Grad School Issue October 2021
COOGLIFE // October 2021
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Our graduates are ready. Ready to fight injustice. Ready to defend the voiceless. Ready to practice law. With an advocacy program consistently recognized as the nation’s best, South Texas College of Law Houston produces exceptional trial attorneys who advocate for clients like champions. STCL Houston prepares students from diverse backgrounds to become successful, practice-ready attorneys in business, real estate, tax law, family law, criminal law and more. More than 14,000 STCL Houston alumni now proudly serve in Texas, with more alums leading across the country and around the globe.
www.stcl.edu/getready
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COOGLIFE // October 2021
October 2021
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Is grad school worth it?
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A guide to graduate school entrance exams
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How to get into grad school: Tips from an expert
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There’s no set age to get a degree
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Finding a roommate as a graduate student
17-20
Nine movies to binge this Halloween
21-22
Last minute Halloween costumes
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QUIZ: Which Halloween candy best describes you?
EDITORIAL
COVERS
Getting involved on campus during grad school
McKenzie Misiaszek Executive Editor cooglife@thedailycougar.com
Juana Garcia, Creative Director of The Cougar
creative@thedailycougar.com
WRITING
Haya Panjwani Sofia Gonzalez Jhair Romero Alicia McWilliams Armando Yanez Cynthia Zelaya Atirikta Kumar Sydney Rose COOGLIFE // October 2021 COOGLIFE // October 2021
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EXPLORE YOUR PATHWAY TO A LAW DEGREE Discover options available for University of Houston students Pre-Law Pipeline Program The award-winning UHLC Pre-Law Pipeline Program is designed to increase the diversity of law school applicants by providing law school preparatory resources.
Full-Time Program The full-time J.D. program is designed for students who plan to devote nearly all of their time to the study of law.
Part-Time Evening Program The part-time evening program is designed for students who plan to work during law school.
Houston Law Express Houston Law Express allows University of Houston main campus students and alumni the opportunity to apply to the University of Houston Law Center without an LSAT score!
3+3 Undergraduate/Law Dual Degree Program The 3+3 program allows University of Houston Honors College students the opportunity to earn both an undergraduate degree and a law degree in just six years.
GRE Scores Accepted
LEARN MORE AT LAW.UH.EDU/PATHWAY 4
The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One institution and an EEO/AA institution. COOGLIFE // October 2021
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EDITOR’S LETTER Howdy y’all,
We have also included some Halloween stories, because how can you not in the
Welcome to
beautiful month of October? Halloween
the graduate
is easily my favorite holiday, and while it
edition of
would be weird if I still trick-or-treated,
Cooglife! I
every other aspect of Halloween gets
hope everyone
better in your teens and 20s.
is having a
We have a story with ideas for last
great semester
minute costumes, a long list of scary
so far and
movies to watch, a Spotify playlist
didn’t go too
and a quiz that’ll tell you what kind of
crazy during
Halloween candy you are.
midterms. In this edition we have quite a few stories about how to get into grad school,
I hope you enjoy this issue, and if you have any Halloween pictures you’d like to share, Cooglife’s DMs are always open!
whether you’re pursuing a master’s or a doctorate degree, and how to get
Thanks for reading,
involved and adjusted once you get in. As someone who is in grad school
McKenzie Misiaszek
themselves, this issue is something that
Executive Editor
I have personal experience with. From deciding on whether or not to pursue even HIGHER education, what degree I wanted and simply how to get said degree, I understand the struggles. Thankfully, these articles will make your first steps into grad school easier.
COOGLIFE COOGLIFE// //October October2021 20215
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Is
o o h l c w s o d r a th i r g
career goals and your f ajor, your m r u i nan o y t n o b n e in the star ay ces, m o r o y g a s for m n pur i e e d r you. g n s ui e e e r d h y t r o u u f r o e p t ducatio e t B o t n e e r a o f D adu n, we r ore ng e h t e r c y r when it comes to t h a g cide w gs to conside aking ompile ou de of thin aster’s or doctorate degre the plu d a m a r o nge f e. list R r o i m a h e J r o By
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o matter where you are in your undergraduate career, whether it’s your senior year or just your first semester of college, the idea of someday going to graduate school will eventually cross your mind. Although the possibility of continuing your higher education and pursuing a graduate degree may seem daunting, coming to a decision doesn’t have to be. If you have graduate school on the brain but aren’t completely sure 6
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about what to do, be sure to consider these factors as you make up your mind. Career goals The first thing you should think about when considering graduate school is whether or not it is even compatible with whatever your career aspirations are. A good way to gauge this is by applying to internships or fellowships that will give you professional experience in whatever it is you might
t?
pursue in graduate school. When making an investment as large as a graduate degree, you should be sure that you’re not getting yourself stuck in a career that isn’t right for you. Another excellent way to see if graduate school is right for you is by asking a professor or industry professional for advice. Throughout your undergraduate career, you’re bound to come across plenty of professors, some of whom likely
teach graduate-level courses in their fields. What better way to learn more about a career than by getting advice from those who teach it for a living? If you do decide that a graduate degree is what’s best for your career, picking the right school is key for this next chapter of your educational journey. Schools For those who decide to go back to school, the institution where you choose to pursue your next degree can make or break your graduate school experience. Location, tuition costs and the quality of the program you’re interested in should all be considered when looking for the right school. The city or state your prospective schools are located in can play a huge part in what you get out of a graduate program. A great example is UH’s part-time master’s of business administration program, which allows students to balance work and school as they work towards their degree. The best part? The program, ranked in the top 50 in the country by the U.S. & World News Report, is in a diverse city with the second-highest economic output in the South that happens to house nearly 20 Fortune 500 companies. Of course, the financial impact of extending your college career for a graduate degree can vary from
institution to institution. Depending on what school you choose, a master’s degree can run you anywhere from $30,000 to $120,000, according to educationdata.org. So, if you soon start the process of finding the right graduate school for you, be money-conscious when weighing your options. Financials When it comes to education, especially graduate school, nothing is cheap, and students often end up racking up large amounts of debt to pay for tuition and other college expenses.
That same study found that those with master’s or doctoral degrees are less likely to be unemployed, which can be reassuring for a young graduate entering the workforce. If you choose to go to graduate school, know that you are going to spend a lot of money regardless of where you go. Yes, you should be conscious of the resources you spend in pursuit of the education and career you want, but what’s important is whether or not you believe the trade-off is worth it. No matter what you choose to do, being informed and doing your research is the first step in making the right decision.
On average, someone who completes their master’s degree will end up with just over $72,000 in debt, according to educationdata.org. Professional Science Looking at a number that large and the word “debt” in the same sentence can be unnerving, but If you seek an you must rememinterdisciplinary ber that higher degree that meets education pays.
Master’s
UNCONVENTIONAL Career Path
Having a master’s or professional or doctoral degree can make you thousands of dollars more a year than someone with just a bachelor’s degree, a 2020 study by Northeastern University found.
today’s STEM workforce demands, look no further!
APPLIED CHEMICAL SCIENCES BIOSCIENCE & HEALTH POLICY ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS SUBSURFACE GEOSCIENCE SPACE STUDIES
Learn more profms.rice.edu COOGLIFE // October 2021
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A guide guide to to A graduate school school graduate entrance exams exams entrance
Getting into graduate school often requires an entrance exam, just like getting into undergrad. Unlike undergrad, there are different tests depending on the type of degree you’re pursuing. We broke down some of the most By Haya Panjwani common ones.
G
raduate school can be a great step in progressing your career. Whether you want to work in business, STEM or even the arts, it can teach a lot of people valuable skills that help you become better in whatever profession you specialize in. Some graduate schools may require you to take an entrance exam though. Here’s a breakdown of all the possible tests you may need to take, details on the test and how you can register for it. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) The GRE, distributed by the Educational Testing Service, is probably the most standard 8
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graduate school exam out there. A lot of admissions offices compare the GRE to the SAT, which most students take to enter college.
for those subject tests may also be available on the same study sites.
The test will assess three main subject areas; math, reading and writing, and the highest grade you could get is a 340.
Schools will vary across the board on whether or not they require the GRE, but it’s probably best to check with the school you’ll be applying to to see if they’ll require it. Register for the GRE on www.ets.org.
There’s many ways to prepare for the exam. Exam preparatory websites like Kaplan or the Princeton Review have study guides, practice questions and mock exams that can help test your knowledge and get you prepped.
Graduate Management Admission Test The GMAT is more oriented towards students looking to pursue a business degree in graduate school, like a Masters in Business Administration, or an MBA.
Along with the general GRE exam, some specialized programs may require subject tests. Study guides
MBA programs consider the GMAT the most attractive test to take for those looking to apply to their
graduate programs. That’s because it tests more than just reading, writing and math -- instead it also tests your analyzing, critical thinking and verbal skills. The test is scored out of 800, with each section carrying equal weight. The GMAT isn’t distributed by the same organization as the GRE. Register for the GMAT at www.mba. com. Law School Admission Test (LSAT) Like the name suggests, the LSAT is primarily for graduate students looking to pursue a law degree. Law school can be quite demanding, and studying for the test may be a great way to see if going to law school is something you want to do. The LSAT is reviewed by the Law School Admission Council, and tests you on your verbal and logical
reasoning, as well as your reading comprehension. Grading is done in a range from 120-180.
scientific concepts and principles. The highest possible score is 528.
A good number of students taking People usually dedicate months, the MCAT tend to specialize in a sometimes a full year, to studying science during their undergraduate for the LSAT. Taking courses on career, so scientific concepts that websites like Khan Academy, Kaplan the MCAT tests on are somewhat or taking prep classes can help you familiar to students. better ready yourself for the exam. Register for the LSAT at www.lsac. Although, not taking science org. courses in undergraduate doesn’t mean you can’t give medical school Medical College Admission Test a shot. Kaplan and the Princeton (MCAT) Review also have MCAT prep Also like the name suggests, the courses. Register for the MCAT at MCAT is designed for students www.students-residents.aamc.org. looking to go to medical school after undergrad. While these tests may seem daunting and complicated, if you Unlike all the other graduate school commit yourself to a little bit of tests, this test examines your study time, you can get your way problem solving, critical thinking, into graduate school and further written analysis and knowledge of your career.
News on the Daily
ONLINE: WWW.THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM TWITTER: @THEDAILYCOUGAR FACEBOOK: @THEDAILYCOUGAR INSTAGRAM: @THEDAILYCOUGAR COOGLIFE // October 2021
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How to get into grad school: Tips from an expert
After you you decide decide you you want want to to go go to to graduate graduate school, school, you you face face the the After hurdle of of getting getting in. in. While While different different graduate graduate schools schools and and majors majors hurdle require different different items items for for their their application, application, many many have have the the require same basic basic requirements. requirements. We We talked talked to to the the Director Director of of Graduate Graduate same Studies at at the the Valenti Valenti School School about about what what itit often often takes takes to to get get Studies admission. admission. By Sofia Gonzalez
L
ife after undergrad is a whirlwind of emotion. Some people are completely done with academia, while others decide that graduate school is the path for them.
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People go to grad school for a multitude of things, but if you are wanting to expand your knowledge, focus on a new career path, or become a leader in your field, then a masters degree may be for you.
“By getting a masters in an area of study,” said Lindita Camaj, Director of Graduate Studies at the Valenti School. “It shows that you have taken coursework and you have accumulated knowledge
and experience that makes you an expert or a master in a certain area of study.” Those who strive to excel must consider the tediousness of an application. No matter the school a student is applying to, it’s important to get to know the graduate program. Before beginning the application process, students should research the school and figure out why it will benefit them. Students should also take note of deadlines listed, as these can be helpful for financial reasons. For example, with the Valenti School of Communications, students who apply during the priority time period have an opportunity to earn scholarships or financial aid to help them pay their way to their masters degree. Once familiarized, students need to send in an official transcript and begin acquiring recommendation letters from professors, allowing them plenty of time to write. Graduate applications also require a purpose statement, this should be completed using the knowledge a student acquired while researching the school they are applying to. “It’s going to be very impressive to the admission committee, if you have already done some research on our website about what we offer and what you want to get out of it,” Camaj said. “Do some research on the faculty members you will want to work with and why. Making the application letter as specific as possible will really set you aside because we know that you are serious about grad school,
you’re just not applying as an afterthought.”
has been waived for a third year in a row.
Along with a purpose statement, a student must submit a writing sample. This writing sample should be a research paper that reflects a student’s ability to use the critical thinking skills acquired during their time as an undergraduate.
According to Camaj, the benefits of a masters degree last a lifetime. The classmates and faculty grad students work closely with may help with future endeavors. The experience helps students’ minds and mentality grow, and there is always the benefit of more money-those who earn master’s degrees typically have higher salaries.
“The writing sample is very important to show us that you already have research skills and critical thinking skills that sets you apart,” Camaj said. “Having a nice research paper you’ve done at the undergrad degree and other grad program just tells us okay, this person already knows how to read a research paper, we don’t have to teach them these basics. This person will sit well in our program.” If a student does not have a good GPA, a great application with outstanding recommendation letters, an astonishing writing sample that’s been peer read and reviewed, and a unique purpose statement can help compensate. In some cases, a school might ask that a student also take a test. The Valenti School typically requires GRE scores, but due to COVID-19, this
“Those relationships that you form with your professors and your peers are lifelong,” Camaj said. “Think about all these people who are sitting within the classes who will become leaders in the industry tomorrow. Just having those connections will really set you up for success.”
EARN AN M.A. IN SOCIOLOGY
AND PREPARE YOURSELF FOR SUCCESS IN AN INFORMATION-ORIENTED AND GLOBAL SOCIETY • • • •
All majors welcome! Financial assistance available No GRE required Option to complete an applied internship or research track To Learn More: www.uh.edu/class/sociology/graduate/
Contact Us: (713) 743-3940 kateanderson@uh.edu sgrigorian@uh.edu
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Determined. Dedicated. Downtown.
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) serves the educational needs of America’s fourth largest city since opening its doors more than 45 years ago. Led by President Dr. Loren J. Blanchard, Houston’s second largest, public four-year university in the heart of Downtown provides students
Programs (U.S. News & World Report).
•
Home of Houston’s largest MBA program since 2014.
•
Federally designated Minority- and Hispanic-Serving Institution & Military Friendly School and one of the most diverse universities in the city and state. As global industry evolves, more working professionals in Houston realize the tremendous value—and greatly enhanced earning potential—a master’s degree provides.
Industry Demands Advanced Business Skills
life-changing educational experiences with unparalleled opportunities to conduct research and participate in community-centered learning. With flexible scheduling options and an award-winning faculty, UHD offers bachelor’s degrees in 44 areas of study and 9 master’s degrees in five academic colleges. Our students have busy lifestyles—jobs, families and more. That’s why, UHD provides a variety of class offerings (weekdays, evenings and weekend) and 15 undergraduate degree-completion online programs and 3 fully online master’s degrees. You have options—from the Downtown campus to one of three satellite locations, you can choose classes and programs that are completely online or a combination of the two. With one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas, UHD’s competitively priced tuition and fees makes the pursuit of higher learning affordable and accessible.
POINTS OF DISTINCTION •
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Nationally ranked online programs for third consecutive year: Top 100 Online Bachelor’s and Best Online Programs in Graduate Criminal Justice (both highest programs in Houston); Best Online Programs for Veterans; Best Online Master’s Criminal Justice
COOGLIFE // October 2021
UHD knows that degrees and individual coursework must align with industry needs. For this reason, UHD reinvented the Master of Business Administration (MBA) with its Corporate Fellows Program. This degree offering is a powerful combination of sound business theory and practical application through a ‘team-teaching’ approach by collaborating with private industry to ensure that every MBA class is taught by a professor and an industry executive. Professionals can now take classes in-person through our traditional hybrid format or online.
Graduate Certificates For individuals who are not ready to commit to a full MBA program, but want graduate-level training to improve their skills, UHD offers eight AACSB-certified graduate certificates. After earning a Graduate Certificate, students may enter UHD’s MBA program—no GMAT required—with nearly half of all coursework completed.
Data Driven: Cutting-Edge Technology & Emerging Fields
The College of Sciences & Technology’s Master of Science in Data Analytics was among the first-of-its-kind in the region. With the emergence of Big Data and the need to manage vast quantities of information to find innovative solutions in various fields, from life sciences to healthcare to banking/finance and more, a master’s in data analytics is an excellent complement to a foundation in technology, science, engineering and other disciplines. The Master of Security Management (MSM), offered in the Marilyn Davies College of Business, was developed in collaboration with leaders in security management to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to address the ever-evolving security environment. This degree program is now offered exclusively for individuals who have a vision of their future in security and cybersecurity. UHD—home to more than 60,000 alumni—is recognized nationally for its community engagement programs that link classroom academics with opportunities to serve people and agencies in Greater Houston and around the globe. UHD Gators help shape the city’s workforce to take on our city, state, nation and the world.
Determined. Dedicated. Downtown. uhd.edu
T f d h a
DETERMINED. DEDICATED. DOWNTOWN.
University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD)̶ the second largest university in the fourth largest city̶ provides busy professionals with nine in-demand master’s degrees, which provide the skills and leadership abilities that today’s industries have come to expect and value. UHD makes the pursuit of higher learning The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD)̶the second largest affordable and accessible withlargest one of city̶provides the lowest tuition in Texas. university in the fourth busyrates professionals with nine in-demand master’s degrees, which provide the skills and leadership abilities that today’s industries have come to expect and value. UHD makesMBA the pursuit of higher learning affordable MA • Business Administration, • Rhetoric & Composition, and accessible with one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
• Criminal Justice, MS
• Security Management, MSM
• Data Analytics, MS
• Teaching, MA
• Non-Profit MAMBA • BusinessManagement, Administration,
• Technical Communication, • Rhetoric & Composition, MA MS
• Professional Accountancy, MPAC • Criminal Justice, MS
• Security Management, MSM
• Data Analytics, MS
• Teaching, MA
• Non-Profit Management, MA
• Technical Communication, MS
uhd.edu/masters
• Professional Accountancy, MPAC In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GRE/GMAT scores and official transcripts for admission are temporarily suspended until further notice.
uhd.edu/masters
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There’s no set age to get a degree
People go to grad school for a multitude of reasons, and many people choose to take a break between their undergraduate and graduate education. If you decide to pursue a master’s or doctorate, know that your age should not affect your choice. By McKenzie Misiaszek and Atirkta Kumar
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or most students, pursuing their bachelor’s degree is the last taste of school they will ever get. When they graduate with their degree they will move into their jobs and leave college behind, but it is becoming more common for many students to pursue a master’s degree. Whether you are coming back to school after working and advancing in your career, or going straight from undergrad to graduate school, you are never too old, or too young, to advance your education. Depending on the reason you are contemplating graduate school, there are many things to consider like time, money and your future goals. For some careers you need a graduate degree to be eligible for promotions or to have the job position in the first place. Another aspect of considering graduate school is the time commitment. Not only will you likely have to juggle classes on top of a full time job, but graduate classes are typically more difficult than undergraduate classes. Sectioning out your semesters to juggle both a job, going to school and
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even working around your family can mean it may take awhile for you to graduate with your master’s degree.
The last consideration is money. For many students, graduating with debt can be debilitating, and the idea of taking on more is not even an option. Luckily, if you really want to go to grad school and avoid debt, there are scholarships and loans available specifically for those who are pursuing a master’s degree, especially if you have work experience under your belt. For those who have been working within their job field for years, you also may have enough money in the bank to not have to worry about tuition costs. On average, master’s degrees cost around $66,000, while doctoral degrees are over $100,000 and can take up to a decade to obtain. By simply doing a Google search for “master’s degree scholarships” you can find hundreds of different scholarships granted by
competitions, awards or simply excelling in a field you are already working in. Some jobs also have programs where they will pay for you to get a master’s degree simply because it means you will improve at your job. Each person is different, and that means whether they decide to pursue a graduate degree, and when, depends on their life circumstances. Going to graduate school, you can expect to see people from all walks of life, from fresh faced college graduates, to parents and grandparents who simply want to learn more. There are advantages and disadvantages of going to grad school at any age, but the most important thing to think about is whether or not it is worth it for you in the long run, not whether you are too old or too young to go back to college.
Finding a roommate as a graduate student People go to grad school for a multitude of reasons, and many people choose to take a break between their undergraduate and graduate education. If you decide to pursue a master’s or doctorate, know that your age should not affect your choice. By Armando Yanez
T
here’s a ton of things to consider when it comes to the process of looking for a roommate as a graduate student.
Where to live and who to live with are easily the two biggest factors to solving that situation, so here are a few tips that should be able to help make that decision. Location First off, where you choose to live will play a big part in the roommate finding process. Living off campus increases the chances of finding other grad students who are in the same boat as you are, whereas living in on-campus housing increases the chances of living with or close to undergraduate students. Universities all over the country offer and advertise apartments and housing options right off campus, and normally students who can afford to pay for their own housing along with their own personal needs will go for these options. Living on campus has its pros and cons, but undergraduates make up the vast majority of occupants in dorms, therefore leaving less space to move in and chances of finding another grad student to room within dorms. Therefore, looking off campus would probably be the best bet to finding a good location for a grad school home. Classification The classification of your roommate
is more likely to influence the decision of who to room with in numerous aspects.
Rooming with another grad student likely means they will be in the same boat, looking for similar preferences across the board as well as meeting similar requirements and responsibilities. However, rooming with an undergraduate student may not allow for the same situation. Each person’s preferences depend on the actual personality more than anything, but usually differ through classification alone. Looking out for this can be a big help in determining what you are looking for in a roommate, and if that doesn’t contribute to much, then maybe some of these tips will. Scheduling How often you are in your apartment contributes to how much time you spend around your roommate and the relationship between the two. If you hardly see your roommate, chances are you won’t bond as much with them. Maturity As college students, we have to be mature when making tons of decisions, and finding a roommate is one of them. One of the best ways to do this is to lay out where your priorities are at, ask questions about where theirs are, and find out whether you two are a good match.
At the end of the day, you aren’t living with your parents or family anymore. You are living in your own space. No one is going to clean up after you, nor should you have to clean up after them, so you have to manage your living space accordingly. Responsibility Every college student has their own life to live, and with that comes the responsibilities that need to be met. Whether it be in the apartment or not, finding common ground on meeting responsibilities is a big deal for the purpose of finding and being good roommates. Without responsibilities, not much can go right long-term. Consideration One of the more crucial elements of finding a roommate is being considerate of one another’s space and privacy, values, beliefs, rules, belongings, time, emotions and more. Without those, it is very likely the roommate relationship won’t work out. Ultimately, finding a good roommate as a grad student isn’t as simple as finding one as an undergraduate. However, most of the process is the same regardless of what circumstance you are living in with someone else. Taking the time to figure this out will almost always make the roommate search easier. COOGLIFE // October 2021
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Getting involved on campus during grad school
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When people think of grad school they may think of online classes and a fast paced curriculum with no time for typical college activities. That doesn’t mean you can’t get involved on campus. Alicia McWilliams
eing a grad student is rough. You’ve got bills to pay, research papers to write, assistantship opportunities — the daily grind can seem unrelenting, even isolating, at times. After all, the student body is only getting younger as you advance in your grad career and it can feel like as time passes there’s been a disconnect between you, campus life, and your social ventures. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you are a grad student looking for ways to get involved on campus and make friends, look no further, I’ve got you covered. Where to Look Getting involved on campus can be
a daunting task for someone who doesn’t really know where to start. This is doubly true for someone who might just be trying to figure out their interests (it’s never too late to start a hobby or explore new things!).
For those of you seeking engagement at the beginning of the school year — long before the stress of keeping up with assignments and test dates sets in — a good way to get started is by going to the Weeks of Welcome events that happen each year on campus. You’ll usually see posting about the events happening during those weeks and you can check the school website.
JUMP-START YOUR FUTURE! UHV offers face-to-face master’s degree programs in both Katy and Victoria, and online classes that you can take from anywhere. Learn more about some of UHV’s most popular graduate degree programs: • Take your career to the next level with an affordable MBA from our AACSB-accredited business school. • Earn a CACREP-accredited M.S. in Professional Counseling. • Become a school psychologist with an NASP-accredited Specialist in School Psychology degree.
UHV.edu | (361) 570-4848 | (281) 396-3700
V I CT ORI A • KAT Y • ONLIN E
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One of the best ways to get connected with student orgs is by simply heading down to Student Center South. There are often different tabling events happening throughout the day. If you regularly pass by on your way to lunch, back to your car, or back to your dorm, stop by and check them out. Most tables will have you leave your contact info so that you can be in the know about future meetings and or events.
Don’t have time to go inside? Just take a look at the different yard signs in the grass as you pass by the student center. These advertise dates and meeting times for various orgs, which would allow you to put aside some time for a meeting or event in advance versus getting the dates at sporadic times. Do you follow any university orgs on social media? Be it Instagram, Twitter, or whatever else, more often than not the student orgs will make it their business to promote different events that they are hosting on their stories and in their posts. There’s No Such Thing as Too Old The most important thing to remember when trying to get involved on campus is to have fun. Going to these different events and making new friends can seem like normal college things that you’ve just outgrown or have missed your opportunity to begin. They’re not. Having fun and just enjoying yourself on campus is not something bound by how old or how far in your career you are. Letting go of the idea that you have to squeeze as much into your twenties as possible is something that can be hard to do. But think about it this way, when you’re done with your master’s program or doctoral degree, will you regret all of the opportunities you didn’t take to make friends and enjoy this last stepping stone to the beginning of your career? If the answer is yes, take that chance.
G Nine movies to binge this Halloween
reetings Coogs, welcome to Spooktober. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most spine-tingling films known to man… plus a few light-hearted flicks if things get a little too intense. The films are in no particular order, so you can put your boxing gloves down for this one. As a special treat to help get you in the mood, I’ve also included a Spotify playlist featuring songs with a creepy narrative. And yes, I promise to NOT include the Monster Mash. Now go forth, peruse the list, and choose one or two to watch on a dark and eerie night… if you dare…
Jacob’s Ladder (1990) There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good psychological horror. Unlike films about vampires, ghosts, and mummies, this treads just within the realm of possibility that they might happen to you. Vietnam war veteran Tim Robbins starts to... see things. Is it PTSD? Psychosis? Doesn’t matter, there is no escape. Prepare yourself for disturbing scenes and a hopeless ending.
Courtesy of Fox Atomic & Dune Entertainment
Courtesy of Brandywine Productions
Courtesy of Carolco Pictures
By Cynthia Zelaya
Alien (1979) Ridley Scott creeps out audiences through the ages with this claustrophobic space thriller. The crew of the Nostromo spaceship awakens from cryogenic sleep to realize there is an alien on their ship when they stumble across a nest of eggs. Then, one hatches and attaches itself to a crewmember.
Jennifer’s Body (2009) A victim to exploitative marketing, Diablo Cody’s comedic horror has gained a cult following in recent years. Meghan Fox and Amanda Seyfried star in this high school film following a possessed Jennifer Check (Fox) on her mission to take revenge on the men who ended her life. “Needy” Lesnicki (Seyfried) believes her best friend to be out of control and resolves to do whatever it takes to stop her. COOGLIFE // October 2021
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HOMECOMING EVENT SCHEDULE MON OCT
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KICK OFF PEP RALLY & COURT ANNOUNCEMENT WITH RHA
6:00PM - 8:00PM
Student Center Plaza
TUE OCT
19
CANSTRUCTION WITH MVP
11:00AM - 2:00PM
Student Center Plaza
STRUT YOUR STUFF
7:00PM
Houston Room, SCS
20
TIE DYE WITH HOMECOMING
10:00AM - 2:00PM
Student Center Plaza
BED RACES
7:00PM - 10:00PM
TDECU Stadium, Gate 2
21
GREAT INFLATABLE RACE
11:00AM - 2:00PM
SC North Lawn
SPB HOMECOMING CONCERT
7:00PM
Lynn Eusan Park
22
ROCK THE CAMPUS WITH MVP
9:00AM - 12:00PM
Student Center Plaza
HOMECOMING CARNIVAL & HAUNTED HOUSE
7:00PM - 10:00PM
Lynn Eusan Park
23
HOMECOMING GAME UH VS ECU
TBD
TDECU Stadium
WED OCT
THU OCT
FRI OCT
SAT OCT
Scan here or visit our website for details and locations! www.uh.edu/homecoming
@UHHOMECOMING 18
COOGLIFE // October 2021
For event accommodations, please visit uh.edu/accessibility.
Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman star in this heartbreaking tale of injustice and murderous revenge. Sweeney Todd (Depp) returns to England years after his family’s demise at Judge Turpin’s (Rickman) hand. He seeks revenge, and falls into a strange partnership with shopkeeper Mrs. Lovett (Bonham Carter); he kills his enemies in the barbershop on the second story, and Mrs. Lovett uses their corpses to make meat pies down below. This story contains many twists and turns and will leave you wanting to rewatch it time and time again.
The Babadook (2014) “He wears a hat he’s tall and black but that’s how they describe him in his book. A rumbling sound, than three sharp knocks you better run, or he’ll hold you in his locks. Ba-ba-ba-dook-dook-dook…” What could be worse than grief? A monster that feeds off it, incites it and will drive you mad. Nicole Kidman leads this methodical oddly uplifting film where the hero is a mother and her love.
Courtesy of Manfred Jelinski
Courtesy of Screen Austrraila
Courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures
Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) As tempted as I am to fill this list with Tim Burton’s complete filmography, I will limit myself to this star-studded musical masterpiece.
Nekromantik (1987) This one is NOT for the lighthearted… and it may or may not be legal in all countries. Director Jörg Buttgereit (famous in Germany for disturbing and revolting films) brings to us the story of Rob Schmadtke, a lone burnout who works for a company that removes bodies following traffic accidents. As the title implies, he gravitates toward this line of work due to his attraction to corpses, something he and his girlfriend have in common. The relationship is on the rocks, so he brings home a corpse to, well, spice things up. It’s gross, it will make you scream, and it will not fulfill any of your artistic needs. But you’ll be shocked and scarred for life if that’s what you’re looking for. I can even forward you my therapist’s number.
Cynthia created a Spotify playlist for when you’re done binge watching. Turn to the next page for the code. COOGLIFE // October 2021
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Midsommar (2019) This one is a lot of fun to watch in groups. It draws audience reactions similar to those of Gone Girl; the women in the room nod in understanding approval while the men look on in silent horror. Protagonist Dani Ardor feels hurt, unloved, and emotionally abused on her trip to Sweden with her neglectful boyfriend and their friends following the murder-suicide of her family. She finds family and acceptance in an idyllic cult… willing to kill to protect her from anyone looking to hurt her. Creative brutalities occur with sunshine, flowers, and a blue Swiss sky as a backdrop. Depending on who you are, the ending will leave you feeling uncomfortably vindicated.
Courtesy of William Castle Enterprises
Courtesy of Square Peg, B-Reel Films & A24
Courtesy of Gruskoff/Venture Films & Crossbow Productions, Inc.
Young Frankenstein (1974) Mel Brooks will have you putting on the Ritz with this lively classic. Gene Wilder stars as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, forever in the shadow of the ‘mad’ Victor Frankenstein and his famed monster. He battles ridicule as he tries to establish himself as a respected scientist of his own right. Sick of the taunts regarding his grandfather’s sanity, Dr. Frankenstein travels to Transylvania to prove his sanity- only to be met with a 9-foot-tall monster. This film has been hailed as one of the best of all time, and the comedy is fresher and sharper than most things released today.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968) Roman Polanski does it again with this dreadful masterpiece. For women, in particular, I find this one to be truly chilling. Evil phantoms? I can take it. Demonic monsters? Whatever. A brutal sexual assault from Satan himself that results in a child, ripped away at birth as you’re kept isolated by a cult made up of your neighbors, doctor and husband? My worst nightmare. Gaslighting is bad enough without adding every evil known to man into the mix. Brace yourself to be depressed after this one.
Last minute Halloween costumes Halloween comes every year, and without fail someone is always scrambling to put together a costume at the last minute. We made it easy for you this year with this list of last minute costumes. By Sydney Rose
W
hether you are trying to figure out if you’ll post Halloween pictures in costume or what to wear to that party you were invited to that just slipped your mind, there is always time to whip up the perfect outfit for the holiday. If time just seems to be running out and you are out of ideas, here are a few costumes that could be good for you, you and your significant other or your friend group. Easy Group Costumes If you and your friends are in a last-minute situation and want to do the easiest Halloween costume possible, but still look cute and match, all you need is a white sheet and some accessories. With this white sheet, you and your crew can be ghosts. But, this can be spiced up with one wearing fun sunglasses, another wearing reading glasses or a hat. Someone can even throw on a fake mustache over the sheet, the point is, this can be
personalized any way you see fit. For an extra step, if you and your friends use different colored sheets, you can go as the ghosts from the video game Pac-Man. Keeping on the trend of wearing different colors in a group setting, if each friend in the group sports a different plain colored shirt, all you need to do is print out the Teletubbies logo and there you have it. If you really want to add something extra to the costume, you can make pipe cleaner hats to resemble the shapes the Teletubbies have on their heads. A little more complex of a group costume can be well-known characters or bunches such as the mystery gang from ‘Scooby-Doo’ or the Spice Girls. These are recognizable groups and each costume can be made your own by visiting a local thrift store and finding materials that match character personality or color scheme.
Even if you and your friend group do not want to match exactly, if you all follow a similar theme, like superheroes, monsters or even something as fun as the pregnant woman emojis on the cover of Drake’s new album, you can make this Halloween work in your favor all the while managing to get some cute pictures of your crew. Quick Couples Costumes Whether the partnering was recent or the invitation to a party as a couple was last minute, couples costumes can sometimes be hard to think up in a time crunch. If you and your partner can find a common interest that has a duo or couple with easily recognizable clothing, such as a favorite TV show or book, that could be a good place to start looking. A good way to throw on a couple’s costume last minute could be utilizing items you already own. Depending on your outfit aesthetic, you can COOGLIFE // October 2021
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dress like couples who are similar to you and your partner like Linda and Bob from Bob’s Burgers or Rue and Jules from Euphoria. Also celebrity couples are on the table like Kim and Kanye (even if they are no longer together) or Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly. Also, choosing a costume for you and your partner to match does not have to be limited to canon couples. Choosing a duo with recognizable colors like Mike and Sully from ‘Monsters Inc.’ could be a good way to show who’s together. There is even a play on words that could be put into couples costumes. One person can dress as a cow while another dresses as a farmer. A couple can even go as one another just by swapping clothes for a last-minute costume. Or, even go
as another couple you know just for fun. Last Minute Solo Costumes Coming up with a Halloween costume for yourself can be stressful if there is no group to hop on to, but never fear, there are easy ways to still put yourself together for the night. The movie ‘Mean Girls’ did it best when it came down to last-minute Halloween costumes still being cute. Going to the dollar store and grabbing the nearest pair of ears with a fun outfit to go with it can be great for any animal costume. Whether it be a cat or mouse, you can draw on some whiskers for that additional flare. If you have time to dig to the back of your closet and find some cloth-
ing pieces that would be fit for the past, you can make your costume based on someone from a previous decade. Holding on to those 70s inspired flare jeans and flower crop tops then ends up being useful for something. Even clothes don’t have to be the biggest part of your costume. If you can find a fun monster or character with a specific make-up look, painting your face can be a fun way to get in the Halloween spirit. No matter how you choose to spend the holiday, your costume should be fun and not a way to stress you out. DIY is always a good way to go, and just remember that even the simplest ideas can be the cutest costume there.
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COOGLIFE // October 2021
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Which Which Halloween Halloween candy candy best best describes describes you? you?
As the end of October comes around, Halloween gives us all a chance to think about what kind of candy we would be in a trick-or-treater’s bag. Sometimes we can be the king-size candy bar everyone’s favorite house on the block gives away, and sometimes we can be the toothbrush no one wants. I’m not going to call anyone a toothbrush… but take this quiz to find out what treat you resemble most. By: Sydney Rose Q1: How do you typically celebrate Halloween? Q5: If you were drinking a beverage with dinner, A. I like to stay in, I’m not really big on the holiday what would it be? B. I’ll hang out with my friends, but won’t go too big on A. I love a good glass of milk with my meal the costume B. I’m good with most sodas, coke products and C. I love to dress up in costume each year, no matter whatnot what plans I have C. I really like lemonade with the right kind of food D. I am absolutely going out this year and living up the D. I prefer just getting a water, I want to focus on the night food more E. I need to do the whole thing, celebrate the entire E. I love a good sweet tea with dinner Halloweekend, different costumes each day sort of deal If You Mostly Got… Q2: What type of foods do you usually go for? A’s: Popcorn Ball/Caramel Apple: While you aren’t the A. I am a big fan of savory foods, I prefer meat groups most traditional candy one gets while trick or treating, and hearty meals more than snacks you have your own style and way you like to go about B. I really like sweet foods more than anything, dessert things. You also have a reserved fashion about you that is my favorite meal you understand about yourself more than anyone else C. There’s just something really great about sour foods could. that I love D. I really love salty foods, like I would eat potato chips B’s: Chocolate Candy: You go great by yourself, with everyday if I could other things and basically in whatever E. I love anything with spice, so spicy food really does it style you like. You are very adaptable and enjoy a lot for me of the finer things in life. You are definitely the reliable friend in the group that everyone can count on. Q3: If you had to pick a dream vacation, where would you go? C’s: Sour Candy: There is always something going A. A road trip somewhere in the United States on in your life that seems interesting or chaotic to an B. A cruise with stops in South American countries’ outsider’s eyes. You like to keep things fresh and live ports a little on the wild side. You’re blunt and mostly to the C. The Bahamas or pretty much anywhere with a beach point, but that’s what others find endearing about you. D. Backpacking around Europe and sightseeing E. Japan during cherry blossom season or Dubai D’s: Gummy Candy: You are a mix of things and people will sometimes find it difficult to nail you down and Q4: How much do you know about astrology? label you. You have a wide scale of interests that is A. Literally do not know what that is or what mine is kind of hard to narrow down and there is no way you are B. I know my big three, but I don’t know what they mean fitting into a box anyone tries to put you in. C. I have been told my sun sign but that is it D. I know my chart and what it all means E’s: Fruity Candy: The outspoken and always fun one E. I can tell you what the planets, elements, houses all of the group, you bring a light that no one else can. You mean for my chart and yours are energetic and animated, you perform when you tell a story. Entertainment is your strong suit and you are a people pleaser. COOGLIFE // October 2021
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