Eager

Thanks guys! It has been such a roller coaster, such a journey, but sooooo worth it. I have been getting emails from my program and I spoke with someone today who told me that it was a really hard year to get in and they really enjoyed reading my application. She told me how excited they were to have me! I kept asking myself, is this happening to me? This is what I've read from so many other people in varying forms, but now it is actually happening to me. Pinching myself. I talked about the lounge that I wasn't allowed into as a non-matric, well guess where the open house is going to be held? The Lounge!!!! I sent an email right away letting them know I would attend. Not long after there was an email saying they looked forward to seeing me there. So cool. They are also trying something new this semester by circulating the Statement of Purpose of those who have been accepted. I was told that it will allow people in my program to get excited about my research and connect me to those who have similar interests. Nerve-wracking I tell you! But hey, I'm in. I sent it and gave my permission for its circulation. I'm giving up quite a bit of money with my current jobs to do this, but I can't imagine anything I would rather do then attend the program I have dreamed about for so long. Just hope my honey continues to see it that way. It might take more than one bass!

I received my acceptance today!!! It was In my junk email of all places! It specifically said to let them know of my acceptance no later than the 15th of April. I thought all letters would specify. I am of course accepting. So excited. I would like to figure out how to accept other than saying, "Dear God, yes!!! I've been waiting for this for so long…" Probably should think of something other than that…..Good wishes to everyone!

TODAY….I was carefully going through my junk mail, looking for the student emails that inevitably end up there no matter what filter setting I apply and there it was. There is was….I read: Dear xxxxx xxxxxx, Congratulations! You have been admitted to the Ph.D. Program in English at xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx. That you have been selected from among the 243 applications we received this year indicates our high opinion of your qualifications and our confidence that you will thrive in our program. We extend our warmest invitation to join our entering class for the Fall 2016 semester. I screamed so loud!!!!! Unfortunately, my honey was sleeping and jumped out of bed yelling. "What happened? What is it?" He was ready to rumble! I told him that I was accepted as I cried and shook and bounced on the bed. He was sleepily very happy for me, even more happy it wasn't an intruder I was screaming about. And get this Grad family, full funding. I was offered full funding. This is one of the most exciting days of my life. My musician husband thinks we should buy him a bass to celebrate. He says it will help keep him "supportive". I pretended like that was a problem, but he doesn't know that he's getting that bass just because he had been so supportive! So….the round of calls that I have been waiting for years to make ensued. I called my mom who screamed with joy, my brother, who told me, "You've worked hard, you've earned this!" My closest friend, my sister, my aunt who is hard of hearing, so that took longer than anticipated, to my daughter, who told me she knew it was in the bag! I sit here now, smiling, on cloud twelve! I have read so many stories of acceptances and wondered when it would be my turn. Today it is. For all those who have been rejected, don't give up. Never give up. One day, you will write your story here and I look forward to reading it.

Well, I can finally tell my story, all of it. I've come full circle and my God does it feel wonderful…. I found the Grad Cafe in 2013. It was what I needed, when I needed it. I started a forum entitled, Good sign, Omen of Hallucination. If you can find it, it makes for great reading. It was wonderful. We supported each other and reported our Good signs, our omens and our unfortunate hallucinations as we waited to hear…anything. I was RUTHLESSLY REJECTED on Valentine's Day in 2013. I was beyond devastated. Beyond! Everyone in the forum was so supportive. I decided that there was another path for me. So, I received permission to take classes as a non-matric in my program. It was exciting. I took three classes. I learned sooo much. I received my ID, with my picture grinning from ear to ear. I sat in the very place I wanted to be, but I always felt like I was on the outside looking in. And of course to add insult to injury, the program I so desperately wanted to be in had a lounge. Riff raff, such as myself, were not allowed. I would walk by and stare into the window and look longingly into that room hoping one day…. During my time as a non-matric, I discovered what I really wanted to research, and gained the support of an amazing faculty member who agreed to be my advisor if I was accepted. Once I began my reapplication process, which seemed like a Herculean task in and of itself, he wrote me a "very strong" recommendation letter. As did the chair of my department and the coordinator of my department. It felt so good to have so much support, but there it was looming over my head..what if I were to be rejected again? To make that sad round of phone calls…again, starting with my mom, seemed like too much. But into the breach I plunged, applying aging, hoping again, obsessing again. To top it off unlike almost everyone else in these forums, I was applying to only one program. ONE PEOPLE!!!! I only wanted to go to one place so why pretend? Three classes later, I had credits, a 4.0 and hope that it would actually matter to my program when they read my application. TODAY….I was carefully going through my junk mail, looking for the student emails that inevitably end up there no matter what filter setting I apply and there it was. There is was….I read: Dear xxxxx xxxxxx, Congratulations! You have been admitted to the Ph.D. Program in English at xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx. That you have been selected from among the 243 applications we received this year indicates our high opinion of your qualifications and our confidence that you will thrive in our program. We extend our warmest invitation to join our entering class for the Fall 2016 semester. I screamed so loud!!!!! Unfortunately, my honey was sleeping and jumped out of bed yelling. "What happened? What is it?" He was ready to rumble! I told him that I was accepted as I cried and shook and bounced on the bed. He was sleepily very happy for me, even more happy it wasn't an intruder I was screaming about. And get this Grad family, full funding. I was offered full funding. This is one of the most exciting days of my life. My musician husband thinks we should buy him a bass to celebrate. He says it will help keep him "supportive". I pretended like that was a problem, but he doesn't know that he's getting that bass just because he had been so supportive! So….the round of calls that I have been waiting for years to make ensued. I called my mom who screamed with joy, my brother, who told me, "You've worked hard, you've earned this!" My closest friend, my sister, my aunt who is hard of hearing, so that took longer than anticipated, to my daughter, who told me she knew it was in the bag! I sit here now, smiling, on cloud twelve! I have read so many stories of acceptances and wondered when it would be my turn. Today it is. For all those who have been rejected, don't give up. Never give up. One day, you will write your story here and I look forward to reading it. Your Grad Cafe Sister, Eager

Well, I'm back!!!!!!!!!!! My class is totally overwhelming and the material way over my head - in other words, I'm having a great time!!!!!! I have my school ID and taking a class I really like! The only problem is, I'm a non-matrich, kind of the step-child. But, I will take my blessings as they come. I'm going to apply again, however, I need to take my time. I need to find an advisor, let people get to know me and so on. It's a four credit course, so not bad. Hopefully, I will take another four credit course after this one. The plan is to earn credits while I am making connections and then BAM! I'll hit them with a great application. That's the plan anyway. It's a little ways off, so for now, I've decided to enjoy myself. How is everyone doing? Any good hallucinations lately?

But before I go on Vacation, let me just say, YES! YES! YES! Those are awesome signs. Many people are happy to get a good full on hallucination at at time like this (I know I was). However, you have solid, positive feedback! Excellent! Keep us posted on the details!!!!!

Hello my friend! So good to hear from you. Thanks so much for the kind words. Yes, I am excited, foot in the door. We will see what happens. I am completely trusting the process at this point. I will keep you all updated. I know good things will continue to happen for all of us. Summer is here, so this thread has died down, but September is a comin' and there will be people taking their second and third shots, newbies, wet behind the ears, with hope in their eyes and we will remain a strong grad family, seeing each other through. I'm headed to vacation, so this is my official 'I'm out' until September. Have a great summer my people. The madness will begin again, soon enough!

Hello! Welcome!!!!! I am so excited for you. The fact that they wanted to work something out means they see your potential. That my friend is very cool. I really do believe that things work out the way they are supposed to if we trust the process. You want a program that is right for you in every way that is important. I am trusting for you that your feet will find the right path and that it will be an exciting journey. Keep us posted, we are your grad family now!

Thank you so much!!!! I am excited! I probably shouldn't say it, but I think that this is one of the best, most supportive threads on this forum! All of you are awesome!

Aw, thank you! That is so sweet! Being positive during this process is not always easy. But we owe it to each other to be supportive...And can I just add in terms of good news that because I had to change my schedule at the college where I work in order to take a class in my program, I was offered a class that I have ALWAYS WANTED to teach at my job. I couldn't believe it. It is not easy to get those types of classes...and there it was, an email asking me if I wanted to teach it. I wish I could have been a little more dignified, but I actually replied back with something along the lines of, "Dear God, yes!!!!!!". It kind of makes you think that maybe, just maybe things work out exactly the way they are supposed to. And maybe we should just trust the process...

Well everyone, good news! I was finally approved to take a class in my program! So excited. The director actually looked at my educational background and recommended a course for me. Which is of course the one I am going to take. She told me that there is an envelope in the office with my name on it which contains my permission letter. So I am going down today to pick it up...and my Ph.D journey begins. Not exactly the way I though it would be, but I am so happy...I can reapply while I take classes. i can also get to know people and get an advisor. My mentor at the college where I teach told me that once they meet me, they will want me. From her mouth to God's ear. So excited! I don't usually do this, but I'm going to give myself my official....Wooooo Hoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

How sweet!!!!!!!! When I say that you all are my gradcafe family, I mean it! Family has to stick together. Just think, years from now when we are all accomplished in our professions, earned many awards and accolades, we will think fondly back to our grad cafe family and wonder how we all are doing. Even then, I will be sending good vibes to all of you. Woooooooo Hooooooooooo!

Wow! You have a lot going on don't you? Conditional acceptances are good signs. It will definitely be an interesting wait. But it sounds like you are on the right track. Try not to stress too much. I am hoping as well that you will receive an unconditional acceptance. Keep us posted on every little detail.

Welcome!!! First, I am sorry to hear about the rejection. I know that hurts. But you are still in the game. Your application is up for review - that's exciting. So, try to stay as calm as you can, and don't obsess! (Easier said than done, I know). Be good to yourself throughout this process. Keep us posted!!!

Wowzer Larrie! Two acceptances already....going back and forth with Switzerland....Excuse me!!!!! I am so happy that you are still in the game. Hang in there. It is such a frustrating process. But to have received two offers already means that programs see your worth...and that is a very awesome thing. Keep us posted. We are your grad family now!