thom1820

I prefer backpacks because messenger bags, while looking cool, always hurt my shoulder and if I have to run to avoid being late for class, the bag part thuds against my side. Also, the straps of most of them seem to want to rest between my boobs and that makes them look weird. Sorry for the TMI but that's a major deterrent for me. I suppose some of those problems could be eliminated with the Chrome kind?

I'm basically at the point where I show up, stare at the Results page for 7 hours, and then leave. Thankfully, we're extremely slow right now, so nothing is actually suffering.

To be honest, after coming in exhausted and twitchy for the past year - first studying for the GREs, then completing the apps, now waiting for results - I assume that they suspect I've developed a drug addiction and/or a personality disorder, and will be relieved when I finally quit.

Spoken like someone who's never had a public sector job.

I've worked in public health and two state academic medical centers as a nurse. Unions are absolutely critical both for attracting and retaining good staff in the public sector. The pay is lower. The benefits are better. If there's no upside, why would people in demand choose the public sector?

Ugh, I feel so crazy, but it's good to know I'm not alone. I have an iphone, so I always know if I get an email. Doesn't stop me from refreshing it though, just in case. Beyond that, I have a ritual:
1. Come here to check results. Do a scan of all the new results. Then do a search just for "statistics" and read anything new/reread a lot of the old ones.
2. Check Florida State apply yourself site. After I check that, I log out and check their more detailed "status check" to see if they got my GRE scores yet or if they're started reviewing my transcripts.
3. Check UCSB site. Even though the "decision available" link is still grayed out, I go into the detailed page and reread "Application complete as of 2/10/11" because, you know, I'm crazy.
4. Check LSU.
5. Check NC State (saved for last because it is the hardest to get into.)
6. Come back here to check "waiting it out", "the lobby", and the Math/Stats section.
7. Depending on how much time I have, look at Craigslist for Blacksburg apartments.
Thankfully, I stay on campus most of the day, so I don't have to check the mail much. But when I do get the mail, I bundle it all up without looking at it, out of superstition, waiting until it is on the kitchen table to see where it is from.

Ugh, I feel so crazy, but it's good to know I'm not alone. I have an iphone, so I always know if I get an email. Doesn't stop me from refreshing it though, just in case. Beyond that, I have a ritual:
1. Come here to check results. Do a scan of all the new results. Then do a search just for "statistics" and read anything new/reread a lot of the old ones.
2. Check Florida State apply yourself site. After I check that, I log out and check their more detailed "status check" to see if they got my GRE scores yet or if they're started reviewing my transcripts.
3. Check UCSB site. Even though the "decision available" link is still grayed out, I go into the detailed page and reread "Application complete as of 2/10/11" because, you know, I'm crazy.
4. Check LSU.
5. Check NC State (saved for last because it is the hardest to get into.)
6. Come back here to check "waiting it out", "the lobby", and the Math/Stats section.
7. Depending on how much time I have, look at Craigslist for Blacksburg apartments.
Thankfully, I stay on campus most of the day, so I don't have to check the mail much. But when I do get the mail, I bundle it all up without looking at it, out of superstition, waiting until it is on the kitchen table to see where it is from.

The advice to "go out and have fun" is always well-intentioned, but... man, such an over-simplification. It seems that the person giving the advice is always thinking, "go out and have what I consider fun," instead of "go out and have fun." For example, my mother is the most outgoing, gregarious, people-person on the face of the planet, and for her "fun" always involves being around as many people as possible. And if other people don't consider forced, awkward, social situations to be "fun" like she does, then undoubtedly they are miserable people, living in their own version of purgatory or something.

If reading medical journals and wikis is what you consider fun, then I'd either tell the prof that you really are, or just politely say "okay, I will."

Go ahead with accepting the interviews next week at school B. You won't know for sure if you'll be accepted at school A in time to make a decision on where you'd be attending. If you do get an offer from school A before the weekend and you know that you won't be going to school B, then perhaps you could let them know then and they could re-route the funds to another applicant. You'd have to explain the situation that you just got into your top choice and you'd rather them have the ability to interview someone else if they desire. You really don't want to cut off school B at this point and end up not getting into school A.

Congrats on your success so far and best of luck in getting into school A!

PS. You're not a bad person. This is a business decision and you have to do what's best for you at this time, even though it might slightly inconvenience school B.