September 17, 2019

collegiatetimes.com

September 17, 2019

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

GRAD GUIDE

See page 7

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES

PAGE 2 September 17, 2019

opinions collegiatetimes.com

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com/opinion

column

Speaking your mind can be in between the lines

W

Communication is complex and requires more than just the right diction, but also candor, confidence and charisma.

hat do you mean?

I’m sure many of us had asked this question before Justin Bieber crafted his masterful song incorporating this line. Philosophy students are aware of the importance of defining one’s terms, and those old enough to have watched Diff’rent Strokes can certainly recall Arnold reciting that priceless line, “Whatcha talkin bout Willis?” Simply put, we are all after the same thing: being understood.

Janet Burroway writes in the textbook “Imaginative Writing: The Elements of the Craft,” “People are often not eloquent precisely about what moves them most.

Half the time we aren’t really sure what we mean, and if we are, we don’t want to say it, and if we do, we can’t find the words, and if we can, others aren’t listening, and if they are, they don’t understand ...”

If that isn’t the most accurate, yet frustrating stream of sentences, I’m not sure what is. We all yearn to say what we mean and mean what we say, but inherently we aren’t good at it. We speak with the desire to be understood, yet often contradict that desire by not being candid enough in what we ourselves present to others. If this occurs in human interaction, how could I expect you to extract my intention and meaning from a strand of words skewed across a page?

In a course on empathetic listening, I was introduced to a statistic that claimed 93% of our conversation is based on body language, while the other 7% is rooted in the actual language used. As a lover of words, I found that astounding. So I put that statistic to the test to find out if it’s true. For several weeks, I found myself listening more intently, watching the

posture of those whom I was engaging with and catching myself choosing the body language I wanted to speak according to what I wanted to portray in a given situation. It became a game; I felt as though I was tapping into a secret code. I was genuinely understanding those around me.

Then came the text. Texting could easily be categorized as communication’s worst nightmare. In-person conversations or FaceTime sessions give you the most bang for your buck when it comes to understanding; a normal telephone call comes in a close second, but texting is quite literally no man’s land. Essentially, conversation is limited to the aforementioned 7%, and that 7% can easily be either misused or misinterpreted.

Texts can be crafted. We all know those friends whom we watch respond, the bubble with the “ ... ” lingering on the screen for what seems an eternity until a simple, yet obviously overthought response comes through the air waves.

Some try and choose their words wisely because that is all they’ve got. Others say what they would in normal conversation, with no regard to how it could be perceived on the other end, which can easily translate into mass confusion.

I’d be willing to bet that you have had an instance in which a text clarification was in order; either because the infamous autocorrect “changed what you meant” or what you received simply did not make sense.

Regardless of the situation, texting places us at a severe disadvantage to understand. The pressure begins on the sender. They must choose the perfect words to properly shape their thoughts.

Voice your opinion. Send letters to the Collegiate Times.

All letters must include a name and phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include Blacksburg, VA, 24061 position and department. Other submissions must include opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com city of residence and relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed.

Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times.

Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor in chief and managing editors.

365 Squires Student Center

Taking that risk, they send that message to a reader who can then interpret it as they see fit. For example, the infamous, “Okay.” Does that really mean things are okay? Are they being short with me?

Is this passive aggression, or a genuine acknowledgement of an aforementioned statement? That causes the reader to have to respond in the tone in which they see fit, volleying the confusion back into the court of the sender. This game of he said she said leads us right back into the question of the hour, “What do you mean?”

The only opinion I can offer is: Don’t overthink. I am preaching to myself first and foremost with this conclusion, but it stands to be the best course of action when trying to understand someone. It’s hard. We’re all flawed, which makes this whole game of life much harder. We can’t calculate someone’s thoughts or their every move because quite frankly we probably couldn’t calculate what our own thoughts or moves are. But say we were to operate under the assumption that what we say is what we mean and that applied to others too. If that was true then we can come to easier conclusions and less

confusion. It starts with you.

Your presentation of honesty, integrity and maybe even bluntness of word choice allows you to portray you, 100% of you.

Hopefully as those you interact with see that authenticity, they will follow suit, and you’ll get to see them 100%.

Little by little there will be no questions asked, and it will be as if you can hear the person speaking the texts aloud. Stop overthinking, crafting and guessing and instead write what you know. Then, genuinely receive with that same mentality and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find out what Willis is talking about.

KAYLEY MANARCHUCK • opinions columnist • senior/philosophy and neuroscience

COLLEGIATE TIMES NEWSROOM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

231-9865 Editor-in-Chief: Ashley Long (editor@collegiatetimes.com) Managing editors: Emily Hannah and Isabella Rossi Design editors: Celina Ng and Heather Trobridge Copy editors: John McBride and Tori Walker News editor: Tahreem Alam Lifestyles editors: Emily Carter and Breanna Knotts Sports editors: Davis Carbaugh and Robby Fletcher Assistant sports editor: Claire Castagno Opinions editors: Donya Momenian and Lexi Solomon

Social media editors: Will Bower and Miller Farley

Have a news tip? newstips@collegiatetimes.com BUSINESS STAFF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

231-9860 Business manager: Abby Setash (business@collegemedia.com) MEDIAMATE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

888-897-7711 collegiatetimes.com/media_kit/ orders@mymediamate.com

Photo editors: Ethan Candelario and Alex Nageli

The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, visit reprints.collegemedia.com. The Collegiate Times is a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to provide educational experience in business and production of mass media for Virginia Tech students. © Collegiate Times, 2019. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.

editor@collegiatetimes.com

news collegiatetimes.com

September 17, 2019 PAGE 3

collegiatetimes.com/news

Corps of Cadets blood drive lacks ample donors If the drive misses its goal of obtaining 120 blood units, hospitals in the area may not carry enough blood for surgeries.

ADIAH GHOLSTON news staff writer

The second Corps of Cadets blood drive of the year was held Friday, Sept. 13, and the crowds were shallower compared to past years.

“For the first two hours, we were very slow, where generally the first couple weeks of classes is the busiest drive in Southwest Virginia for the entire year,” said Douglas Rebul, Red Cross regional account manager.

This is the second out of four blood drives that the Corps of Cadets hosts. The next two drives will be held next semester.

The Corps of Cadets blood drives during this time of the year usually host around 150 blood donors; the majority of these donors are students.

Rebul blames the lack of blood donors on the last minute location change. The drive was originally supposed to take place in the Graduate Life Center, but the Graduate Life Center informed Rebul and his team that its air conditioner was broken. The team then had to scramble to find another location and eventually used Old Dominion Ballroom.

The change in location also meant a change in time for the drive. The Corps of Cadets blood drive was originally supposed to be held from noon to 6 p.m.; however, the only available reservation times for Old Dominion Ballroom that were similar to the original hours were from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“People are just getting situated in school right now,” said Nathan Gregory, a junior majoring in political science and blood drive volunteer. “They’re getting used to academics and that flow, and they don’t really have a lot of time for events like this, which is a shame, but they need a little more time to get well situated.”

The drive set a goal to obtain 120 units of donated blood. The team constructs their goal by averaging the amount of blood donated from the last three drives.

“I’m afraid for our patients’ and our returning veterans’ sake that we’re not going to get that 120 today, and that’s kind

TAHREEM ALAM / COLLEGIATE TIMES A nurse is drawing blood from a student volunteer at the fall Corps of Cadets blood drive, Sept. 13, 2019.

of scary,” said Rebul. “Our hospital and patients count on this drive and today’s numbers being as low as they are –– this is going to put a serious (handicap) in our inventory.”

Virginia Blood Services, which is a part of the American Red Cross, is the sole blood provider to the New River Valley.

This includes the hospitals in the area. The blood collected at these drives lasts for approximately 42 days. Not reaching the blood drive goal could mean, in extreme cases, the canceling of surgeries. This also means that the team will have to raise their goal next blood drive.

“Blood transfusion saved my life back in 2009,” said blood donor Tyler Pakish, a sophomore majoring in national security and foreign affairs. “I suffered from a hemorrhage on my neck, bled out and expired. After I got blood transfusion, had they would have been two minutes later, I would have been just straight dead. I think it is my obligation now to make my life mean something and give back when I can because if I don’t do that, what’s that say about me? It means I took an opportunity from someone else and something gave me everything back, so for me it’s about gratitude.”

@CollegiateTimes

PAGE 4 September 17, 2019

sports collegiatetimes.com

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com/sports

Hokies struggle in home victory versus Paladins Virginia Tech had to overcome a 14–3 halftime defecit to take down Furman in the team’s second straight win at home.

ROBBY FLETCHER sports editor

Virginia Tech had its hands full with FCS team Furman in a 24–17 slugfest at Lane Stadium. The Hokies won their second straight home game thanks to a powerful rushing attack that generated 227 of the team’s 350 yards of offense.

It was a miserable start for Tech’s offense, who struggled in the first half to generate any kind of momentum, garnering just 127 yards of total offense and three points, which came off a drive where they started at Furman’s 44-yard line.

Freshman Keshawn King was a bright

spot on the offense, rushing for 38 yards on six carries in the first half, but the running game as a whole was uninspiring as Furman’s front seven held Tech to just 46 rushing yards on the half.

To make matters worse, Tech gave up 14 points on two turnovers, one a fumble

by Tre Turner on a screen pass, and the other an overthrown deep ball from Ryan Willis to Hezekiah Grimsley that sailed into the arms of Furman defensive back Travis Blackshear. Willis now has four interceptions on the season after having just nine all of last year.

While the defense held their own, they had a difficult task in holding off Furman’s offensive attack on a short field.

Furman’s first score was a four-yard rush up the middle by running back Devin Abrams; the Paladines started at the Hokies’ 44-yard line on that drive. Their second score was a 15-yard scramble by quarterback Darren Grainger on a third down play where he had nothing but open space en route to the endzone to put them up 14–3.

Overall, it was a half to forget as the team made their way into the tunnel, looking to make adjustments during halftime.

“At halftime, I thought we responded.

It was a tough deal, nothing was going very well and we didn’t have much momentum,” coach Fuente said. “Our kids responded and we found a way to get the game going.”

Tech’s second half was much more promising, as they started strong with a 6-play, 83-yard drive, all of which were runs, that was capped off by a jet sweep by tight end James Mitchell for a three-yard score.

King was fantastic on the drive, taking off for runs of 15 and 54 yards, with the 54-yard run being the team’s longest rushing play of the season. King finished the day with 119 yards on 12 carries, and showed exactly what made him such a highly recruited prospect. He made sure to give credit to the offensive line for his success though.

“My [offensive linemen] executed, and they went out there and they did their job perfectly,” he said after the game.

The momentum continued to swing in Tech’s favor after that, as Dax Hollifield and Chamarri Conner worked together to force a fumble that Tech recovered at Furman’s 26-yard line. The turnover set up a Virginia Tech touchdown courtesy of Tre Turner, who won a jump ball off a fade route from Willis that gave Tech a 17–14 lead.

The fourth quarter started off relatively uneventful for both sides as Tech’s defense kept the Furman rushing attack bottled up while they nursed the three-point

lead. The pass rush wreaked havoc in the meantime, sacking Grainger four times on the day and continuously forcing him to leave the pocket. Grainger was also picked off in the middle of the fourth quarter when cornerback Caleb Farley caught an overthrown pass in stride to keep Furman’s offense off the field with just under seven minutes left in the game.

The turnover would lead to another crucial score for the Hokies when Tre Turner made up for his first half turnover by running for a 29-yard touchdown run to pad Tech’s lead by 10.

Furman was able to keep the game alive though with a 10-play drive that went 70 yards down the field and resulted in a 22-yard field goal that cut the lead down to seven with 1:49 left in the game.

Furman almost got a chance to tie the game up when they successfully recovered their onside kick following the field goal, but the excitement quickly washed away when, upon further review, the officiating crew found that a Furman player blocked a Tech player before the ball traveled 10 yards. This led to another attempted kick that was secured by Tech, effectively ending the game.

The Hokies now improve to 2–1 after the victory, and will get some muchneeded rest with their upcoming bye week. Their next game will be a primetime conference showdown at Lane Stadium against the Duke Blue Devils, who Tech defeated 31–14 last season on the road.

@CTSportsTalk

Hokies are leaning on freshman Keshawn King to revive rushing attack King is the first 100-yard rusher for Virginia Tech this season after his impressive showing against Furman last Saturday.

DAVIS CARBAUGH sports editor

True freshman running back Keshawn King is emerging as the top runner for Virginia Tech as the Hokies attempt to improve upon a struggling rushing attack.

King started the game against Furman and tallied 119 yards on 12 carries.

The freshman recorded his first career 100-yard game in only his third collegiate contest as the Hokies defeated the Furman Paladins 24–17.

“He’s competitive and he’s tough,” head coach Justin Fuente said after Tech’s win over Furman. “He’s not the biggest guy in the world but he runs hard. He’s elusive, and he’s really productive.”

The Hokies have had a weak rushing attack to start the season, with no clear front runner to lead the group. Tech running backs combined for 84 rushing yards in a week one loss to Boston College and 121 yards in a week two victory against Old Dominion. Against Furman, the Hokies totaled 227 yards on the ground as a team.

Despite an overall slow start for the Hokies against Furman, King had a breakout game and rejuvenated the Tech offense. The Hokies came back from a 14–3 deficit to win the game 24–17.

King’s 119-yard performance is the first 100-yard rushing performance by a Hokie this season and the highest total rushing yards by a single running back since Steven Peoples ran for 161 yards against Old Dominion last season.

With the Hokies down 14–3 early in the second half, King had two key runs that spurred Tech’s offense. On first down King rushed for 15 yards to the Tech 32-yard line, followed by an explosive 54-yard rush all the way to the Furman 14-yard line. The Hokies scored on the drive and began the comeback effort.

“He gave us a spark,” said quarterback Ryan Willis after the game. “I’m proud of how he works every day, and it really shows on the field.”

King was shaken up and taken out of the game due to a leg injury with minutes left in the third quarter. The Florida native

returned to the sideline on the next drive but did not see any more game action out of caution. Fuente expects King to have no issue returning to the field in Virginia Tech’s next game against Duke.

“He’s fine,” Fuente said in the post-game press conference. “They looked at it and he’s okay; he’ll be sore.”

While the injury may hinder his progress, King could be the savior to the Virginia Tech rushing attack and ultimately the entire offense. The former four-star recruit has wasted no time in earning quality playing time and cementing himself as the most explosive back on the team.

“You have to be patient,” King told the press following his big game against Furman. “I feel like I was rushing things at times because I wanted it so bad. I learned that the game gets faster, but you have to be patient.”

Some of Tech’s rushing struggles can be credited to Jalen Holston’s week one injury, but the inefficient running effort has made the Hokies’ offense very one dimensional so far this season. Opening day starter Deshawn McClease has totaled 120 yards off 41 attempts so far this season, an underwhelming statistic.

With that being said, McClease could still be an integral part of the offense alongside King as the bell cow running back. The Chesapeake, Va. native brings speed and pass-catching that can balance King’s bruising running style. King credits the offensive line for his successful start to the season.

“Of course, I have to give my O-line all the credit,” King said. “They showed up to play and executed; they did all their assignments right and it led to a breakout for me.”

As Virginia Tech’s season progresses, King will be a crucial indicator of the offense’s success. The freshman has the running traits and potential to become Tech’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Travon McMillian did so in 2015.

• Spacious 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes!

• Private balcony or patio • Majority of utilities in monthly value rate • Wired for high-speed internet access • Large Walk-in Closets • Animal friendly (restrictions apply) • Private laundry facilities in each building • Optional washer/dryer in apartment home • Optional furniture and all-inclusive packages

750 Hethwood Blvd. #100 G • Blacksburg, VA 24060 877-746-1676 • www.HethwoodLiving.com 800-828-1140 (TTY)

@CTSportsTalk

PAGE 6 September 17, 2019

collegiatetimes.com

editor@collegiatetimes.com

CTTIMES

COLLEGIATE

Interest Meeting

SEPTEMBER 18 SQUIRES BRUSH MOUNTAIN A 7:00 P.M.

are you

to be a physician?

Join the more than 430 Virginia Tech

alumni who were inspired to attend the private state-of-the-art osteopathic medical school in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Visit us online to find out how you will be

inspired...

www.vcom.edu Please visit our website at www.vcom.edu/outcomes for a copy of our Outcomes Report. Š2019 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. All rights reserved. VCOM is certified by the State Council of Higher Education to operate in Virginia.

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

GRAD GUIDE

September 17, 2019 PAGE 7

lifestyles collegiatetimes.com/lifestyles

Resume boosters: Impressing potential graduate school programs Here are some helpful tips for creating a stellar portfolio that can help you get into graduate school.

BREANNA KNOTTS lifestyles editor

A 4.0 GPA at the end of your senior year is impressive, but is in no way a promise of an admissions letter to grad school. Throughout your college career it is important to start to build a resume containing unique attributes that will push your application in front of others.

Doing this sounds easy, but can take a lot of time and effort. The most important piece of advice is to start early; do not wait until your senior year to start getting involved because admissions will notice.

Here are some tips and tricks for crafting a stellar resume: Join professional groups and clubs A great way to get some experience in

TROY CLARK / COLLEGIATE TIMES A student explains the points on his resume to a potential employer at the Engineering Expo, Sept. 11, 2019.

a field you may be interested in is to get involved with a group on campus that is designed for that skill. For example, there are a number of pre-professional fraternities such as Delta Epsilon Mu that are on campus for networking and professional experience.

Along with this, different clubs that are sponsored by school faculty are a great way to start making connections.

An example is Virginia Tech’s SEED, a professional club that gives members real world practice in investing and networking.

Being a student at a huge university, odds are there is a group on campus that practices whatever you may be interested in. If not, you can always start one, which would look great on a resume.

GobblerConnect is a website that lists all university recognized clubs on campus, as well as their meeting times and contact information.

Run for a leadership position After consistently attending meetings and showing interest in a club or organization, there will be a time where executive positions will open up, and it is very beneficial to run. Holding a position such as secretary or president looks great on a resume because it shows that you devote your time and effort to something you care about.

Grad schools and employers like to see this because it shows involvement within a community and commitment to a program’s mission. Along with this benefit, holding a position is also a great way to connect with other students and practice networking.

Find an internship It is important to not slack off when it comes to internships. There are few good ones that begin accepting applications as early as the beginning of fall semester.

These are the key to getting your foot in the door after graduation to a school or a professional job.

A great place to start looking for internships is your advisor. Your advisor is given materials and most likely knows people in high places that are looking to hire students for the summer, winter break or maybe even for a semester.

The benefits of having an internship are endless. You will hopefully make a bond with the company you intern for, learn how to work in the professional world and secure your choice of major. Start looking now and don’t settle for just one over your four years here.

Get a job Holding a job while managing school is hard work. Skills such as time management, flexibility and responsibility are often put to the test. Grad schools love to see students with the ability to multitask and be proactive.

Work experience carries students a long way and can help with getting internships and will definitely boost your resume. At Virginia Tech, websites such as Indeed and Handshake are made to broadcast job opportunities on and off campus for students to apply.

If you manage to tackle a few or all of these suggestions, your resume will definitely turn a few heads. All of these experiences act as wonderful conversation starters and prepare you for life after graduation.

@BreKnotts

PAGE 8 September 17, 2019

collegiatetimes.com

editor@collegiatetimes.com

Inside the Graduate Life Center: It’s more than just a lecture hall A study spot with an Au Bon Pain and comfy seating, the GLC is a great resource for graduate students.

BRANDON ALIMANESTIANO lifestyles staff writer

You might have seen the Graduate Life Center at Virginia Tech at orientation, or maybe you had a class in that big auditorium freshman year. Maybe you walked through the building’s carpeted hallways on the way to another destination. Whichever way the GLC has aided in your career at Virginia Tech, few of us have seen that it is one of the few hidden gems on campus.

The first floor is easily accessible to anyone, and it is filled with cool surprises.

As most of the people who enter the GLC tend to exit once they find the other end, the building is somewhat quiet for most of the day, which is perfect for people who like to study in peace but don’t want to face the awkwardness of the third floor of the library.

“The GLC is a great place to get work done, and there are plenty of services provided for students,” said Rahul Thinakaran, a second year grad student studying for his master’s in computer engineering.

Whether you are working hard on grad school applications or need a quiet place to study for upcoming midterms, the GLC has the perfect environment and setup for you.

Apart from housing, some of the services the Graduate Life Center offers is a complementary Keurig machine, computer room and even a bicycle rental service separate from the Roam bikes on campus. The GLC also hosts many services specifically tailored to graduate life, including immigration services and information for grad students’ families.

Graduate students can also fully take advantage of the many rooms in the GLC.

“The GLC has a number of bookable meeting rooms that can be used for work, and many people use these rooms for interviews,” Thinakaran said. “There is also a study room and a TV lounge with comfortable chairs on the first floor.”

In addition to the rooms on the first floor, there are a few vending machines set up for long study sessions.

The GLC doesn’t have the typical on-campus building feel either. “The building actually used to be a hotel a long time ago,” said Thinakaran. “So, the reason some of the rooms look a little odd is because they used to be hotel rooms.”

The Graduate Life Center also has its own Au Bon Pain on the first floor. As the third and most hidden Au Bon Pain on campus, it is very quiet, filled with tables to work on and has a pretty fast ordering time. So instead of waiting in line to get a breakfast sandwich at Squires, you can

walk right across the sidewalk and order your favorite items in minutes.

The next time you walk through the brick-clad former hotel that is the Graduate Life Center, take a mental note.

It might be the next place you decide to work on your next big group project. You might even want to make it your new favorite breakfast spot. There are a few places at Virginia Tech that transcend the world of classroom buildings and libraries, and the Graduate Life Center is absolutely one of them.

@CollegiateTimes

editor@collegiatetimes.com

September 17, 2019 PAGE 9

collegiatetimes.com

Calling all seniors: Post-grad programs you didn’t know existed at Virginia Tech Not ready to leave Blacksburg? Check out these unique graduate and doctoral programs offered at Virginia Tech.

EMILY CARTER lifestyles editor

For seniors, stressing about the future has already begun. Some are stressing about getting jobs after graduation and others are stressing about graduate school.

Looking at grad programs and applying to them can make anyone want to pull their hair out. So to give you a break, but also to help you feel productive, here are some unique graduate programs offered at Virginia Tech that might be worth your while to look into.

Bio-Inspired Buildings This doctoral program blends the science, architecture and urban Studies, engineering, and veterinary colleges together to teach students how to construct buildings and communities in a way that uses “biological systems.” The degree informs students how to build a bridge between architecture and the planet, attempting to inform doctoral students about the earth and how to develop buildings without harming the planet.

Disaster Resilience This graduate program is for everyone under the sun (because disasters aren’t biased). The program teaches all types of majors risk management and how to handle disasters that affect the community and economy. Students will learn how to master new skills and learn about new ideas on how to approach repairing communities and ecosystems. Students in this program are offered travel grants and are required to have an internship.

Before graduating, students must become certified in Disaster Resilience and Risk Management.

Forest Products Disappointingly, this master’s and doctoral program doesn’t teach you about the types of trees or cute critters one might find in a Disney-esque forest.

But instead, this master’s and doctoral program instructs its students about sustainable materials for construction using nanotechnology and biodegradable products such as wood. If you have a fascination with wood and trees, then this is the grad program for you. Students will take classes such as Wood Engineering, Wood Performance in Structures, and Lumber Drying and Processing. If trees aren’t your thing, there are other classes in this program, but if you don’t care about how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood, then this isn’t the degree for you.

Translational Obesity Research This doctoral program teaches its students how to solve the national epidemic of obesity through prevention and treatment. This program merges the departments of human nutrition, food and exercise communication; agriculture and applied economics; human development; and psychology to inform students about the origin of obesity and how to prevent it in society. The program also teaches students concepts such as promising obesity intervention, basic science discovery, reducing burden obesity and other practices.

If you love trees and sustainable construction, these master’s and doctoral programs might be for you. Virginia Tech has some very unique programs for many interests and majors and if you want to stick around the greatest university in the world, getting these degrees is a great way to do so.

BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES The atrium of the Graduate Life Center, Feb. 1, 2017.

BU GRADUATE BUSINESS DEGREES

CAREER-RELEVANT. SPECIALTY MASTER’S IN BUSINESS.

THE OPTIONS ARE HERE. THE CHOICE IS YOURS. bu.edu/questrom

MS IN BUSINESS ANALYTICS MS IN MANAGEMENT STUDIES MS IN MATHEMATICAL FINANCE

@EmilyNic_12

WHAT IT TAKES In today’s global job market, opportunities abound. Those with new ideas, hands-on experience, the ability to problem-solve, and the vision to know what comes next, will be able to take advantage of all of the resources available to create a distinct and successful career path.

At the NYU School of Professional Studies, our unique brand of industry focused graduate education sets you apart, encouraging you to think strategically, lead decisively, and anticipate what lies ahead. Taught by top experts in their fields, every program we offer affords you the chance to gain professional experience and to expand your network. From internships at top corporations, to transformative career coaching, you are armed with what it takes to succeed, and prepared with an NYU education that will serve you for a lifetime.

NYU SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES - GRADUATE PROGRAMS Construction Management • Real Estate • Real Estate

APPLY sps.nyu.edu/applygrad LEARN MORE

sps.nyu.edu/graduate2a • 212-998-7100

REQUEST INFO. sps.nyu.edu/gradinfo2a

DOMESTIC APPLICATION DEADLINE: SPRING Semester 2020 - Final: November 30, 2019

Development / Event Management • Hospitality Industry Studies • Tourism Management / Global Affairs • Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime / Global Sport • Sports Business / Human Capital Analytics and Technology • Human Resource Management and Development / Integrated Marketing • Public Relations and Corporate Communication Management and Systems / Project Management / Professional Writing / Publishing: Digital and Print Media / Translation

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

September 17, 2019 PAGE 11

Rollercoaster of emotions: Music for every mood of graduate school

On top of the world or in a pit of despair? We have albums to get you through the pleasures and pitfalls of grad school.

BRYCE NOLAN

lifestyles staff writer

Let’s get one thing clear: music is the life of the mind-made manifest and there is perhaps no other time in life that needs extremely specific music than graduate school. For those grad students who are going into this new phase of their lives, I have taken it upon myself to assemble a number of albums that relate to extremely graduate school-specific moods for you to either enjoy or feel utter despair through.

“The Great War” by Sabaton (Nuclear Blast, 2019) for inspiration Do you like Swedish power metal?

Do you like history? Do you like songs about history played by a Swedish power metal band? Then you, my friend, have extremely specific tastes. This most recent effort by Sabaton, the leading purveyors of historically themed metal, is just right for those of us who not only need some inspirational material for historical essays, but also uplifting and empowering rock anthems. And there’s an acapella rendition of the song “In Flanders Fields,” so there.

“Jar of Flies” by Alice in Chains (Columbia, 1994) for utter despair I mean, yeah. If you’re going to be consumed by an inescapable mass of paralyzing existential dread, you might as well have a kicking EP to soundtrack it. The second track on this album, “Nutshell,” is on my shortlist as one of the saddest, most hopeless songs ever written in the English language. This record barely clocks in at over half an hour, and as such it is perfect for repeated playing. I don’t know about you, but if I ever find myself in such a quandary as I have described earlier in this paragraph, I don’t want to be bothered to switch out the record on my vintage gramophone with Louis XIV inlays (don’t ask).

“Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables”

by Dead Kennedys (Cherry Red Records, 1980) for earth-shattering

and cataclysmic frustration the likes of which the world has never seen When you will inevitably have a mental breakdown and be overwhelmed by a desire to go on a destructive rampage and gnaw at the ankles of a society that has seen fit to burden you with this way of life, please just listen to this album instead.

Hardcore punk is designed to process and release those frustrations and petty grievances in a safe way, and Dead Kennedys is one of those bands that could not be less concerned with propriety and ordinary life. This makes them ideal for the kind of inconceivable anger that grad school can imbue you with.

Please do take what I have written with the satirical caveat that I hope has been made obvious. This has been a load of fun and there is an element of truth to the moods I have witnessed in graduate

students (having lived with one for some time in my life, I suppose I can say that I know what I’m talking about). For you graduate students out there, please do whatever you want with what I have recommended to you. You might even find a completely different use for the albums, and in that case that’s pretty cool.

@CollegiateTimes

“Wasting Light” by Foo Fighters (Roswell/RCA, 2011) for uplift The Foo Fighters are always writing songs about new beginnings, overcoming adversity and just generally being in the faces (but in an eloquent way) of those who’ve wronged you. So I can’t imagine a better package deal for graduate students than “Wasting Light.” The centerpiece of the album is the closing track “Walk” and its accompanying music video, which portrays Dave Grohl as a pent-up salaryman wandering through a city just trying to get over his frustration. This album ranks among the band’s best, and its uplifting spirit is the kind of thing that all grad students should take with them into the professional world.

COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE Singer Dave Grohl of the band Foo Fighters performs Sept. 10, 2017 at the Lollapalooza at the Hoppegarten horse race track in Hoppegarten, Germany. (Britta Pedersen/DPA/Abaca Press/TNS)

PAGE 12 September 17, 2019

collegiatetimes.com

This is home: VCOM offers med school programs in the ‘Burg

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine is a great option for students not ready to leave Southwest Virginia.

SAMEERA SUNKARA lifestyles staff writer

As the clock to graduation counts down, seniors are anxiously trying to figure out what the next step is in life, attending every career or graduate fair and information session available.

While some are searching for a job in the real world, students on the pre-medical track are desperately trying to find the perfect path to medical school. These students spend hours researching various programs and creating spreadsheets in an attempt to find the perfect fit.

Luckily, there is no need to travel far since the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) is a medical school located right here in Blacksburg. Whether you are planning to apply directly into the medical school or join a pre-medical graduate certificate program beforehand, VCOM has it all.

Some pre-med students may not have the necessary GPA or MCAT scores for applying to medical school. Fortunately, VCOM has joined forces with Bluefield College to create a program targeting those who eventually plan on applying

to medical school: a Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences.

Admission requirements include a 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 science GPA as well as completion of all typical course requirements for medical school. Students complete an application through an online portal, and then they must provide official, verified transcripts from all universities attended alongside two letters of recommendation.

An MCAT score is not required; however, students who have already taken this exam will have an advantage, since they do not have to worry about preparation and can focus solely on grades. This is a nine-month, 35-credit program with an extremely demanding curriculum; students take 17 credits in the fall and 18 credits in the spring.

The coursework focuses strongly on medicine and clinical applications.

Students enrolled in this program will be able to enhance their resume and raise their overall GPA, which in turn will increase their chances of getting into medical school.

As an added bonus, success in this program can lead to a confirmed

acceptance into VCOM. Anyone with a 3.90 or higher GPA and a minimum 492 MCAT score, 3.70 to 3.89 GPA with a minimum 494 MCAT score, or 3.60 to 3.79 GPA with a 496 MCAT score is guaranteed admission.

VCOM has three campuses: the Virginia Campus, the Carolinas Campus and the Auburn Campus.

Applicants must have an overall GPA of 3.5, a science GPA of 3.2 and an MCAT score of 500 or above. Course requirements include a ‘C’ or higher in one year of biological science with laboratory, one year of physics, one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry and one year of English; as well as an additional six biomedical credit hours.

Additionally, applicants must be United States citizens who have completed their bachelor’s degree prior to matriculation. Transfer students from international schools are not accepted into this program.

Students must also submit two letters of recommendation, one from a pre-health committee or science faculty member and the other from a practicing physician.

Applicants will also undergo a background check.

Unlike the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, VCOM is not an allopathic medical school but rather an osteopathic medical school. This means that students will graduate with a DO degree as a doctor of osteopathic medicine, which

Seniors stand for a photo at the 2019 class graduation as rain pours down at Lane Stadium, May 17, 2019.

editor@collegiatetimes.com

is less common than an Md., a doctor of medicine.

There is a slight difference in terms of curriculum, as most DO programs emphasize osteopathic manipulative treatment, a hands-on technique utilized in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness or injury. Students have an extended education of the musculoskeletal system, and they focus on how the body’s systems function together as one unit.

Additionally, the licensing exams vary between the two different types of degrees, since MD students take the USMLE series while DO students take COMLEX sequence.

In the past, some DO students used to take the USMLE in order to get into an MD residency program. But, recently, the single graduate medical education accreditation system has been developed, which allows all students access to the same residency programs.

Overall, the specificity of a medical degree does not matter too much in the long run; a DO can still specialize in any field of their choice. So, for those pre-med students who wouldn’t mind spending a few more years in Blacksburg, VCOM is definitely the right fit for you.

@CollegiateTimes

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES