Stanford

[chimerically]

I've decided to move to the Stanford Department of Communication next year. The decision was difficult and involved, but I think it's for the best. I am planning on keeping my Berkeley contacts alive, especially that with my current advisor, and I'll probably be back to sit in on a class or two as well (especially the one Jean Lave and Peter Lyman, though both retired, are planning for next spring). I've been doing lots of research on what classes are offered, who teaches them, and what professors and peers I could work with at both places. Danah and David helped me focus in by suggested a few pointed questions to ask myself: where can I find a community I want to work with? who will help me with the inevitable bureaucracy? where can I learn the skills I want to have? whose job would I love to have, and how do I get there? Ultimately, I know that I can't make a fully-informed decision since I haven't attended Stanford and can't possibly learn everything about it and can't know what will come up at Berkeley that I don't yet know about. Both schools have their strengths and weaknesses, and I'd very likely follow different paths at each. But all things considered, Stanford's resources in various areas put it ahead of Berkeley.

Comments

[hukuma.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on making such a difficult decision! I actually think that, all things being equal, it's good to switch departments, since you get to meet a bunch of new people to work with while still maintaining ties with people back in Berkeley.

[zapophenia.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on a decision! I am sad you won't be at Berkeley, but i _fully_ understand.

[ephermata.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on deciding. Glad to hear you'll still be around here.

[janviere.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the decision, and good luck with the switch. Are you moving to Palo Alto?

[linley.livejournal.com]

Congrats on finally making a decision! I think it will be good for you to try out a different school--and being able to do it without leaving the general area is a bonus. :)

[threadwalker.livejournal.com]

I remember an LJ way back on this debate, and I'm glad you're moving. Good luck with all!

[ghosthacked.livejournal.com]

Going to Cal has made me appreciate Stanford so much more. Stanford is cool =).

[jofish22.livejournal.com]

congratulations. a difficult decision but i think a good one. who will you be working with over there?

[jofish22.livejournal.com]

ps. coming to chi?

[caefus.livejournal.com]

Whoa, I almost felt the gravitational tides turn. Congratulations. You're such a brilliant kid! Rock it south and don't eva look back. ...I wish I were quoting a black rapstar, but I'm unfortunately not.

[bsittler.livejournal.com]

congratulations, and i hope stanford agrees with you :)

[(Anonymous)]

Oooh...we will miss you even more! on the other hand, sewing parties will now be an Excursion, and and Outing, and I like those!

-Ev

[http://users.livejournal.com/shallwedance_/]

Awww! to you moving away.
Yay! to you staying in the bay area. :)

Glad you came to a decision, and hope it works out. Nothing like moving to a new school to give you a fresh start.

[temperategoddss.livejournal.com]

WOOOHOOOO!!! No more worrying about where you'll be for grad school! I'm happy you made a decision, and that you're positive about it. I personally think it's time to get the fuck out of Berkeley anyways, you seem to have had a fair number of negative experiences with the bureaucracy there as well as the staff. A fresh start is always a good thing.