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mynameiscurtis · 2009 August 23rd, 08:47 PM

Hi all -

Seeing that I received a $4,000 charge on my UCSC financial summary recently, I followed up with financial aid to find out exactly when to expect word of a firm & specific offer regarding funding & loans.

They tell me the graduate affairs dept is trudging through all applications now, leaving first year grad students more-or-less to the last -- that if we don't hear word by Sept 10th, we should then follow up with the graduate affairs financial aid people. Until then, that $4,000 charge will remain due in the unspecific "Future".

About loans, they just take their estimate for your financial needs (which you can find somewhere on my.ucsc.edu) and subtract that from your department & external funding--broken down into federal-subsidized and unsubsidized loans based on the max you can receive from the feds.

I've never received financial aid in past--this process is all news to me--so I thought I might share what I learned with y'all.

--Also, I got into Santa Cruz a few days back, if you're interested in meeting up before the 29th feel free to private message me. I've been reviewing our books for maths camp -- being a little rusty, I'd love to have someone to prep with.

sas55 · 2009 August 25th, 08:06 AM

Hey guys, Do we know for sure if Jim Costain will be the Math Camp instructor for this year too? And does anybody know how good he is / how best to approach his classes / areas it might be a good idea to prep before the camp begins next week?
Anybody as nervous as I am?

TheBrothersKaramazov · 2009 August 25th, 05:44 PM

If Jim is teaching, you are in great hands. He is such a good professor and knows his stuff!

He covers alot each class. You'll do about 8-10 homework assignments, if I recall correctly. Usually out of Simon and Blume. A grad student will do all the grading.
The exam will be hard... The highest grade in our year was a 61=A+ (I suppose). But he will give you the grades before you technically have to register for the course. Thus, you can decide if you want his grade (and evaluation) on your transcript. (the course is not required anyway). Our class did not know this ahead of time, and so definitely feared the exam.

But you will definitely need everything that is taught in this course, so learn the material well. First semester macro is probably the most technical and you will definitely use the dynamic optimization material.

He really puts alot of stock into nicely organized and written assignments. He will also write one of the most honest evaluations you'll ever get at santa cruz. (ie. if you do a great job or crap work, he'll discuss it in detail.)
Don't be nervous about the math camp. It'll be alot to take in, but it is a great way to start working with your classmates and hanging out.

sas55 · 2009 August 25th, 08:24 PM

Thanks TBK. I did not know that this isn't a required course - am breathing much better now.

jlee7979 · 2009 August 26th, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaCroix

Well, I was going to PM everyone, but I thought adding a post would be the most expedient way and also open it up to anybody else who would like to join us.

At the suggestion of mynameiscurtis, let's meet at Caffe Pergolesi (418 Cedar St.) on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 3 p.m. I'll still have my rental that day, so if anybody needs or would like a ride from campus (I'm in GSH), let me know.

Hope to see all or many of you there!

LaCroix,

I will join the meeting on Saturday. I also moved in GSH yesterday and it would be great if you can give a ride from campus.

jlee7979 · 2009 August 26th, 01:48 PM

I arrived in Santa Cruz on Monday and I live in GSH. My first impression of UCSC is that it is a calm and peaceful place. The air is so fresh. Especially, I love the forrest. It is exactly where I wanted to live. After living in metropolitan area since I was born, I realized recently that city is not a good place at all to live in for me.

I found that my apartment in GSH has only one toilet although I saw two in the floor plan at the website. Do all apartments in GSH have one toilet? It seems that the heating system is not working nowadays. It is cold for me at night.

Can you guys suggest good bike shop in Santa Cruz? Generally, is used bicycle also good to ride? I found a great shop selling used stuffs in downtown, the salvation army, I bought a wonderful hair dryer in $7. Money is big issue especially b/c my mother currency lost its value by almost 40% against dollar for 1 and half years. This is too bad for me (though has been very good for export companies in my country).

I heard that Joe's pizza near student union is the only restaurant working now. Any cafeteria running in the campus now?

TheBrothersKaramazov · 2009 August 26th, 05:20 PM

Jlee,
Check out the UCSC dining halls schedule:
UC Santa Cruz - Dining

It's not cheap, but it's usually all-you-can-eat... so people really fill up. Usually, the policy in the dining hall is that you leave your school bags at the front so that food can't be smuggled out.

One toilet in GSH apartment? Never heard of that before. There isn't a toilet on the other side of the apartment? (There are 4 bedrooms, I presume). I don't think GSH has officially turned on the heating yet. Which building are you in? (You may want to consider getting a space heater... especially for the 'winter' months).

Yes, salvation army has some great deals on things... If you are looking for plates, etc.. also try the Mexican thrift shop on Front St. (between the bus station and Trader Joes). It has a sign saying "50% sale TODAY only...", yet the sale is 365 days/yr. I found an awesome wok there for $10 and some good cookware.

No idea about bike shops, though there are a number around town. One option is to send an email out to the grad mailing lists asking if anyone has a bike they're interested in selling... Or check out craigslist. Either option is probably cheaper than a used bike store.
Also, you're facing prime demand time, Everyone wants a bike when they come to Santa Cruz.

sas55 · 2009 August 29th, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mynameiscurtis

Hi all -

Seeing that I received a $4,000 charge on my UCSC financial summary recently, I followed up with financial aid to find out exactly when to expect word of a firm & specific offer regarding funding & loans.

They tell me the graduate affairs dept is trudging through all applications now, leaving first year grad students more-or-less to the last -- that if we don't hear word by Sept 10th, we should then follow up with the graduate affairs financial aid people. Until then, that $4,000 charge will remain due in the unspecific "Future".

About loans, they just take their estimate for your financial needs (which you can find somewhere on my.ucsc.edu) and subtract that from your department & external funding--broken down into federal-subsidized and unsubsidized loans based on the max you can receive from the feds.

I've never received financial aid in past--this process is all news to me--so I thought I might share what I learned with y'all.

--Also, I got into Santa Cruz a few days back, if you're interested in meeting up before the 29th feel free to private message me. I've been reviewing our books for maths camp -- being a little rusty, I'd love to have someone to prep with.

I also had a 9K charge due in "future", but the due date just changed to 9/19. Unfortunately, the web portal doesn't give a break-up of the components.

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2009 August 23rd, 08:47 PM	#261 (permalink)
mynameiscurtis manifest destiny's child Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 7	Hi all - Seeing that I received a $4,000 charge on my UCSC financial summary recently, I followed up with financial aid to find out exactly when to expect word of a firm & specific offer regarding funding & loans. They tell me the graduate affairs dept is trudging through all applications now, leaving first year grad students more-or-less to the last -- that if we don't hear word by Sept 10th, we should then follow up with the graduate affairs financial aid people. Until then, that $4,000 charge will remain due in the unspecific "Future". About loans, they just take their estimate for your financial needs (which you can find somewhere on my.ucsc.edu) and subtract that from your department & external funding--broken down into federal-subsidized and unsubsidized loans based on the max you can receive from the feds. I've never received financial aid in past--this process is all news to me--so I thought I might share what I learned with y'all. --Also, I got into Santa Cruz a few days back, if you're interested in meeting up before the 29th feel free to private message me. I've been reviewing our books for maths camp -- being a little rusty, I'd love to have someone to prep with.

2009 August 25th, 08:06 AM	#262 (permalink)
sas55 Expecto Patronum! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 7	Hey guys, Do we know for sure if Jim Costain will be the Math Camp instructor for this year too? And does anybody know how good he is / how best to approach his classes / areas it might be a good idea to prep before the camp begins next week? Anybody as nervous as I am?

2009 August 25th, 05:44 PM	#263 (permalink)
TheBrothersKaramazov Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 416	If Jim is teaching, you are in great hands. He is such a good professor and knows his stuff! He covers alot each class. You'll do about 8-10 homework assignments, if I recall correctly. Usually out of Simon and Blume. A grad student will do all the grading. The exam will be hard... The highest grade in our year was a 61=A+ (I suppose). But he will give you the grades before you technically have to register for the course. Thus, you can decide if you want his grade (and evaluation) on your transcript. (the course is not required anyway). Our class did not know this ahead of time, and so definitely feared the exam. But you will definitely need everything that is taught in this course, so learn the material well. First semester macro is probably the most technical and you will definitely use the dynamic optimization material. He really puts alot of stock into nicely organized and written assignments. He will also write one of the most honest evaluations you'll ever get at santa cruz. (ie. if you do a great job or crap work, he'll discuss it in detail.) Don't be nervous about the math camp. It'll be alot to take in, but it is a great way to start working with your classmates and hanging out.

2009 August 25th, 08:24 PM	#264 (permalink)
sas55 Expecto Patronum! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 7	Thanks TBK. I did not know that this isn't a required course - am breathing much better now.

2009 August 26th, 01:48 PM	#266 (permalink)
jlee7979 Eager! Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 49	I arrived in Santa Cruz on Monday and I live in GSH. My first impression of UCSC is that it is a calm and peaceful place. The air is so fresh. Especially, I love the forrest. It is exactly where I wanted to live. After living in metropolitan area since I was born, I realized recently that city is not a good place at all to live in for me. I found that my apartment in GSH has only one toilet although I saw two in the floor plan at the website. Do all apartments in GSH have one toilet? It seems that the heating system is not working nowadays. It is cold for me at night. Can you guys suggest good bike shop in Santa Cruz? Generally, is used bicycle also good to ride? I found a great shop selling used stuffs in downtown, the salvation army, I bought a wonderful hair dryer in $7. Money is big issue especially b/c my mother currency lost its value by almost 40% against dollar for 1 and half years. This is too bad for me (though has been very good for export companies in my country). I heard that Joe's pizza near student union is the only restaurant working now. Any cafeteria running in the campus now?

2009 August 26th, 05:20 PM	#267 (permalink)
TheBrothersKaramazov Within my grasp! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 416	Jlee, Check out the UCSC dining halls schedule: UC Santa Cruz - Dining It's not cheap, but it's usually all-you-can-eat... so people really fill up. Usually, the policy in the dining hall is that you leave your school bags at the front so that food can't be smuggled out. One toilet in GSH apartment? Never heard of that before. There isn't a toilet on the other side of the apartment? (There are 4 bedrooms, I presume). I don't think GSH has officially turned on the heating yet. Which building are you in? (You may want to consider getting a space heater... especially for the 'winter' months). Yes, salvation army has some great deals on things... If you are looking for plates, etc.. also try the Mexican thrift shop on Front St. (between the bus station and Trader Joes). It has a sign saying "50% sale TODAY only...", yet the sale is 365 days/yr. I found an awesome wok there for $10 and some good cookware. No idea about bike shops, though there are a number around town. One option is to send an email out to the grad mailing lists asking if anyone has a bike they're interested in selling... Or check out craigslist. Either option is probably cheaper than a used bike store. Also, you're facing prime demand time, Everyone wants a bike when they come to Santa Cruz.

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