WINE, WAIT, AND WHINE THREAD

[Neist]

13 minutes ago, hippyscientist said:

Okay so those of you who've done the US renting thing. An apartment I really like requires my monthly income to be 2.5x rent, and it's about $50 shy, otherwise I have to have a guarentor (who has to be in the US - not helpful haha). Reckon that will be an issue? They can't process an application without the deposit, which means sending via money order which is more expensive so I don't want to send the money and not get the apartment. Sorry, not too familiar with US processes! 

Hm. I've never rented an apartment that had a monthly income requirement, so I'm not sure!  

Have you tried calling them? Doing so might not be all that helpful, but it's probably worth a try.

[sjoh197]

16 minutes ago, hippyscientist said:

Okay so those of you who've done the US renting thing. An apartment I really like requires my monthly income to be 2.5x rent, and it's about $50 shy, otherwise I have to have a guarentor (who has to be in the US - not helpful haha). Reckon that will be an issue? They can't process an application without the deposit, which means sending via money order which is more expensive so I don't want to send the money and not get the apartment. Sorry, not too familiar with US processes! 

Just to be clear... the 2.5x is typically your gross income, not your net. This might change your calcs if you were indeed using net. If not, you can always call them and ask. They leasing offices for most places are pretty helpful with these things.

We had to have 3.5x and they were very helpful with telling us which documents we needed and such. 

Edited March 21, 2016 by sjoh197

[Neist]

15 hours ago, rhombusbombus said:

@Neist About SNAP benefits, are grad students always able to get that?

Depends on the state. Some have more lenient standards than others. I'm not sure how RA/TA/GA-ship income is counted (it might be job training, not income), and some states heavily weigh an individuals 'resources,' of which a car can be considered (or not, depending on the state). You're usually only allowed $2,500 in resources total, and that number includes any money you have in the bank, and sometimes one's vehicle's equity. However, assuming you meet the standards for your state, then you should be able to get them assuming your income is low enough for your area. 

I say that income usually has to be low enough, but not always. Again, I'm not sure how GA-style incomes are counted, and that matters. For example, if you're an undergraduate who qualifies for work study in Oklahoma, you automatically qualify, regardless of income. I suppose it's possible that funded graduate assistantships might be considered similarly, but I'm not sure for certain. Me and my family will definitely be under poverty income guidelines, so it doesn't matter either way for me personally, but it's difficult to even ask. I was told I have to apply for SNAP benefits before I can even talk to a SNAP person, and I not going to apply for SNAP benefits until after my stipend begins.

Hope that's not too confusing?

Edited March 21, 2016 by Neist
Typo.

[Neist]

20 hours ago, Need Coffee in an IV said:

I would imagine! We are meh about having kids so our lifestyle can easily be supported. I would have to say The Gap has nice jeans, durable and they are often on sale. I use rubber gloves so my hands don't dry out but I get pain in my wrists. No idea why, I've asked my doctor about it. She thinks I put pressure on them, so I usually have to have breaks.

I won't argue that not having kids is definitely easier.  Children are certainly rewarding, but it's sort of the distinction between being single and in a relationship. Being single has quite a few perks, and being in a relationship is quite a bit of work, but it's sometimes worth it!

Also, I'm late to the capsule wardrobe conversation, but I already have one, more or less. I highly suggest it! However, unlike most practitioners, my wardrobe isn't super tiny, it's just selectively used. If I find a good deal one clothing I like, I'll go ahead and purchase them and slot them back for when my clothes wear out. If I waited until my clothes wore out, it'd probably end up being more expensive than I would have hoped. I probably own twice as many clothes as I generally wear.

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

I mean... if you have a really crappy definition of "capsule wardrobe" I have one as well. I have 7 plain tees, one pair of jeans, and two hoodies. But I don't consider that particularly trendy

 

As a side note, the first thing I'm doing when I move is adopting a cat (or two!) I'M SO EXCITED.

Edited March 21, 2016 by Pink Fuzzy Bunny

[Neist]

21 minutes ago, Pink Fuzzy Bunny said:

I mean... if you have a really crappy definition of "capsule wardrobe" I have one as well. I have 7 plain tees, one pair of jeans, and two hoodies. But I don't consider that particularly trendy

As a side note, the first thing I'm doing when I move is adopting a cat (or two!) I'M SO EXCITED.

Eh, we can set our own trends.  I have a very quirky style, and I've had it for years. I've owned more corduroy than any man should ever own, and I usually wear them cuffed to mid calf. Said pants are complimented by a variety of band t-shirts and plaid button-ups, and I wear this all regardless of season in earthy tones. I've even began to wear sandals pretty much exclusively. 

I'm a weird guy.  

Also, 200 square feet? Wow! I don't even think you can get apartments around here that small. The smallest me and my wife lived in was 350, and our full-size bed had walls on three sides. Two hundred square feet would be pretty much a bedroom and a bathroom. 

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

Oh, I should specify, the 200 sq ft doesn't include the bathroom for whatever reason. But yeah, I totally have kitchen cabinets above my bed, always fully stocked with potato chips and Twizzlers, of course

[hippyscientist]

All this talk of clothes makes me kinda happy! I'm getting rid of so much - it's old/not my style/worn out/really not appropriate and it's kinda cathartic getting rid of it all. I'm going to be left with all my nice grown up clothes and not the tatty hoodies I've been wearing since I was 13. I mean I'll keep a few sentimental, cosy at home clothes but the rest - buh-bye!!

[sjoh197]

I was talking with my mom on the phone this weekend, and a conversation came up about how my brother (9th grade) was joining some clubs and starting to think about his future and such. And my mother told me that when I was little she " always knew I would end up in some kind of science... with all of the bugs I brought home, and the piles of rocks, and the sea shell collections, and plants I dug up and brought back."

And as I look around my apartment, I see 6 tarantulas, a butterfly case, hundreds of rocks everywhere, glass containers of seashells, and of course my bonsai tree and the many plants I have had for years. I guess not much changes. Definitely put some perspective on my life interests. 

[Neist]

7 minutes ago, sjoh197 said:

I was talking with my mom on the phone this weekend, and a conversation came up about how my brother (9th grade) was joining some clubs and starting to think about his future and such. And my mother told me that when I was little she " always knew I would end up in some kind of science... with all of the bugs I brought home, and the piles of rocks, and the sea shell collections, and plants I dug up and brought back."

And as I look around my apartment, I see 6 tarantulas, a butterfly case, hundreds of rocks everywhere, glass containers of seashells, and of course my bonsai tree and the many plants I have had for years. I guess not much changes. Definitely put some perspective on my life interests. 

I'm a little bit shocked I didn't end up in a science. I use to take apart household electronics (to the dismay of my parents) to see how they worked. I lived in the discovery channel, adored eye witness books, and museum gift shops (especially science museums) were definitely the coolest places ever. But, even so, I ended up in the history of science, so instead of practicing science like an adult, I'm childishly infatuated with it.  

I'm okay with how I turned out.

[raaawr]

I finally received my official rejection letter. Looks like I will be hanging out and whining here for another year. Lol

[rhombusbombus]

@raaawr That sucks! I know how that feels, this was my second time applying to grad schools. 

 

[hippyscientist]

@raaawr I'm sorry, but at least you have that gorgeous dog! These things work out eventually. 

[sjoh197]

@raaawr @rhombusbombus I feel ya... this was my second time too. I got rejected everywhere last year. Hopefully next year will be more fruitful for you. 

[Neist]

41 minutes ago, raaawr said:

I finally received my official rejection letter. Looks like I will be hanging out and whining here for another year. Lol

Sorry to hear that.  At least was it a learning experience? I found it easier to stay positive if I can build upon my experiences. One step at a time, I say!

[raaawr]

34 minutes ago, rhombusbombus said:

@raaawr That sucks! I know how that feels, this was my second time applying to grad schools. 

 

 

32 minutes ago, hippyscientist said:

@raaawr I'm sorry, but at least you have that gorgeous dog! These things work out eventually. 

 

22 minutes ago, sjoh197 said:

@raaawr @rhombusbombus I feel ya... this was my second time too. I got rejected everywhere last year. Hopefully next year will be more fruitful for you. 

 

3 minutes ago, Neist said:

Sorry to hear that.  At least was it a learning experience? I found it easier to stay positive if I can build upon my experiences. One step at a time, I say!

thank you guys for the support!  yeah it was definitely a learning experience and I'm definitely going to try and do better next year and will definitely apply to more than 1 school. lol. the biggest mistake i made this year was underestimate the competition and only apply to 1 school. i still can't see the purpose of my failing and what other door is opening for me but i try to think positive. i'm just embarrassed to tell my letter writers about it but i will just continue to improve my portfolio this year so i can show them how amazing i've become in a year. lol! how did it go for you this cycle @sjoh197?

[sjoh197]

2 minutes ago, raaawr said:

 

 

 

thank you guys for the support!  yeah it was definitely a learning experience and I'm definitely going to try and do better next year and will definitely apply to more than 1 school. lol. the biggest mistake i made this year was underestimate the competition and only apply to 1 school. i still can't see the purpose of my failing and what other door is opening for me but i try to think positive. i'm just embarrassed to tell my letter writers about it but i will just continue to improve my portfolio this year so i can show them how amazing i've become in a year. lol! how did it go for you this cycle @sjoh197?

I managed to get accepted to the one program I applied to. It was a "get in, or get out" type deal, as I now live in the uni city, can't move, and was really banking on this one place. 

I really thought my application last year was good. And then I went back and looked at it. God it was soooo awful. I don't know about you... or your app, but with another year to prepare, you might find that you are able to tailor and improve your application significantly, like I did. Also the extra year might give you time to find some more places that really fit, research more departments, whatever. Volunteer in applicable areas, find an internship, take another class, volunteer research if possible. 

[raaawr]

3 minutes ago, sjoh197 said:

I managed to get accepted to the one program I applied to. It was a "get in, or get out" type deal, as I now live in the uni city, can't move, and was really banking on this one place. 

I really thought my application last year was good. And then I went back and looked at it. God it was soooo awful. I don't know about you... or your app, but with another year to prepare, you might find that you are able to tailor and improve your application significantly, like I did. Also the extra year might give you time to find some more places that really fit, research more departments, whatever. Volunteer in applicable areas, find an internship, take another class, volunteer research if possible. 

i'm looking into taking some short courses. hopefully all goes well in my next cycle. at least i'll be more prepared for it and i wont take no for an answer. haha

[Neist]

1 minute ago, raaawr said:

i'm looking into taking some short courses. hopefully all goes well in my next cycle. at least i'll be more prepared for it and i wont take no for an answer. haha

There's some pretty interesting certificate programs out there if you can afford them, and they are often offered online. I might even attempt one at some point later on.  

[sjoh197]

Just now, raaawr said:

i'm looking into taking some short courses. hopefully all goes well in my next cycle. at least i'll be more prepared for it and i wont take no for an answer. haha

It's really hard to not get in anywhere. I was really depressed afterwards.... but I turned that energy into boosting up my next application. The most embarrassing part was telling my undergrad advisor that I didn't get in and then asking him to write me another letter the next year. He was super cool about it and I ended up getting great letters all around this year. Academia is competitive and sometimes things just don't work out... even if you're a good candidate. Your letter writers know this, and will likely be supportive.

[raaawr]

1 minute ago, Neist said:

There's some pretty interesting certificate programs out there if you can afford them, and they are often offered online. I might even attempt one at some point later on.  

i've been looking into online programs too but some of them tend to get expensive but if it helps improve my skills and my chances of getting into grad school i wouldn't be opposed to paying for it.

[pterosaur]

2 hours ago, sjoh197 said:

I was talking with my mom on the phone this weekend, and a conversation came up about how my brother (9th grade) was joining some clubs and starting to think about his future and such. And my mother told me that when I was little she " always knew I would end up in some kind of science... with all of the bugs I brought home, and the piles of rocks, and the sea shell collections, and plants I dug up and brought back."

And as I look around my apartment, I see 6 tarantulas, a butterfly case, hundreds of rocks everywhere, glass containers of seashells, and of course my bonsai tree and the many plants I have had for years. I guess not much changes. Definitely put some perspective on my life interests. 

Funny, I had sort of the opposite experience. When I was working my personal statement for international fellowships last year, I called my dad to brainstorm and asked him what I did as a kid that showed I'd go into science (he's also a science teacher). He told me there wasn't anything - I was so interested in everything that he had no idea where I'd end up. Once I started thinking about it, that way, all the pieces in my essay fell into place, since I wasn't trying to fit it into the mold of being "predestined" to be a scientist. I ended up getting the fellowship, so I guess it worked! It's interesting how people can end up at the same place from such crazily different directions.

[marycaryne]

Just checked portal at Florida State and I was accepted!! So happy...this was my top choice! Definitely celebrating today!

Edited March 21, 2016 by marycaryne

[Pink Fuzzy Bunny]

Congrats @marycaryne! Welcome to the other side

[Neist]

10 minutes ago, marycaryne said:

Just checked portal at Florida State and I was accepted!! So happy...this was my top choice! Definitely celebrating today!

Congrats!