toasterazzi

I don't always do a lot of notes, but it's a book for class, I will often underline things that I find significant or important. Sometimes I'll also jot additional notes in my notebook.

If study abroad time counts, then I lived in Italy for a while. But beyond that, I've lived in Indiana and Illinois. As far as traveling goes, I've been to several places all over northern Italy but nowhere else outside the U.S. Within the U.S., I've been to California (twice), Minnesota, Tennessee (several times), Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio (multiple times), D.C, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky (twice), Georgia, and Missouri (twice). I do love traveling. I just wish I had more money to do it.

@Caligula I presented at PAMLA last year and found everybody to be quite friendly and welcoming. Plus, the weather was beautiful

I had a few different versions of my SOP, and I get where people are coming from with the quote thing, but I did actually successfully (I think lol) use a quote in my introduction. My quote wasn't like motivational or anything like that though. It was specifically tied to my research interests, which I think is possibly reasonable.

From some of the feedback I got from the schools that accepted me, I think the thing that helped me the most was having a strong writing sample that clearly reflected my interests. Both schools specifically commented on their interest in my sample and the professor who is going to be my advisor even specifically remembered the topic that I wrote about. I think that my SOP, which also specifically highlighted those interests and how they related to work I'd already done and work I want to do in the future, probably also was a significant factor in my acceptances.

My program sent one very detailed email a couple weeks ago with a lot of stuff in it that we needed to do, such as registering for classes. I know that some of the other emails I've gotten previously have said we'd be getting contacted about certain things over the summer.

Hey all! I just wanted to chime in and mention that I'm also going to OSU this fall. We're set to move next month, and I'm already super excited

I currently have a 13 inch macbook pro, and I had a 13 inch powerbook prior to this computer. I've never really had issues with the screen size. There are times when a bigger screen could be somewhat useful, but it's not on a regular basis or anything like that.

I'm not currently looking for a roommate. However, the one time when I needed a roommate and I didn't have any friends that I could live with, I did find someone on Craigslist. She had rented a two bedroom place and had somebody back out on her. We basically just set a time to meet at her apartment, and I took my fiance (who was my boyfriend back then) with me. We didn't become BFFs or anything, but she was a pretty decent person to live with. I think after reading a handful of Craigslist posts, it gets a bit easier to sift out some of the potential terrible people.

Just got a rejection from the school that I was waitlisted at. Good times

I work in my campus' bookstore during breaks. It's a minimum wage job, but it covers the necessary basis, the people are cool and the discount is pretty nice .

Indeed. I would not recommend it. But we knew we were going to end up going out of state if I got into a school and all of our family members and most of our friends are in this state, so we figured we should have the wedding here. I suppose we could've planned it for a later date and commuted back and forth, but that seems like an extra hassle to me.

I received a very lengthy email from my program a few days ago regarding setting up our email, contacting possible advisors, filling out some paperwork and registering for classes. So far, I've managed to set up my email and secure an advisor so yay for that! I've also been scouring Craigslist and other apartment sites. I've contacted several people, but we're in a tricky position since we can't move until the end of June/beginning of July and most places I've talked to aren't particularly willing to reserve a place from now until then. But we're planning to hopefully go visit this weekend, and it looks like we'll be able to see at least a couple possible places while we're there. I suppose I should also mention that I'm getting married twice in the next couple months (long story lol). So I've got all the wedding planning craziness hanging over my head as well.

I'm with you too. I'm so ready for a new town and new experiences. I recently defended my thesis, and after passing that, I'm just ready to keep moving hehe. But I'm also really looking forward to having some time to rest my brain a bit this summer

The school I turned down didn't specifically ask what school I was choosing, but they did ask what made the other school more attractive. So I assume they use that info in trying to build up their own program.

Sure, sure. P.S. We have a mutual friend. Imagine that

Once renting became an option, I jumped on it. At my school, renting textbooks can save you up to 60% on books and I appreciate that quite a bit. Honestly, I've never been one to keep the majority of the books I use for class, so renting just makes sense to me. I also got a Kindle last year, so if it's cheaper and available that way (which a lot of English books are), then I just get it on my Kindle.

I use a backpack 90% of the time. It fits all of what I need most of the time, and it's much less annoying to carry than a tote bag. I do have a tote from my university that I use if I ever have any extra stuff to carry. I have also used messenger bags in the past with varying degrees of success, but I've been eyeing the Timbuk2 ones for a while now, so I'll probably be getting one of those in the future.

I feel you. Part of why I ultimately didn't apply to schools across the country is because several members of my close family have had serious medical issues over the course of the last year. Particularly, my mom has had two major surgeries within a 6 month span. So I ultimately stuck with schools that would only be a reasonable car drive away. As it turns out, I'm going to be about 5 hours away from home. I try and rationalize it by accepting that there's little difference between what I could do in most situations if I was there as opposed to being a few hours away. I know my family would love it if I was closer to home (I'm currently about 3 hours away), but I ultimately have to do what's right for my future and so I can be in a better position to help the family out if needed in the future. I think you can try to explain to your family why the other school is better for you in some way that they understand, but if they still don't get it, maybe just reassure them that 2 hours really isn't that far? I mean, if you have a car, 2 hours can go by pretty quickly.

I'm working on grading 50 proposals right now, and then they turn in their final research papers in a couple weeks. I actually don't mind the research papers though because I make them all pick different topics from each other so I don't get bored

Haha I didn't so much mind grading them as long as the directions were followed hehe

It is entirely possible/probable. But there were so many people that I have no idea. I was one of the people that lamented about grading annotated bibliographies though

It's Ohio State for me

Huzzah! I'm going there too!

Annnnnd I just accepted Ohio State's offer! *Kermit flails*