u/Ashamed-Job1879

In looking for doctoral programs that are local here, I found only 3 options: Wright Institute (PsyD), Palo Alto University (PsyD and PhD), Sofia University (PhD).

I'm older, I have an MFT degree that will allow me to practice in CA, and I'm not concerned about practicing in other states. So doing a doctoral program is more out of academic and research interests than out of a need to practice. Which makes it easier because I'm less concerned about the reputation of the program. But I'm also more sensitive to cost because I'm older.

My questions are the following:

1. Are there other programs that I should look at (I don't want to move)?
2. PAU's PsyD program is competitive (and well-respected), but given my interests, their PhD program is a better fit. I know they offer research assistantships to (some/many) existing students. But does anyone have inside information on this? Or other ways to reduce cost. Their program is expensive, and without some sort of fee reduction, I don't think I would do that program.
3. Wright's program is competitive as well, and expensive. Not sure if they offer scholarships at all.
4. Sofia's program is the least reputable of the 3, but it doesn't concern me as much, given my age and goals. I know at least one faculty member at a major university who has a PhD from here. It's a post master's program, unlike the other two, and hence shorter (which is an advantage). It's also the least expensive and most self-driven program.

I'm interested in hearing from those who're familiar with these programs or other programs that I should look at.

I've only watched the UK, US, Canada, India and Aus versions. By far my favorite host is Claudia. I love how she's so involved in the game and expresses her emotions and delight so readily. Next is the Indian version's host. My least favorite is Rodger, the Aussie host. Does he grow on you over time?

I'm an incoming grad student looking for a studio near campus. Since I can't visit Chicago in person, I feel like I'm searching blind. I have a few questions that I hope someone can help me with:

1. How important is it to live within walking distance of my departments? Are UC shuttles and CTA buses a reasonable option to widen my search area?

2. Are there specific buildings (I'm thinking of big ones like the Plaisance, the Versailles, the Flamingo, etc.) to avoid or to consider?

3. Other than FB groups and apartments dot com, are there other resources one can use to search?

4. The area south of 61st seems cheaper. What's the catch? It seems very convenient for many departments (Law, Public Policy, Medicine, etc.). But are there grocery stores and restaurants within walking distance in this area?

5. Are all the good options already taken by now, or can I wait for 2-3 more weeks for additional options to open up for a september move-in?

The US Congress is currently considering a bipartisan bill to ban phone and video calls on planes in the US. India needs a version of this law more urgently, and to include the banning of playing audio and video files on devices without using headphones. In fact this should apply the moment someone enters an airport.

I've started watching this series. I may change my mind by the time I finish the season, but it's the most interesting Traitors series I've watched so far, although I loved the Celebrity edition of the UK series a lot for how civil all the players were to each other (and I love the erudite, compassionate Stephen Fry and farty Celia).

This India series should be called a Celebrity series too. Or, maybe not. They're not quite celebrities. One is a well-known character actor. A few others are married to Bollywood actors. Others are celebrity wannabes. I loved how they found their first traitor early in the season. In real life this traitor is known for being anything but honest (contrary to how they portray themselves on the show).

I've flown this older configuration where they have 3 premium plus rows in the 2-3-2 configuration, but can't recall some nuances. If I want to reduce the number of times I'm being asked to get up to let someone out on a trans-oceanic flight, am I better of sitting in 20E the middle seat of the bulk-head row in the cabin vs 21D, an aisle. If my memory serves me right, there's plenty of leg room in row 20, allowing the person in the middle seat (me) to get in and out without disturbing the two aisle passengers. But row 21 does not have the same leg room that would allow the passenger in 21E to do so without disturbing me in 21 D. Can someone weigh in on this? And, if I remember correctly, there is no difference in seat width between the two rows despite the fact that the entertainment system folds into the armrest in 20.

I booked an international ticket originating in the USA partly paid for by a future flight credit. A few hours later (within the 24 hour window) I try to cancel it. I get a message saying an agent has to manually cancel it and a refund will be processed in 7-10 days. I want to use the future flight credit for another reservation immediately, so I don't want to wait. I call up UA. The agent tells me that I "put a timer on this reservation", which is why it needs to be manually canceled. I ask her what that even means. She said I put the reservation on hold and purchased it later. Makes no sense. I bought it on the united website where I only know one way to buy a ticket which is to click on the buy button at the end of the process. I ask her to please talk to a supervisor. She does so and comes back and tells me it's because I used a future flight credit. Which also makes no sense since I've done this many times before. I ask to speak with the supervisor. And after a lot of back and forth the supervisor says it's the new United policy to process refunds through the back-office for any bookings that used future flight credits, even if it falls within the 24 hour cancelation window. I'm nearly a MM on UA, so I've booked and canceled and altered countless itineraries on my own. Never dealt with this situation. Anybody else know if this is indeed the new rule or was I given some BS?

So I'm seeing that on certain dates UA 29 (with the older configuration, which has fewer premium seats) has confirmed upgrades to premium economy, but not on UA 1, which has more seats (and more empty seats at least as of now). From a schedule perspective, I prefer UA 1. Anybody know how UA decides when to release seats for upgrades? Trying to decide if I should risk putting myself on the waitlist on UA 1 vs confirmed on UA 29.

I see that this flight from SFO to DEL stops in ICN. Is it only a refueling stop? I can't see a way to purchase a ticket on it from ICN. Only AI 313 from ICN to DEL is available for purchase.

Flying United to ICN and then proceeding on Asiana to another international destination. I plan on carrying a carry-on sized roller bag (no issues with dimensions) + a shoulder bag that's a bit bigger than Asiana's personal item dimensions. I fly UA a lot and I know I won't have any trouble taking both on the trans-Pacific leg. Since I won't be going through the check in desks at ICN (no reason to clear immigration and re-enter), what are the chances that I'll run into trouble at the boarding gate? As far as I know, the flight is not full. I'm a Star Alliance Gold member, so I get to board early, etc. And if they do stop me from taking both on board, is there an option to check in the roller at the gate as it in the US?

PS: Flying economy. I know this wouldn't be an issue if I were flying Asiana business.

I've had the Big Green for a few years, and now it as soon as I turn it on, water from the clean tank pours out from the bottom and the flow indicator spins like crazy until the water runs out. The last time I used it a couple of weeks ago, it was fine.

I've tried pressing and releasing the trigger many times to ensure it's not stuck. But no difference. It could be the solution valve at the bottom or the solenoid valve. How do I figure out which of them it is before I try to replace it?

I'll be arriving in HKG from the US and then going to Shenzhen on a TWOV. I will stay the night in HK since I have an important morning conference call to take and I don't want to risk potential complications related to the GFW if I went directly to Shenzhen from HKG airport.

1. Under the circumstances, is the ferry from Sheung Wan or the high speed train from West Kowloon a better choice.
2. I heard that immigration at West Kowloon train station can take a long time. I will be doing this on a Tuesday, so I suppose it will be less crowded.
3. There have also been reports here that those who got the TWOV at West Kowloon station were told that their TWOV is only valid for Guangdong Province. Can someone who did this confirm if they were allowed to go to the other provinces covered by the TWOV? I plan to go to Suzhou, Shanghai and Beijing in addition to Shenzhen and fly out of the country from Beijing to a 3rd country.
4. I also assume that once I exit the HKG airport, there's no way to take the ferry from the SkyPier the following day. If this is not true, then I'd consider staying in a hotel near the airport, finish my call the next morning and then proceed to the SkyPier for the ferry to Shekou.

Specifically about the MSCAPP, not the MPP program.

1. I understand that the MPP program cohort is large and very competitive and not very collaborative. How's the MSCAPP program in comparison? Any insight on what the size of this year's cohort is?
2. This program has a lot of electives. Other than CAPP and MPP courses, do students typically have a lot of trouble enrolling in programs in other departments like CS, Toyota Institute, Financial Mathematics, Booth, etc.? If they are difficult to get into, what are some of the ways in which a student can prepare ahead of time?
3. I also believe research assistantships for incoming students is very difficult for the MPP program. Is it the same for CAPP students too? What % of incoming students even get RAs? I assume RAs are only available in the CAPP department and not in allied departments like stats, economics, CS, etc.
4. Is the math exam you're supposed to take before classes start very difficult? What % of incoming students fail it? Would someone with a quantitative background (like math, stats, econometrics, CS, etc.) have to be concerned?
5. How do you determine if the standard option or the advanced option for stats and program evaluations courses are appropriate for you?
6. What's the typical undergraduate degree of MSCAPP students? Do students outside of CS, Math, Stats, Economics degrees get into this program?
7. How many years of industry experience does a typical incoming student have?
8. How difficult is for students in the CAPP program to get an internship in summer? What happens if you fail to land one?

Specifically about the MSCAPP, not the MPP program.

1. I understand that the MPP program cohort is large and very competitive and not very collaborative. How's the MSCAPP program in comparison? Any insight on what the size of this year's cohort is?

2. This program has a lot of electives. Other than CAPP and MPP courses, do students typically have a lot of trouble enrolling in programs in other departments like CS, Toyota Institute, Financial Mathematics, Booth, etc.? If they are difficult to get into, what are some of the ways in which a student can prepare ahead of time?

3. I also believe research assistantships for incoming students is very difficult for the MPP program. Is it the same for CAPP students too? What % of incoming students even get RAs? I assume RAs are only available in the CAPP department and not in allied departments like stats, economics, CS, etc.

4. Is the math exam you're supposed to take before classes start very difficult? What % of incoming students fail it? Would someone with a quantitative background (like math, stats, econometrics, CS, etc.) have to be concerned?

5. How do you determine if the standard option or the advanced option for stats and program evaluations courses are appropriate for you?

6. What's the typical undergraduate degree of MSCAPP students? Do students outside of CS, Math, Stats, Economics degrees get into this program?

7. How many years of industry experience does a typical incoming student have?

8. How difficult is for students in the CAPP program to get an internship in summer? What happens if you fail to land one?