[Red Ink!!!]

I have a very quick question for the board: Is it super bad if I signed my admissions letter in RED INK?

Thanks!

(the reason I'm asking is because I was just given a small lecture about this from someone close to me)

[Brief Opinions - Admission]

I could use some opinions from the board. I was enrolled in a program on the west coast, and they gave me funding - it was my first grad program ever. I went for a year, did well, and then personal events forced me to withdraw for a semester about 3 weeks into the Fall. Because of the way the programs at the first school are structured, I would have to wait almost 2 years before the classes I missed would come up again. Obviously, this means I'd have to apply to another school if I hoped to startup again in the Fall of the next year.

So I have stellar letters of recommendation, a near perfect GRE (I took it again), and I've been studying in the meantime.

Should I contact graduate directors personally, and do you think I have a chance of admission to another program? I have submitted my apps already.

Will I have financial aid or funding, do you think?

Thanks in advance.