LA, Austin, Bloomington IN, and Columbia Ohio

[danaeris]

One of the programs I might be applying to is at the University of Southern California, which I believe is in LA. There's also some top programs at UT Austin, Indiana U, and Ohio State.

Those of you with knowledge of any of the above... how much would I hate it? So much that even with a busy grad student schedule I'll be self-injuring for entertainment/frustration/whatever? Or do you think I'd like it?

I'm also applying to a program at Stanford (I think), and possibly one at Berkeley. Also the Media Lab at MIT. Not sure where else.

And, I was surprised to discover that there's a program at RPI that looks right up my alley. Troy NY isn't exactly a dream destination, but there are a few cool people there and it's a reasonable drive to a lot of neat places (Toronto, Boston, NYC, Montreal/Ottawa).

Comments

[chaoticerotic.livejournal.com]

If you go to RPI I have friends there!

MIT too tho.

[sacreddragonfly.livejournal.com]

Not that I can say much about the schools, but I do know there is quite an activity kink community in Columbus OH, one that is specifically panpolykinky

OSU Graduate Student here

[rowan-syngwyn.livejournal.com]

I think you would LOVE the community around Ohio State. The fetish and gaming communities are both thriving there, as well as the single/gay/bi communities. There is a real air of acceptance from every corner of the campus. The art community is amazing, and everything is within walking or bussing distance.

If you decide to take a trip to OSU to look around, let me know... I'll give you a list of places to go check out.

:o)

[severinpgh.livejournal.com]

*waves* I don't live _too_ far from Ohio State (a couple of hours), and since I have family out that way, I do get much closer.. I've met good people out there-- I guess one thing to keep in mind is that OSU is almost more of a minor metropolis than a University (at least from my recollections of visits past), so if that's a factor, you'll probably be able to feel it/make a determination on your visit (if you visit).

[lawbard.livejournal.com]

I think you might actually like Ohio State. Columbus is a very interesting city.

The Short North is an artistic district right near OSU, and it is a lot like Cambridge in some ways. There are a lot of good restaurants of multiple cultures, art galleries and craft stores and such. rowan_syngwyn went to OSU for her grad school, and could tell you anything you like about Columbus. She loves the place, and when I went there...I enjoyed the area aswell.

It is also a pretty gay friendly city from what I know - I believe it may even recognize gay marriage on a municipal level, even though the state itself does not.

[truthspeaker.livejournal.com]

I can see a lot of the people at USC as coming off as a bit... fluffy.

[truthspeaker.livejournal.com]

Oh, but Berkeley campus is nice. The area's not quite the same as SF, but it is in the greater SF area, for all the pros and cons that has.

[gangur.livejournal.com]

USC is really tough to get funding for, as I understand it and yes, it is in L.A.

If you're looking at UT Austin and Ohio State, don't forget us over at UCSB. Indiana is great if you're looking to do game research.

Here's NCA's doctoral program reputation study:
http://www.natcom.org/nca/template2.asp?bid=415

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks for being so helpful!

That's actually the reputation survey I've been working off of.

So far I'm *thinking* I will apply to Stanford, U Washington, NYU, OSU, MIT Media Lab, and RPI. I'm basically taking the time to look at programs in order of their deadlines/when I have time. UCSB is on the list to look at but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet.

I am interested in more theoretical research. If I were doing more pure research it would definitely be quantitative.

Any advice you can offer on programs that are definitely NOT what I want (based on what I've told you), or vice versa, would be deeply appreciated, but I imagine you're super busy.

[gangur.livejournal.com]

Actually I am on maternity leave this quarter, so I'm not tooooooo busy... still working on submissions for ICA though.

What theoretical perspective do you work with?

[danaeris.livejournal.com]

I feel almost embarrassed to admit this, but I'm not sure I understand the question. My masters is in journalism, and while there has been some communication theory in it, not a lot. I'll likely have to do most or all of the intro courses that doctoral programs offer to entering doctoral students.

Maternity leave -- congratulations! Has the baby been born yet?

[gangur.livejournal.com]

No baby yet - hopefully this weekend or early next week!

Well, IMHO, since the theory you use will become your life if you're doing non-applied research, it is pretty important. Not everyone at UCSB had Comm Theory background though.

Once you start getting into actually publishing stuff at UCSB, it would be viewed as a minor crime to not be actively working to extend theory.

BUT if you really do want to find a good match, it sure would help to determine what theoretical perspective you're going to use. It might be worthwhile to grab a Comm Theory undergrad textbook and skim through. Or this website is helpful: http://www.cw.utwente.nl/theorieenoverzicht/

Some theories are totally passe at some departments, etc.