ELM616

OOOOh I like the way you're thinking

No no I'm not reading much into it. Its just one of my pet peeves that I've noticed is ubiquitious in academia. Would love to see others who may share my disdain for it. -Best

I bet you're one of the ones who does it then

Anybody else notice how lots of professors and staff in academia like to sign their emails with "Best". It drives me batshit crazy!! I don't know why, maybe because it seems like such a snide and insincere way to sign an email. Maybe we can start somekind of movement to eliminate the practice of signing emails with Best.

Yeah I'm busting my arse trying to finish my thesis in time to leave for my PhD and in the same boat. I submitted my thesis to my main advisor and he suggested I use a specialized econometric technique. So I spent a few weeks working on this technique called Difference and System GMM. I ran into some difficulties and when I emailed my advisor for some help he replied back saying he'd never actually used the technique but that it is difficult and complex to implement and referred me to a member of my committee. I met with that commitee member only to have them tell me this technique is fairly advanced and not suitable to my data. So I've basically wasted a month. Back to the drawing board and only have two months to have my thesis approved for oral defense. The good news is they've recommended I stick with a fixed effects estimation which is pretty simple. So I'm working out the kinks with a fixed effect estimation under the guidance of the committee member, then I should be ready to resubmit. Luckily the rest of my editing is pretty much done, except for interpreting the results of my econometric estimation which shouldn't take that long. The only way I deal with it is by having faith that it will work out just in time. If for some reason it doesn't I can always leave for my PhD and defend via video teleconference once fully approved. One student from my department had to do this last year so at least there is precedence in my case. Also I cycle 12miles and run 3 miles, three times a week. Lots of exercise is the only thing that keeps my mind relaxed and sharp. (If only my family and friends knew how much is to be sacrificed and how hard it is to be a high performing graduate student they wouldn't ask so many stupid questions or ask me to help them with their lame homework!)

Its possible. If you have strong math background from another discipline such as engineering, physics, and of course math, etc then you may get a conditional admit. The condition being that complete intermediate micro and intermediate macro before starting your graduate coursework. I was a business major with enough math, GRE and intermediate macro so I recieved a conditional admit to an MA in Econ at an ok program. I took intermediate micro in the summer before classes started and I was off and running. Im now finishing up my MA and have been accepted to a PhD with funding. So just research the programs you're interested in and you should be good to go.

Just take it again. It could be the difference between getting an assistantship or not. Take it again and this time study for it.

Where are the best places to meet fellow grad students, especially outside of my department? Are there social mixers for grad students hosted by the grad school?

Where do most of the grad students live? I'd like to meet other grad students outside of my department, so I don't wanna be way out in North Knoxville if all my friends are gonna be living in West Knoxville or vice versa. Also does UTK have a lot of social mixers for grad students? Where is the best place to meet grad students outside of my own department? (maybe best suited for the meet and greet thread but this one is more active)

Just signed and sent in my acceptance letter! Cant wait to be VOL I've been doing a lot of research into apartments. So far everyone has told me its too early to pre-lease. One thing that has surprised me is the amount of application fees and admin fees they charge ($199 app fee in some, $275 admin fee in others) I'm in Vegas now and hardly anyone charges an admin fee. And the highest application fee I would pay is $50 Are you guys focusing your search on a specific area? Any suggestions?

Did you check out any specific apartment complexes while you were there? From looking on Craigslist I've found a few that are dog friendly (a must for me) and seem to be in good locations. Some that look good to me are Woodland West cause its located right on a greenway, and The Gables in North Knoxville is close to Victor Ash park. It turns out they are owned by the same management company. Reviews are mediocre for both, but I've lived in a lot of complexes that have had bad reviews and my experience is that usually a pissed off tenant or disgruntled former employee is the source of such negative reviews. So I was wondering if you saw any that made a good impression on you?

Thanks for the info! I was awarded a really generous funding package so I'm likely to attend. Been looking around on craiglslist and knoxapts.com and the cost of living seems really low, and plenty of available places to rent. North Knoxville looks like the most ideal location to UT, but it's slightly more expensive than West, at least as far as I can tell.

I'm in a similar situation. I talked with my adviser and I will defend my Masters thesis in late May just after spring semester wraps up, but will be applying to graduate in the summer term just before the June 1st deadline.. This means in order to graduate in summer, I must be enrolled in a graduate course in order to apply for graduation. So I'm taking an incomplete on my Thesis course for spring, and enrolling in the summer Thesis course, allowing me to take out a Grad Plus loan for the summer term. I know...sounds complicated. But the Grad Plus loan will cover my rent until I leave for my PhD in late July, and there will be some leftover to help me with the relocation costs.

Keep it simple. Talk to your landlord and ask if they can be added to the lease. That way they can't just bail or trash your house. When you post your ad on craigslist just note that anyone interested will need to apply, get approved, and be added to the lease. The two of you may even need to sign a whole new lease together, which you may or may not want to do, but at least you'll be legally protected.

I applied to 8 schools. Accepted to my top 3 choices (with funding to one) in early February, but haven't heard much of anything from the other five schools. Except, one of my safety schools apparently called my advisor with some rather detailed questions about my profile. And its one of the lowest ranked schools in my pool of applications. So go figure. I think each department is different at every school. Try not to sweat it. It aint over till its over.

I've gotten the impression that transfering to another program after your first year is acceptable and not uncommon. I know a former classmate of mine went to Columbia, finished the first year, then transferred to MIT for prestige and better fit. Just ask yourself if you will really be happier at the other school or maybe you're just in a funk. But if you've done well in your current school and you have good relationships with your professors, then you shouldn't be afraid to approach your advisor and discuss transfering for a better fit. Maybe you could even just tell them you have a significant other at said program and you wanna transfer to be closer to them?

Rosy Palm

One of my favorites recently... "Dude why didn't you apply to Texas AM?! That's where Johnny Manziel plays!" (QB football)

Try this out, its a UCONN sponsored off campus housing search. I see mostly a lot of 2 bedrooms or people looking for roommates, but at least its a start. http://web.offcampuspartners.com/33

@Phku. Well you wouldn't work fulltime. Thats why they have the Grad Plus loans. Not that anybody wants to take out loans but in some cases, its necessary. Anyway I've been accepted to three programs and all three make funding decisions in early to mid March, so now I'm just playing the waiting game and its driving me crazy! One minute I'm day dreaming of going to this school, then that school, then I remember that I don't have funding to EITHER! AHH!

Congrats! What program are you going into? For housing it looks like there actually is a pretty good selection as long as your willing to commute 15 minutes or so everyday. I'm used to that so no big deal. I like Willimantic, seems like a cool town and I've at least found one apartment complex in my price range that would fit my needs. If you go through all the older posts you'll find quite a bit of info. There is also some more info about UCONN in the Meet and Greet section.

If you leave midsemester for no other reason than "you dont feel like doing it anymore," then consider all bridges burnt. I suggest finishing out the year, and making a solid attempt at the comps. If you fail the comps they will help you transition out of the program with dignity.

you need to relax your mind. Either blow off some steam with some beers at the local watering hole or something else. Seriously it will help tremendously.

I won't be able to visit before I make my decision so please fill us in with your experience when you return. That would be so helpful!

^Glad I could help. That's a great location too. Within walking distance to Track Town Pizza, and since you'll need to burn off that pie, an easy walk to the student rec center too Plus you can walk to Autzen stadium on saturdays for the football games! If you decide to go, you'll love Eugene. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I delivered chinese while working my way through my undergrad there so I know the town well.