October Rush: Grad School, the Weather, and of course some rambling observations
Grad School:
I am applying for grad school this year at UCI. I will be going for an Engineering masters with an emphasis in "Materials and Manufacturing Technology."
So much about the process has changed in 5 years that Im fairly surprised. I can get my transcripts ordered and arrived in 2 days. I can sign up for the test today, take it in about a week or two and get GRE my scores 2 days later. If I had my personal history statement and statement of purpose written I could have the application start to finish done in what feels like record time. Sure, I still need letters of recommendation, but at UCI you submit the app and then people can go online and do my letters of rec before Jan 15th. (Or as I would require Dec 15th). Im only applying there so obviously this make life much easier than if I were looking elsewhere. The fact that my work is paying for me to go part time to UCI makes my choices easy.
My next task on that list is actually asking one of my old prof. from spring quarter to write said letter of rec. I frankly dont have many people I feel comfortable asking for one - this is mostly due to me being awkward with this sort of thing. My list is as such: there's my boss, and potentially his boss, there is this prof from spring quarter and then there is potentially a prof from last year who gave me an A, and last (and probably least) my old research prof at UCI in the Earth System Sciences who oversaw my undergrad research. I dont think it would be best if I asked anyone from OSU. Not that Id get a bad letter I think but it would be even more nerve racking awkward to ask them then to ask the prof from last quarter.
I guess that would be a good question for the peanut gallery.. Which three should I ask for a letter of rec?:
A) My boss (for sure this will be my best and strongest letter)
B) My prof from Spring quarter (I did get an A though how Im not sure how and he has been to my work over the summer for a talk so he does remember me as he mentioned me and another co-worker/ex student in his talk and I made a point of talking to him afterward and mentioning my applying this year.)
C) My boss's boss (whom I rarely speak to and has only been here since like January. He would probably ask my boss what to write but he also doesnt know me that well.)
D) My prof from last year (who also gave me an A. I havent talked to him since though)
E) My old research prof from ESS (who oversaw my undergrad research work. I did run into him at the San Diego Wild Animal Park in July so he totally remembers me and likes me etc.)
F) My old research prof from my time at OSU Atmospheric Sciences (yeah only if the other people all die before they can write the letter)
Im also going to have to study for the GRE. I dont really want to study for it but I feel like I should do a little something. Scheduling and paying for it would be a good first step. Maybe I will make that this weekend's goal. After Halloween is over it will be SOP/PHS writing time. Joy. Once they are all done though I will be happier so I might as well get this all over with as quickly as possible.
The Weather:
Okay so fire season started. It got cold, then windy and dry so next of course was fire. I was a little worried yesterday morning hearing about the fire in Lake View Terrace as it was pretty darn close to where Charles' parents live. The mandatory evacuation line was like 2 blocks over from them so they didnt have to leave but it came close.
Leaving work yesterday to see a plume over in the direction I was headed was not pleasant. Some kind of fire off in the hills by the 73. It was only 50 acres, didnt cause any real damage and was put out pretty quick which is good. It is still the closest a fire has actually gotten to where I live. Even last year's fire was only barely in the OC and closer to my work than to my home.
Some rambling observations etc.:
Political discussions are pretty much everywhere these days. I am pleased that I havent become too bombarded with all the lame adds everywhere. Charles says it is because I dont watch TV. Life is better watching a few quality TV shows online and none at all on actual TV. I need a hook up to get my computer screen on my TV so I can watch Netflix stuff and other online TV.
I was reading Kara's post about her prescription drug refill at Planned Parenthood in College Station, Texas. I read this and recall Janelle's post about her and Brandon joining a Community Supported Agriculture program up in Seattle. Reading about the lives of these two couples is a real story in contrasts. They are pretty similar couples and would probably become good friends if introduced to each other. The only real differences being one is science and the other is humanities... one is in Seattle and the other College Station. For one couple I have only that envious delight in their happiness, for the other mounds of pity and something akin to prayers that they hang in there. I dont think all hope is lost or anything but I had thought things might be better in Texas than they have been so far. I am at least glad that Matt likes his program and is doing well. Kara may not like the challenges of living in Texas but opportunities to overcome challenges can be rewarding so I think once they have really settled in she will be more comfortable too. It is also probable that my LJ view of both couples lives is limited.
Also all this damn wind is giving me sinus issues and burning itchy eyes. yuck.
I am applying for grad school this year at UCI. I will be going for an Engineering masters with an emphasis in "Materials and Manufacturing Technology."
So much about the process has changed in 5 years that Im fairly surprised. I can get my transcripts ordered and arrived in 2 days. I can sign up for the test today, take it in about a week or two and get GRE my scores 2 days later. If I had my personal history statement and statement of purpose written I could have the application start to finish done in what feels like record time. Sure, I still need letters of recommendation, but at UCI you submit the app and then people can go online and do my letters of rec before Jan 15th. (Or as I would require Dec 15th). Im only applying there so obviously this make life much easier than if I were looking elsewhere. The fact that my work is paying for me to go part time to UCI makes my choices easy.
My next task on that list is actually asking one of my old prof. from spring quarter to write said letter of rec. I frankly dont have many people I feel comfortable asking for one - this is mostly due to me being awkward with this sort of thing. My list is as such: there's my boss, and potentially his boss, there is this prof from spring quarter and then there is potentially a prof from last year who gave me an A, and last (and probably least) my old research prof at UCI in the Earth System Sciences who oversaw my undergrad research. I dont think it would be best if I asked anyone from OSU. Not that Id get a bad letter I think but it would be even more nerve racking awkward to ask them then to ask the prof from last quarter.
I guess that would be a good question for the peanut gallery.. Which three should I ask for a letter of rec?:
A) My boss (for sure this will be my best and strongest letter)
B) My prof from Spring quarter (I did get an A though how Im not sure how and he has been to my work over the summer for a talk so he does remember me as he mentioned me and another co-worker/ex student in his talk and I made a point of talking to him afterward and mentioning my applying this year.)
C) My boss's boss (whom I rarely speak to and has only been here since like January. He would probably ask my boss what to write but he also doesnt know me that well.)
D) My prof from last year (who also gave me an A. I havent talked to him since though)
E) My old research prof from ESS (who oversaw my undergrad research work. I did run into him at the San Diego Wild Animal Park in July so he totally remembers me and likes me etc.)
F) My old research prof from my time at OSU Atmospheric Sciences (yeah only if the other people all die before they can write the letter)
Im also going to have to study for the GRE. I dont really want to study for it but I feel like I should do a little something. Scheduling and paying for it would be a good first step. Maybe I will make that this weekend's goal. After Halloween is over it will be SOP/PHS writing time. Joy. Once they are all done though I will be happier so I might as well get this all over with as quickly as possible.
The Weather:
Okay so fire season started. It got cold, then windy and dry so next of course was fire. I was a little worried yesterday morning hearing about the fire in Lake View Terrace as it was pretty darn close to where Charles' parents live. The mandatory evacuation line was like 2 blocks over from them so they didnt have to leave but it came close.
Leaving work yesterday to see a plume over in the direction I was headed was not pleasant. Some kind of fire off in the hills by the 73. It was only 50 acres, didnt cause any real damage and was put out pretty quick which is good. It is still the closest a fire has actually gotten to where I live. Even last year's fire was only barely in the OC and closer to my work than to my home.
Some rambling observations etc.:
Political discussions are pretty much everywhere these days. I am pleased that I havent become too bombarded with all the lame adds everywhere. Charles says it is because I dont watch TV. Life is better watching a few quality TV shows online and none at all on actual TV. I need a hook up to get my computer screen on my TV so I can watch Netflix stuff and other online TV.
I was reading Kara's post about her prescription drug refill at Planned Parenthood in College Station, Texas. I read this and recall Janelle's post about her and Brandon joining a Community Supported Agriculture program up in Seattle. Reading about the lives of these two couples is a real story in contrasts. They are pretty similar couples and would probably become good friends if introduced to each other. The only real differences being one is science and the other is humanities... one is in Seattle and the other College Station. For one couple I have only that envious delight in their happiness, for the other mounds of pity and something akin to prayers that they hang in there. I dont think all hope is lost or anything but I had thought things might be better in Texas than they have been so far. I am at least glad that Matt likes his program and is doing well. Kara may not like the challenges of living in Texas but opportunities to overcome challenges can be rewarding so I think once they have really settled in she will be more comfortable too. It is also probable that my LJ view of both couples lives is limited.
Also all this damn wind is giving me sinus issues and burning itchy eyes. yuck.