down by the lake, where the rutabagas grow...

[caramida]

Heh. The following is not a eupehmism:

I have His Excellency's mail in my backpack.

No. I cannot elaborate.

I spoke with a counselor (Moore) today about transfer reqs, and he implied that we'd see frost on the pavingstones on the second level of hell before I transferred to Cal in the spring. I suppose that will be ok, but I'm going to talk with the Cal xfer advisor about the prospect anyway. I imagine there would be no problem for me to xfer to SFSU this spring, but doing that likely means skipping the Cal undergrad thing entirely. Must think on this. Also must line up request rec letters from Graham, Sabsevary, Burgess, Goldstein?, Alixopulos?, Pahud?, Bohorquez. Shotgun.

Went to Berkeley to pick up the Stats book. Also wanted to stick my head into the building at BCC (read Vista) to orient myself before classes start next week, and I'm totally lost. Alas, the building is still being built. Although it seems that mostly only finish work is left, they still have cones and caution tape, and the public is, as yet, only allowed into the lobby, wherein registrations and finaid applications occur. A man in a hardhat told me that the building would only be ready by 8/23, when classes are scheduled to commence.

I have books for all the classes currently scheduled, but I only have 10 units at this time. I'm debating about taking a Psych class to show that the F on the CR transcript from 15 years ago should be ignored, especially when, having re-taken the class, I get an A (I imagine I'll get an A).

Ok. Enough noodling about school. Almost time for work.

<><><><> [Posted on Brick's50-ver2, out in the world.]

Comments

[sylphslider.livejournal.com]

Boy, do I sympathize.

Why so long for the transfer?

[name-redacted.livejournal.com]

I'm of the opinion that it really doesn't matter where you do your undergrad, as long as they're teaching what you want to learn. In some ways, doing your undergrad at a big school is a disadvantage, as you get lost in the shuffle, taking courses or sections taught by TAs (many of whom, sadly, are less than English-proficient), seeing the professor only with opera glasses in a giant hall with 500 other clueless undergrads.

Of course, in my major, from sophomore year on every class was me and the same six other guys, but that's a different story :-)

And, as somebody who went to Cal, and got a BA and went through the teaching program at a UC (go Anteaters!), I can testify that it really doesn't matter too much. Everything (OK, 90%) they teach you in teacher training is a bunch of BS anyway, taught by academics and failed teachers who were in the classroom only long enough to get themselves into a doctoral program. Most of what you need to be a good teacher you're going to learn in student teaching and from your mentors at your first job (if your lucky), and from floundering in the classroom for a few years.

Highly recommend...

[jenderqueer.livejournal.com]

Diversified letters of recommendation. At least 4, and all with faculty who know you by name, even maore than by sight. By diversified, i mean, prefferably two in your chosen field, two not in youir field, but glowing. If you have any TA experience, definitely get that on paper, if not, consider which boss you might want to approach. Some programs accept work references. Some programs demand them. Some won't take undergrad references at all:-( Definitely wait to hear it from CAL on the transfer! Follow up, and take advice on what might make it possible. Remember that Cal undergrads almost never get to be Cal Grad students, just as Cal; Grad students have to leave for a number of years before they can come back to teach at Cal. Wierd but true. I found SFSU to be a great place to fill in all my academic gaps, and a very good place to get to do research and to TA as an undergrad. Those skills are definitely what got me into grad school. Being my outspoken and hmm. thorough *grin* self in big classes helped me get amazing letters of rec. as well. You may not have the same chance to shine at UCB. You will be in classes with 20-50 other straight A students, all competing to kiss the faculty's ass the hardest and most often (or so my favorite Cal faculty tell me). There are perks to both. I'm happy with my choices. Good luck on getting things squared with Vista!