[Movie recommendations]

The Prestige is both awesome and long.

[What's your end game?]

If it comes down to that, you can look into International Baccalaureate World Schools. Philosophy is part of the IB curriculum ("college level"), and schools often have a hard time finding qualified people to teach philosophy. Oh, and they have IB World Schools in countries throughout the world.

Just a thought.

My school was part of the IB program and has philosophy classes. I took one of them and it was one of the more interesting high school classes that I experienced.

P.S. Jack Horner rules. He was one of my heroes when I was a teenager.

[History 2010]

But you have two acceptances already, so you're in good shape. My thinking was that if Illinois doesn't want me, where there was plenty of faculty to work with me on my proposed plan and interest in it, then there is a very good chance that other places will think the same way. I kind of understand it though, because my area of interest is not something 'cool' or studied very much right now in history, especially when European history is dominated by German, French, or Russian history. But, still, damn. I'm not despairing, just being realistic. It sucks having all my pessimistic predictions confirmed. Now I must do something about that Indiana waitlist because that's all I've got. Any ideas?

There were also a large amount of applicants and very few positions there, if I remember correctly. Don't let it dampen your hopes at other schools!

[Doctoral Gowns]

#2 unless you are studying for your PhD in Hello Kitty.

[Ages]

I'll be 32 by the time I start my PhD.