Eager

Okay, losing your mind is not an option! Getting into this program does not define you! You are a whole, intelligent, accomplished person whether you get in or not. Remember that! And what happened last year does not in anyway determine what will happen this year. It is a good sign. We're here for you. Keep us posted!

I am doing a happy dance for you!!!!!! You deserve it. I am more than happy for you, I am joyous! Enjoy your moment.......Wooo Hoooo! Good vibes all over the place!

I told you! Awesome! So, so, so happy for you. Woo Hoooo! The good news is pouring in now people!!!

First, welcome, welcome!!!! I think that is amazingly awesome! The coordinator looking for funding opportunities for you? Yes, this is a great sign. So happy for you. Keep us posted on every little detail!

It's good to hear from you. I was beginning to think you had forgotten about us. My cookies were oatmeal raisin!

I understand! Sometimes we just want an answer. Here's some advice (that I am in the process of taking myself) that I give to you and the rest of our grad family. It is so important that we be balanced graduate students. We need not let the other areas of our lives suffer as we obsess about the eventual letter/email/phone call that will come. Let us make sure that we are giving our careers, significant others, finances, families and OURSELVES the attention they deserve. I was traveling back from Georgia with my husband and children and we went into one of my favorite restaurants: Cracker Barrel. I had been telling my husband that my personal theme for this year could be encapsulated in one word: Balance. As I was shopping in the little store attached to the eatery, I saw a beautiful green stone with the world BALANCE written in gold letters. I immediately purchased it and I keep it with me. So to all that are still waiting, make sure you are living a balanced life now, so that graduate studies do not eventually overwhelm you. Our graduate studies are just one part of our lives, it is not our lives. Remember: Balance is the key to retaining our sanity as we wait, and eventually as we study.

Well, the that's even better than I thought! Anything is better than a flat out, ruthless rejection on Valentine's Day for God's sake! Oh...sorry. Back to you. Recommended to the committee is a good sign and you have someone rooting for you? Awesome! Keep us posted every step of the way. We're your grad family now.

Wow! My heart is smiling! This is such great news. I won't even be bitter that you have high GRE scores! This is wonderful. You should feel very proud. I am so glad that you had your love with you (but out of sight) who could give you instant feedback. You had the chance to not just be an application, but a real flesh and blood person, that impressed them. What an awesome opportunity. While this is great news, I'm looking forward to even better news from you..... Your acceptance!!!! You get my official...Wooo Hooooo!

Grad fam, I was in Barnes and Nobles on line, waiting to make my purchase. Then I saw a little poster that asked an incredible question. This is what it said: What would you attempt to do, if you knew you could not fail? (Making signs of my mind being blown) Wow! I am still pondering that. I think fear of failure keeps us from so many things. Don't get me started on self sabotage . I don't even have the mental fortitude with which to answer this question at the moment. I just wanted to share it with you. Anybody have the courage to answer it? I mean really, what would we attempt to do if we knew we could not fail?

Welcome sweetpearl16! Now I am not clear on what you meant when you say it was not what you were hoping for. Rejection? Waitlisted? In any case having the program coordinator giving you positive feedback is a MAJOR GOOD SIGN! I love that he said things would work out in your favor. That is a beautiful thing. You should be excited. I know I'm excited for you. Keep us posted!

My Darling Nikki, I'm so sorry. I know EXACTLY how you feel. Do you have other programs that you are holding out hope for? I do hope so. This is one of the hardest processes we have gone through. This process is not so much a test of our intellect, but more a test of our character and our resiliency of spirit. I have a feeling that by the time this is over, we will have passed this test in a way, that when we look back on it, it will make us proud. I have been praying for a sign or signs to tell me what to do, having received my own rejection. The statement under your post has given me direction (Stay The Path). Thank you.

What do you want? Your name written across the sky in blazing letters? You're in!!!! This is super sonic cool. And a competitive fellowship? Wowzer. A jinx has no power over your good news. Congrats, Congrats! Keep us posted!!!! Wooo Hoooo!

Sconnie, that is wonderful. An unofficial acceptance and a reimbursed visit? You are on fire! Please be sure to tell us how they wined and dined you after it's over. This is so cooool!!!!!

Thanks so much! It's an exciting time. Hopefully good vibes are resonating from Brooklyn to all those on this thread! C'mon grad fam, let the good news roll!

You know life is so funny! I have been praying for an acceptance. Even dreaming of an acceptance and a scholarship or fellowship offer. I just felt like a call was coming or something was coming in the mail. I was so sure! I'm not usually wrong about those things. Today, when we arrived home from my son's surgery, there was an acceptance letter in the mail......for him! And an offer of a scholarship! He is so excited. He said, "Wow! I'm going to college!" It's one of several acceptances we hope he will get. I can't explain the joy I felt. He was laying there in his cast, just smiling, asking me to go to the website and check out programs. I did of course, and excitedly we talked about the different possibilities of what he could study. We called and found out his financial package is on the way. Unbelievable! The things I felt, that I knew so keenly in my spirit were not for me at all, but for my son. It's amazing how things work sometimes. I thought I would be so upset going into the weekend. And I am so incredibly happy! God is good people....so good!

It's good to hear from you - and thank you for what you said (and didn't say) about the book that made me laugh out loud! More importantly though, congrats! Congrats!!!!! That is such good news. You are hot stuff! They are finding funding (FINDING FUNDING PEOPLE!) and paying for a visit. Excuse me!!!! I am truly happy for you. After your interview please tell us all the details. I am excited for what's ahead!

You are too kind! Actually, as I have had occasion to reread many of the posts on this thread, I realize that many kind, generous, thoughtful, helpful, inspirational and funny people have written things that have brought much gladness to my heart. If there were more people like most on this thread in the world, then truly it would be a better place!

An act of charity? How....sweet. Just your kind thoughts are more than enough.

I do know what you mean. I've actually published two books and I am almost finished with a third - procrastinating on it really. I don't think I will write a book about this experience though. I'll just have the benefit of having such wonderful people in my life. Applying again? It is definitely possible. I'm kind of waiting on a sign right now. It's good to have good people to wait with though!

I have such fond memories of London. I went there when I was seventeen and it changed my life. And, so has this experience. I have to be honest, I had a feeling my goose was cooked when one of my co-workers, upon hearing how much I wanted to be accepted to my program, looked at me and said, "Sometimes what we think is best for us, God doesn't think is best for us." She had never said anything like that to me before. Someone on this forum also mentioned that I would find the right program for me, even if it wasn't the one I imagined. So, it seems like I am in for an adventure. I have no idea where I am going, how I'm going to get there, or what's going to happen along the way. And I have a feeling that sometimes, that's exactly the way God likes it. I love you all, I really do!

Thank you so much for your kind words. My son got through surgery today and is doing well. It put things in perspective. Of course I had hoped for different results, but I'll be fine. I absolutely receive your wishes of success, happiness and peace, and I wish them right back at you. Please know that whatever I have given to my grad family, I've gotten back so much more!

Wow lionhunter, thanks! I so appreciate your words. I almost didn't want to tell everyone I had been rejected - I didn't want to bring people down. But I know it is not the end of the road....Here is my journal entry as I end the day: As I step over the jagged shards of my shattered dreams, tears staining my face, I look up and see a light twinkling in the distance. The road in front of me is dark, with pitfalls and rocks that could trip me and cause me to fall. But there is still that light...so distant, but there. I am afraid, but I trudge ahead, knowing that if I just have the courage to keep moving, I will reach it...so beautiful is that light. And as I move forward, the darkness shrinks away, as though it is afraid of me. I smile at the thought of that and pick up the pace toward that light that is ahead.

Welcome! Sometimes the people around us see things in us that we don't see. Sounds like he believes in you, which is a very good thing. Ahhhhh...what a ring that has to it, "remaining schools". Do you know what that means? You still have the possibility of getting an acceptance any day now. That my friend, is very cool. I'm thinking incredibly good thoughts for you...kind of excited for you really. Keep us posted!

I am reading this at the end of the night. Tears are streaming down my face. Thank you for your kindness. It was needed and it is much appreciated. I did not expect a rejection on Valentine's day. I read the letter in the office with my co-workers and I cried, but I didn't let them see me. People don't like it when I'm not cheerful. It makes them uncomfortable. So I hid my tears and smiled. I wrote my recommenders a letter apologizing for letting them down, but thanking them for their incredible generosity and friendship. My husband said today, "In truth, it is their loss, not yours." My mentor wrote me back (she wrote a recommendation) and said, "They don't know what they are missing." People around me seem to believe in me. It soothes the hurt. I thought my path was clear, and now it is blurred. I just received an email from my mentor asking me what I am going to do now. I told her honestly that I have no idea. I don't.... Having said all of that, while I wait and pray for direction, it is such a blessing to continue this journey with all of you. I am so looking forward to all of you getting good news. Like I said before, I want to see you all safely to the "other side". Soon you all will be posting in the other forums talking about your programs. I'll stay here and keep the candle burning in the window for the other hopefuls that will arrive. Let's hope for some good news for someone here tomorrow. Be sure to post it as soon as you hear. I could use some good news!