What to do while waiting to hear back about graduate school applications

When I was waiting to hear back on my second round of graduate school applications, I spent a LOT of time thinking about the my personal top three programs.  All of these programs had something interesting to offer.  All of them had great faculty, better than average job prospects (which were still terrible in our field, but whatever), and they were all in what I considered to be desirable or interesting locations.  On top of that, they all had cache.  I had a big chip on my shoulder stemming back to my days as a middle school student, and dammit, I wanted to sound impressive at cocktail parties. 

I would ask dozens of hypotheticals in my head while waiting to hear back from grad schools. What if I got into my favorite program and my third favorite program - but got a better financial package from my third favorite school?  I asked my friends who knew nothing about the programs just for another opinion - "Where would you rather see me go?" 

What I didn't realize at the time, is that much of this thinking was simply wasted energy.  I should have just spent a bit more time studying the ins-and-outs of each program.  It turned out that I was admitted to two of my top three programs.  While I had a good experience talking with the faculty from one of those two programs - the faculty at the second school (which was initially my third overall choice) suddenly started blowing me away with phone calls and e-mails.  They were friendly, knowledgeable and did a great job selling me on the program.  

What I should have done while waiting on those applications is taken up a new hobby.  I should have played a few more rounds of golf or gone snowboarding.  I should have spent less time thinking about where I would end up until all of my cards were on the table.  

So - if you're reading this waiting to hear back on graduate school applications.  Maybe spend some time making a few files, filling each file with information about each program to which you applied.  Then go outside.  Go for a hike.  Spend some time at the gym.  Learn a new hobby. 

Don't get too caught up in worrying about hypotheticals.  Let the chips fall where they may and often the decision will essentially be made for you.  

Moving to Graduate School (Part II)

In our last post we offered some tips for moving your precious material goods across the country to a new graduate program.  In this brief post, I'd like to offer a few more tips for moving to a new town closer to where you live now.  

1. Even if you've been on campus before, it is worth your time to reacquaint yourself with your surroundings.  The school where we go now offers a nice guided tour on campus on iTunes.  You can download the tour and check out the features of the campus without having to sign up for a tour with a bunch of 18 year olds.  You can also simply stroll in to the admissions office and pick up a couple of maps.  

When applying to graduate schools, I applied to a few campuses that I had seen before, but didn't apply anywhere where I had received an official guided tour.  The iPod tour of my new campus (which I didn't take until my second year here) helped me learn more about campus lore, history, and taught me about a few interesting campus features I had no clue existed.  

2. Start looking for apartments EARLY.  Post an apartment wanted ad on craigslist a few months in advance and repost the ad every seven days.  When the time gets closer, start looking for housing through the apartment available section.  

3. Think about your living situation.  You might be living with a significant other or you might be looking for a roommate(s).  If you are looking for roomies, make sure that they understand that you may need long periods of peace and quite in your living space.  It is easier, in many ways, to live with other grad students who understand that you may have weird, inconsistent study hours. 

4. Live close to campus - but not too close to campus.  My first year here, I lived a bit too close to campus.  Close enough to hear my students partying, see their weekend antics and just generally feel like I was at work all the time.  I'm happy I moved a little ways away, where I can feel as though I am leaving work at the end of the day - even if I have to bring some of it home.

5. Enlist parents to help out - walk them around campus, but maybe hold off on taking them through the department for now.  

6. Meet up for coffee or beer (depending on the time of day) with people you know in the area. Facebook can be your best friend here, remember that annoying girl in high school that moved to the same town where your in grad school now?  If you can muster having one beer with her, she might tell you where some good spots are for dinner and show you around just a little.  And hey, she might actually be kinda cool now. 

7.  Read up on the program during your downtime.  Read and re-read the department website.

8. Take some time to mentally relax before you start your program.  My first few months in my new graduate program I felt like I was drinking through the fire-hose.  Take some time to ease your way in.  Stroll to the campus store and buy books early, set them up on your new bookshelf and look them over a bit.  Situate yourself on campus.  Practice your commute one day before you actually start your program.

Moving to Graduate School

The following tips aren't really intended to be academic.  Instead, we've tried to think of a couple of tips to help you move to a new city or town in preparation for graduate school. 

Starting a new graduate program isn't just a change in career and a new academic challenge - it can also result in a total lifestyle change. 

Some tips for moving to a program across the country:

1. Price shop for shipping large loads of stuff out.  If you're considering shipping your car and driving out - check out several companies before settling on one - we found a large difference between different companies offering to ship either large loads of stuff or your car.  If you do ship your car (usually via rail, for those who are curious - but there are services of people who will drive your car to your new location that are more expensive), make sure to fill up your car with stuff you'd like to ship out anyway.  This seems obvious, but in the crunch of preparing for grad school you might forget stuff like this.  Don't disregard the obvious, sometimes the US Postal Service offers the best deals for shipping.

2. Scout out entire neighborhoods on craigslist and by reading a local newspaper online.  You don't want to move into a place that it too terrifying or filled with crime - even on that grad school budget.  Make sure to ask more advanced graduate students where people in your program live and try to get acquainted with those areas as best you can.  

3.  Spend a fair amount of time looking at maps.  My first couple of weeks in graduate school - life was a blur because I was totally unfamiliar with the area.  In retrospect, I wish I had spent a little less time reading and re-reading my department's website and a little more time reading about my new surroundings.  I also wish I had simply spent a couple of hours studying a map of the new region and state.  

4. Think about your schedule for the first couple of days.  Are you going to go to Ikea?  Pier 1?  Target?  Where are these places located?  Can you print off some maps in advance?  Will you be setting up internet and phone service in your new apartment?  Can you call ahead to arrange an appointment?  Are you changing your drivers license?  How will you get to the DMV?  Be prepared because, as we mention above, those first couple of days will inevitably be a whirlwind.

Next time, we'll look at some ideas for moving to a new city near where you already live to start a graduate program.