HigherEd2013

I'm currently in a studio and I'm happy without a sitting area. I just use my couch and eat dinner in front of my laptop like Tall Chai. However, because it's a studio, I rarely have friends over. I always go out or to their places. If you want friends to come over for dinner a bunch, you need that sitting area. Otherwise, you'll be fine without it.

I've been getting into chocolate covered frozen bananas lately. Obviously, you can only enjoy this when you are at home. I just microwave a bar of really dark chocolate (even though I like milk chocolate much better) with some peanut butter, spread it on banana slices, and freeze. One hour later you have a yummy snack and a serving of fruit.

Thank you for the information! I'm hoping to hear back soon. Congratulations again!!!

I love Dan Gilbert! Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing!!

Yes!!! This is so annoying. I say "I got accepted!!" And before they ask "for what," they ask "What are you and your S.O. going to do???"

Me too! I've joined the March club. Thankfully I've heard back from one school so I'm not completely going crazy. However, the rest of my schools definitely won't notify until the end of February-mid March. So much uncertainty... Anyone have the power to speed up time?

Great advice! Thank you.

Congrats!!!! I was wondering who got in today. Penn is a really competitive program for master's (we can't beat the 1% acceptance rate of the PhD kiddos). According to their blog, it seemed like last year was around a 25% acceptance rate for Higher Ed, probably lower because they posted before the end of the application season. You should be so proud! It's a fantastic program and from what I can tell, the professors are not only knowledgeable, accomplished, etc., but they seem really down to earth. At the very least, they have a remarkable online presence so it's easier to learn about their program . If I may ask, when did you get the email saying your ap was complete? I submitted mine a month ago as of late next week and am wondering how close to the "4 weeks decision" they are staying for Higher Ed.

Wow.. I hope you all hear back soon! If anyone is going to get an interview, I bet it's a gradcafer. P.S. Even though I'm a master's candidate lurking on the EdLD board, I still think it's important to wish y'all luck. Go Education!

I had never experienced the break between my "real" life and "virtual" life until I joined this forum. This has a lot to do with the anonymity factor. On the other online sites I use, everyone knows it's me. They know me from spending time with me in person, so the online sites are just an extension of who I am. However, on this site, I'm careful never to give out too much identifying information. At the same time, I have no qualms about sharing what schools I applied to and my current (read: obsessive) thoughts on the matter-- information I rarely share with people in "real life." In real life, I would have had to deal with the consequences of people constantly asking if I got in, questioning the places I applied, etc. etc. So in some ways, I share more on this forum, but I also share less. I like having this site as part of my virtual life . It's been wonderful throughout this process.

I agree with what everyone is saying. I was lucky that I got my job because it really helped shape what I want to do. In my case, I don't pretend to know everything I want to do and accomplish in the next 40 years of my life. I don't think you have to know everything. You just have to have enough of a reason to apply. My advice would be to try something completely different, then if you think you are ready for grad school, make a list! I chose to apply to grad school because: 1. I've always been interested in helping people my whole life; I just didn't know where I fit until I tried different things. 2. After working for two years after undergrad + several experiences in undergrad (I know not a lot, but at least that's something), I learned that I wanted to continue working in my field for a very long time. 3. I spoke to many people at different levels, and they all told me I would need a master's degree to get the types of jobs I wanted. "EVERYONE has a master's degree. It's almost like a club." 4. I have gained quite a bit of practical knowledge, but limited theoretical knowledge. There are too many problems, and I can't begin to fathom how to solve them. 5. I miss learning! I know quite a bit about my specific area, but don't know how my area fits into education as a whole. I try to keep up with what is happening, but there's no way I can devote the kind of time necessary to be an "expert" in the field unless I could be a full-time student for awhile. There's so much I want to discuss/brainstorm with others, but no one around me seems to care as much. 6. It's perfect timing for my career. My current job (while fantastic) will end in June. I technically have the choice to get a different job, but then have to quit that (potentially awesome) stable job later or go to school part time later. I just know that if I don't go to grad school now, it would be harder later to leave a stable job, life, and move to a completely different place. People are truly creatures of habit... I could see myself getting comfortable, going to a local school part-time, and never giving myself a chance to try for more challenging/out of the norm things in another area of the country. Ready or not, I feel prepared to take that leap of faith! When you are applying for the right reasons, you'll know. Until then, just take a different leap of faith and try something new:). Good luck!

That is very true. It's so hard for us (well, me) to look beyond the next month because all of our thoughts are consumed by the idea of getting accepted/not accepted. But yes, there's a reason we applied in the first place and we should stick with it and focus on that.

My strategy to avoid answering questions: Person: What are you doing next year? Me: I'm applying to graduate school and some jobs (no, not really. just get off my back). We'll see what happens. (super proud of myself for being so nonchalant) Person: Oh cool! Where are you applying? Me: Out of state. I've always wanted to experience life out of *insert home state* (Will you just take the bait already and be distracted about me leaving?) Person: Which schools out of state? Me: Oh in California and the northeast No more, no more questions!) Person: What's your top choice? Me: Not sure yet. I'll have to see where I get accepted. Person: Which schools in California? I want to visit you if it's somewhere cool! Me: I'll let you know if I get in. Don't want to jinx it! (Drop it, NOW!)

Yup... I keep going back and forth about which schools would be my top choices. Things seemed much clearer when I was applying. It's bizarre. We, as humans, have trouble comprehending the unknown. I think I read an article about how people would (subconsciously) rather be told they have cancer than to be told "It's not cancer, but we don't know what's wrong with you." Because we can't deal with the unknown, we keep imagining all possible scenarios and what our lives would be like at program X, Y and Z. My thought is that there was a reason we applied to these schools in the first place so they're all good options for us . We just won't know the BEST option until we hear back from all and we visit... which unfortunately requires more waiting.

Congratulations for getting into a program!!!

Yup! I posted about this in the Ed thread. At least we know that we will find out by March 1st!

Weird. I wonder if they will send another one in a few days and give us all an "They made a decision on my application???? jk.." heart attack.

Welcome! Sometimes you can get assistantships while you are there but the school should tell you that.

Did anyone else get an email about a survey for MA Applicants? It's not supposed to affect admissions decisions or anything. However, when I clicked the link, it said it was expired.

I help high school students get into college for a living. You can imagine how many times a day I hear "Do I really have to write an essay???" "AHH! This application is soooo long."

That sounds like waitlisted to me.

Yay!!! Congratulations!!! It will work out .

I would send it. In my state, if you are taking community college classes in high school, it counts a dual credit- college and high school credit. If that's the case, you would definitely send it as those would show up on your 4-year college transcript anyway.

I don't think there can be such a thing for PhDs. The first time I applied to graduate schools, my mentor told me that I would know safety schools by lower average GRE scores. That didn't really help IMO. Honestly, what's the point of applying to a school if you don't want to attend? Application fees are expensive enough.