I liked the U of Chicago area but there are some tough spots around the south side of Chicago. I'd be curious to hear how undergraduates there feel about the graduate students - as the school bills itself as "the teacher of teachers". Do the undergrads there feel as though they don't get enough attention?
  13. Congrats to everyone in anthro who has made a decision!
  14. Hey guys, just checking in! Hope you're getting along waiting for those last few decisions to come in!
  15. I applied to this program once upon a time and was turned down. Good luck to all who applied!
  16. I wouldn't call, just wait it out. Be patient.
  17. Deciding what to do here is somewhat field contingent. If I were you, I would consider trying to speak to graduate students further along in the program about their funding situation. In some programs, funding comes down year to year in the forming of teaching assignments - but it is pretty regular and you can easily get teaching in other departments. Obviously, it also depends on whether or not your going for a Phd or an MA and if you hope to go into a high paying job in industry or a low paying gig in the academy. Don't take on any debt if you plan on becoming a college professor.
  18. advice

    Berkeley, CA

    UCB's on campus housing for graduate students, specifically Jackson House - is quite nice. The downside is that it is rather expensive.
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