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madricka

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Everything posted by madricka

  1. I'm kinda freaked about going back also. I've been in critical care/trauma nursing for the last 6 years (after 2 undergrad degrees) and heading into a MI program. All I'm planning to do is to attend as many events at the iSchool as possible so I can start to feel like a student again. I bought a new desk & other bits (haha). I've also been doing a lot of genealogical research -- not related but getting me back into the research mode. I'm also switching jobs, doing ICU research instead of bedside nursing. Still worried about getting back to it though, as excited as I am.
  2. I'm 40 and was rather quickly admitted into my program (MI at Toronto), 3 weeks turnaround time. I don't think those who are older have a harder time being accepted, I think age (whether older or younger) is a state of mind. It's not about the number, it's about what you do with the time you have & what your attitude is. I'm sure a number of you would beg to differ & that's cool. Just giving my 2 cents! As for the friends thing... I've never had a problem making friends older or younger. It's about finding a common thread & working from there. Of course, with any huge age difference you won't mesh 100%, but who says you have to?? You have your school friends, work friends, outside friends. Nothing wrong with mixing it up. Older students feeling they aren't up to par with younger students? I don't think so. My experience (as a much older undergrad student who buddied with other mature students) is that we tend to be more dedicated, worked harder, never skipped classes, & earned higher grades. Of course, I'm grossly biased, I get that. I'm also referring to undergrad vs grad, a HUGE difference. Again, my opinion. In sum, I don't think age should be a concern at all when diving into grad school. It's all about the journey & there is no way you can emerge unchanged (unless you fight really hard!). You're supposed to enjoy it!
  3. I received my acceptance for MI at UofToronto last week. Turnaround time was 3 weeks. My program has rolling admissions & it was the only school/program I applied to (I live dangerously!). Good luck!
  4. I'm 40 & was just accepted into a Masters of Information Sci program. A lot of people might try to discourage you & say your chances are lower because of your age -- which is simply insane! There are no rules about age. It's your life, you can do what you want. I think what schools ARE looking for is someone who loves what they do, is excited, dedicated and intelligent. They want people who have had a variety of life experiences and can bring some fresh perspective to the table. How boring would the world be if everyone was the exact same age, coming from the exact same educational background? Age and experience bring spice! Best of luck my friend!
  5. I just received my acceptance from UToronto for MI. Yay! For those of you still waiting, stay strong. This process is gruelling!
  6. Just received my acceptance email from UofToronto for Masters of Info Science!! Yay!! Kinda stupid because it was the only program/school I applied for. For those of you still waiting, stay strong. Your acceptance will come when you least expect it.
  7. Mine is kinda wonky. Gifted/ADHD, homeless at 13, gradually finished high school by age 23 (mom kicked me out, no drugs/alcohol or anything crazy). Did my first degree (BA in sociology/psychology) with grades ranging from A+ to F (yep, an F, I wanted to see what failure felt like, so stupid looking back but whatever). After that degree worked with street youth (started an educational bursary for street youth, did research, did celebrity catering, was a board member for a health clinic, etc). Did another undergrad degree (BSc in nursing), graduated with honours & worked for 2 years in surgical oncology then went back to school for a post-grad certificate in Critical Care Nursing (honours again). I subsequently worked for 3 years in critical care/trauma. While I was in nursing school, worked in my university's library & continued with the celebrity catering (basically every feature film & major concert coming through this city), helped pay for school. So yeah, did it all on my own. Last year I sustained a neck injury when caring for a violent patient and have been off work for almost an entire year. Grad school is something I've wanted to do for a long time, but now it's kind of necessary. I have income (WSIB) so it's not a financial need. More of an intellectual/emotional need. I can never do bedside nursing again so I've been kinda forced to stop and think about what I really want to do with the rest of my life. I'm 40 years old and have another 25 working years left (at least), how to spend that time? I'm kind of excited to see what happens next!
  8. Tiarabun, you are awesome! So many of the same thoughts have drifted through my mind as well. I'm not sure that one rejection (as agonizing & gut-wrenching as it is) is really a blessing or a lesson. I think it just means you *will* be accepted into a WAY better program, a place you truly belong & will be valued for the skills & enthusiasm you bring. I think that the universe (or God or whoever) is just trying to gently guide you to the best place possible for you so that you can do what makes you happy. If that means being rejected from a certain school, it's part of the deal I guess. The rejection will most definitely sting for a bit, but spring always follows winter, there is more goodness to come. I know that sounds terribly cheesy and I don't mean to pat you on the back and say, "There, there, it will all work out in the end". But things DO always work out in the end, no matter what happens. And I really do think that like attracts like -- which includes nerdy academic people, if that makes any sense at all. When you're 90 years old, will it really matter that you were accepted to 3 schools out of 4? I think what will matter more is the fact that you didn't stick with a job you hated and went after the things you loved the most. Remember to breathe and trust that the other schools will adore you. Thanks for sharing.
  9. I'm 40. Have a LOT of various work/life experience & 2 undergrad degrees (BA & BSc) with high grades. I'm not really worried & I seriously don't think my age will be a deterrent. Maybe it depends on which program you're applying to? I've applied for MLIS. The impression I've gotten from faculty, students, etc is that they actually prefer people who have interesting backgrounds vs cookie cutter fresh-out-of-undergrad types. Maybe I'm wrong and like I said, it probably has a lot to do with which program you're applying for (and, of course, masters vs PhD).
  10. Genealogy research, it goes on forever and I get totally absorbed. At bedtime, need sleeping pills or I won't sleep because I start mentally re-writing my application bits and driving myself crazy wondering...
  11. I gave hand-written thank you notes & $10 Starbucks cards. I didn't want to overdo it!
  12. I decided on MI Library Science (and collaborative program in Book History & Print Culture). But I'm open to changing it if I become fascinated with another area. I met a few of the profs at Campus Day in October & their subjects were really cool too. Are you going to the Info Night tomorrow?
  13. I've only applied to University of Toronto (MLIS/BHPC). Waiting, waiting.
  14. When I tell my (trauma/critical care) nursing colleagues I'm aiming for MLIS, I get a blank stare as if they are expecting me to start laughing and then they say, "Really? Why?". My mom asked, "Won't you be bored?". Augh. It's frustrating when you have to explain yourself in order to justify why you're doing what you actually want to do (instead of doing what *they* want you to do!).
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