Spanish 2021

[casi cielo]

1 hour ago, Conejita said:

Anyone have any updates? Anyone have strategies they use to prevent themselves from obsessing over checking grad cafe and the email??

No updates here. 1 waitlist and 1 pending. my current strategy has been to stay busy with other work to distract myself. I only check once a day - and I finished the final draft on my MA thesis!  Super excited about that, but now I have to find other things to stay busy... I've been having some terrible stomach pain over the last week because I am so anxious!

[Angela Merkel]

5 hours ago, Conejita said:

Anyone have any updates? Anyone have strategies they use to prevent themselves from obsessing over checking grad cafe and the email??

I am considering putting on a rubber band and snapping it when I want to check both. My fear is that knowing myself, I'll snap the rubber band more than 10 times in one day. 

I hope the process is going well for everyone. Congrats to those accepted. To those waiting, may we hear good news soon.

With me, I am all right. After 3 rejections, I had given up and I started looking for a job. Then yesterday I got an acceptance email, to my total surprise!, but it said that official letter to follow and no funding news yet. That was Illinois at Chicago. There is one other institution that has not responded yet, but they should this month, according to a previous, recent email from the "Graduate Advisor" there (Nebraska). In the meantime, I am pretty busy with finishing my MA and dealing with some issues. At least, I also got good news from Housing at Illinois at Chicago: I can get permission to bring my "son" (cat) to graduate housing since he is officially an emotionally supporting animal. (Which most faculty in my current academic program are not.) ?

[poetrylover]

22 hours ago, Angela Merkel said:

With me, I am all right. After 3 rejections, I had given up and I started looking for a job. Then yesterday I got an acceptance email, to my total surprise!, but it said that official letter to follow and no funding news yet. That was Illinois at Chicago. There is one other institution that has not responded yet, but they should this month, according to a previous, recent email from the "Graduate Advisor" there (Nebraska). In the meantime, I am pretty busy with finishing my MA and dealing with some issues. At least, I also got good news from Housing at Illinois at Chicago: I can get permission to bring my "son" (cat) to graduate housing since he is officially an emotionally supporting animal. (Which most faculty in my current academic program are not.) ?

Congratulations! That's so exciting!!!

[Angela Merkel]

Poetry: ¡Muchas gracias! Ha sido una buena sorpresa. Hay un par de personas en la facultad de Illinois en Chicago con las que quiero trabajar. Ya veremos qué me ofrece el departamento en algún momento este mes. Y todavía falta una más. Pero de todas maneras, ya celebré. ?

[senorbrightside]

So today got an acceptance from Nebraska, although NO word on funding yet *and* news that I could defer my McGill acceptance so I could apply for external funding that has deadlines in December/January. Even if the funding doesn't work out at either place I'm feeling a lot better about things. 

Estoy emocionado.

 

[Conejita]

15 minutes ago, senorbrightside said:

So today got an acceptance from Nebraska, although NO word on funding yet *and* news that I could defer my McGill acceptance so I could apply for external funding that has deadlines in December/January. Even if the funding doesn't work out at either place I'm feeling a lot better about things. 

Estoy emocionado.

 

Congratulations!!! THAT IS GREAT NEWS. Here’s to extra hope the funding package will come sometime this week. You’ve worked hard for this. Make sure to go celebrate!! 
 

Felicitaciones ?

[Angela Merkel]

@senorbright: ¡Excelente! Ya vendrá la ayuda económica de Nebraska. No aceptarán a nadie sin ofrecerle ALGO porque no es nada común en el modelo de EEUU. No creo que a mí me acepten, pero yo estoy bien. Estoy casi seguro que Illinois-Chicago me ofrecerá algo de ayuda económica. Felicidades. Lincoln es una buena ciudad para vivir. 

[casi cielo]

I got accepted into my top choice over the weekend!!! full funding for 5 years ? seriously so happy!!!!

[Angela Merkel]

1 hour ago, casi cielo said:

I got accepted into my top choice over the weekend!!! full funding for 5 years ? seriously so happy!!!!

Me alegro por ti. Especialmente, el programa que querías. ?

[senorbrightside]

So McGill has now offered funding! I'm pretty torn between Nebraska and McGill now...but I love having a choice to make when I had convinced myself I wouldn't get any offers WITH funding. 

Espero que todxs estén recibiendo buenas noticas esta semana. 

[poetrylover]

Qué emoción!!!! Suerte!!

3 hours ago, senorbrightside said:

So McGill has now offered funding! I'm pretty torn between Nebraska and McGill now...but I love having a choice to make when I had convinced myself I wouldn't get any offers WITH funding. 

Espero que todxs estén recibiendo buenas noticas esta semana. 

 

Edited March 12, 2021 by poetrylover

[casi cielo]

16 hours ago, senorbrightside said:

So McGill has now offered funding! I'm pretty torn between Nebraska and McGill now...but I love having a choice to make when I had convinced myself I wouldn't get any offers WITH funding. 

Espero que todxs estén recibiendo buenas noticas esta semana. 

¡enhorabuena! dos opciones buenísimas

[Angela Merkel]

Para aquellas afortunadas personas que estén tomando desiciones (que tienen más de una opción) recomiendo lo siguiente: estudien BIEN los requisitos de los programas (cuántos idiomas piden, el nivel de éstos, cómo exactamente son los exámenes de maestría y doctorado, cualquier señal sobre el temperamento de los profesores con los que se va a trabajar, preguntar a estudiantes graduados por una evaluación informal y, preferiblemete, oral, no escrita, de los profesores y del ambiente en general, etcétera). No piensen solamente en cantidades de dinero porque eso es poco en comparación con profesores que se jubilan antes de una/o terminar con los requisitos, egomaníacos(as) que le pueden hacer la vida imposible a estudiantes graduados en particular, el ambiente en general dentro del departamento, etcétera). Hay muchos estudiantes que uno o dos años después de estar en un programa terminan con una frustración fuertísima e infelices como persona. Aunque sé que hay perosonas mejor preparardas que otras para lidiar con estos tipos de situación. 

Edited March 14, 2021 by Angela Merkel

[Angela Merkel]

¡Felicidades senorbright! ¡Ahora tienes dos opciones! Wow... Me alegro mucho por ti. Te deseo la mejor suerte en el programa en el que termines. Yo estoy en lista de espera en Nebraska, pero eso no tiene nada que ver. ¡Ja, ja ja ja ja ja! De hecho, por lo muy poco que sé de Nebraska en Lincoln, parece un buen ambiente para estudiar. Todo parece indicar que termino en Illinois-Chicago.  Específico del departamento o programa de McGuill no sé nada, excepto que la universidad tiene una reputación excelente a nivel mundial. ¡Ah!, y no te olvides de aquel otro factor  a tomar en conisderación que ya había mencionado antes: todos los 'sex shops' en esa avenida larguísima en donde está la enttrada principal. ¡¡¡Ja, ja, ja ja!!! 

[Conejita]

Before I sign off permanently from Gradcafe (it has done a number on my mental health). Then again, grad school has also done a number. Decision day is almost 10 days away. Anyone want to share where they have committed to?! Or what they're deciding between?! Is anyone still waiting to hear back?! 

I have committed to Indiana for the literature track. The department is great and the funding was great too. I am from NYC, born and raised. I lived my whole life here (elementary, middle school, highschool, undergrad and grad). The midwest is the first time I would be leaving my nest so I am a little scared but excited at the same time!!!

This was a nice support group. I definitely needed it. Regardless of your situation, good luck to everyone going forward. May your year be filled with many blessings❤️

[Angela Merkel]

Conejita: Indiana's department is very good. The University as a whole is very highly ranked world-wide. Bloomington is a great place, quite progressive, open-minded. Unfortunately, Indiana is a very conservative, semi-rural medieval society. But I would suggest to try to enjoy the cities. The same thing happens in Texas. From the perspective of western civilization, it is a medieval-thinking society that gives a very bad name to the USA. Yet, its main cities are all right. Try to enjoy your years in Bloomington.

I am still waiting to hear from final decisions regarding my financial package from Illinois at Chicago. I am on waitlist in Nebraska-Lincoln. I doubt that anyone would reject Nebraska-Lincoln, given how difficult it is to get admitted in any doctoral program and the international competition. 

 

Good luck in Bloomington! And watch some videos about it in YouTube. ?

[senorbrightside]

I'll be headed to Nebraska-Lincoln, but I am extremely worried about how conservative the state is.

Bloomington is a nice little progressive town in a sea of conservatism, and Indianapolis is close if you ever need a big-city getaway. 

Hope you hear back about the funding from UIC soon! 

[casi cielo]

On 4/4/2021 at 2:06 PM, Conejita said:

I have committed to Indiana for the literature track. The department is great and the funding was great too. I am from NYC, born and raised. I lived my whole life here (elementary, middle school, highschool, undergrad and grad). The midwest is the first time I would be leaving my nest so I am a little scared but excited at the same time!!!

I am from Indiana, one of the larger cities. As a whole, it is very conservative, but Bloomington and other big cities are not nearly as conservative. It is not medieval-like, in any sense of the word. The idea that it gives a bad name to the USA is not true, and I highly suggest you do not go into it with that mindset! The midwest (and especially Hoosiers!) are full of pride, hospitality, and friendliness. You will never meet a stranger, as they say. Your neighbors will likely be very kind. Indianapolis is not far and very cool! I will also be attending IU Bloomington in the fall (linguistics) so please - message me if you have any questions! 

I am excited to hear about everyone elses decisions  

[casi cielo]

On 4/5/2021 at 9:53 AM, Angela Merkel said:

From the perspective of western civilization, it is a medieval-thinking society that gives a very bad name to the USA. Yet, its main cities are all right.

If you end up getting into Nebraska-Lincoln, I hope your perspective changes. Not sure why you would apply anywhere not on the coast if you think this way. Even in Chicago, unless you plan on never leaving the city, this is not a great perspective to have. I currently live in one of the most conservative states in the country and I would never speak of it (or the people) in this way. 

[casi cielo]

On 4/5/2021 at 3:46 PM, senorbrightside said:

'll be headed to Nebraska-Lincoln, but I am extremely worried about how conservative the state is.

¡enhorabuena! you will love it there, I am sure  

[Angela Merkel]

On 4/6/2021 at 2:39 PM, casi cielo said:

If you end up getting into Nebraska-Lincoln, I hope your perspective changes. Not sure why you would apply anywhere not on the coast if you think this way. Even in Chicago, unless you plan on never leaving the city, this is not a great perspective to have. I currently live in one of the most conservative states in the country and I would never speak of it (or the people) in this way. 

I have lived for MANY YEARS in the Northeast, in New England and especially in Boston, Casi Cielo. I was referring to the empirical studies that prove that states like Indiana's frame of mind and cultural values are very different --and not in a good way-- from the US Northeast, Canada or western Europe, to name just a few, from women's reproductive rights to equal rights for minorities, particularly gay people and sexual minorities. Indiana's legal system cannot be compared to states in the Northeast and or the West Coast of the USA.  If it were not for the Federal Government, states like Indiana would not have abortion rights or same-sex marriage equality. Compared that to the European Union, to countries like Ireland or Portugal, just to name a few. I am sorry if that upsets you, but it is what it is. I was not referring to people who say 'hi' or who might help you in an accident or if you need basic help. I was being much more profound in terms of society as a whole. I do want to EMPHASIZE what I said about Bloomington and Indianapolis since I have good friends who lived in those cities for many years and always say positive things about those cities. I also did some research on my own regarding some issues there and the track record since those are fundamental in my world view and they measure a population's value system through the political system that they maintain and elect. Once more, I am sorry if I upset you or if you took it personally.

[Angela Merkel]

On 4/5/2021 at 1:46 PM, senorbrightside said:

I'll be headed to Nebraska-Lincoln, but I am extremely worried about how conservative the state is.

Bloomington is a nice little progressive town in a sea of conservatism, and Indianapolis is close if you ever need a big-city getaway. 

Hope you hear back about the funding from UIC soon! 

 

I am certain you will like Lincoln. My brother went to school there. He liked it. Besides, I have always read positive things about Lincoln and Omaha, which are very close. I did some research about the place as well. They fanatically vote for ultra-conservative politicians and government, with very few exceptions. HOWEVER, the general attitude is not the stereotypical Republican mindset at all. For example, 73% of the electorate in Nebraska approve of same-sex marriage in a professional survey around 2015 or so . And that is as high as in Massachusetts, which introduced the "the issue" to this country as Canada, Spain and others were doing it (same year). I visited rural Nebraska about four or five years back and I found it politically conservative, but with friendly people in general. Returning to my premise: cities are generally different and significantly more liberal and open-minded than rural areas or small towns. I did not find anything particularly worrisome (for me) about Lincoln and the University when I was heavily researching them. And Amtrack (train) connects both Lincoln and Omaha easily. Public transportation is one of the most important issues for me. (I told you I did a lot of reading.) 

[casi cielo]

11 hours ago, Angela Merkel said:

I was referring to the empirical studies that prove that states like Indiana's frame of mind and cultural values are very different --and not in a good way-- from the US Northeast, Canada or western Europe, to name just a few

I am glad that you have done your research on politics, but you have learned about politics and cannot make assumptions about an entire state based on how they vote, because of how US election systems work. As you said, the cities are different from the rural areas, but that is true of every state in the US. There are, unfortunately, many states who would not have legalized gay marriage if it was not done federally, but there are still many people in those states who disagree with that. US politics are extremely nuanced, and it is unlike Canada's or Western Europe's, so it is really unfair to compare the two, especially when similar issues exist in those regions as well. If living in an area where liberal political values are the majority is truly that important to you, then again, I am not sure why you would apply anywhere not on the coasts. It's fine if you do not want to live in a conservative state, but I would refrain from speaking about countries/states in this way, especially ones you have never lived in.

[xolo]

I've been occasionally on this board for the last 6-7 years, especially when I was applying for admission to graduate programs. I just finished my PhD in Spanish linguistics. This last year I, at times, thought that the University of California was going to crush the soul out of me, jejeje, but it did not quite achieve that. I wish everybody well, however and wherever you find yourselves. And congratulations to the people who found a grad school slot.