THIS IS A SHORTED VERSION OF A PREVIOUSLY DELETED POST: I post this earlier today but it was very long and not well articulated. I am really looking for advice and have spent quite some time trying to convey what I’m working with.
I just finished my junior year of undergrad. I am chem major and biology minor. I put in a lot of work and am really hoping it pays off w financial assistance. I’m sharing stat summaries and background info to hopefully gain some help/advice.
SUMMARY: To simplify it, so far I’ve been a full time student (~15 hrs), working two jobs as a tutor assisting up to Calc II, Intro to Stats, Gen chem, & O Chem as well as TA for Gen Chem lab. All whilst being in two officer position w/ two dif orgs. I then got another lab to TA and a promotion (Tutoring Team Lead & adding an O chem to TA) on top of the previously mentioned responsibilities. I have a GPA of 3.88 (3.97 for pre req), 240+ hours of research (+150 more planned for this summer), 300+ volunteer hours (some health care/some not), ~35 shadowing hours, in honors college, will be university scholar and ACS certified by graduation. I took my first year of college and senior year of HS simultaneously. I ended HS as 3rd ranked and various academic accomplishments if that is considered in application.

• The tutor & TA positions were reserved for professor selected students and require ITTP certificate and FERPA clearance.
• I am taking my OAT in mid July.

BACKGROUND: All this to be said, I am first gen college student from an ‘economically disadvantaged’ family of 7, I have had 4 siblings who’ve all tried college and have flunked out. In Spring ‘25 I will be the first person from either side of my family to earned a bachelors. (My dad never finished HS and none of my grandparents even finished middle school). I primarily worked so hard to eleviate some financial requirements. I found a passion for optometry/eye care due to having refractive and strabismic amblyopia from 8y/o to 16y/o until I got corrective surgery.
HELP/ADVISE: My top pick is UHCO but I am applying to both optom schools in tx and the one in oklahoma. I hate to have put in all this work for no compensation and am curious as what to do?
Plz suggest personal statement or secondary app essay idea, scholarships based off any of this info, etc. It would be so appreciated!!!

I’d love to hear from students who opted out of all NYC standardized testing between 3rd and 8th grade. Did this impact your HS application / preparation / selection process at all? Are there any tests you would recommend NOT opting out of for whatever reason? I’m thinking ahead to elementary and middle school choices and there are a few that are “opt out” (unranked) schools, so I’m wondering where most of those students end up for HS. TIA!

We have a 2S+Basement brick colonial in the Atlanta area (US zone 3). The house was built in 1970 and originally had a large monolithic forced air gas heat and AC system. That setup was all gutted and replaced with two (one for basement and lower floor, one for upper) heat pump systems, encapsulated the attic, and made various other improvements to the envelope. It's still fairly "leaky" but much improved over 10 years ago. There are some moisture issues in certain areas and we have to run the A/C more in the shoulder seasons than I'd like. Allergens are also a concern, so every little bit helps.
I'd like to add ducted whole-home dehumidification to either one or both of the existing systems and other than how to plumb them am a little stuck. The current ducting is in good shape and well balanced. I would probably implement dedicated return and supply into the existing supply trunk with a backflow damper. Do I worry about the existing systems or just take some readings on temp/humidity, etc and do some volumetric calculations? I'm not sure where to start other than the "hey, that number in the brochure is about how big my house is" kind of math.
My gut is leaning towards something like a SanteFe Ultra 70 or 98 for each of the systems. Is there really such a thing as "oversizing" an application or are quality units variable and you just end up with a bit of wasted capacity and higher cost (but no real performance downside) similar to a variable heat-pump with excess capacity?
Input on how to go about evaluating my needs would be a huge help.

I've wanted a Tesla for 10 years and just now pulled the trigger where I felt it was good enough to do. Just driving it home was awesome!
White on White MYP 2024 .99% rate Credit in the 700's, I make about $150k, my wife makes about $65k
Process: So the process was pretty bad for me but that may have been due to me being impatient.
I filled out the information on the app, couldn't get anybody to reply to me on the app as when the application came back it was showing 8%. It was also just a new/different experience of not being able to talk to anybody. So out of frustration I canceled the app (Yea, gave away $250).
After talking to some neighbors who have Tesla's, they convinced me to do it again but to just give it time. I did this, and the app came back again to 8%.
So once again I messaged via the app, this time they said they were reviewing and pushed the new .99 to the app (Great!), well then I accidently hit change and without reading changed it back to a cash buy (again, my own dumbness on this and not tesla's fault). I reached out via the app and nothing again. So I drove down to the storeroom and talked to a lady who was very nice and helped me out. She submitted a ticket for me to get the correct credit app put back in place, and this time I left it alone haha.
After that was done, I picked up the car 2 days later.
The Car: So far obviously not having it longer than a couple hours, any complaints of a rough ride/noisy cabin, I haven't noticed anything more than our Acura RDX. If anything, its quieter than that car regardless. Given I live in Arizona, the first thing I looked for was a sun shade for the coming summer for the glass roof where I could already feel heat, but the AC kept the cabin nice and cool regardless.

Link isn’t working it’s ‘BA (Hons) 3D Effects for Performance and Fashion’ at LCF, link :
https://www.arts.ac.uk/subjects/performance-and-design-for-theatre-and-screen/undergraduate/ba-hons-3d-effects-for-performance-and-fashion-lcf#:~:text=Course%20overview&text=BA%20(Hons)%203D%20Effects%20for%20Performance%20and%20Fashion%20will%20equip,a%20costumier%20or%20prop%20designer.
Been looking everywhere and I gave up but I thought I should ask here, it says applications suspended for 22/23 but I don’t know if that means the places are all taken or if the course is even still running because the dates are all wrong on the page. Just wondering because I haven’t seen any student work posted online except graduates from 2023 but there’s literally no information about what’s going on.

I work in retail in NYC and new to the field of social work with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. I am interested in potentially applying to social work school to be a therapist and would like to know how to best immerse myself in the social work world and be prepared as a candidate for next year’s applications.
Since I have no experience in mental health, should I volunteer somewhere in my city? Any suggestions on where or how to best make use of my time?

I wanted to share something I wrote because it's so applicable to this group. I don't want to self promote, so if you want to read more from me, I'll give you a link to my blog if you ask for it.
I just put something together and I am freaking out. I posted a scholarly article the other day about how #neurodivergent people are more likely to be queer. Check this out. It's from my blog about a week ago:
It makes me happy today that I realized Bert from Sesame Street is coded as autistic. He has a paper clip and bottle cap collection. He likes to do like, five things. Anything else is annoying. He talks like he knows everything.
Ernie is an ADHD spazz basket.
I have been learning myself since I was two.
I just didn’t realize it until now.
Here is a link to the article:
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/autistic-individuals-are-more-likely-to-be-lgbtq

I just moved to NYC in February after my wife landed a new role as an HR Manager in Manhattan. It's been a dream for both of us to move to Brooklyn for a while, but this wasn't the most ideal situation. She was laid off last year ($96k total comp) and so was I, but she found work and so we made the move. I was laid off last year making $83k total comp in Houston, TX and I managed to snag a consulting role for a small petroleum company ($50k), and got laid off shortly after by them too after they ran into some major accounting issues and laid off all new hires (HR, sales, marketing). I haven’t been able to land a new job in 8 months. We had a lifestyle built around us making $150k+ and since then we've moved out, sold half our belongings, gotten rid of all of our cars, downsized considerably, but also racked up credit card debt managing health costs without insurance and moving costs to get to NY.
I'm currently working part-time at an app development agency as a Content Marketing Associate in midtown Manhattan, but it's hardly enough to keep up with the cost of living in NYC and I can't lay the full responsibility of taking care of the household at my wife's feet, especially as we have more 2 family members moving in with us next month to finish college in NY. They'll be able to support themselves, so I'm not worried about paying for them - it's just a lot of responsibility that would be better managed if I had a full-time job.
I’ve done product marketing, social media, SEO, sales enablement, content creation and management, video production, and been in B2B SaaS, retail B2C, ERP, and app development since my first internship. Everyone I pass my resume to says it’s one of the best they’ve seen for my level of experience, including a graduate marketing professor from the University of Vermont. I have photography, graphics, video and marketing samples to provide every employer, yet … nothing.
I see ALOT of roles on LinkedIn and ZipRecruiter posting for $45-$60k and I do wonder how that’s enough for experienced applicants with 3-6 years of experience working in Manhattan, even if you lived way out in Queens bc it is NOT cheap. I apply anyways, beggers can't be choosers. But at the same time, are people really getting hired in NYC right now for marketing roles? I was told to shoot for $90-$130k for my level of experience. Alot of my friends are actually earning about $120k with some earning over $200k working as PMs and PMMs, without MBAs.
But I have been getting ghosted or outright rejected and I’ve applied to nearly 800 positions now (since last June). Initially, I was spamming applications, but then I decided to really hone in and just focus on what I'm good at and that's product and content marketing. Nearly 60 or so of my applications have been referrals so my network is pretty used up too. I've also been to maybe 10-12 tech and marketing networking events since getting here, even hanging out around NYU and Columbia's MBA students to see if they could refer me to any contacts they had from their previous roles. My network grew but nobody is actually hiring marketers.
Right now anything over $50k would help my family out with bills, even if it’s not the going rate for the city. But I’m surprised at how many people are suggesting that marketers should shoot for higher in NYC given my experience. I'll admit, I didn't enter into product marketing thinking I'd be making less than 6 figures by the time I was 5 years in but with COVID, inflation, all the stupid short-term contract roles and layoffs, yada yada yada; I'm not being picky. I just want to work for a good company, use my skillset, and provide for my family. I’m working part time as a content marketing associate for an app development agency so I’m keeping my resume up to date but it’s like an intern’s pay and like I said I’m coming up on 5 years of total experience; this current role isn't the most stimulating for me either. What can I do differently?
Also, here's my resume - destroy me or tell me what I can improve. Any help would be seriously appreciated. If anyone's in the NYC area and wants to meet up for a coffee or bagel, I'm so down at this point. I just need some help getting my foot in the door. Reddit has saved my ass a ton in the past, hoping I can find some answers here again! Thank you!!!
TLDR - I'm in NYC, working part time, with 4-5 years marketing experience, can't land a job, need some pointers. Thanks!
https://preview.redd.it/fjpjkmtain0d1.jpg?width=1700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9bb6426610ef39f28ad167723269280aa96b6d84

Anyone here has gone through the process of placement on a qualification list for DGA membership? I submitted my paperwork and was placed on the QL as a UPM recently and was told that I am eligible for DGA membership if I get a union project.
I had spoken to a few studios and EPs before my placement and they had all asked if I was DGA and I had mentioned to them that I was going through the process of QL placement. Have emailed them all and waiting to hear from them now (fingers crossed).
As far as I understand, I will be given an application to join once I have a confirmed deal memo. But is it really just that? Do companies feel comfortable hiring someone from the QL who is not DGA (specially a new person for a high post like UPM) and be with them as they go through the process of joining as opposed to just hiring someone in the union already/known to them just to avoid risk of my application being rejected and them having to look for a new UPM? Also, are there any networking opportunities for people on the QL? I know it is subjective, but in your experience, how long have people waited on the QL before getting a deal memo and joining the DGA?
If anyone who has gone through the process themselves or know of people who have and can help me out with answers would be great.
I moved to US recently and have been eligible to work only since the last few months. So I do not have a whole lot of contacts. I worked as a UPM in India before and all my days were accepted for the list which is why I was able to get on the QL. I am on the third area but my banked set days are around 200 (I basically submitted all projects even though I needed only 90 set days because I had heard they reject a lot of days). I am 50 something short of being transferred to the NYC QL so planning of doing indie features and once I am eligible for NYC, I can look for union work there as well. In Chicago currently.

I currently live in a tech hub (NYC) but not receiving any callbacks from my application (sent out around 100). I’m wondering if anyone has any advice as to whether it’s generally harder for someone to land an interview in somewhere like New York City vs. middle of the country places like Ohio, Michigan, Kansas etc.
Is it just that there’s more competition for roles in NYC and I should try my chances elsewhere?

I have been living in this apartment with my fiancé for 3 years, with my fiancé not officially on the lease for financial reasons. Now we’re in the position to add my fiancé to the lease, but her tax returns from last year list our current address, so we’re worried the landlord will see this and get concerned that she wasn’t on the lease.!We’ve been engaged and are thinking of becoming domestic partners. I know that “immediate family” doesn’t have to be on the lease to live in an apartment, but have seen mixed information on whether that includes fiancé. So my question is, would it be safe to submit her application to join the lease, or would her tax returns cause alarm to the landlord? Would it be better to list her as an occupant?
(also shared in ask nyc)

Hello everyone,
So I've collected all of my documents at this point and everything lines up very well. I'm super-excited to bring this process to a close (I've been collecting documents for 2+ years), but one final thing is concerning.
My Grandmother's birth record from NYC lists her as "Baby *insert last name*". In addition, her father's name is misspelled. (Minor Anglicization and a minor vowel misspelling)
I know that this isn't an incredibly uncommon problem, but I'm wondering how easy it is to fix, or even if I need to. I am applying at a consulate that doesn't have a lot of applicants, so the rules about what they will accept are pretty nebulous. My lawyers/agency suggests that I try applying with a copy of her birth certificate and a certified baptism record. I would like to change it, however, not just for my application, but because I have other relatives who may like to apply in the future, and I'd like the matter to be resolved once and for all, particularly given that they would be applying in several consular jurisdictions.
I have checked the NYC website and I can't figure out whether it would fall under a "name change," which would require a court order, or a name correction would could be done without going through a court.
In addition, the document we would provide (if it were a simple correction) would be her baptism record. However, it states on the website that her baptism records must be "more than 10 years old." The documents themselves are from last year, but they obviously refer to her baptism from many years prior. Would this sort of document qualify for her name correction?
And finally, to complicate matters further, my Grandmother did actually file for a legal name change several years ago precisely because of this problem when she was applying for a passport. However, my lawyers have stated that this document is "not in a format suitable" to change her name in NYC. I have asked for their reasoning, but I don't quite understand it. They state that the biggest reason is that it is hard to prove it is actually her, and in addition there are two other problems:

1. Instead of her full middle name, the court document establishing her "name change" only has a middle initial.
2. The court document establishes a name change from the "baby *insert last name*" to her married name, rather than her maiden name.

So, has anyone here dealt with similar problems? How should I proceed? If the process takes 12 weeks (which is how long the NYC website says that a correction will take), I'm totally fine with waiting a little extra time so that my documents are perfectly in order.
However, if this is some long and drawn-out process, then I'd rather apply at the consulate and try and fix the problem later with "homework," if I am provided some or even return once the issue has been ironed out. (I don't anticipate a particularly long wait time in getting an appointment where I live.)
EDIT: In addition, I was also wondering how long it would take to actually get a copy of her birth certificate after her name and her father's name were corrected? Do they send out a new copy automatically?

The title of the previous Bankedex has been making people think it only contained offers for NI. So here it is again, with all the current offers and with a more generic title. There are currently 5 active bank switch offers (and only one is specific to Northern Ireland!).
*****************
Here is the the ultimate guide to UK bank switch offers - the collective knowledge of ~140k BeermoneyUK members. Switch your bank account, get a cash reward for doing so. But don't switch your main account, open up a second account and switch that to get the money!
​
Updated 15/05/2024:
​
The most commonly asked bank switch questions:

1. I started to switch to XXX bank before the offer ended, am I still eligible for the bonus?

Yes, usually, most terms will state that a switch just has to be started (or applied for) before the end date or before an offer ends.

1. Do I have to transfer the required amount in all in one go, and does it matter if I pay money in before my switch is complete?

No and not usually, as long as the amount you pay in adds up to the required amount, and as long as you pay it in before the deadline stated in the terms. There has been one exception to this - Co-op - so check individual terms.

1. I need to switch "active" direct debits, does a payment need to have been taken before I switch?

According to Nationwide, an active direct debit is one that has been set up or had a payment taken from it in the past 13 months. So no, according to this. But why not just wait for the direct debit to be taken? You'll not have to worry about it then.

https://twitter.com/AskNationwide/status/1442939781491486720

1. How do I set up and switch an additional Chase current account?
   

   • See Chase instruction here to open an additional account.
     
   • The second account will be linked to the same card as your main Chase account.
     
   • Use the secondary account details and your original card details when switching.
     

2. What are the easiest/best direct debits to use for bank switching?
   

There are many: Paypal, Ebay, Moneybox savings account, Plum savings account, your credit card, Sprive Mortgage auto savings, Wealthify Robo Saving. We recommend ones that save money into an account in your own name. Here’s useful ones that have additional bonuses available via beermoneyuk

Site/App	Offer	Comment
Park Christmas (Search)	Save for Christmas via direct debit
Plum (Search)	A very useful direct debit	Easy and fast to set up
Sprive (Search)	Autosavings for mortgage overpayment direct debit (£5 bonus)	Easy and fast to set up
Wealthify (Search)	A very useful direct debit (£1/month min)	Easy and fast to set up

Questions about Bank Switching should generally be asked here. Posts on the subreddit asking questions about bank switching will probably be removed.

As always with the Bankedex, we need your help.

The post has been updated with the newest offers, and tips commented in the previous Bankedex posts, and those in other posts on beermoneyuk. But it is a difficult task keeping on top of all the questions. Please continue to share your experience with Bank Bribes. I will add questions/answers to this post. Your help is much appreciated - thanks to you all.

Current bank switch offers (£551 in total)

Bank	Bonus	Offer Deadline	Comment
Barclays	31k Avios for £48 spend	None	£100 profit, Requires premier banking
First Direct	£175 to switch	None
Danske Bank	£175 to switch		Northern Ireland only
Santander	£175 to switch	None	£15 extra available
Virgin Money	£100 to switch	31/05/2024	10% gross interest rates boost to 12% on £1k for 1 year (~£120 total) + extra £30 via Snoop

No switch, just sign up bank switch offers

Bank	Offer	Comment
Tide (click for details)	Spend £100, get £75 cashback	A beermoneyuk staple
Monzo (click to search)	Spend £1, get £5 or £50	£50 is for a business account
Starling (click to search)	Free National Trust Day Pass

Never switched a bank account before?

You should consider it. It is one of the easiest and most efficient ways of earning a little beermoney. It is advised to leave your main bank account alone. Instead, switch a secondary bank account, or open a new account at your current bank to be used just for switching. Recommended steps:

1. Open a second current account with your main high street bank (must be part of CASS service)
2. Set up direct debits on the second account (if required).
3. Add £1 to your second account. This will be transferred to your new account, allowing you to see when the switch has been completed.
4. Apply for a new account and arrange to switch to your second bank account (sometimes this is during the application process, other times it is after the account is opened).
5. Let the current account switch service take care of everything.
6. Make sure all other terms are met (e.g. pay in money if needed).
7. Receive your bank switching bonus.

You will hear about lots of people rushing through all of the switch bonuses available. These offers have been coming and going for years, my advice is to do an offer that tickles your fancy and try out a new bank. Then, if you decide you do not like your new bank you should sample another bank and get paid again!
​

Are there some bank accounts worth keeping?

Why yes. Some are quite good, and give ongoing rewards. For example, Club Lloyds gives free Disney Plus. See the "don't leave us please" bank rewards post. Some also give access to the best savings accounts (e.g. regular savers).

Detailed switch offer information

Whilst we do our best to make sure things are correct, sometimes errors do slip through. Always do your own research. Also, it may not be possible to work through all of these.
​

Barclays

Current offer: 31k Avios for full switch to Premier Banking, and paying £12/month for “Avios Rewards” for 4 months - works out around £100 profit when converted to Nectar points.

Direct link to offer (scroll down)

• You must switch to Premier Bank account.

These are premium accounts, supposed to be for those with £70k+ salaries. However, cycling £4201 each month also appears to do the job

Offer end date: None listed
Requirements:

• Open a Barclays Premier bank account & join Avios Rewards (£12/month fee), or
  
• Complete a full switch from a different bank (you do this from within the app, after opening the account).
  

Reward payable by: 1.5k Avios each month for Avios Rewards, 25k Avios paid in month 4 for the switch.
Available to existing customers: No.
Additional notes: it can be worth doing the Barclaycard Avios Plus offer at the same time, as you will get a discount on the credit card fee.

​

Danske Bank

Current offer: £200 for full switch

Direct link to Danske Bank offer

• You can switch to their Danske Reward, Danske Choice or Danske Freedom current account.

Offer end date: No end date given, may be removed at any time.
Requirements:

• Full switch (no direct debits mentioned).
  
• After opening account, pay in £1000 within 60 days (can be multiple deposits)
  
• You cannot have had a Danske Bank reward since 01/01/2024
  

Available to existing customers: only if you are a new personal current account customer. .
How long does it take to pay the bonus: paid within 10 days of meeting requirements.

​

First Direct

Current offer: £175 when you switch

Direct link to First Direct offer

• You can switch to their First account.

Offer end date: No end date given, may be removed at any time.
Requirements:

• Full switch (two direct debits or standing orders are required).
  
• After opening account, log in to mobile banking, pay in £1000, and make 5 debit card payments within 30 days.
  
• You cannot have had a 1st Direct account before.
  
• You cannot switch if you have an HSBC account opened after 01/2020
  

How to do it: Once your first direct account is open, simply log into your first direct app, select the account you wish to transfer into, tap ‘switch to us’ from your account menu and follow the instructions.
Available to existing customers: No. Also can't have had a HSBC account opened since January 2018.
How long does it take to pay the bonus: paid by the 20th of the month following that in which you met all of the criteria.

​

Santander

Extra £15: You can get an extra £15 by signing up to a Santander Edge account via Topcashback. If you don't have a Topcashback account, you can sign up here:

Topcashback sign up + Additional £10 Bonus

Current offer: £175

Direct link to offer
You can switch to any of these paid current accounts: Santander Edge current account, Edge Up, or the Private Current Account

Offer end date: None given
Requirements: Full switch.

• Apply to switch when you apply to open the account (or existing customers can just switch into an existing qualifying current account).
  
• Complete switch of a non-Santander account, set up 2 active direct debits, and pay in £1500 within 60 days of applying/telling Santander you want to switch. Must keep direct debits active on account
  
• Cannot have had a Santander-group bonus previously (Santander, Cahoot, Cater Allen)
  

Reward payable by: between 60 and 90 days after opening the account.
Available to existing customers: Yes (can switch a non-Santander group current account into a new or existing Santander account). Existing customers may need to visit a branch.

​

Virgin Money

Current offer: Extra 10% interest on £1k for a year (~£100 bonus)
Extra £30: You can get an extra £30 by signing up to Virgin via Snoop (you need to connect your Virgin account to Snoop). If you don't have a Snoop account, you can sign up here for an additional fiver too:

Snoop £5 sign up bonus
Direct link to Virgin Money offer

• You can switch to their M Account (free, ~10% interest total, gross), M Plus Account (free account, ~12% interest total) or Club M Account (costs £12.50/month for insurance and stuff, ~12% total, is one of the best value package accounts - especially if a joint account)

Offer end date: apply by 31/05/24
Requirements:

• Full switch (two direct debits required as part of the switch).

Available to existing customers: No. And can't have closed an account since 30/04/2024
How long does it take to pay the bonus: interest is paid monthly, so a a year to get it all!

​

General Bank Switch Questions

Current Account Switch Bribes - Why do they offer them?

They want your business. Banks like fighting each other for customers. Most of them know they can't win by highlighting their outdated systems and products, so they fight each other by offering potential customers cash bribes (or equivalent) to switch their "main" bank account.

Can I switch any bank account to get a bribe?

No. You must switch a bank account that is part of The Current Account Switch Service (CASS). Most high street banks are included. But some Neo Banks are not (e.g., Kroo, Revolut, & Monese are not included). You should try to avoid switching your main bank account. You can always open an additional account just to switch.
See here for a full list of CASS banks.

Is it too much hassle?

No. The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) makes switching your account between most banks smooth and effortless. You do not have to do anything apart from apply for and set up a new account at a different bank and tell them you want to switch your account to them. Everything is transferred automatically (except recurring card payments).

Is there the best route to sample all the banks with switch offers?

Do the offer ending soonest first. Then you might switch again. If you complete all offers in this post, you could earn yourself >£1000.

Some of these end soon. Will the offers come back?

Banks have been offering bribes on and off for many years. We can't predict the future. But this is not a new thing.

How long does a bank switch take?

Approximately one week.

Do I have to switch my main account?

You could. But you don't have to. Many people have second bank accounts. One option may be to open up a second account with your current high street bank, add some direct debits to this second account and then switch it to the new bank you want to try out. On the sub, people also like Starling or Monzo as they are easy to set up (but you might want to switch back to them at the end - their functionality wins vs any usual high street bank).
High-street banks also let you open multiple accounts. If you already have an account with one, you might want to open an additional one with your current bank first (Halifax, NatWest etc are reported to allow several current accounts and to be fast to open).

I have savings accounts at the same bank as my current account. Can I still switch to this current account?

Yes. Only the current account will be closed (some linked regular savers may be converted to normal savings accounts). You might want to consider if switching to a secondary account is a better option.

I have linked savers attached to my current account. Can I still switch it?

Possibly.

Which banks let me open a second bank account?

Most of them.

Do I need to activate the card on the account I am going to switch?

Just do it anyway. Some banks require it

What details do I need to switch?

• Sort code and account number.
• Debit card information.
• Usually, but not always, 2 active DDs on the account you are switching.

Do you need to have money in the account you are switching?

No. But it might be a good idea - this will allow you to see when the switch happens (i.e. when the money is transferred!).

I do not have a bank card with my old current account as it is very very old, can I still switch it?

Most online forms require card details, but you can usually switch such accounts over the phone.

My new bank has not given me my account number (e.g. NatWest).

Usually, these are sent via post/email when you sign up. But some banks don't have the account numbers on the card, or maybe letters get lost in the post. If this happens, wait for the card to arrive and contact their support. If you get a bot on the chat thing, type "speak to a human" repeatedly.

My new bank account is a premium account and it has a fee. Do I need to keep paying for this?

No. You can downgrade the account. But you should probably wait until you have been paid the bonus.

I don't like my new bank, do I need to wait for the bank card before switching again?

Yes. See question above. Most banks require the card details of your existing account.

I made an account just to switch. Can I switch before my new bank card arrives?

Best not to. You are asked to enter the debit card information as part of the process.

The offer says I have to pay in £xxxx. Does it have to be in one go?

No. You can transfer in and out. The total sent in has to be equal to or greater than the stated amount. You should be careful with this though, sending money in and out of an account can trigger anti-fraud measures.

The offer says I have to pay in £xxxx. Can I pay it in before the switch completes?

Yes. You can pay it before, after, or during. You can manually transfer it, or it can be transferred automatically from your old account.

I've been asked to verify my identity. Is this normal?

Sometimes automated checks fail. If this happens, you may be asked to manually verify your application by visiting a branch or sending in a copy of your ID.

I switched from Monzo/Starling and want to return, can I?

Starling does not let you return within 12 months. With Monzo, it's possibly a shorter one month that you have to wait.

Do I have to switch direct debits?

Check individual offer terms.

What is an "Active" direct debit?

An active direct debit is usually one where a payment had been taken in the last 13 months. But some bank switch terms require direct debits to have been paid out of the account. If an offer requires an active direct debit, it's safer to switch to an account that has already paid out direct debits.**

What are good direct debits to set up on a second account?

There are many: Paypal, Ebay, Moneybox savings account, Plum savings account, your credit card, Sprive Mortgage auto savings, Wealthify Robo Saving.

I recently switched to XXX Bank, and I do not like it. Can I switch again?

Yes. If you are not happy with the new service, you may want to switch to a new bank that will pay you to give them a try.

Do I have to stick with my new bank for any length of time?

No.

If I switch away, will the bank claw back the bonus?

Very unlikely. They would have to specify this in their terms, and none have ever done so.

My switch is complete, but I have not yet received my bonus. Will I still get the bonus if I switch this account before it is paid?

Probably not.

My most recent switch is not quite complete, but I have already received the bonus. Can I start another switch?

You should probably wait for the switch to complete.

Can I get more than one bribe from each bank?

Sometimes. With some banks (e.g. Nationwide), you can get a bonus for switching one sole and one joint current account. Other banks will pay you to switch again, as long as you have not had a bonus in a specified amount of time. You will need to check individual offer terms.

XXX Bank gave me a bonus before, can I get a bonus again?

You need to check the individual offer terms.

Will this affect my credit score?

Credit scores are a funny thing, What is more important is what is actually in your credit file. Obviously, if you apply for an overdraft then it will affect your "credit score". However, if you do not have an overdraft or you make sure that you have paid off any overdraft before switching banks, then a single current account switch should not negatively impact your credit score. Nevertheless, typically all major banks (excepting Monzo and Starling) do a hard credit search, and this will be recorded on your file. If you plan on applying for a new mortgage soon then you may wish to exercise caution in switching between a load of banks. This is because the hard searches performed by banks will appear on your report and may have an effect for 6-12 months.

Which banks do hard searches and which do soft searches??

See here. Most banks do hard searches.

• Hard searches: Bank of Scotland (first account only), Barclays, Co-op, Clydesdale, Halifax (1st account only), First Direct, HSBC, Lloyds (1st account only), Monzo, Nationwide, NatWest, RBS, Santander, TSB, Ulster, Virgin Money.
  
• Soft searches: Starling, Metro Bank, and Chase
  

I have a bad credit score, will I be accepted to XXX bank?

Unfortunately, we do not know the acceptance criteria of the banks. You might be unlucky with one bank, but lucky with another.

My application was rejected. Why?

Nobody here knows. You could try appealing, but your only way to find out more is to contact the bank.

After switching my account, I still have online banking with my old provider. Do I need this?

No. You do not need to keep the online access (you could shut it down). But you may wish to retain these details in case your old bank suddenly appears with an offer that makes you want to switch back. Or open up a savings account.

Has anyone else been paid for switching to XXX Bank yet?

Check the terms of the offer you signed up for. Some banks have long deadlines and stick to them (e.g. Santander, TSB). Some are quicker. If you haven't been paid within the stated terms, then you should contact the bank's support.

Hello!
My younger siblings had both their Q2 visa application turned down (we listed visiting grandfather, but I believe they did not deem it as an immediate relative) and their L tourism visas turned down (at the time they were born, one parent was US citizen, one parent did not have citizenship or proof of PR). This was at the NYC Consulate. My parents are considering going through an agent to obtain a visa, but after searching through this sub, I am understanding that they are now considered Chinese citizens that are ineligible for visa. Instead, they must fill out the 旅行证 Chinese travel document.
Is there any insight anyone can share regarding what we have to know about the Chinese travel document application and its processing times? What's the validity looking like? Is it any easier to obtain? My family originally planned our trip for end of June/start of July, and we have been wanting to book flights. For context, the rest of us already have visas. Thank you!

Hey everyone,
Me and my family are planning to move to the Marietta area in the next few weeks. We have a housing voucher approved for a 5 bedroom home. The process of looking has been very difficult especially with application fees adding up and constantly getting denied or the run around. Anyone know of any good home owners looking to rent out their properties? We are very clean and great tenants. Thanks in advance.

Received this email today.
Dear Mr ,
First and foremost, on behalf of the entire team at Vistara, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your continued patronage and support.
We are happy to inform you that Vistara will soon become a part of the Tata Group’s larger airline, Air India – thereby providing you access to a larger fleet and a wider global network.
The process of integration between Air India and Vistara is ongoing, while we await some regulatory approvals. As we work towards a merged, larger airline, Club Vistara will also, merge with Air India’s Flying Returns. The Club Vistara program will continue to exist until the integration is complete. Upon completion of the integration process, your Club Vistara account will be migrated to Air India’s Flying Returns.
Please find here some important information regarding the benefits of your Club Vistara membership, after the migration:

• Tier Status – Your tier status will be assigned based on the cumulative points of both programs. You will be able to maintain, at least, your current Club Vistara tier status or get upgraded if you qualify basis the cumulative points. Going forward, the rules of Flying Returns will apply.
• CV Points and Tier Points balance – On the day of migration, the CV Points balance and the Tier Points available in your account will be transferred to Flying Returns program at a 1:1 ratio. The points will remain valid for at least one year from the date of migration, even if they are due to expire sooner.
• Future bookings using CV Points and Complimentary Flight Ticket vouchers –
  • All future bookings will be transferred, and you and your nominees will receive the revised flight details post migration.
  • Any changes to the existing bookings will be as per Flying Returns’ rules, post the migration.
• Vouchers – All valid unutilized One-Class Upgrade vouchers and Complimentary Flight Ticket vouchers will be transferred to Flying Returns with the existing validity. The usage will be governed by the applicable program rules.
• Co-brand Cards – Updates regarding Club Vistara Co-brand Cards will be shared in the coming weeks.

As a part of the integration process at our end, your personal data pertaining to your membership will be evaluated by authorised representatives, maintaining highest level of confidentiality throughout this process. However, should you wish to opt out of this transfer, please click here. If you choose to exercise this option, all your points, tier status, benefits, vouchers etc. will be honoured by Club Vistara only until the program exists. If you do not opt out within 21 days of receipt of this communication, we shall initiate the process of migration of your data into Air India’s Flying Returns program.
We deeply value our relationship with you and will be sharing more updates in the coming months, including the date of migration and how we can, together, make it seamless for you. Once again, thank you for placing your trust in us and being our valued member.
Sincerely,
Club Vistara

Hi everyone - I’m in a pickle and would love some advice.
I make $175k and am looking for a $3k apartment. I’ve rented two apartments in NYC so far and have never missed a rent payment or a credit card payment. So far so good.
Last year Verizon overcharged me by a month for my Internet $50 and sent it to collections when I did not pay.. I grudgingly paid the charge off but Verizon said they could only report that it was paid and not delete the collections on my credit report.
This wrecked my credit score which was 750 and fell to 590 overnight
It has crawled back up to 650 now. I’m trying to move to a new apartment now but my application was not selected. The condo wouldn’t tell me why but I imagine it is due to my sub 700 credit score. I even sent them a note explaining my situation along with my detailed credit report that shows my credit score trend as well as the only missed payment ( exceptional payment history on both credit cards and good reference letters from both past landlords in New York )
Is there anything I can do to not keep losing apartments like this? Is this a real issue? I would really appreciate any advice.
Thanks for reading!

1. Resistors:

Function: Limits current, divides current, creates voltage drops, adjusts voltage.
Variable Parameter: Resistance (R) - measured in Ohms (Ω).
Significance: The higher the resistance value, the lower the current through it, and vice versa.
Construction: A resistive core (carbon, metal, ceramic, etc.) coated with an insulating layer.
Operating Principle: Based on the collision of electrons with atoms in the resistive core, reducing the energy of the electrons and converting it into heat energy.
Applications: Widely used in electronic circuits, from simple to complex circuits. For example: limiting current through LEDs, dividing current in amplifier circuits, creating voltage drops for voltage regulator circuits, adjusting voltage in filter circuits...

2. Capacitors:

Function: Stores electrical energy, filters signals, blocks AC current, passes DC current.
Variable Parameter: Capacitance (C) - measured in Farads (F).
Significance: The higher the capacitance value, the greater the ability to store electrical energy, and vice versa.
Construction: Two parallel metal plates separated by an insulating dielectric (paper, ceramic, mica...).
Operating Principle: When a voltage is applied, an electric field is created between the capacitor plates, charging the capacitor plates. When the power is turned off, the electric field remains and keeps the capacitor plates charged.
Applications: Very diverse in electronic circuits, from power supply filtering to oscillator circuits. For example: filtering power for electronic circuits, generating pulses for oscillator circuits, blocking noise signals...

3. Inductors:

Function: Stores electrical energy in the form of a magnetic field, resists sudden changes in current, creates time delays.
Variable Parameter: Inductance (L) - measured in Henrys (H).
Significance: The higher the inductance value, the greater the resistance to sudden changes in current, and vice versa.
Construction: A coil of conductive wire wrapped around a core (plastic, iron...).
Operating Principle: When current flows through the inductor, a magnetic field is created around it. When the current changes, the magnetic field also changes, generating an induced voltage in the opposite direction of the current, counteracting the sudden change in current.
Applications: Common in power supply filtering, resonant circuits, transformer circuits... For example: filtering power for electronic circuits, generating pulses for oscillator circuits, converting voltage...

4. Diodes:

Function: Allows current to flow in one direction, blocks current in the opposite direction.
Variable Parameter: Threshold voltage (Uf) - measured in Volts (V).
Significance: The higher the threshold voltage, the higher the voltage required for the diode to conduct.
Construction: Two semiconductor layers joined together to form a P-N junction.
Operating Principle: Based on the principle of electron and hole diffusion. When there is a forward voltage, current flows through the diode. When there is a reverse voltage, the current is blocked.
Applications: Widely used in electronic circuits, from rectification circuits to protection circuits. For example: rectifying AC power to DC power, protecting electronic circuits from reverse voltage...

5. Transistors:

Function: Amplifies electrical signals, controls current, switches on and off electrical circuits.
Variable Parameter: Hfe (β) - current gain.
Construction: Three semiconductor layers joined together to form N-P-N or P-N-P.
Operating Principle: Based on the control of current through one semiconductor layer (base) by current in another semiconductor layer (emitter, collector).
Applications: Very diverse in electronic circuits, from audio amplifier circuits to microprocessor circuits...

Integrated Circuits (ICs): Operating Principle

Integrated circuits (ICs), also known as microchips, are assemblies of electronic components interconnected on a small semiconductor substrate. These components can include transistors, resistors, capacitors, diodes, and many other types. ICs are used to perform a wide range of electronic functions, from simple to complex.
The basic operating principle of ICs is to utilize the properties of semiconductor materials to create transistors and other electronic components. These transistors are then interconnected according to pre-designed circuit diagrams to perform the desired functions.
There are two main types of ICs:
Digital ICs: This type of IC uses electronic signals at two voltage levels (usually 0V and 5V) to represent data. Digital ICs are used in electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, and many other devices.
Analog ICs: This type of IC uses electronic signals that can change continuously to represent data. Analog ICs are used in electronic devices such as audio amplifiers, filters, and other devices.

Essential Circuit Blocks in Integrated Circuits (ICs)

Integrated circuits (ICs), also known as microchips, are the cornerstone of modern electronics. These tiny marvels of engineering pack millions of transistors, resistors, capacitors, and other components onto a single semiconductor substrate, enabling them to perform a vast array of functions. Understanding the fundamental circuit blocks that make up ICs is crucial for comprehending their operation and appreciating their versatility.
1. Amplifier Circuits:
o Function: Amplify electronic signals (voltage or current) to enhance their strength.
o Structure: Comprises transistors, resistors, capacitors, and other components connected in amplifier configurations like BJT amplifiers, FET amplifiers, etc.
o Operating Principle: Utilizes the principle of controlling current through a transistor to modify the voltage or current at the output.
o Applications: Widely used in electronic devices like radios, televisions, computers, etc.
2. Logic Circuits:
o Function: Perform logical operations (AND, OR, NOT, etc.) on electronic signals.
o Structure: Consists of logic gates constructed from transistors, resistors, capacitors, and other components.
o Operating Principle: Employs the principle of switching voltage states (0 or 1) to represent the outcome of a logical operation.
o Applications: Employed to build central processing units (CPUs), control circuitry in electronic devices, etc.
3. Oscillator Circuits:
o Function: Generate electronic signals with a periodic oscillating waveform of specific frequency and amplitude.
o Structure: Comprises transistors, capacitors, resistors, and other components connected in oscillator configurations like LC oscillators, RC oscillators, etc.
o Operating Principle: Relies on the principle of charging and discharging a capacitor coupled with transistor amplification to produce an oscillating signal.
o Applications: Utilized in electronic devices like clocks, radio transmitters, etc.
4. Memory Circuits:
o Function: Store data in the form of electronic signals.
o Structure: Consists of memory cells like flip-flops, SRAM, DRAM, etc.
o Operating Principle: Employs the principle of altering the state of memory cells to retain data.
o Applications: Employed in electronic devices like computers, mobile phones, etc.

5. Pulse Generator Circuits:

· Function: Generate electrical pulses with square, triangular, or other waveform shapes at specific frequencies and amplitudes.
· Structure: Comprises multivibrators, 555 timer ICs, and other components.
· Operating Principle: Utilizes the principle of charging and discharging a capacitor coupled with transistor amplification to produce electrical pulses.
· Applications: Employed in electronic devices like clocks, computers, etc.

6. Filter Circuits:

· Function: Eliminate unwanted components from electronic signals, such as noise, harmonic signals, etc.
· Structure: Consists of inductors, capacitors, resistors, and other components connected in filter configurations like RC filters, LC filters, etc.
· Operating Principle: Relies on the principle of blocking or attenuating components with frequencies different from the desired frequency.
· Applications: Widely used in electronic devices like radios, televisions, computers, etc.

7. Comparator Circuits:

· Function: Compare two electronic signals and generate an output signal indicating which signal is greater, smaller, or equal.
· Structure: Comprises voltage comparators or current comparators constructed from transistors, resistors, capacitors, and other components.
· Operating Principle: Employs the principle of comparing the voltage or current of two input signals to produce an appropriate output signal.
· Applications: Utilized in electronic devices like control circuits, timing circuits, etc.

8. Signal Conversion Circuits:

· Function: Convert electronic signals from one form to another, such as converting analog signals to digital signals and vice versa.
· Structure: Consists of A/D converters, D/A converters, comparators, filters, and other components.
· Operating Principle: Relies on the principle of sampling analog signals, encoding them into digital signals, or decoding digital signals into analog signals.
· Applications: Widely used in electronic devices like computers, mobile phones, etc.

9. Control Circuits:

· Function: Control the operation of other circuits within an IC or an electronic system.
· Structure: Comprises logic gates, flip-flops, counters, decoders, and other components.
· Operating Principle: Employs the principle of processing logic signals to control the state of other circuits.
· Applications: Utilized in most electronic devices.

10. Communication Circuits:

· Function: Enable ICs to communicate with other devices in an electronic system or with users.
· Structure: Consists of communication buses, buffers, communication controllers, and other components.
· Operating Principle: Relies on the principle of transmitting and receiving data between devices.
· Applications: Employed in most electronic devices.

11. Voltage Regulator Circuits:

· Function: Provide a stable voltage supply to other circuits within an IC or an electronic system.
· Structure: Comprises transistors, Zener diodes, resistors, and other components connected in voltage regulator configurations like linear regulators, switching regulators, etc.
· Operating Principle: Utilizes the principle of adjusting the output voltage by modifying the resistance or current through the transistor or Zener diode.
· Applications: Widely used in electronic devices like computers, mobile phones, etc.
These essential circuit blocks form the foundation of ICs, empowering them to perform a vast array of functions that underpin modern electronics. From amplifying signals to processing data and enabling communication, ICs have revolutionized technology and continue to drive innovation across various industries.
Many sources

I recently committed to Pitt for their guaranteed dental program, but I am wondering: did I make the right choice? Here's a pros and cons list for my top three choices:
Pitt GAP Dental
Pros: Got into dental school already (need to maintain certain GPA, don't need to take the DAT), program also allows u to matriculate early!!!, great undergrad life, nice mix of college-town and city vibes, lots of research/STEM opportunities, already have a roommate
Cons: OOS, Didn't get much of a scholarship (need to pay 48k/yr undergrad + 120k/yr dental school), undergrad isn't as prestigious
NYU CAS
Pros: One of my DREAM SCHOOLS (literally screamed when I got in), my most prestigious option, NYC, can possibly get dental research opportunities w their large dental school
Cons: THE DEBT is astronomical (I have to pay like 93k/yr undergrad + 140k/yr dental school), no designated college campus - so no "college life" w football games and stuff
VCU Honors
Pros: In-state and I got a good scholarship so I only have to pay for dorms/food (0 undergrad debt), parents will get me a nice car if I go here, option of preferred applicant track (I can apply to VCU dental sophomore year), lots of benefits for honors students, lots of research/stem opportunities
Cons: Least prestigious, don't rly like Richmond, salty that I got rejected from the GAP :D
Please let me know what you guys think!!

If you are the Director of a Limited Company registered on Companies House then this business credit card might will be of interest.

Once you have successfully applied and registered it is a free business MasterCard which pays 1% cashback on all purchases. If you sign up via my link and make at least one purchase then we will each get £75 credit on our accounts. Combine this with the 1% cashback on purchases and it seems a lot better than anything the ordinary consumer can get. Steps to get £75 credit to your account: I have been using for several months and all seems smooth so far. They have a good Contact Centre and it is easy to setup a DD for the monthly payment (full amount) or pay off using debit card.

This does not have any impact on your personal credit report or credit score but is against your Ltd company. Balances need to be paid off every month to avoid interest payments (in the same way as a normal credit card).

No annual fees.

On going 1% cashback, paid every month, and can be redeemed directly as a credit on the account, paid out to your bank or as Amazon vouchers (+2%) Successful applicants through my link get £75 credit on their account to spend anywhere!

Please get in touch if you want to discuss any details of this offer. For Ltd Company businesses it really is a no-brainer once you have got through the application form.Sign up through this link https://account.capitalontap.com/apps/apply (about 2 mins) and add referral code: 2REFP537S57.

Have your company details to hand.

Non-ref https://www.capitalontap.com/en/ (no £75 incentive) Wait for the card to arrive in the post. Activate the card online. Make a single purchase (£1 Amazon will suffice) Once the purchase has cleared (about 1 week, max) you will get a £75 credit that can be used against future purchases.

Hi.
I live in the NYC area connected to ConEd network. I had a 12.9kW array installed about 8 years ago and I am being charged using the old net-metering system (credits carry over month to month and cashed out once a year).
I am thinking of adding a few panels to my system, I have space for a few more. I am getting conflicting info about requirement for a new interconnection application (vs updating the old one), which would trigger loss of the grandfathered net metering status and move to the new CBC system instead.
I cannot find any information about the rules for addition of panels and expansion of an array on the coned or the nyserda website and how my project will be treated.
Can someone point me to the right direction? Would be good to see the official rules and use as a guide for decision making.
Appreciate the help in advance.