RCtheSS

Bump! This week I've made the unofficial decision to enroll in the joint AM/MPP degree at UChicago. I'm already in correspondence with a professor in SSA about research opportunities in the upcoming year. I can't attend the admitted student event this weekend, unfortunately. I'm planning to travel back up in the summer to secure housing.

So I think I've actually settled into my gut decision and feel somewhat sure about which university I'll attend in the fall. Yay! Too bad I can't afford to put down any enrollment deposits at the moment... I think I'll start declining the other schools for the time being.

I took professional piano lessons for ten years, but slowed down once I moved away for undergrad. Don't really have the room for a keyboard, and I don't even like playing on keyboards... my favorite pieces to play require a full-sized piano.

Definitely join one! Intramural sports and sports clubs were some of my favorite activities in undergrad, and I wrote in one of my grad school admissions essays that I would try to start a team with my incoming cohort of classmates. I think it's a great way to stay in shape and build relationships.

Short answer: read through the Social Work subforum on this site. Shorter answer: You're in good shape.

Man, I'm trying to finish A Dance with Dragons before the new season of Game of Thrones starts. Basically, I don't want to start reading academic-related materials until I quit my job in July, since that keeps me plenty engaged as it is. I am looking into enrolling in a calculus MOOC soon since I haven't taken it since high school.

Nothing vain about it, @MarineBluePsy! I would do the same thing, because my stylist just knows my hair THAT well. It's hard to trust someone else after a while.

Hahaha I was getting my hair relaxed for 10 years and that smell was always so pungent. I also didn't like how it dried out my scalp at all! My bride-to-be friend fully supports me rocking my fro and I think she's already told the stylist about it. Bobby pins are my best friends lately, so I'm sure we can all come up with a decent-looking 'do for the big day.

I used to get my hair relaxed (chemically straightened, pretty much) until 2014 when I started regrowing my natural curly hair. Having a decent-sized afro is really fun to play with Now I need to be sure whoever styles my hair is accustomed to my hair texture, especially with my tight curls. Bleh, this all reminds me that I'm a bridesmaid for my friend's wedding this weekend... I hope her hired stylist knows what she's in for with my hair.

I know this feel all too well about finding a new salon. I've been going to the same stylist (same one my mom has gone to my whole life!) since I was 12. When I moved for undergrad, 4 hours away from my hometown, I would still make the drive back to see him. Now I live in DC and I still make appointments to see him at least twice a year! I've only strayed from his salon once in all these years. Now that I'll be relocating away from the east coast entirely, I'll be really pushed to do some footwork to find another salon/stylist. I've always been told to look for someone who has a similar hair type to yours, and if you like how it looks, ask them where they get it done!

Yeah, I've only had my hair colored with a professional hair stylist. Right now I have a burgundy red color that's been growing out since last July, but it's pretty subtle unless I'm standing under lighting. I've always gone with highlights or dyes that can blend in well with my natural color, so I hope I can pull off a dark blue tone in the same way.

After visiting three different social work programs this week, I now have the desire to dye my hair blue! Not all of it at least; I'm thinking dark blue or indigo highlights that can blend in well with my natural black hair.

I, too, just finished my last program visit. I went into this week with a gut decision in mind, and then some of these programs did a great job explaining their missions and resources available which just made me more confused! Even though I came up with so many more questions while learning more about these schools, I think I may end up going with my gut...after I re-evaluate my graduate school spreadsheet one last time.

Is anyone planning to attend the admitted student events next weekend? I'm unable to travel, but would love to hear feedback on the information provided.

I attended the Prospective Student Day yesterday! First, Seattle is looking so perfect right now--the weather is ideal and the flowers are in bloom. What a cool city. If anyone has any specific questions, I'll try my best to answer them. I attended info sessions on the Administration and Policy Practice and Community-Centered Integrative Practice.

Mmm, that sounds right up my alley! This city is AMAZING for food--so many unique eateries on every corner. I'm staying with friends so I'll just show them your post and see if we can figure out where that cafe is, lol.

Great thread idea, @hippyscientist! I thank all of you for being an awesome whine/wine support group over the last 6-7 months. This week is packed with grad school open houses for me. Today and tomorrow is UT-Austin, Thursday and Friday is UWashington, and Saturday is UMinnesota. All new cities and states I've never been to.

Most of these questions may be better answered by admissions staff. You can ask program staff to put you in touch with current students who would be open to speaking with newly admitted students. Congratulations!

I was considering applying to a maximum of 8 universities at one point, but ultimately narrowed it down to 6. In hindsight, I would have probably removed another 2 schools off that master list. I'm not sure if I can really speak to the safety vs. reach schools since I uh, got into every program. >_> I tailored my applications to fit with each program as much as possible. I suppose I felt as if I had applied to 2 matches, 2 reaches, and 2 safeties.

Some of my colleagues are utilizing PSLF. I haven't heard them complain about the program structure in particular. Some of them have changed jobs since graduating (federal gov't to nonprofit, one nonprofit to another).

There are a handful of us on here! I'm a 2013 Fellow at the Ford School. 1. For applications: you'll need to log into the AlumniNet to send your official program verification documents out to consortium schools. Some programs may direct you to send your program evaluations to their admissions office (via email, usually); you may also upload your program evaluations onto the application. When in doubt, contact admissions offices. 2. As you can see from my signature, I applied to six PPIA consortium schools. While I received fellowship funding from each policy program, none provided full tuition stipends. This may be indicative of my application as a whole; we're still competing with hundreds of other applicants regardless of our affiliation with PPIA. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions!

I received my PAL as well. Nothing but loans, no mention of work-study awards.

I listened to the Virtual Open House webinar today, and they are still reviewing applications for the special programs. It sounds as if they'll be notifying applicants of those awards on a rolling basis.

Worst comes to worst, the GradCafe crew who end up attending this fall can support each other!

Very understandable! When I read your comment, I immediately felt the need to validate your experience. I think that's what puts me on pause about UofM as a whole, the homogeneity of the student body and surrounding campus area. I think those social dynamics will end up reflecting on the class cohorts and discussions, and it's an issue that is ever important to address holistically in social work and policy.