BRAIN DRAIN

I have confronted the inevitable and finished my federal income tax return.

In theory, the whole process should take about ten hours; at least that’s what it says on the form. In my case it’s taken about twice that long, spread over three days and as many attempts to get it right. At first, the process was very metaphysical (literally) as I had to grapple with the most vital question to a taxpayer’s existence: What am I? Resident Alien? Non-Resident Alien? Departing Alien? Honestly, going through so many forms just to help determine what kind of “alien” a person is is enough to make anyone wonder whether the human race was in fact engineered by the same little green men that left us the pyramids.

Next came the odious task of actually filling up the forms and computing the amount I owed the U.S. government (or, hopefully, how much the U.S. government owes me - but I’m not holding my breath). This took some doing, owing to the fact that the whole process was, well, alien to me (pun intended). Thankfully, I had two things working in my favor. To begin with, the fact I have a single source of income (my scholarship’s stipend, the reason I have to file a return in the first place) made my life so much simpler, tax-wise. Further, the university provided me with access to an online tax preparation service that practically did all the work for me. though it did take some doing to figure it out. In this, the third time was the charm.

I now understand why tax preparation is practically an industry unto itself. As early as January when I got back to the U.S., there were numerous ads on tv from tax preparation services (e.g. H&R Block, Turbo Tax) whose underlying message was not just how much they could save you in taxes (and earn you in refunds) but how much easier they would make the whole process of preparing your return in the first place. With the dozens of forms that apply to taxpayers with different situations - Individual? Married (Filing Jointly)? Corporation? - or different sources of income - Self-employed? Interest Income? Dividend Income? - in different languages if needed - Spanish comes to mind - it’s no wonder that people would be willing to pay to make the headache go away. (Did I mention each form has its own set of instructions? Ah me.) The cynic in me can’t help but wonder whether the legislators who came up with the tax code weren’t just accountants who got themselves elected precisely to ensure the survival of their species.

Didn’t Shakespeare want to kill all the lawyers? I bet he’d feel the same about accountants if he were alive today.

But enough about that. I’d better get started on my state tax return. At least now I will save myself a lot of trouble since I already know with certainty that I am a Non-Resident Alien.

I’m so proud of myself.

(Note: This is a long-winded, roundabout, rambling “by-way-of-reply” to Chichi’s comments about scholarships, etc.)

It took two years – that is, two rounds of applications - for me to get into graduate school. The first round I approached almost like an afterthought: when I decided to go for it, I learned that the application deadlines for the schools I wanted get into was practically a month away. So within that one month window I learned everything I needed to know about what would be required to apply, took the necessary tests, filled the necessary forms, and sent everything in by the stated deadlines. Suffice it to say that the result of all this effort was both underwhelming and severely disappointing.

The second round the next year was nearly as comedic. Discouraged, I had been fence-sitting and unable to decide whether I wanted to apply again. When I finally got over the hump, I had more lead time than a year ago, but not enough to re-take the GRE (as I intended) or make significant changes to my application essays. I was, however, able to send in applications to more graduate programs this time around; needless to say it did pay off and here I am.

I’m certain that continuing education is necessary to stay competitive in today’s world, and would like to believe that for a large number of people this means pursuing an advanced degree. While a degree is only as valuable as what a person puts into it, all things being equal a bachelor’s degree just doesn’t have the same mileage it used to (regardless of what University or program you graduated from), and more and more professionals are finding that a master’s degree, while helpful, is slowly becoming little more than a glorified bachelor’s degree.

For those of you interested in pursuing another degree, particularly one overseas, I thought I’d offer my (unsolicited) advice in the hope that my experience so far can be of some help.

First things first: you do have a chance. Contrary to perception, there is no single “golden formula” to getting into graduate school. Your prior academic performance, together with your test scores (see below), work experience and recommendations are important, but will not by themselves guarantee getting into the program you want. A large part of the application process is largely subjective, determined by the admissions committee that decides on each application. So rather than feel discouraged because of insufficient work experience or less than stellar academic performance in college, be aware that the law of averages can play in your favor.

Mind the deadlines during application season. Different schools have different application deadlines, so manage them well (especially if you plan to apply to more than one program). Master’s programs generally have longer application windows, and most schools take in Master’s applications for both Fall and Spring semesters. PhD programs generally accept applications for the Fall term only.

Apply strategically. Graduate school applications are costly, ranging between $60-$100 per application. And that’s just the application; the costs multiply for supplementary documents that must accompany it (like transcripts or writing samples). So apply wisely. It makes sense to apply to several programs: if you’re really intent on getting into a graduate program, anywhere between 4-8 different applications would be a good idea. Further, be realistic about the programs and schools to which you apply. It doesn’t hurt to apply to a prestigious or competitive program (i.e. Ivy league), but balance that out with applications to programs where you have a better chance of acceptance.

Know what you’re getting into: admissions tests. Different graduate programs require different standardized tests for admission. For instance, MBA programs require the GMAT, academic programs require the GRE, Law programs require the LSAT, etc. The problem, however, is that these tests generally are not interchangeable (although some programs are indifferent between the GMAT and GRE), and each costs around $100++. Before you even apply to a program, you should look into the average scores expected of applicants so you know what to aim for. To prepare, check out the many review courses for these tests or at the very least obtain a reviewer. Additionally, taking the TOEFL (which you probably don’t need to review for) would be a good idea to save you a whole lot of trouble later on.

Asides: Your test scores remain valid for a couple of years after you take the test in case you opt to defer application or have to apply a second time around (like me). Further, bear in mind that universities in the UK may have different test requirements (IELTS comes to mind).

Think through your personal statement. Probably the single most important component of any graduate application is the personal statement. Some programs have specific guidelines for what you should include in a personal statement, which generally includes explaining your research interests, motivation for applying to the program, and career plans in the medium term which will be helped by the degree you aspire for. It seems simple but can be very maddening to write about. Take the time to do so and if needed ask for a second opinion about what you’ve written.

Choose your referees wisely. It will be very tempting to ask for recommendations from “important” individuals when putting together your application. Most recommendation forms ask specific questions about the applicant that your referee will not be able to answer effectively unless s/he knows you very well, so it would be more helpful were you to ask recommendations from people who are intimately familiar with your professional or academic work. If needed, discuss with the person from whom you’re requesting a recommendation the content of the letter being prepared on your behalf. And don’t be surprised if you have to be the one to prepare a draft for them to start with (another maddening thing to write!).

The money is out there…if you look for it and ask. There are loads of scholarships out there to be had if you know where to look: Fulbright, British Council, various embassies and foundations. Yet one often overlooked resource are the universities you intend to apply to themselves. Programs usually have a budget just for such purposes, and as such it wouldn’t hurt to read the fine print or send an email and ask. In this regard, it makes sense to apply to PhD programs: PhD students generally receive scholarships in the form of assistantships to finance their education (i.e. like me), especially if you indicate you would want to apply for such financial aid when you fill out your application.

Swallow your pride. Finally, if you’re really intent on getting into graduate school, be prepared to swallow your pride and make use of all resources at your disposal, particularly contacts you have that might be able to help. Maybe it’s an alumnus/alumna of the program you want to get into, or a faculty member with connections, or a family friend. Remember that it’s much harder getting into graduate school than it is into college (at least I think so) owing to the limited number of students taken in by graduate programs every year, so every little bit of help can only be to your advantage.

On 11 March 2006, my Metrocard went haywire.

That Saturday evening, on my way to Times Square from 3rd Avenue, I boarded the crosstown M104 on 42nd Street. I got on the bus and inserted my Metrocard into the card reader next to the driver. It took an unusual amount of time for the machine to process the card (about ten seconds, when it usually takes about two), and the machine was making noises as if it were having problems reading it. But before I could fret the machine returned my card, informed me that the $2.00 fare was paid, and displayed the balance remaining on the Metrocard.

I thought nothing of it and went to take my seat.

An hour later I was at the Times Square subway station to take a train back home. Heading towards the turnstile, I took out my Metrocard and swiped it along the card reader.

The turnstile would not let me pass.

“Please swipe again,” the display read.

Swipe. Swipe. Swipe.

“Please swipe again.”

“Please swipe again.”

“Please swipe again.”

Panic. PANIC. PANIC!!!

None of the machines at the subway station would read the Metrocard. Flustered, I took it up with a station attendant; he couldn’t get it to work either. Helpless, he gave me a form and business reply-mail envelope so I could bring the incident to the attention of the Metro Transit Authority (MTA).

There was $40 left on that card. I was certain: I still had the reciept from when I last reloaded it, and remembered the amount displayed from my earlier ride.

Having no other alternative, I bought another Metrocard (which I loaded with just $20) and went on my way. At home, I filled out the form, and enclosed it in the envelope together with the receipt and the Metrocard. Maybe it was just me, but I was very skeptical that anything would come of this: it didn’t seem very probable that a one-paragraph incident report would get me my $40 back on my say-so, notwithstanding it was true. Nevertheless, the next day I crossed the street to the post office and mailed the envelope to the MTA.

Today, 22 March 2006, I received an envelope in the mail. It was from the MTA. Enclosed was a new Metrocard, loaded with $40.

Truth be told, I actually decided to start this blog as far back as mid-February, for no other reason than to share pictures from the blizzard that enveloped New York on the 12th of that month. Fine: I’m obviously a victim of my own inertia, but I suppose better late than never.

Apparently, a “blizzard” is distinct from any run of the mill snow storm. If memory serves, a blizzard is so considered when snowfall is accompanied by winds of 30mph and visibility of less than a mile, both lasting approximately three or more hours (or something like that). In this case, the bulk of the snow fell from late Saturday evening to mid-Sunday, with lighter snowfall a few days thereafter.

This might be nothing new to some of you (i.e. those who’ve been anywhere with lots of snow before), but this was entirely new to me! Here were the sights to behold:

A view of East 54th Street, which is outside the door to my apartment building. Also, notice how you can barely see the street beneath the snow.

A look down East 52nd Street. See the snow on the hood of the car on the left?

3rd Avenue, looking uptown. Makes you wonder how that car on the right ever managed to get out.

Yes, those two mounds are actually cars. Of course if you were really desperate I suppose this would be a creative way to get out of a parking ticket (urban winter camoflage?).

Came across this couple desperately trying to dig out their car from under the snow. Apparently, they left the car there hours ago. I wonder how long it took them to be on their way…

What I found amazing about all this was how the city was able to cope and be back up to “business as usual” within hours. In anticipation of the snow, ploughs were already dispatched across New York to clear out the highways and streets of snow, and those responsible for doing so attempted to shovel snow from sidewalks as best they could as the snowfall began. The same story played itself out across the East Coast areas that were similarly affected. Of course, none of these were able to keep up with the snowfall, but all things considered it could have been much worse. Definitely a stark contrast to how rain and flooding tends to shut everything down back home (and in my opinion, snow is so much worse than rain…or maybe that’s just my tropical island roots talking).

Oh, and in spite of all of this, I did have class the next day. Go figure.

Now what possessed me to go out and take these pictures? Well, I wish I could say it was out of a sense of adventure, or even curiosity, but the truth is: I WAS HUNGRY! Really: I found myself cooped up indoors for most of the day and craving for some Mexican food, so decided to brave the snow to make my regular pilgrimage to the Taco Bell around the corner and down the street. Bringing the camera along was really an afterthought.

Stupid, but true.

I lead a charmed life.

I learned this afternoon that my scholarship at Fordham would be renewed again in the fall. So I can look forward to another year of studies without having to ask my parents to pay for my tuition (seeing as they already pay for my rent).

Also, the stipend that accompanies my scholarship has increased by $1200! That amounts to about an extra $120 a month. It’s nice to know that I’ll be getting a better dear next year than I did this past year.

Small things for which to be grateful.

Welcome to the blog! I’m new at this, so bear with me. I’ve never been the type to commit my thoughts to paper (or whatever metaphor applies to web publishing), but I guess it’s time to give the voices in my head an outlet before I lose my mind – assuming I haven’t lost it yet. Besides, I find myself with free time (it’s spring break) and have set up my wireless router here in New York (finally), so I guess the planets have aligned.

This is obviously a work in progress. Right now it’s even money whether I’ll be able to keep this up, but I have a couple of things in mind to write about so we’ll see how long this lasts. In any case, don’t hold your breath - unless you have that much faith in me (and you should!).

First things first, though: the blog needs a title. Let’s make this interesting: suggest a title for me! I’ll await suggestions until the end of the month and will unveil the “winning entry” in April. All suggestions are welcome, but keep in mind I have a penchant for anything funny or weird.

Looking forward to receiving your feedback, and here’s hoping blogging becomes habit-forming on my part.

Cheers!