Two Masters, an Archive and Tea

I found this advice to be very useful. I'm also torn between two schools, and when I think of which makes me happiest, it's a no brainer. Gracias!

Great advice as I'm deciding between two schools as well.

Thanks for the great advice. I'm going through the same situation right now and spending sleepless nights thinking over and over, and though I do know which of them makes me happy and excited, it now feels like a decision between compromise or persevere, and still unable to decide as my one decision is going to affect a lot more people than just me.

I'm glad I've been able to help!

Thanks for this post. I'm struggling right now myself between continuing in academia and entering my PhD or switching into physiotherapy. My external funding didn't come through, which is depressing because this is the first year I havn't held a scholarship since 2008. I'm also unsure if I'm "cut out" for academia. This isn't suggesting I'm not capable, but have the mental strength to deal with the ups and downs that come along with being an academic.

 

I'm so scared of choosing the option that I'll regret, this posts has given me insight that I need to trust my gut instincts!

Hey there, I've been following most of your comments on this site and others because I seem to be in a very similar boat. I'm just now beginning the long and arduous process of applying to MLIS/MA programs, looking at Spring 2014 or Fall 2014 admission (I've been taking time off since graduating from undergrad in 2012). UMD is at the top of my list and I see that's what you've chosen. I've got a couple of questions for you regarding it.

 

1. Are you doing the dual MLIS/MA in History program? If so, what is your focus going to be? If not, what program are you doing?

 

2. In looking for dual MLIS/MA in Public History programs, were you able to find many? All I've found so far is Dominican & Loyola University, University of South Carolina, and University of North Carolina. I've read that Long Island University and NYU have a dual degree, but I'm not sure if it's history or public history.

 

3. How did you Statement of Purpose wind up going? I think I'm most terrified about that. I saw on another forum you posted about yours when you were in the early stages of applying. I'd be eternally grateful for any guidance.

 

4. I also saw you post in another forum about the anxiety and self-loathing associated with graduate applications. One of my biggest fears is that I'm not 'worthy' of these programs. Although I graduated with a 3.47 from a public ivy and interned for a year with a local museum, I've never written a solid research paper or been published in any journals. I worry that I'll run headlong into these applications proclaiming, "I want to attend X because I love libraries and books and museums and history and can't imagine doing anything else!" rather than focusing on my 'unique' set of skills and why I stand out among a horde of other applicants who may have similar (or more qualified) backgrounds. Am I crazy to be so worked up about that?

 

Anyway, congratulations on your admission and thanks in advance for any guidance!

It is hard to be happy it is even harder to know what would make you happy when you have so many dreams and very little options or doors open you feel desperate and never fullfillied 

Haifa, that is just one outlook on life. Many others exist, however, you need to dare to dream. Most everyone has felt desperate and unfulfilled at some point in their lives but that need not be permanent.