The Interdisciplinarian

Yes, I'm 40, married, no kids, but I feel like our mortgage is a kid. That'll be the thing we have to figure out if I get into this program, because it means that (at least I) will have to move, and selling a house in this market might be kind of dicey. My target program is only two hours away, though, so one idea is to just get a place during the week that is so cheap it might as well be one of those Japanese capsule hotels and live back at home on the weekends. If I got really insane, I could always *dies a little inside* drive 4 hours a day *cringe* *sob*. The spouse is freelancing now, so he is uber portable. It's just that damn house. Grr. I suppose that'll be one comforting thought if I get rejected: at least I don't have to sell my house yet and can take a little more time weighing market options. In terms of being older on the PhD app rounds, I think the benefits/drawbacks vary a little by discipline. I have a colleague getting her PhD who'll be about 50 by the time she finishes up, and there were people in their early 60s in my MFA program. For humanities, I truly don't think it's a huge deal unless you really wouldn't have any time in the field much at all between graduation and retirement. I've estimated that if I'm at all reasonably speedy with this degree, I would still have a good 20+ year career on the horizon. My father is an academic as well and isn't retired at 70, just because he's still sharp and still loves it. More than anything, though, you do need a supportive and flexible partner if you aren't single. The younger folks who aren't yet in permanent relationships do have that advantage. My husband used to be ensconced in a very location-dependent job, and that wouldn't have been the best time to make this jump, so I would've probably been looking at different programs. I still might have had to take a job away from him at some point, but we've always maintained a "go where somebody's got the best deal" rule for long-term job commitments, which I think is extremely fair. For lots of couples, though, there are years of living far apart and/or resentment over cross-country moves that spell the death knell for the relationship. I'm just fortunate he's not also an academic; that does make these sorts of things a little easier.

Good luck, @heddatron! Getting waitlisted is still a positive, and of course not everyone who gets in places is going to accept. Is Minnesota your first choice or is Mich? If Mich hasn't responded yet, you may hear from them in the affirmative before you find out from Minnesota that you don't have a spot. Or you may indeed be spoiled for choice and have to decide between two yesses!

Oh, wow. I'm in Dayton, so yes, pretty close-ish to Cincy. Also, my insomnia was last night. I just got v little sleep all weekend and am kind of a wreck this morning as a result. Bleh.

I am in full blown insomnia mode, y'all. *cries*

Oh, my gosh, are you me? That's my backup plan, and it's getting tenuous and weird lately. Without the PhD, even though I have an MFA, I do not foresee getting a TT position or even something better in higher ed than a non-TT fac gig, like directing a center or something. It's the toughest industry going, I swear. Which doesn't help when my OTHER backup plan is hoping I write the breakout novel. At least you're only 31. I'm 40. If I don't get into something next year at the latest, I might as well just turn in the Panera app I randomly picked up at lunch today.

Woo, congrats!

Nope. We're good, @Neist. I have decided there will likely be no news from them today, considering it's already after 4 pm. <- impending weekend logic

Aw, @Foreveronward! Take a nice nap, a walk, watch some TV. I'm sorry! ETA: Crap, I just made the mistake of checking my school for other departments, and the results are indeed rolling in, just not from my program. ARGH! I am totally freaking out.

Wow, sorry to alarm people! Haha. I just know from my experiences working for a university that a lot of faculty committees meet on Fridays. And since we're in decision-ing season just after a lot of deadlines, it makes sense. Plus, schools on the semester system are likely to be at a point when things are a little slower/less hectic, so this indeed would be a GREAT day to meet. I can't decide if I want to look at my target school's web site to see if they had a snow day.

Well, week one of Februgatory is at a close. I'm wondering if a flurry of activity will happen today, as Friday is a big committee meeting day a lot of places, or if Monday will see a deluge. I'm going to pretend nothing will happen until Monday. This weekend will be like waiting for that climb up the steps to the gallows...

Any BGSU insiders know anything about decision making? I know it might be a little early, but I am just a bundle of raw nerves. Congrats to those admitted places! Woo!

Oh, golly, I'm sorry.

*has flashback to job interview that went REALLY well, only to suddenly not get an offer* *counts "likes" and "awesomes" and "cools" in conversation* *cries*

In Februgatory, we climb the mount of Waitfulness, through terraces of The Proud (those with awesome GRE scores), The Envious (those with less than awesome GRE scores), The Wrathful (seriously, eff this GRE thing), The Slothful (eh, apps are due the 15th; I'll email my old prof on the 13th for a LOR, he's chill), The Covetous (why did SHE get an interview and I didn't?!), The Gluttonous (everything will be better with pie), and The Lustful (tindr hookups will help me forget my pain!), finally ascending to The Earthly Paradise on February 29th, when we receive That Email. Through each terrace, you check your email fifty times an hour, BTW.

Maybe instead of saying a sarcastic "Thanks, Obama" at everything, we should start blaming it all on Washington.

Yes, and it has been increasing my anxiety during the waiting process. I take a medication that already creates a bit of a jangly, over-caffeinated feeling, so I've been trying to cut out regular caffeine. Gotta say, decaf coffee DOES NOT taste the same.

No word yesterday, thus I am in Day Two of what I have now termed Februgatory, the purgatory of February waiting on my acceptance or denial. Thank goodness for the groundhog predicting an early spring. Congrats to everybody getting good news!!! For my Februgatory waiting today, I shall be trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with the iTunes player on my phone, avoiding caffeine, and writing angsty poetry.

Yes, I'm applying to the ACS PhD. I would think the results would be available around the same timeframe, but I would imagine there are more master's apps than doctoral ones to get through (not that I'm trying to stress you out!). I think there are some other folks applying for both of these BG programs, or at least people considering it. Good for you for having some other places you're applying, though. I only applied to one program this year; just finished my MFA in June, so I figured I have some time to breathe and reassess if I don't get in for F16--take another few months and cast my net wider and all that. Did you only apply to BG and Cornell?

Yes. I have been utterly incapable of focusing on anything all day, despite some deadlines and stuff. I just keep checking email and am praying for the week to fly. Drinking wine and watching Buffy sounds heavenly.

Well, it's the month I am supposed to find out. Could be anytime from today to the end of the month. Twenty-nine days of stress commences. Here's hoping I'm put out of my misery soon, one way or another.

Oh, very cool! Good to know, because my other degrees are in Com and English, so I am even more convinced this program will be a great fit for me. App deadline passed on the 15th. From everything I can gather, they notify in February. So time to commence nailbiting, BG applicants!

Are interviews standard? I asked the program director about that, and he said they don't conduct interviews. I did visit campus and spoke to lots of faculty, staff, and students in the program and stayed in touch with the director and his assistant a little. It does seem odd that a program with assistantships wouldn't interview candidates formally at some point. :/

These discussions of liquor laws are awesome. I did one of my degrees in PA, and live in OH, so when I would drive to school I would make sure to pick up some easy-to-get Ohio booze for PA consumption, knowing getting it in PA would be a pain. Meanwhile, in Ohio, not only can you get even hard liquor in many grocery stores, but we have DRIVE THROUGH liquor stores. That usually makes out-of-state visitors' jaws drop. All this talk about binge-watching TV shows: the spouse and I are making our way through Elementary, the inferior Holmes show, and are really digging it. It's a fun time waster.

I counted how many days I have to wait until the program I applied to said they generally send out notifications. Then I counted how many business days. Then I thought of all the work I could do on my house on the weekends to distract me until that date. Then I decided to train for a 5K. I'm reading two different trashy novels right now, doing some hardcore clockwatching, and trying to beat my best score on Alto's Adventure. Like, the next few weeks are going to be PAINFUL. I almost don't even care if I get in, I just hate not knowing yet. (That's a lie. I care if I get in.)

Awesome, Neist! Good luck!