dad won't co-sign my student loan and I have been declined (again) :(

It's probably a good idea not to talk about it right now. I would be just as sore as you are if I was in your position, and bringing it up right now while it's still fresh would just start an unnecessary feud.

I'm so glad your loan came through.     I've been watching this thread, but had no helpful advice! 

I'm so glad your loan came through.     I've been watching this thread, but had no helpful advice! 

Thanks so much for the support!

Thanks so much. Yes, most likely. One of the academics from my department sent me a very supportive email, saying she would sign off on intercalating for a few months because of my health, yet supported my decision to go to the summer course in Italy because it would be a boost.

Brilliant! I think you're right to go to Italy. You never know how something like that will pay off in the future.

Three years ago I visited a lab and worked on a problem with a collaborator for a couple of days. We had some difficulties and never really got anywhere, and I forgot all about it. Last week I got an email from that collaborator, saying that he'd recently gone back to that problem and written a paper on it then realized that it was the same thing we had worked on, and that he and the other author would be happy to add me as a coauthor. I have a few other stories like that, as well. So go to Italy! 

I'm so glad that things are working out for you!

Loan approved, just need school certification! 

HOORAY! 

Elynor,

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I can go to Italy anymore. Last month I asked the course organizer if I would need a visa and she said she did not think that I would. Today my husband got an email from the Italian consulate and they said I would need a visa to study there (even though it is only a two week course). I looked back and the summer course sent an email a month ago that mentioned that if anyone needed a visa they could supply the student with a letter. I contacted the consulate and the automated system said the soonest appointment I could get was 19 September. So it is a no go. The woman from the summer course was terribly unclear. On the bright side, I have been studying more recently.