The Next Step: Fall 2013ers

[Swagato]

Will it handle heavy graphics and video editing?

 

It depends on what, specifically, you mean by that. As I said, the current Airs are really very powerful. But, of course they won't quite compare to the Pros. On the other hand, it may actually be more viable for you to max out an Air than go for a Pro (by Pro I assume you mean the upper-end models).

 

Is it feasible for you to try things out in an Apple store? Or, if you give me an idea of what kind of heavy graphics/video work you have in mind, I can get a fairly good estimate of what'll work and what won't.

[jazzyd]

I feel like I'm showing my age with all of these questions, but how has everyone budgeted living expenses out of their fellowship/stipend income (for those who will be single income in this upcoming year)? I keep reading mixed assessments of whether or not first year fellowships are taxed, when they are taxed, and by whom (state and federal, just state, just federal) which is making it difficult to determine how much I'll actually have for utilities and extracurricular expenses per month.

[guinevere29]

I feel like I'm showing my age with all of these questions, but how has everyone budgeted living expenses out of their fellowship/stipend income (for those who will be single income in this upcoming year)? I keep reading mixed assessments of whether or not first year fellowships are taxed, when they are taxed, and by whom (state and federal, just state, just federal) which is making it difficult to determine how much I'll actually have for utilities and extracurricular expenses per month.

 

They are not taxed (thank god). I found this blog very helpful actually: Funding Grad School . He has a post outlining which incomes are taxed and why stipends and fellowships are not.

Expenses are majorly stressing me out right now. The car, apartment, etc. are costing a lot more than I thought they would. *Sigh*

[wreckofthehope]

They are not taxed (thank god). I found this blog very helpful actually: Funding Grad School . He has a post outlining which incomes are taxed and why stipends and fellowships are not.

Expenses are majorly stressing me out right now. The car, apartment, etc. are costing a lot more than I thought they would. *Sigh*

Though, as an fyi, they are taxed if you are an international student (at 15% usually, I think).

[egwynn]

thanks, guinevere, that was super helpful, and so is the IRS website he links to!  (http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/ch01.html#en_US_2012_publink1000177987)

 

that's not to say that i know everything now, but at least i have a vague idea...

[Swagato]

They are not taxed (thank god). I found this blog very helpful actually: Funding Grad School . He has a post outlining which incomes are taxed and why stipends and fellowships are not.

Expenses are majorly stressing me out right now. The car, apartment, etc. are costing a lot more than I thought they would. *Sigh*

 

Regarding this, what about this quote from the website in question?

 

"The flip side of that, is that any funding you receive (including graduate stipends) that exceed your annual educational expenses (tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, etc.), is considered taxable income and must be included as such on your tax return. "

 

So I'm covered for tuition and health, and I have a standard package: X amount of dollars as fellowship for 6 years. Does this mean I'll be taxed on X?

[ProfLorax]

From what I've heard, grad students are taxed on any take-home income. The rub is that taxes will be withheld from TAships, but not from fellowships; if you are receiving fellowships, I recommend putting aside some money each month in preparation for tax season. 

 

The following is directly from one of my acceptance letters, and I think I saw it repeated on the other acceptance letters as well:

 

"You are also responsible for federal and state income taxes, which will be withheld from your TAship salary, but not from your fellowship."

Edited July 21, 2013 by proflorax

[Two Espressos]

 

From what I've heard, grad students are taxed on any take-home income. The rub is that taxes will be withheld from TAships, but not from fellowships; if you are receiving fellowships, I recommend putting aside some money each month in preparation for tax season. 

 

The following is directly from one of my acceptance letters, and I think I saw it repeated on the other acceptance letters as well:

 

"You are also responsible for federal and state income taxes, which will be withheld from your TAship salary, but not from your fellowship."

 

 

From my understanding, what Proflorax has written here is basically correct.  I was originally under the impression that TA positions were taxable but fellowships were not, but I now believe that to be erroneous.

 

Here's a helpful discussion: 

[bfat]

We finally have a place to live! So now I can join the "Oh crap, now I have to move my stuff" party.

 

It took us forever to find a place. Rentals in the area were kind of a nightmare, all geared toward undergrads, and moving with a family and pets made it really tough. But what we ended up with is something out of a fairy tale: a stone cottage 7 miles from campus, backed by woods and next to an organic farm. I had goosebumps when we drove to look at it.

 

A little worried about paying for living expenses before hubs has a job in the area. A lot worried, really. But still riding the high of finding the best house EVAR.

[guinevere29]

I feel like I'm showing my age with all of these questions, but how has everyone budgeted living expenses out of their fellowship/stipend income (for those who will be single income in this upcoming year)? I keep reading mixed assessments of whether or not first year fellowships are taxed, when they are taxed, and by whom (state and federal, just state, just federal) which is making it difficult to determine how much I'll actually have for utilities and extracurricular expenses per month.

I realized my post could be kind of misleading. Only the parts that go directly to school expenses are not taxed. If you spend it on non-school related expenses they are taxed :-/ 

Edited July 23, 2013 by guinevere29

[jrockford27]

I feel like I'm showing my age with all of these questions, but how has everyone budgeted living expenses out of their fellowship/stipend income (for those who will be single income in this upcoming year)? I keep reading mixed assessments of whether or not first year fellowships are taxed, when they are taxed, and by whom (state and federal, just state, just federal) which is making it difficult to determine how much I'll actually have for utilities and extracurricular expenses per month.

 

I've been having exactly the same problem.  My solution was simply to research the tax stuff to the best of my ability, come up with some estimates, and then simply prepare for the worst.  After all, if you prepare for the worst, you can only be either confirmed in your expecations or pleasantly surprised that you have enough to buy that extra box of wine at the end of the month!  I come to English from a background in employment law, and so not being able to get clear answers on my tax and employment status is a bit maddening.

 

The federal FICA rates and withholding stuff can be found on the IRS websites and will depend upon your income bracket.  That stuff is pretty greek to me, but I think I was able to come up with a good worst case scenario type estimate.  State taxes will, obviously, depend on where you're going.  I was delighted to find, through my research, that fellowships are exempt from state and local taxes in Pittsburgh.

 

I came up with a budget then by looking at what my take home pay is now, comparing it to my estimated fellowship take home pay, and then looking at places to save, looking at costs I wont have in grad school (e.g. not using as much gas, paying lower rent, deferring loan payments).  Frankly, I'm actually starting to look forward to the scaling down of my lifestyle in many ways.

 

In any case, that terrible uncertainty wont last all that long, after you survive that first month and get your first check you'll know where you stand.  Just try to find a real frugal living situation for your first year and don't get locked into a crazy lease.  It's all temporary.

Edited July 24, 2013 by jrockford27

[jazzyd]

Thanks for the info everyone! I also contacted the grad department coordinator and they confirmed that students are required to report their income to the IRS, nothing is taken out by the school itself.

 

Though I originally cast my net to see what options were available roommate wise, I think I'd rather pay a bit more to live alone, especially for the first year. I really do enjoy having roommates, though, so hopefully by next year I'll have met someone with whom I can live with.

[ProfLorax]

We have started the trek to DC! The hubs, dog, and I left our home yesterday, and now we are spending a few days in a small, remote town in way Northern California where my in-laws live. Our journey truly begins on Tuesday, with stops in Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Ohio. We plan on visiting Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Badlands along the way. The dog was not coping super well with all the changes, but he's happier now that he knows he's coming along with us. Oh! And the DGS officially approved my plan to study ASL at Gallaudet as my second language. I'm thrilled!

 

When does everyone else start their trip? 

 

Also, I've lived in a den of coastal fog for the past five years. How do people deal with actual summers?! This heat. It melts. 

[beet-nik]

We have started the trek to DC! The hubs, dog, and I left our home yesterday, and now we are spending a few days in a small, remote town in way Northern California where my in-laws live. 

 

Way northern CA! What part? I went to Humboldt State in Arcata, CA for my undergrad, so northern California holds a special place in my heart  And good luck on your trip!! I leave for Maine (from Québec City) in mid-August, so I've already done the majority of the drive.

[kayrabbit]

We have started the trek to DC! The hubs, dog, and I left our home yesterday, and now we are spending a few days in a small, remote town in way Northern California where my in-laws live. Our journey truly begins on Tuesday, with stops in Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Ohio. We plan on visiting Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Badlands along the way. The dog was not coping super well with all the changes, but he's happier now that he knows he's coming along with us. Oh! And the DGS officially approved my plan to study ASL at Gallaudet as my second language. I'm thrilled!

 

When does everyone else start their trip? 

 

Also, I've lived in a den of coastal fog for the past five years. How do people deal with actual summers?! This heat. It melts. 

That's great that you have some fun stops planned. We're leaving Friday and we'll have two cats with us, so we're going to try to keep the trip short, but we're hoping to see a couple interesting things regardless. The heat has been awful. I actively hate summers, and I don't even live in a particularly hot place. DC in the summer will be... interesting. I hope your trip goes well!

[Two Espressos]

When does everyone else start their trip? 

 

This week.  I'm so excited. 

[ProfLorax]

Way northern CA! What part? I went to Humboldt State in Arcata, CA for my undergrad, so northern California holds a special place in my heart  And good luck on your trip!! I leave for Maine (from Québec City) in mid-August, so I've already done the majority of the drive.

I wish my in-laws lived in Arcata! I love the redwood trees! Alas, we are in Susanville, which is as north as Arcata, but right by the Nevada border. 

 

That's great that you have some fun stops planned. We're leaving Friday and we'll have two cats with us, so we're going to try to keep the trip short, but we're hoping to see a couple interesting things regardless. The heat has been awful. I actively hate summers, and I don't even live in a particularly hot place. DC in the summer will be... interesting. I hope your trip goes well!

Oh man, driving with two cats?! I can see why you are prioritizing efficiency. Our dog is pretty good in the car, so we have a little more leeway for stops. But we are still trying to keep the trip to six days. Wow! Kayrabbit, PM me your number; maybe we could meet up for brunch before the semester starts! 

 

This week.  I'm so excited. 

I'm excited for you! 

 

Best of luck on everyone's trip! It's funny how this time last year, we felt like the journey was just beginning, but really, it really starts within the next few weeks! 

[practical cat]

Best of luck to those driving with pets, oh man.

I'm getting on a plane next Wednesday. Pretty nervous, pretty busy packing and saying goodbyes.

[Swagato]

Making the big move--all of a ~2 hour drive--from NYC to New Haven this Saturday. With two cats! And stuff! 

[Datatape]

Oh.  My.  God.

 

So, um, if you guys ever think about driving from Florida to Nevada in four days?  Don't.  For the love of all that is holy, don't.  My mom, my dachshund, and I drove 3,000 miles, leaving Orlando on Saturday morning and getting to Reno on Tuesday afternoon.  I am now mostly all settled in, absolutely love my apartment, and am getting the lay of the land.  But dear Christ, I probably would have shipped my car if I knew just how that drive was going to be.

[somethinbruin]

Well, I arrived in my new home earlier this week, and started workshops to prep for teaching on Wednesday. So far it's a mostly review because I did a lot of comp pedagogy in my master's program, but the incoming master's students and some of the PhD students haven't taught before. That said, I can already see that I am going to be insanely busy once school starts. Should be fun (in the completely sadistic sense of the word).

[Gwendolyn]

Heading to Ohio on Tuesday... so much to do! 

[guinevere29]

Best of luck to those driving with pets, oh man.

I'm getting on a plane next Wednesday. Pretty nervous, pretty busy packing and saying goodbyes.

 

I've been on a lot of road trips so this doesn't phase me. My family drove from Chicago to Rochester, NY with an 8 week old puppy. We stopped at Niagara Falls on the way. Road trips can be kind of miserable while they are actually happening, but that's where all of my best/craziest stories come from.

[ProfLorax]

And we're here in DC! Our stuff doesn't arrive for another six days, so we are in our new three bedroom house with just an air mattress and our duffle bags from the road trip. It's eerily empty, but we are so happy to finally be here. Now that the move is finished, I can focus on fixing up the house and getting excited for classes!

Good luck to those who haven't moved yet! And if you have a chance to drive through South Dakota, take it and take your time. It was my favorite state by far; we stopped at Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and Badlands. Watching the sunset at Badlands is an otherworldly experience. And to add into Datatape's advice: don't drive more than eight hours a day if you don't have to. It's not worth it!

[Swagato]

Up and running here in New Haven. It was a crazy weekend with three trips back and forth from NYC (made me so glad I'm not heading across the country instead of just a couple of hours). But, it's a beautiful apartment already, the cats are fine and exploring at will, and the weather is just lovely.