Topic: Is there anything good in Portland?
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU started this discussion 14 years ago #19,195
I know the dream of the 90s is alive there, and that there's a bitching rail system, but that's it really. I'm looking at schools there, and I need some insider information.
Also, general college-search advice is nice, too. <3
Also, general college-search advice is nice, too. <3
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later[^] [v] #315,788
Hipster faggot.
Anonymous C joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 4 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #315,789
No. It's the hometown of two of this community's most autistic manchildren.
Anonymous D joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 13 minutes later, 18 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #315,792
Oregon coast beaches and forest bluffs are major wonderful.
Anonymous E joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 12 minutes later, 31 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #315,796
Anonymous C replied with this 14 years ago, 35 seconds later, 32 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #315,797
Anonymous E replied with this 14 years ago, 24 seconds later, 32 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #315,798
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 11 minutes later, 43 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #315,802
@315,789 (C)
Me and AC could meet and be friends!!!!!! c:
@315,792 (D)
The nature of the area seems so gorgeous, that's just not enough justification.
Me and AC could meet and be friends!!!!!! c:
@315,792 (D)
The nature of the area seems so gorgeous, that's just not enough justification.
FUD !dLadyGAgAA joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 4 seconds later, 44 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #315,803
Make sure you visit. Make sure you know what you want - don't overlook anything.
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 47 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #315,804
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 48 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #315,805
@315,803 (FUD !dLadyGAgAA)
What my plan (I think) is is to apply to the school, and visit if I get accepted before I formally make my decision. Then I can see the school and city and see if I'd like it.
@previous (D)
--Like your mum?-- Great!
What my plan (I think) is is to apply to the school, and visit if I get accepted before I formally make my decision. Then I can see the school and city and see if I'd like it.
@previous (D)
--Like your mum?-- Great!
Anonymous G joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 11 hours later, 12 hours after the original post[^] [v] #315,910
Portland is for people who want to live in the past. And hate the sun.
Anonymous H joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 4 hours later, 17 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,011
What colleges are you considering, and what do you hope to study? Portland State should be fairly easy to get into if your grades don't completely suck. Some of their departments are better than others, but their foreign language programs are not immersive, which makes them harder/you learn less. (PCC does immersion, fwiw.) I'd only consider Reed if you want to study heavy theory/politics/philosophy and are loaded (or think you can score a fat merit scolarship.) I can't comment on Concordia or Lewis & Clark, except I know they're both decent. L&C is where to go if you want to study law.
I'd definitely make sure you have your $ situ sussed out before you decide to move. The job market is super rugged in Portland, and the financial aid/tuition infrastructure is becoming more fucked every day, so just make sure and cover your ass.
That said, though, Portland is the most livable city in the US. No question. Not only is the air/water super clean, but there's tons of music/food/fashion/culture/sex/bikes to be found. People are laid-back and creative, the coffee and weed are excellent, and the beer is locally brewed. We have our own motherfucking TV show. You'd love it.
Good luck on your college apps, whatever you decide to do.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 53 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,041
@previous (H)
I'm looking primarily at Reed, though I think I've fallen more in love with the city than the school. Ideally, I want to study international relations and Economics. Reed only has IR as an interdisciplinary thing, though, and it's a bit difficult to get that as a major (you have to have a home department in one of the constituent disciplines) and I fear it may not be as good as a school with a dedicated department/major and more connections for studying abroad. Basically, I could study either of the things I want to study at another school with better programs in econ/IR for the equivalent cost.
Collegeboard says they give a fair amount in need-based aid, and I could get a decent family contribution. I don't want to take loans unless I absolutely have to. My grandparents are fairly wealthy, so I'll have to do some ass-kissing to get them to cover what's left if I don't get enough aid.
Honestly, when I looked at other schools I only looked at the schools. Looking at Reed, I researched Portland. I then realized how different it would be to Chicago or Philadelphia, and how much nicer living there would be. I'm afraid the city itself is pulling me there, rather than the school.
I'm looking primarily at Reed, though I think I've fallen more in love with the city than the school. Ideally, I want to study international relations and Economics. Reed only has IR as an interdisciplinary thing, though, and it's a bit difficult to get that as a major (you have to have a home department in one of the constituent disciplines) and I fear it may not be as good as a school with a dedicated department/major and more connections for studying abroad. Basically, I could study either of the things I want to study at another school with better programs in econ/IR for the equivalent cost.
Collegeboard says they give a fair amount in need-based aid, and I could get a decent family contribution. I don't want to take loans unless I absolutely have to. My grandparents are fairly wealthy, so I'll have to do some ass-kissing to get them to cover what's left if I don't get enough aid.
Honestly, when I looked at other schools I only looked at the schools. Looking at Reed, I researched Portland. I then realized how different it would be to Chicago or Philadelphia, and how much nicer living there would be. I'm afraid the city itself is pulling me there, rather than the school.
Anonymous G replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,043
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,044
Anonymous G replied with this 14 years ago, 4 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,048
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Don't feel so bad, I did the same. Only after the fact did I realize the truth of it all.
Don't feel so bad, I did the same. Only after the fact did I realize the truth of it all.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,049
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,052
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
> I want to study international relations
Sounds great to me. Learning the in's and out's of making love with people internationally sounds just super cool.
> I want to study international relations
Sounds great to me. Learning the in's and out's of making love with people internationally sounds just super cool.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,054
@previous (D)
I can, for instance, learn the proper way to ask a russian wench for fellatio without insulting father Stalin!
I can, for instance, learn the proper way to ask a russian wench for fellatio without insulting father Stalin!
Anonymous G replied with this 14 years ago, 4 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,057
@316,049 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
You could of course use the money you'd spend on college to start a business, but you'd have to have inspired ambition for that to work out. I suspect if that were the case you probably wouldn't even be considering college.
Still you should know in this day and age, there's nothing a college can teach you that isn't instantly learnable from the internet. Unfortunately, we still live in a full of shit society where a piece of paper from a top school is worth more than thousands of hours of study and experience, so you need to face that.
It's very unfortunate what's happening in education at the moment. Your options are: go into debt to participate in and support an obsolete and decaying old-boy system or risk being ostracized by society for doing your own thing.
It's not an easy time for education.
You could of course use the money you'd spend on college to start a business, but you'd have to have inspired ambition for that to work out. I suspect if that were the case you probably wouldn't even be considering college.
Still you should know in this day and age, there's nothing a college can teach you that isn't instantly learnable from the internet. Unfortunately, we still live in a full of shit society where a piece of paper from a top school is worth more than thousands of hours of study and experience, so you need to face that.
It's very unfortunate what's happening in education at the moment. Your options are: go into debt to participate in and support an obsolete and decaying old-boy system or risk being ostracized by society for doing your own thing.
It's not an easy time for education.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,061
@previous (G)
unfortunately, I have very little to offer the world in terms of sellable skills. A friend of mine has been harassing me to go in to some sort of business with him, but I'm not so sure about that (he has good business sense, surprisingly). College is pretty much the only way I'll be able to do anything in life; Learning and writing (to an extent) are my only real talents, and they're more suited for academia than the 'real' world. Unfortunately, everything I've looked at about colleges talks about how it's becoming more expensive and more and more useless as more becomes self-learnable. My only hope for the future is getting a degree and either teaching or doing something else with that degree.
unfortunately, I have very little to offer the world in terms of sellable skills. A friend of mine has been harassing me to go in to some sort of business with him, but I'm not so sure about that (he has good business sense, surprisingly). College is pretty much the only way I'll be able to do anything in life; Learning and writing (to an extent) are my only real talents, and they're more suited for academia than the 'real' world. Unfortunately, everything I've looked at about colleges talks about how it's becoming more expensive and more and more useless as more becomes self-learnable. My only hope for the future is getting a degree and either teaching or doing something else with that degree.
Anonymous I joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 7 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,069
Hipsters. You'll fit right in.Anonymous G replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,071
@316,061 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Talented writers get published. They create top rated blogs. They do not pay old farts who couldn't hack it in the real world to tell them their writing is good.
I'm not trying to piss on your decision, whatever it may be. I'm simply encouraging you to think about this long and hard. Teaching is a dead profession. Automated education systems will replace teachers in less than 20 years time. Not because they'll be better, but because they'll be incapable of playing favorites, success rates will be accurate as opposed to anecdotal, and bullies won't be an issue.
Talented writers get published. They create top rated blogs. They do not pay old farts who couldn't hack it in the real world to tell them their writing is good.
I'm not trying to piss on your decision, whatever it may be. I'm simply encouraging you to think about this long and hard. Teaching is a dead profession. Automated education systems will replace teachers in less than 20 years time. Not because they'll be better, but because they'll be incapable of playing favorites, success rates will be accurate as opposed to anecdotal, and bullies won't be an issue.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,074
@previous (G)
Very good point. One of my original reasons for wanting to study IR/Economics was so I could write about them (for some sort of journalism). I wanted to study those things to have an edge in terms of writing and having things to write about. But with the way news is going, that's a bit pointless too I take it? Creative writing isn' t something I'm well-versed in, but I'm decent at it I suppose.
I know, and I thank you for this. neither of my parents went to college, and very few of my extended family did, either. The ones who did did so a long time ago and went to schools around here. I've gotten very little frank, honest, and educated information about college in general, let alone about specific issues and problems.
I feel like the future is in Engineering, Computer science, and natural sciences; all areas I am shitty in (despite my interest).
Very good point. One of my original reasons for wanting to study IR/Economics was so I could write about them (for some sort of journalism). I wanted to study those things to have an edge in terms of writing and having things to write about. But with the way news is going, that's a bit pointless too I take it? Creative writing isn' t something I'm well-versed in, but I'm decent at it I suppose.
I know, and I thank you for this. neither of my parents went to college, and very few of my extended family did, either. The ones who did did so a long time ago and went to schools around here. I've gotten very little frank, honest, and educated information about college in general, let alone about specific issues and problems.
I feel like the future is in Engineering, Computer science, and natural sciences; all areas I am shitty in (despite my interest).
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,077
@316,061 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
You do have to be careful. Just yesterday while watching CNN. Interview of a high level dude who made it in the business world pointed this fact out. When he hit Harvard for his MBA he noticed that there was not one single minute devoted to Marketing or Salesmen ship. Vital elements.
So one has to keep eyes open to what you are receiving while in school vs what you will really need when you get that degree.
In today's world too many have just a degree. YOU will need something else to set you apart. In can be as simple as an internship while in school or just after.
You do have to be careful. Just yesterday while watching CNN. Interview of a high level dude who made it in the business world pointed this fact out. When he hit Harvard for his MBA he noticed that there was not one single minute devoted to Marketing or Salesmen ship. Vital elements.
So one has to keep eyes open to what you are receiving while in school vs what you will really need when you get that degree.
In today's world too many have just a degree. YOU will need something else to set you apart. In can be as simple as an internship while in school or just after.
Anonymous G replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,078
@316,074 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
So go to college just long enough to find your inspiration and drop out. Worked for Bill Gates and that Zuckerturd kid.
Course they were into computers.
So go to college just long enough to find your inspiration and drop out. Worked for Bill Gates and that Zuckerturd kid.
Course they were into computers.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 18 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,079
@316,077 (D)
What bothers me about the people I know at school is the fact they're going just to get a degree. They're not going because they want to learn how to run a business, build rockets, broker peace-talks, etc. They're going so they can say they have a degree and then get a job. That bothers me. You're spot on in saying "too many have just a degree". I want to go to college to learn and become well-versed in something. The degree is just a symbol saying I learnt it. I want to take internships, study abroad, and anything else to help me learn as much as possible so I can be of use.
@previous (G)
They had business sense and hax0r skillz though. I just have an inquisitive nature and love of literature.
What bothers me about the people I know at school is the fact they're going just to get a degree. They're not going because they want to learn how to run a business, build rockets, broker peace-talks, etc. They're going so they can say they have a degree and then get a job. That bothers me. You're spot on in saying "too many have just a degree". I want to go to college to learn and become well-versed in something. The degree is just a symbol saying I learnt it. I want to take internships, study abroad, and anything else to help me learn as much as possible so I can be of use.
@previous (G)
They had business sense and hax0r skillz though. I just have an inquisitive nature and love of literature.
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,081
@316,078 (G)
Maybe not so true of Zukerturd. He was as all know a thief. Gates also had luck on his side. The luck to buy the O/S from someone who had a working O/S which he bought on the cheep and used it as the basis for his O/S of the IBM PC.
In both cases each had/has the inherent business abilities to hire people or acquire what they needed to make a go of it.
Howard Hughes years ago was a terrific example of knowing what was needed and then finding super people that could pull it off for him. A driving force as the nature of the beast. Few have that driving force.
Maybe not so true of Zukerturd. He was as all know a thief. Gates also had luck on his side. The luck to buy the O/S from someone who had a working O/S which he bought on the cheep and used it as the basis for his O/S of the IBM PC.
In both cases each had/has the inherent business abilities to hire people or acquire what they needed to make a go of it.
Howard Hughes years ago was a terrific example of knowing what was needed and then finding super people that could pull it off for him. A driving force as the nature of the beast. Few have that driving force.
Anonymous H replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,083
@316,041 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
I majored in econ at PSU myself, believe it or not. If you're interested in doubling that with IR, you'd do well there: the strength of that curriculum is in int'l trade/regulation, finance (lol), and econometrics (hope you like math). Most theory is the neo-classical model that got us into the mess we're in now, but there's some critique- it depends on the prof. Less represented are Marxist/feminist/environmental perspectives, but there's a lot of room for self-directed study as a senior, if you're interested in that. Econ's one of the few majors there that you can choose between a BA or a BS (diff requirements: 2 years of foreign language vs. extra sci/math credits.) The IR program seems pretty strong too. PSU has graduate programs, as well, and is located in downtown Portland.
Reed offers an extremely high-quality education, though. I'm not surprised IR is cross-disciplinary. Much of their approach to eduction in general is very discourse-based, and less about compartmentalized bodies of knowledge. Every single Reed graduate I've met is intimidatingly brilliant (though a good handful are obnoxious about it.) The campus is beautiful and woodsy, but a bit removed from the hipper areas of town. The dorms are cool. Reed's also undergrad-only.
The city you are moving to is a very important part of choosing a school, too. I was so stoked to get into this prestigious art school in Chicago, but dropped out after a year because the winters and city were both just fucking awful. Portland gets a little gloomy in the winter, but it never gets *hostile*. And people seem to cope pretty well with the rain; there's always tons of fun indoor shit happening (craft/bingo/trivia nights at pubs, arty cinema, dizzying amount of live music.) Open to any more questions if you have 'em. :)
I majored in econ at PSU myself, believe it or not. If you're interested in doubling that with IR, you'd do well there: the strength of that curriculum is in int'l trade/regulation, finance (lol), and econometrics (hope you like math). Most theory is the neo-classical model that got us into the mess we're in now, but there's some critique- it depends on the prof. Less represented are Marxist/feminist/environmental perspectives, but there's a lot of room for self-directed study as a senior, if you're interested in that. Econ's one of the few majors there that you can choose between a BA or a BS (diff requirements: 2 years of foreign language vs. extra sci/math credits.) The IR program seems pretty strong too. PSU has graduate programs, as well, and is located in downtown Portland.
Reed offers an extremely high-quality education, though. I'm not surprised IR is cross-disciplinary. Much of their approach to eduction in general is very discourse-based, and less about compartmentalized bodies of knowledge. Every single Reed graduate I've met is intimidatingly brilliant (though a good handful are obnoxious about it.) The campus is beautiful and woodsy, but a bit removed from the hipper areas of town. The dorms are cool. Reed's also undergrad-only.
The city you are moving to is a very important part of choosing a school, too. I was so stoked to get into this prestigious art school in Chicago, but dropped out after a year because the winters and city were both just fucking awful. Portland gets a little gloomy in the winter, but it never gets *hostile*. And people seem to cope pretty well with the rain; there's always tons of fun indoor shit happening (craft/bingo/trivia nights at pubs, arty cinema, dizzying amount of live music.) Open to any more questions if you have 'em. :)
Anonymous G replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,084
@316,081 (D)
Okay. So what are you saying? Pay 40-100k to succeed without a driving force?
It's funny but it seems to me a lack of drive equates to a lack of success regardless. Even the most talented are nothing when not driven. Am I wrong?
Okay. So what are you saying? Pay 40-100k to succeed without a driving force?
It's funny but it seems to me a lack of drive equates to a lack of success regardless. Even the most talented are nothing when not driven. Am I wrong?
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,088
@316,079 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
I can speak for experience and real success on this. I have a degree in Electronics Engineering. HOWEVER before, I got into electronics as a hobby. So I learned a lot about Electronics in general. Was truly excited and interested in the science and math.
Out of school and in a world class company ....Surrounded by recent college grads - may with more advanced degrees then I had or even a few years of experience YET I stood out because I had real experience with Electronics. So when so many kept coming to me for help -- bottom line was/is I stood out.
That does not mean the advanced degrees - PhD's MS were not helpful or important. They had math skills I had to work my ass off to acquire after school. Or use those engineers to help me out.
After a slew of years I got the best of the best jobs one can have in Engineering and why? Because I had just a hint of knowledge in an area of Electronics that ain't taught in schools (not in USA anyway) It set me apart on a resume. Only the hobby put me in that position. Frankly never really needed that however the company was trying to cover their bases lol.
I also lost out on a job because I had no experience in Telco. (actually I did but it was from how to cheat the phone company & dared NOT tell anyone what I knew and how) - So I busted my ass finding a position with a company that would give me that training officially.
In the end the company I wanted to work for contacted me. I was proud to tell them I had that Telco stuff. Shocked to find they could care less. Again there is a lot of luck in what you end up with. Luck of the draw.
@previous (G)
In good times people are hired just for the degree. I remember when companies in Engineering just hired people for the degree because for Gov contracts they had to have X number of qualified people
So it may work in good times but in tough times only the DRIVEN make it in the long run
I can speak for experience and real success on this. I have a degree in Electronics Engineering. HOWEVER before, I got into electronics as a hobby. So I learned a lot about Electronics in general. Was truly excited and interested in the science and math.
Out of school and in a world class company ....Surrounded by recent college grads - may with more advanced degrees then I had or even a few years of experience YET I stood out because I had real experience with Electronics. So when so many kept coming to me for help -- bottom line was/is I stood out.
That does not mean the advanced degrees - PhD's MS were not helpful or important. They had math skills I had to work my ass off to acquire after school. Or use those engineers to help me out.
After a slew of years I got the best of the best jobs one can have in Engineering and why? Because I had just a hint of knowledge in an area of Electronics that ain't taught in schools (not in USA anyway) It set me apart on a resume. Only the hobby put me in that position. Frankly never really needed that however the company was trying to cover their bases lol.
I also lost out on a job because I had no experience in Telco. (actually I did but it was from how to cheat the phone company & dared NOT tell anyone what I knew and how) - So I busted my ass finding a position with a company that would give me that training officially.
In the end the company I wanted to work for contacted me. I was proud to tell them I had that Telco stuff. Shocked to find they could care less. Again there is a lot of luck in what you end up with. Luck of the draw.
@previous (G)
In good times people are hired just for the degree. I remember when companies in Engineering just hired people for the degree because for Gov contracts they had to have X number of qualified people
So it may work in good times but in tough times only the DRIVEN make it in the long run
(Edited 2 minutes later.)
Anonymous H replied with this 14 years ago, 8 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,093
@316,061 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Anon G is pretty right on. Getting a degree for the sake of the degree is wasteful. Only pursue academia for the sake of being in academy if you intend to become a professor, and make sure you know how competitive that is. The university system is imploding, anyway. If you hope to become a journalist, consider how forms of media and reporting are changing. The barriers to entry in journalism are nearly non-existent now, and it's *never* been a well-paying field.
I'd humbly advise, if you go to school, to just cowboy up and learn as much math as you can, as well as a field in which to apply it. You many not think you're any good at it now, but that's just because you've not had enough practice (and probably had shitty teachers in HS, everybody did). Math's one of the few things that it really does help to be taught in person.
Starting a business isn't the worst idea, either.
Anon G is pretty right on. Getting a degree for the sake of the degree is wasteful. Only pursue academia for the sake of being in academy if you intend to become a professor, and make sure you know how competitive that is. The university system is imploding, anyway. If you hope to become a journalist, consider how forms of media and reporting are changing. The barriers to entry in journalism are nearly non-existent now, and it's *never* been a well-paying field.
I'd humbly advise, if you go to school, to just cowboy up and learn as much math as you can, as well as a field in which to apply it. You many not think you're any good at it now, but that's just because you've not had enough practice (and probably had shitty teachers in HS, everybody did). Math's one of the few things that it really does help to be taught in person.
Starting a business isn't the worst idea, either.
Anonymous H double-posted this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,097
@316,088 (D)
> I also lost out on a job because I had no experience in Telco. (actually I did but it was from how to cheat the phone company & dared NOT tell anyone what I knew and how)
This is fuckin hilarious. \m/
Good on you for going legit, though.
> I also lost out on a job because I had no experience in Telco. (actually I did but it was from how to cheat the phone company & dared NOT tell anyone what I knew and how)
This is fuckin hilarious. \m/
Good on you for going legit, though.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 7 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,100
@316,083 (H)
My only thing with an out-of-state state school is the increased tuition compared to people who live there. That bothers me a bit. It does seem like a good school though from what you've said, and the fact it offers what I want in the city I want is very attractive. I think I'll definitely look in to that more, so thank you :)
I want to go to a school like Reed (though not necessarily limited to Reed) that thrives on discourse-based learning and inquisitiveness. I know I'm smart enough to do well at Reed. The campus is gorgeous from what I've seen, and it's just far enough from the city. Are degrees from Reed well-respected? And you mentioned that you're not surprised that IR is cross-disciplinary; is that better than how it's taught at most colleges? Or just something you'd expect from Reed?
I'm looking at UChicago as well (best economics program in the country from what I've read), but the city just seems...eh. Crime and dirtiness and whatnot. I don't mind the cold and some snow, but I'm not a fan of what you're describing Chicago as.
@316,088 (D)
I'm the same way at the moment, but with ideas rather than concrete things. I enjoy learning how the world works in terms of money and politics. I enjoy learning about new ideas and facts. I have enough drive to supplement my education, whatever it ends up being, with a passion to learn and discover.
@316,093 (H)
I want a degree so I can be knowledgable. I want to know things and have an opportunity to learn. With econ/IR, I could technically go to a PhD and teach, or I could get a job working with the state department, the UN, some sort of multinational company, etc. I think I'd have options with those majors other than teaching and journalism.
math is something I actually find interesting, I'm just terrible at it due to difficulty focusing on it and shitty teachers. i'm taking a college-level statistics course next year, though, so I'm hoping that can redeem some of the less-than-steller instruction I've received.
My only thing with an out-of-state state school is the increased tuition compared to people who live there. That bothers me a bit. It does seem like a good school though from what you've said, and the fact it offers what I want in the city I want is very attractive. I think I'll definitely look in to that more, so thank you :)
I want to go to a school like Reed (though not necessarily limited to Reed) that thrives on discourse-based learning and inquisitiveness. I know I'm smart enough to do well at Reed. The campus is gorgeous from what I've seen, and it's just far enough from the city. Are degrees from Reed well-respected? And you mentioned that you're not surprised that IR is cross-disciplinary; is that better than how it's taught at most colleges? Or just something you'd expect from Reed?
I'm looking at UChicago as well (best economics program in the country from what I've read), but the city just seems...eh. Crime and dirtiness and whatnot. I don't mind the cold and some snow, but I'm not a fan of what you're describing Chicago as.
@316,088 (D)
I'm the same way at the moment, but with ideas rather than concrete things. I enjoy learning how the world works in terms of money and politics. I enjoy learning about new ideas and facts. I have enough drive to supplement my education, whatever it ends up being, with a passion to learn and discover.
@316,093 (H)
I want a degree so I can be knowledgable. I want to know things and have an opportunity to learn. With econ/IR, I could technically go to a PhD and teach, or I could get a job working with the state department, the UN, some sort of multinational company, etc. I think I'd have options with those majors other than teaching and journalism.
math is something I actually find interesting, I'm just terrible at it due to difficulty focusing on it and shitty teachers. i'm taking a college-level statistics course next year, though, so I'm hoping that can redeem some of the less-than-steller instruction I've received.
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 8 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,103
@316,097 (H)
THAT was overly simplified - on applying for a job one cannot tell them one got the experience from Hacking. Of course in today's world one can get a terrific job BUT THEY have to come to you.
I hacked the phone company for no charges on my bill as well as just pure fun n Ego of course. Getting a job where they send you to those special classes only the phone company can offer - Honestly a waste of my time (but was paid for)
The company I desperately wanted to work for (Qualcomm) at a huge hiring fair - the employee who interviewed me needed people with Telco experience - So he tells me I have 99.9% of what company needs but he needs what I do NOT have. (dared not be honest re knowing far more then what he knew about Telco)
Turns out the company policy demanded that people should be hired for future needs and that a minor lack of experience in one area was not a big deal. Thing is no one teaches this Telco stuff besides a phone company with special classes for employees only.
I did not get a job with a phone company. Took on a position as a consultant & the consulting firm doing work for the phone company sent me to phone school. (This was super hard to pull off)
Have never once used any of that knowledge in my work.
THAT was overly simplified - on applying for a job one cannot tell them one got the experience from Hacking. Of course in today's world one can get a terrific job BUT THEY have to come to you.
I hacked the phone company for no charges on my bill as well as just pure fun n Ego of course. Getting a job where they send you to those special classes only the phone company can offer - Honestly a waste of my time (but was paid for)
The company I desperately wanted to work for (Qualcomm) at a huge hiring fair - the employee who interviewed me needed people with Telco experience - So he tells me I have 99.9% of what company needs but he needs what I do NOT have. (dared not be honest re knowing far more then what he knew about Telco)
Turns out the company policy demanded that people should be hired for future needs and that a minor lack of experience in one area was not a big deal. Thing is no one teaches this Telco stuff besides a phone company with special classes for employees only.
I did not get a job with a phone company. Took on a position as a consultant & the consulting firm doing work for the phone company sent me to phone school. (This was super hard to pull off)
Have never once used any of that knowledge in my work.
Anonymous D double-posted this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,104
@previous (D)
> I'm the same way at the moment, but with ideas rather than concrete things. I enjoy learning how the world works in terms of money and politics. I enjoy learning about new ideas and facts. I have enough drive to supplement my education, whatever it ends up being, with a passion to learn and discover.
Having hired a slew of people of my life time - Me thinks you will make it with that. Now one could with a background in politics and the need to discover - consider and I am not kidding - CIA - From personal experience one hell of a place to work and from what I can see - keep that in mind. Not a place to make a killing re money but that can come later.
> I'm the same way at the moment, but with ideas rather than concrete things. I enjoy learning how the world works in terms of money and politics. I enjoy learning about new ideas and facts. I have enough drive to supplement my education, whatever it ends up being, with a passion to learn and discover.
Having hired a slew of people of my life time - Me thinks you will make it with that. Now one could with a background in politics and the need to discover - consider and I am not kidding - CIA - From personal experience one hell of a place to work and from what I can see - keep that in mind. Not a place to make a killing re money but that can come later.
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 30 seconds later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,105
@316,100 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
I have a friend who currently goes to UChicago. It is an incredibly hard school to get into, so unless you have a really good GPA + strong extracurriculars, I would consider it a reach school.
Also, if you don't have a really good sense of what you want to study (which is the position it sounds like you are in), I wouldn't have my heart set on one particular school. Degrees from equally competitive schools are about equal. Unless you're going to an ivy league or otherwise notable college/university, then any 2nd-tier school is pretty much equivalent to any other 2nd-tier school, etc.
When going to college, you will change your major. A lot. I started off as an undeclared leaning towards History/English and ended up in Philosophy/Political science. If nothing else, college will help you discover what fields of study you enjoy, and getting a degree in that area can help you get a job in that relevant field. Now of course, many (I think most) people don't get a job in a field related to their degree, but that doesn't really matter. As long as you have a degree, you have a better than average chance of getting a job. That's the conventional wisdom, at least.
I have a friend who currently goes to UChicago. It is an incredibly hard school to get into, so unless you have a really good GPA + strong extracurriculars, I would consider it a reach school.
Also, if you don't have a really good sense of what you want to study (which is the position it sounds like you are in), I wouldn't have my heart set on one particular school. Degrees from equally competitive schools are about equal. Unless you're going to an ivy league or otherwise notable college/university, then any 2nd-tier school is pretty much equivalent to any other 2nd-tier school, etc.
When going to college, you will change your major. A lot. I started off as an undeclared leaning towards History/English and ended up in Philosophy/Political science. If nothing else, college will help you discover what fields of study you enjoy, and getting a degree in that area can help you get a job in that relevant field. Now of course, many (I think most) people don't get a job in a field related to their degree, but that doesn't really matter. As long as you have a degree, you have a better than average chance of getting a job. That's the conventional wisdom, at least.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 13 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,108
@316,104 (D)
That means a lot, thank you :) I've actually thought that the CIA could be a place to work which meets all my interests, and provides a strong position to discover and think.
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
My GPA is 3.95 at the moment, my ACT (superscored) is 30, I'm going to be taking some SAT subject tests to provide more proof of what I know, and I've been chosen as editor-in-chief of my school's newspaper (Editor-in-chief basically leads the class). I'll work on getting more clubs in next year. Nonetheless, I definitely consider it a reach school.
I have a vague idea, but nothing concrete. UPenn offers a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics (as one major). I'm really interested in that, and that would cover a lot of areas I have interest in. Tragically, very few schools offer that particular major. Penn is an ivy league school, too, so that degree from there would stand out a bit compared to other places I think.
I find all of what you mentioned (original plans and what you ended with) fascinating. What have you done with your degree in that, and what can you tell me about studying those things?
That means a lot, thank you :) I've actually thought that the CIA could be a place to work which meets all my interests, and provides a strong position to discover and think.
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
My GPA is 3.95 at the moment, my ACT (superscored) is 30, I'm going to be taking some SAT subject tests to provide more proof of what I know, and I've been chosen as editor-in-chief of my school's newspaper (Editor-in-chief basically leads the class). I'll work on getting more clubs in next year. Nonetheless, I definitely consider it a reach school.
I have a vague idea, but nothing concrete. UPenn offers a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics (as one major). I'm really interested in that, and that would cover a lot of areas I have interest in. Tragically, very few schools offer that particular major. Penn is an ivy league school, too, so that degree from there would stand out a bit compared to other places I think.
I find all of what you mentioned (original plans and what you ended with) fascinating. What have you done with your degree in that, and what can you tell me about studying those things?
Anonymous H replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,109
@316,100 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Hope that class goes well! Stats is super interesting, but seems to be hard for a lot of teachers to actually teach. There's a lot of fiddly little numbers you'll be trained to plug-and-chug, but figuring out the *why* of it all is a little more difficult. Same with trig! Wiki should help with supplemental background/understanding if your textbook/teacher are just obtuse. Once things click into place, though, you're going to have a real good time.
There are tons of interesting int'l/NGO opportunities if you do well in econ/IR and would be interested in living overseas. Learn French! And Chinese or Arabic, too.
A degree from Reed is definitely respected, and a cross-disciplinary approach to IR makes sense. A comprehensive survey of globalization would incorporate not only econ, but anthropology, linguistics, gender, ecology, polysci, and ethics. PSU's IR major has a requirements in a variety of other departments, but Reed's curriculum seems more ... holistic? You'll definitely read & discuss more classics, and understand our society's motivating philosophies better. I was disappointed with some of the higher-level theory classes at PSU; the material felt really watered-down at times. :/
Hope that class goes well! Stats is super interesting, but seems to be hard for a lot of teachers to actually teach. There's a lot of fiddly little numbers you'll be trained to plug-and-chug, but figuring out the *why* of it all is a little more difficult. Same with trig! Wiki should help with supplemental background/understanding if your textbook/teacher are just obtuse. Once things click into place, though, you're going to have a real good time.
There are tons of interesting int'l/NGO opportunities if you do well in econ/IR and would be interested in living overseas. Learn French! And Chinese or Arabic, too.
A degree from Reed is definitely respected, and a cross-disciplinary approach to IR makes sense. A comprehensive survey of globalization would incorporate not only econ, but anthropology, linguistics, gender, ecology, polysci, and ethics. PSU's IR major has a requirements in a variety of other departments, but Reed's curriculum seems more ... holistic? You'll definitely read & discuss more classics, and understand our society's motivating philosophies better. I was disappointed with some of the higher-level theory classes at PSU; the material felt really watered-down at times. :/
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 8 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,111
@316,108 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
> CIA could be a place to work which meets all my interests, and provides a strong position to discover and think.
Just like most really large companies 'they tend to put you in a box' use you for their needs. After all its the nature of the beast. Gov or any company. Key is too keep yourself out of that box for the long haul. The one major drawback of that Gov slot is not being able to look around at what else is going on. You can by doing super work and ending up with a good open supervisor.
Actually in my original world of so called Military engineering it was the same way because of security this and that. Everything is so behind closed doors. So getting out of the box took some work without getting into hot water.
So keep your eye on what "Analysts" do. The CIA web site is user friendly and take a look at the student internship slots while you are there. Then of course go beyond that with web searches - Wiki etc. Books by former employees.
Bear in mind that there is another USA Gov agency with a budget ++5X's bigger - and that is all I b saying here. Far more employees (needs)
> CIA could be a place to work which meets all my interests, and provides a strong position to discover and think.
Just like most really large companies 'they tend to put you in a box' use you for their needs. After all its the nature of the beast. Gov or any company. Key is too keep yourself out of that box for the long haul. The one major drawback of that Gov slot is not being able to look around at what else is going on. You can by doing super work and ending up with a good open supervisor.
Actually in my original world of so called Military engineering it was the same way because of security this and that. Everything is so behind closed doors. So getting out of the box took some work without getting into hot water.
So keep your eye on what "Analysts" do. The CIA web site is user friendly and take a look at the student internship slots while you are there. Then of course go beyond that with web searches - Wiki etc. Books by former employees.
Bear in mind that there is another USA Gov agency with a budget ++5X's bigger - and that is all I b saying here. Far more employees (needs)
Anonymous H replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,113
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,115
@316,109 (H)
Thank you! My school offers the class, too, but it's for the people who are required to take a math but don't want to. Not the sort I want to be around. The college one will probably go more in depth and attract a better crowd.
You mention how it all clicks in place and becomes nicer; I LOVE that aspect of math. Figuring out a problem and being able to breeze through the rest once it clicks amazes me, and makes me wish I had better luck with it all.
I'd love to live overseas, so that's part of why I want to do something which will give me an international focus. I enjoy learning about the world as a whole, and I'd adore being able to experience different cultures and whatnot. I took a bit of French in school, but I stupidly decided to stop taking it. I want to learn either French (again) in college, or Arabic. I was thinking about Russian (I have a love affair with Eastern Europe), but that would have very little use unless I was an ambassador or worked for some sort of raw goods company.
Ah, that makes sense now that you put it like that. And Reed's curriculum actually requires all freshman to take humanities 110, which is a year-long study of the classics (aristotle, Plato, Thucydides, etc).
Also, you mention another thing I like about IR; it draws from multiple disciplines and gives a wide breadth of knowledge. I suppose making it cross-disciplinary like at Reed as a special major makes good sense.
@316,111 (D)
Point taken. Work of that nature would be very...boxed in, I guess you would say. But setting myself apart and working hard, I could (as you say) break from that box.
Thank you! My school offers the class, too, but it's for the people who are required to take a math but don't want to. Not the sort I want to be around. The college one will probably go more in depth and attract a better crowd.
You mention how it all clicks in place and becomes nicer; I LOVE that aspect of math. Figuring out a problem and being able to breeze through the rest once it clicks amazes me, and makes me wish I had better luck with it all.
I'd love to live overseas, so that's part of why I want to do something which will give me an international focus. I enjoy learning about the world as a whole, and I'd adore being able to experience different cultures and whatnot. I took a bit of French in school, but I stupidly decided to stop taking it. I want to learn either French (again) in college, or Arabic. I was thinking about Russian (I have a love affair with Eastern Europe), but that would have very little use unless I was an ambassador or worked for some sort of raw goods company.
Ah, that makes sense now that you put it like that. And Reed's curriculum actually requires all freshman to take humanities 110, which is a year-long study of the classics (aristotle, Plato, Thucydides, etc).
Also, you mention another thing I like about IR; it draws from multiple disciplines and gives a wide breadth of knowledge. I suppose making it cross-disciplinary like at Reed as a special major makes good sense.
@316,111 (D)
Point taken. Work of that nature would be very...boxed in, I guess you would say. But setting myself apart and working hard, I could (as you say) break from that box.
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,117
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Box is usually because the "Firm" has a need. Law degree and firm needs someone who they can groom for Patents or Family law.
You end up boxed as what they need. Engineers its even worse. I know a chemist. (She could be a model) Company needed to groom a chemist expert in glues useful in space. Great pay and even exciting challenging work. Now she is teaching in High School chemistry because her expertise is no longer needed.
She ended up in a box of her own making - then again its a matter of luck - If the space game were to have continued then?
Box is usually because the "Firm" has a need. Law degree and firm needs someone who they can groom for Patents or Family law.
You end up boxed as what they need. Engineers its even worse. I know a chemist. (She could be a model) Company needed to groom a chemist expert in glues useful in space. Great pay and even exciting challenging work. Now she is teaching in High School chemistry because her expertise is no longer needed.
She ended up in a box of her own making - then again its a matter of luck - If the space game were to have continued then?
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,119
@316,108 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
I'm still in college so I haven't done anything with my degree yet, unfortunately. As for my post-college job plans, I am not in a position to be picky. I will take whatever job pays the most, I suppose. If that means working in McDonalds, then so be it. Ideally I'd get a Phd. in philosophy and then teach it, but the number of tenure-track jobs in the philosophy market is tiny and shrinking every year. Getting a Phd. would potentially overqualify me for many jobs too, and I can't really afford to restrict my job options by doing that. Studying philosophy is (I find) incredibly interesting and challenging. You kind of remind me of myself a bit from when I was in HS, so I would strongly recommend that you take a course in philosophy (even if you aren't required to take one to graduate).
Philosophy is, generally speaking, the study of fundamental logical problems which arise when 2 or more of our basic beliefs seem to be in conflict. These will start out in very basic intro courses by examining problems like the problem of free will, the problem of personal identity, the problem of the existence of God(s), the problem of the existence of objective morality, etc. Once you have taken an intro course or two which cover these areas, you will need to take some courses which are a history of attempts to solve the problem. Just as a basic example, in his Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes raises the problem of epistemological skepticism. How can we be absolutely sure that what we believe is true? If we can't be absolutely sure that what we believe is true, how can we call it knowledge? This then spun out into claims about the origins of knowledge (sense experience vs. innate ideas, roughly categorized as Rationalism vs. Empiricism). This leads into a discussion of causality, which in my view culminates in Hume's raising of the problem of induction (a problem which I think has never received an adequate answer). Anyway, to make a long story somewhat short, you will go through some major arguments and counter-arguments in favor and against certain important propositions and trace their threads through history. Then, once you do that, you will take some higher-level courses which focus on a particular subject of a particular branch of philosophy. For example, my Metaphysics course was really an investigation of the problem of Free Will as approached through problems involving different theories of space and time. You might also take courses which focus on a particular philosopher/philosophical work. These could include Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, or a study of Kant, Hegel, Marx, Locke, Hume etc. You'll also have to take some logic/reasoning course, but I am not going to ramble any further unless you'd like me to.
I'm still in college so I haven't done anything with my degree yet, unfortunately. As for my post-college job plans, I am not in a position to be picky. I will take whatever job pays the most, I suppose. If that means working in McDonalds, then so be it. Ideally I'd get a Phd. in philosophy and then teach it, but the number of tenure-track jobs in the philosophy market is tiny and shrinking every year. Getting a Phd. would potentially overqualify me for many jobs too, and I can't really afford to restrict my job options by doing that. Studying philosophy is (I find) incredibly interesting and challenging. You kind of remind me of myself a bit from when I was in HS, so I would strongly recommend that you take a course in philosophy (even if you aren't required to take one to graduate).
Philosophy is, generally speaking, the study of fundamental logical problems which arise when 2 or more of our basic beliefs seem to be in conflict. These will start out in very basic intro courses by examining problems like the problem of free will, the problem of personal identity, the problem of the existence of God(s), the problem of the existence of objective morality, etc. Once you have taken an intro course or two which cover these areas, you will need to take some courses which are a history of attempts to solve the problem. Just as a basic example, in his Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes raises the problem of epistemological skepticism. How can we be absolutely sure that what we believe is true? If we can't be absolutely sure that what we believe is true, how can we call it knowledge? This then spun out into claims about the origins of knowledge (sense experience vs. innate ideas, roughly categorized as Rationalism vs. Empiricism). This leads into a discussion of causality, which in my view culminates in Hume's raising of the problem of induction (a problem which I think has never received an adequate answer). Anyway, to make a long story somewhat short, you will go through some major arguments and counter-arguments in favor and against certain important propositions and trace their threads through history. Then, once you do that, you will take some higher-level courses which focus on a particular subject of a particular branch of philosophy. For example, my Metaphysics course was really an investigation of the problem of Free Will as approached through problems involving different theories of space and time. You might also take courses which focus on a particular philosopher/philosophical work. These could include Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, or a study of Kant, Hegel, Marx, Locke, Hume etc. You'll also have to take some logic/reasoning course, but I am not going to ramble any further unless you'd like me to.
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,129
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
> number of tenure-track jobs in the philosophy market is tiny and shrinking every year.
With what it takes to get that PhD in Philosophy ....You have what it takes to do something else IF you end up having to do the McD's
So its best now to work on a back up plan- Remember - Philosophy is just like any Liberal Arts major: it tells employers you are well-rounded and trainable, but that you are not yet specialized.
> number of tenure-track jobs in the philosophy market is tiny and shrinking every year.
With what it takes to get that PhD in Philosophy ....You have what it takes to do something else IF you end up having to do the McD's
So its best now to work on a back up plan- Remember - Philosophy is just like any Liberal Arts major: it tells employers you are well-rounded and trainable, but that you are not yet specialized.
squeegee !firstkPE1Q joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 38 seconds later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,130
I've heard the ports are nice.
[^_^] !IOdbnXsKDk joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,134
I have a friend who moved up there from Texas for college, and she loves it up there.
Another friend of mine is planning on moving there with his family, there is great community support for families in their late 20's to mid 30's :D
Another friend of mine is planning on moving there with his family, there is great community support for families in their late 20's to mid 30's :D
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU replied with this 14 years ago, 1 second later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,135
@316,129 (D)
Yeah, I'm going to have a B.A. in it, but I've talked to my professors who have friends that have Phd.s but no one will hire them because they are "overqualified". I just don't want that to happen to me. Plus putting myself out of the job market for 4-6 years while I get the degree and my student loans pile up isn't something I want to do. I'm just hoping my B.A. will translate into some kind of decent-paying job straight out of college.
Yeah, I'm going to have a B.A. in it, but I've talked to my professors who have friends that have Phd.s but no one will hire them because they are "overqualified". I just don't want that to happen to me. Plus putting myself out of the job market for 4-6 years while I get the degree and my student loans pile up isn't something I want to do. I'm just hoping my B.A. will translate into some kind of decent-paying job straight out of college.
Anonymous H replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,140
@316,115 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Awesome. Signing off for now, but I check in regularly enough. Feel free to FAO ruby if you have more questions about Portland/schools/what the hell the standard error means/etc.
You sound like you're going to do great. I salute you for challenging yourself. Keep it up, and good luck.
Awesome. Signing off for now, but I check in regularly enough. Feel free to FAO ruby if you have more questions about Portland/schools/what the hell the standard error means/etc.
You sound like you're going to do great. I salute you for challenging yourself. Keep it up, and good luck.
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 12 seconds later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,141
@316,135 (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
No matter what any one says - BA rocks.
Time for my 10 mile run for the day. Will be thinking about avoiding rocks on the beach as I run.
No matter what any one says - BA rocks.
Time for my 10 mile run for the day. Will be thinking about avoiding rocks on the beach as I run.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,149
@316,117 (D)
Ah, never thought of it that way. I hope I can avoid that happening to me.
@316,119 (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
Ahh, right. Well hopefully you'll find something useful with your degree. And if it does turn in to McDonald's, you can ask customers why they want fries with that. :P
If possible, I want to minor in philosophy. Philosophy seems to put a lot of focus on asking and answering questions, along with thinking. That draws me to it. I actually have The Story of Philosophy by WIll Durant on my bookshelf. It's basically a (brief) survey of Western philosophy since Socrates and through to Santayana. Seems fascinating, though I've not started it yet.
All of that sounds incredibly fascinating to me. It's like a history class, but a special history class about thinking and how to think. What are the logic/reasoning courses like (those particularly interest me because I enjoy debating and analyzing arguments)?
@316,140 (H)
Alright, I can't thank you enough for the help you've provided! Really, you've given me a lot of perspective and reassurance. I'll be sure to FAO you if I happen to run into pressing questions that need answering.
Thank you <33
Ah, never thought of it that way. I hope I can avoid that happening to me.
@316,119 (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
Ahh, right. Well hopefully you'll find something useful with your degree. And if it does turn in to McDonald's, you can ask customers why they want fries with that. :P
If possible, I want to minor in philosophy. Philosophy seems to put a lot of focus on asking and answering questions, along with thinking. That draws me to it. I actually have The Story of Philosophy by WIll Durant on my bookshelf. It's basically a (brief) survey of Western philosophy since Socrates and through to Santayana. Seems fascinating, though I've not started it yet.
All of that sounds incredibly fascinating to me. It's like a history class, but a special history class about thinking and how to think. What are the logic/reasoning courses like (those particularly interest me because I enjoy debating and analyzing arguments)?
@316,140 (H)
Alright, I can't thank you enough for the help you've provided! Really, you've given me a lot of perspective and reassurance. I'll be sure to FAO you if I happen to run into pressing questions that need answering.
Thank you <33
Anonymous H replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,150
protip !!pMmAiEwOm joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,151
Don’t you fucking dare.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,152
protip !!pMmAiEwOm replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,153
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,154
@316,149 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
I can only speak from my own experience, so I won't draw definite universal conclusions about how colleges do things. The way our classes were organized, there were 2 levels of logic class. The first one was a very basic reasoning course which laid out some common informal fallacies and some valid reasoning forms. You're probably familiar with the informal fallacies: argumentum ad populum, argument from ignorance, unjustified appeal to authority, etc. The valid arguments are modus ponens, modus tollens, etc. From there, you'll be introduced to the idea of truth tables, which is basically a method to help you determine the truth conditions for conjunctions, conditionals, biconditionals and disjunctions. The 2nd course picks up about where the other one left off, starting out by introducing truth tables and working its way up through the various systems of logic, from Aristotelian logic through sentential, syntactic and predicate logics. There are other kinds of logics beyond these, of course. There are tensed logics, modal logics, fuzzy logics, and various alternative logics too. It really gets quite interesting and fun I think. I was never really any good at math, but higher-level logic is very similar to math, and it's very intuitively obvious to me in a way that math wasn't. If you like math, but you're not really great at it, I would consider taking a logic course instead,; it's in some ways more practical than say calc II, and in my experience, easier.
I can only speak from my own experience, so I won't draw definite universal conclusions about how colleges do things. The way our classes were organized, there were 2 levels of logic class. The first one was a very basic reasoning course which laid out some common informal fallacies and some valid reasoning forms. You're probably familiar with the informal fallacies: argumentum ad populum, argument from ignorance, unjustified appeal to authority, etc. The valid arguments are modus ponens, modus tollens, etc. From there, you'll be introduced to the idea of truth tables, which is basically a method to help you determine the truth conditions for conjunctions, conditionals, biconditionals and disjunctions. The 2nd course picks up about where the other one left off, starting out by introducing truth tables and working its way up through the various systems of logic, from Aristotelian logic through sentential, syntactic and predicate logics. There are other kinds of logics beyond these, of course. There are tensed logics, modal logics, fuzzy logics, and various alternative logics too. It really gets quite interesting and fun I think. I was never really any good at math, but higher-level logic is very similar to math, and it's very intuitively obvious to me in a way that math wasn't. If you like math, but you're not really great at it, I would consider taking a logic course instead,; it's in some ways more practical than say calc II, and in my experience, easier.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 10 minutes later, 21 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,157
@316,153 (protip !!pMmAiEwOm)
Which one? What's the best car for Portland? I kid, of course. Though, are cars necessary in Portland?
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
That also sounds very interesting. And didn't Bertrand Russell prove 1+1=2 with symbolic logic? Definitely sounds fascinating. And what about political science, what are courses in that like? I apologize for bombarding you with question, by the way.
Which one? What's the best car for Portland? I kid, of course. Though, are cars necessary in Portland?
@previous (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
That also sounds very interesting. And didn't Bertrand Russell prove 1+1=2 with symbolic logic? Definitely sounds fascinating. And what about political science, what are courses in that like? I apologize for bombarding you with question, by the way.
Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU replied with this 14 years ago, 11 minutes later, 21 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,158
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
I'm not familiar with Russell's work in logic, beyond knowing that he and Frege (Frege and him?) revitalized the study of logic.
Political science actually isn't what I thought it would be. I thought it would be more a study of various political ideologies, but it's more practical and less abstract than that. It's more an examination and an explanation of the various political structures. These are the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches if you study American government, but you can also study comparative government and other such things. I'm not exactly clear on the specifics in this field in the way that I am with Philosophy because I've only recently decided to minor in Political Science. Classes are usually on a broad range of topics ranging from an intro level course which focuses on explaining the basic foundations of american government, to courses which detail what exactly your rights are according to the relevant Supreme Court cases, and I guess International Relations would fall under this field as well.
I'm not familiar with Russell's work in logic, beyond knowing that he and Frege (Frege and him?) revitalized the study of logic.
Political science actually isn't what I thought it would be. I thought it would be more a study of various political ideologies, but it's more practical and less abstract than that. It's more an examination and an explanation of the various political structures. These are the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches if you study American government, but you can also study comparative government and other such things. I'm not exactly clear on the specifics in this field in the way that I am with Philosophy because I've only recently decided to minor in Political Science. Classes are usually on a broad range of topics ranging from an intro level course which focuses on explaining the basic foundations of american government, to courses which detail what exactly your rights are according to the relevant Supreme Court cases, and I guess International Relations would fall under this field as well.
Anonymous I replied with this 14 years ago, 16 minutes later, 21 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,167
@316,157 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
How did the car thing turn out, anyway? Did you actually come to a decision of any kind?
How did the car thing turn out, anyway? Did you actually come to a decision of any kind?
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 21 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,169
@316,158 (Fake anon !ZkUt8arUCU)
I thought it was about ideologies as well O_O Well I have to say, what you've described sounds more practical in the real world. I'm sure that sort of information would be of definite use. And I'm fairly certain a number of schools consider it a facet of the political science department.
@previous (I)
I got a Jeep Wrangler. It's a manual, though, so I'm still not good at driving it without killing the engine, reversing into oncoming traffic, and slowing to a stop. I got my licence though so I can technically drive, I'm just so shitty at it that I don't.
I thought it was about ideologies as well O_O Well I have to say, what you've described sounds more practical in the real world. I'm sure that sort of information would be of definite use. And I'm fairly certain a number of schools consider it a facet of the political science department.
@previous (I)
I got a Jeep Wrangler. It's a manual, though, so I'm still not good at driving it without killing the engine, reversing into oncoming traffic, and slowing to a stop. I got my licence though so I can technically drive, I'm just so shitty at it that I don't.
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 21 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,175
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 21 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,178
@previous (Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx)
I can't call it a 5-speed because it has six gears, and I say stick when I'm around people here. Manual is the most accurate term to my knowledge.
I can't call it a 5-speed because it has six gears, and I say stick when I'm around people here. Manual is the most accurate term to my knowledge.
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 21 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,181
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Oh, okay. I saw a few Americans calling it standard transmission in that car thread so I assumed that that was the Aerican term.
Oh, okay. I saw a few Americans calling it standard transmission in that car thread so I assumed that that was the Aerican term.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 21 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,184
@previous (Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx)
I've only heard standard transmission once or twice. At least in my area, 5-speed and stick are the common terms.
I've only heard standard transmission once or twice. At least in my area, 5-speed and stick are the common terms.
Broseph !!fxnDb+Ve4 joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 21 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,188
@316,181 (Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx)
Actually, I've never heard it called that. I always called it manual. I thought standard transmission was a British term. I guess we were both confused.
Actually, I've never heard it called that. I always called it manual. I thought standard transmission was a British term. I guess we were both confused.
Killer Lettuce !!iNo3FkiZx replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 21 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,192
@previous (Broseph !!fxnDb+Ve4)
Never heard anyone say standard transmission over here either, always been manual and automatic.
There's probably people who say standard transmission in both countries.
Never heard anyone say standard transmission over here either, always been manual and automatic.
There's probably people who say standard transmission in both countries.
Anonymous G replied with this 14 years ago, 1 hour later, 23 hours after the original post[^] [v] #316,219
Standard is an older term. From the 70's or 80's, back before automatics became the majority. Older folks still use the term.
Lee O'Nidas !nBpim1wazU joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 9 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #316,321
@OP
Watch the TV series Grimm. It shows everything neat to see in Portland. It's hard to explain unless you see it.
Watch the TV series Grimm. It shows everything neat to see in Portland. It's hard to explain unless you see it.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 day later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #316,936
Hey! How many colleges is it normal to apply to? And it should be like, 3 reach schools + what?
Anonymous P joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 7 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #316,940
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 43 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #316,980
@previous (P)
With an average application fee of $62, that would cost < $558,000. So no, I think I'll apply to a few less than that.
With an average application fee of $62, that would cost < $558,000. So no, I think I'll apply to a few less than that.
Anonymous H replied with this 14 years ago, 2 hours later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,057
@316,936 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
One or 2 reach schools, 2 or more fairly sure bets, at least one safety school. It's not only admission but the widely varied financial packages you'll get offered that make broadening your options a good idea.
One or 2 reach schools, 2 or more fairly sure bets, at least one safety school. It's not only admission but the widely varied financial packages you'll get offered that make broadening your options a good idea.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,061
Anonymous H replied with this 14 years ago, 13 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,073
@previous (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Well, apply to as many of those as you can afford, but just make sure and apply to a couple you'd be okay settling for too. I've known way too many people that *only* applied to like Harvard & MIT, then got rejected from both (or maybe got accepted but then couldn't afford it.) Don't get cocky. An extra $100 is worth the security of knowing you'll definitely get accepted somewhere, even if it's not your #1 fantasy school. Sounds like your grades are ok, though, so I don't think you'll have much problem. But cover your ass. Always cover your ass.
Well, apply to as many of those as you can afford, but just make sure and apply to a couple you'd be okay settling for too. I've known way too many people that *only* applied to like Harvard & MIT, then got rejected from both (or maybe got accepted but then couldn't afford it.) Don't get cocky. An extra $100 is worth the security of knowing you'll definitely get accepted somewhere, even if it's not your #1 fantasy school. Sounds like your grades are ok, though, so I don't think you'll have much problem. But cover your ass. Always cover your ass.
(Edited 1 minute later.)
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 3 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,077
@previous (H)
Valid point. Would it still be alright to apply to schools in the okay range that are far away from where I live, or should the ones in that range be closer? I ideally want to get away from Rednecksberg, Tennessee, and I don't want to go to a school anywhere around here unless I absolutely have to.
Valid point. Would it still be alright to apply to schools in the okay range that are far away from where I live, or should the ones in that range be closer? I ideally want to get away from Rednecksberg, Tennessee, and I don't want to go to a school anywhere around here unless I absolutely have to.
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) double-posted this 14 years ago, 2 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,079
*edit*
Derp, double post.
Derp, double post.
(Edited 18 seconds later.)
brie !OudrPWaUDQ joined in and replied with this 14 years ago, 58 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,090
@OP
> I know the dream of the 90s is alive there, and that there's a bitching rail system, but that's it really. I'm looking at schools there, and I need some insider information.
>
> Also, general college-search advice is nice, too. <3
Look into the so-called "Metropolitan Learning Center".
For college there are tons of options, and the Portland Community college is a great one.
Cheap, too!~
> I know the dream of the 90s is alive there, and that there's a bitching rail system, but that's it really. I'm looking at schools there, and I need some insider information.
>
> Also, general college-search advice is nice, too. <3
Look into the so-called "Metropolitan Learning Center".
For college there are tons of options, and the Portland Community college is a great one.
Cheap, too!~
(Edited 51 seconds later.)
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 37 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,101
Anonymous H replied with this 14 years ago, 5 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,103
@317,077 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
Oh dude, yeah, get the fuck out of Tennessee unless you want to go to Vanderbilt. Get out of the South altogether if you can. What I meant by safety schools are to make sure & apply to a handful that are still in areas you want to live, but are not as prestigious/selective. Pull up some stats about the cutoffs & average test scores, etc, for each school, to try and figure out what your chances are. Apply to a couple of long shots, and apply to a couple of cinchers. You'll be set.
PCC, for instance, would be a total safety school. It's a 2-year, but you can get most of your basic requirements out of the way before transferring to PSU (if you didn't get in the 1st time for some reason.)
Oh dude, yeah, get the fuck out of Tennessee unless you want to go to Vanderbilt. Get out of the South altogether if you can. What I meant by safety schools are to make sure & apply to a handful that are still in areas you want to live, but are not as prestigious/selective. Pull up some stats about the cutoffs & average test scores, etc, for each school, to try and figure out what your chances are. Apply to a couple of long shots, and apply to a couple of cinchers. You'll be set.
PCC, for instance, would be a total safety school. It's a 2-year, but you can get most of your basic requirements out of the way before transferring to PSU (if you didn't get in the 1st time for some reason.)
Anonymous H double-posted this 14 years ago, 9 minutes later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,106
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,107
@317,103 (H)
@317,103 (H)
Vanderbilt's still too close to all of the idiocy down here. I've been planning to get out of here for a long time, and I want to go West or North. I could put PSU in as an option I suppose, along with some smaller liberal arts schools in like, Vermont. Those could be the 'cinchers' and then Reed, UChicago, etc could be the reach ones. And then I could find others to put in the safety range.
Here's something I've been wondering; there's a school in Montreal called McGill that I think I could definitely get in to, and tuition isn't monstrous, and they're big on international students. Would going out of the country be a good idea (perfect my French and go to a good school) or a stupid idea (kidnapped by Canadian nationalists, drowned in maple syrup)?
@previous (H)
I'm from a smaller area in East Tennessee. It's not terrible here compared to some places, but it's still pretty bad.
@317,103 (H)
Vanderbilt's still too close to all of the idiocy down here. I've been planning to get out of here for a long time, and I want to go West or North. I could put PSU in as an option I suppose, along with some smaller liberal arts schools in like, Vermont. Those could be the 'cinchers' and then Reed, UChicago, etc could be the reach ones. And then I could find others to put in the safety range.
Here's something I've been wondering; there's a school in Montreal called McGill that I think I could definitely get in to, and tuition isn't monstrous, and they're big on international students. Would going out of the country be a good idea (perfect my French and go to a good school) or a stupid idea (kidnapped by Canadian nationalists, drowned in maple syrup)?
@previous (H)
I'm from a smaller area in East Tennessee. It's not terrible here compared to some places, but it's still pretty bad.
Anonymous D replied with this 14 years ago, 1 minute later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,108
No one has mentioned Portland Cement.
Actually when I looked this up on web...Shocked to discover it originated in UK
Actually when I looked this up on web...Shocked to discover it originated in UK
brie !OudrPWaUDQ replied with this 14 years ago, 3 hours later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,338
@317,101 (stickybuns !bENfolDsOU)
> > MLC
> I'm about to graduate O_O
>
> You a Portlander (Portlandian?)?
Holy shit, you libe in Portland?!~
I thought only AC lived here, lol!
> > MLC
> I'm about to graduate O_O
>
> You a Portlander (Portlandian?)?
Holy shit, you libe in Portland?!~
I thought only AC lived here, lol!
(Edited 36 seconds later.)
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 6 hours later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,555
Nonono, I meant I don't need a k-12 school O_o
brie !OudrPWaUDQ replied with this 14 years ago, 6 minutes later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,556
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 7 hours later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,834
Anonymous H replied with this 14 years ago, 3 hours later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,918
Anonymous M replied with this 14 years ago, 1 hour later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,936
@OP no
stickybuns !bENfolDsOU (OP) replied with this 14 years ago, 2 hours later, 4 days after the original post[^] [v] #317,987
How do recommendation letters work? Does one send the same letter(s) to every school requiring one, or is a unique letter required for each?