Sevenoffs

Moan and cry for awhile. Will continue working as an RA full-time (at least until our grant runs out). Find a new job and save enough money to apply for round two next year.

Damn. My friend heard back from here. I'm assuming I didn't get an interview, sad times. But totally expected because I didn't have good fit with any of the professors.

1) Are you the first in your family to pursue graduate education? Are you the first to pursue higher education in general? I am the first to pursue graduate education in my family. My sister and I both went to University, but our parents (and their family) did not. 2) What struggles have you faced as a first-generation applicant? Hmm. I think that although my mother is very supportive, she doesn't always understand the amount of work that's involved with everything I'm doing. That makes it difficult at times when I have to plan my life around my schooling (and my son). Also my struggles were probably more directly related to the fact that I am a single parent. I had my son when I was 16 and just kept on trucking. It is extremely stressful at times, and sometimes I get worried about pursuing graduate school at this point...but I am going to! My son is turning 9 next month and is a lovely little boy, and it has worked out so far. 3) What have you accomplished as a first-generation applicant? I managed to tackle the position of being a single parent alongside maintaining high grades, completing my Honours thesis, completing a specialization program, and getting all of my graduate application testing done and applications in. I have lived by myself since I had my son, not received any child support, and somehow managed to create a lovely human being for the world while improving myself and my future! I feel pretty proud of that. 4) What has helped you reach your educational goals? A lot of family support from my mother (babysitting when needed), as well as some amazing friends I've had since I was a teenager. I've also maintained good working relationships with many of the professors from my undergraduate degree, and that helped my graduate application process a lot (they reviewed numerous things and helped me with any questions). All of these factors will continue to help me further my education, and I'm constantly grateful for everyone in my life!

I'm so glad I came across this thread, two schools I applied for are mentioned. SFU applicants should be done tomorrow then! Ahh. Making me even more nervous.

Watching way too much TV. Obsessively checking my email. Experimenting with cooking. Learning statistics programs (for fun).

Depending on how much money I have saved up, I hope to take a month off and just relax before everything starts! However, if I end up moving for school that probably won't happen, as I will be moving across the country with my son (it will be an adventure!). Will also definitely utilize the advice mentioned and check out scholarships and bursaries ahead of time.

I'm also obsessively refreshing my poor gmail. Everyone I know that's in school has told me mid-January or later. I'm just concerned because SFU has set their interview date for January 31st! I wonder when they send out the information, since it's creeping up on the date.

Applying for MA/PhD programs in Clinical Psychology for Fall 2014! Already got the General GRE over with (165V/160Q/5.5AW) and prepping for the subject now! Aiming to have my applications in November 1st.