Mal83

I'm going from Arizona to Virginia and will most likely fly (with as much stuff as I can carry in the allotted baggage). My parents are actually coming with me to help me move so they will also be carrying as much of my stuff as they can carry. I figure that will be enough of my things to get me started, the amount of money I'd spend to get it all out there by rental van/truck and on overnight stays could be used to buy new. This is definitely the most exciting move I've ever made!

How can the grad plus loan not cover the cost of attendance? That's what it's supposed to do and then some for living expenses.

I graduated back in 2007, spent a little over 2 years in the Peace Corps, which I think served to enhance my academic understanding because I was living what I had been learning as an International Studies major. But I've been done with that for a year and a half now and have since been working at a preschool...not much in the way of intellectual growth there obviously. So I too am a little worried about what it'll be like to be hit with it all the first semester, forget the first writing assignment, I'm worried about that first time I'll be told to read a book by the next class. I've always been a bit of a slow reader and now that I haven't had to read long dry texts in a while I think it will make for a pretty big headache...literally and figuratively. I've always pretty much kept up with my reading of The Economist, the best periodical for world affairs, but I haven't read a 20 page journal article or 50 page book chapter in a long time. And yeah the writing is a little scary too, academic writing was always flowing as an undergrad but even as I was trying to put together my statement of purpose for my apps I felt a little blocked, slow, and sluggish at first. I eventually put one together that I'm quite proud of, but it was a bit harder than anticipated. I can't say that I'm so worried about it that I will start to read text books and give myself assignments in the time remaining before school starts this Fall, but I think once I'm done with my job and have a little more time on my hands in between packing and apartment hunting I'll start reading the more academic journals out there in my field. I think that will help get the juices flowing again and when it comes time to put in on paper I won't have to reach so far into the deep recesses of my undergrad education.

Oh man I've only been thinking about the things I will HAPPILY leave behind as I start my new journey of advanced academia, productivity, and professional experience. Things I'm already NOT missing: -my job sucking the life out of me, I work at a preschool which is not even remotely related to my field and literally just a paycheck, but despite that a preschool should be a nice environment to work in at least for the time being...it's not, I hate it, I'm already checked out. I had done it before years ago and liked it while I was an undergrad, this is different. Everyday I'm pissed that I'm making almost no money while cleaning up after kids all day long and dealing with the absurdity of management who thinks so highly of themselves as to declare that they "set the industry standard." It's a crock of B.S. if I've ever heard. I'm tired of pretending for management that I'm into it and committed and going along with their ever growing expectations, they don't know that I'm done and out the end of next month. The mind numbing expectations from parents are just too much to bare..."you didn't wash out my kid's sippy cup, now I have to do it when I get home." GET OUT OF MY FACE! Working with kids in general is a job that you have to love with every fiber of your being, and I like kids a lot, but the extreme desire to be in my field, the stress of the app process, and cleaning up the sludge underneath the picnic tables after 35 four year olds have eaten lunch has completely deadened the tolerance I had for the job when I first started. I was just so relieved to have a job and it's a comfortable environment, but holy god, enough already. My life has been on hold since I returned from the Peace Corps a year and a half ago because I thought I'd get a job in my field, which I didn't and then first had to start the grad school process all the while running out of money and living with my parents in Arizona where they retired to while I was abroad. I used to be in NJ where I had some major cities at my finger tips....needless to say any more that most of my situation will NOT BE MISSED at all whatsoever. Phew...sorry I feel like I just purged up all the crap I've been dealing with...actually I could go on and on...but won't. -Living with my parents in Arizona, I'm an east coast girl all the way and have been dreaming of the day I'll be in DC with a career and a life...thanks grad school...you're my hero as you will make all of the above go away...and I'd like to give a shout out to student loans as well. -not being intellectually engaged in the happenings of my field, I read, but I'm ready to produce work with people who care about the same things I do. -getting hit, kicked, and dirty from little kids everyday, changing poopy clothes and diapers, dealing with kid attitudes and their weird little issues. -having no hope of starting a career in my field in a place so far away from where I need to be, yes, I'm particularly tired of this one. -seeing on Faceboook people that I served in the Peace Corps with getting on with their lives in DC in grad school or jobs...now that will be me too! -the awful process that is applying to grad school I WILL definitely miss: -My parents -the lack of humidity -A few of my colleagues with whom I've had a blast bitching about the absurdity of our jobs -the sight of the mountains outside our house, but the sight of the White House and Capitol Building will be at least just as majestic.

That's interesting that he said that he'll "make a note in your file" about them being your first choice. I didn't think it mattered either way if you told them that. Like "ok, that's nice" and then they forget about it. I said in my email to confirm my spot on the waitlist at my top choice that "as a former Peace Corps volunteer GWU is still my absolute top choice." The lady that responded said "we're happy to hear you wish to remain on the list." I didn't assign any significance to it whatsoever until I read this post and saw that maybe it does matter a little, I figured that was a standard response, but now that I think of it a few days later I got just a generic email obviously sent to everyone who confirms their spot from the same person letting me know when I can expect a decision. Not that I'm any more sure of my chances than before or taking any real stock in it, I won't do that to myself, but it's just interesting to think about and gives me a little more encouragement to at least send them the "I'm still really interested in the program, I know I'm a good fit, and I still really really want in" email after their April 20th deadline for confirming spots on the waitlist. It'll give me some sense of satisfaction that in a week and a half no one else will be able to add themselves to the waitlist.

I'm a returned Peace Corps volunteer and that is basically how I got into grad school. I'm not sure if without it I still would have gotten into my safety school, maybe, but I know I never would have even gotten on the waiting list at my top choice, hell I probably wouldn't have even bothered to apply. The Peace Corps is my only relevant work experience, I mean it doesn't get any more relevant than 2 years of development work in a developing country for someone who wants to go into International Development. It didn't get me into my second choice, but I have major suspicions that it was partly due to how late I submitted my application...oh well, whatever, they waive the application fee for pcvs. I too would recommend trying for the PC first. To be frank, I think they look for a minimum 3.0 GPA and you'll have to send transcripts as part of your application, but if you have all of that volunteer/teaching experience that will probably offset that and plus your aspiration of going into the education field will make you a good candidate for a teaching assignment. I have a 3.35 undergrad GPA and the recruiter told me I was an "almost match" because I had a good application but was lacking in volunteer experience. I worked at a preschool so I was able to tie that into education (eh, not solid, but it worked), I also had Russian language proficiency and spent a semester abroad there. At my interview he told me that he wanted to nominate me for an assignment because I basically just said this is everything that I want to do. I highlighted my attributes that would make him see I'll make it for 2 years abroad. So a few weeks later he found something for me and I eventually got in. I ended up in Ukraine. It can take a good year from start to finish, but just know that after you've had an interview and a few weeks later if you're nominated for an assignment than really the rest of the process is the medical clearance and timing of assignment start date, if you're in reasonably good health it should be all good from there if you remain patient. The Peace Corps just had a major budget increase and they're pushing to up the number of volunteers, I know in Ukraine alone they hope to double the current number. That's good for you, if you want to do it. Also, a lot of volunteers I knew started applying to grad schools while finishing up their service rather than waiting until they got home...wow how I wish I did that...so at least for one thing you're not sitting around going crazy with nothing else to do but check your email or mailbox, but even better if you get in somewhere, which you should after a successful service you'll have somewhere to go sooner rather than later depending on timing. And as a side note, I know people who didn't finish their 2 years in order to go to grad school, not that I recommend bailing on PC, but you do what's best for you. If you have any questions about it, don't hesitate to ask. And once you decide to pursue it, it's really exciting and will give you something to dive into rather than sitting around waiting for a rejection...which I don't wish for you, hope you get in, but if not, PC is the ultimate experience.

Withdraw is exactly what I'll do if I get an offer from my top choice, I already accepted my safety school's offer and I'm going through the whole process like it's a done deal because my top school said back in March that they won't let us know anything until the middle of May, by May 21st to be exact, which is beyond any deadline I know of...I also don't feel I have much of a chance so really it almost is a done deal, I guess I'm holding out a sliver of hope just because as we've all found out about this process..."ya never know." But what can you do if your top choice won't let you know until all of your other deadlines have passed? I don't necessarily feel great about withdrawing that way, but to say that you have to do what's best for you because no one else will is absolutely 100% correct. Schools deal with this kind of thing all of the time and you could have to withdraw for any number of reasons...doing what's best for you is one of them.

YAY! Congratulations!!! That is awesome, to get into that program that will actually thrill you. At first I just decided to forget about it but now I'm kind of starting to fantasize a little about getting a "congrats, you're in" notice from my top choice...I would be THRILLED, it would be even more of a dream than my current acceptance. So far though I too have gotten my good news while at work. The email telling me about my "exciting letter" on the way a few weeks ago and just yesterday I got an email from the program director again welcoming me to the university and that in Summer 2012 my class will be going to Argentina for our required faculty led trip...that's probably the sweetest requirement ever....I found out all of this at work where I had to exercise restraint, I guess if I just left my electronic internet accessible devices at home I would have the news waiting for me afterward. The only thing I got at home and wasn't expecting so soon was my financial aid award letter that has "you're getting the money you need" written all over it. There was no restraint in my reaction. I'm not obsessing over the waitlist thing though, I can't do that to myself anymore, at this point, I'm just looking forward to finding out next month, it sort of feels like waiting too see if I've won the contest, it's not something that will make or break me but will be the absolute tops if it happens. CONGRATS again!!

I almost called one of my programs because I got so fed up but I was told in an email to expect my decision the following week so I figured I could handle that last bit of waiting. I was loosing my mind and believe it or not it the rejection letter was a relief, albeit I did get in somewhere and my acceptance to that program came at the same time, but I really did want to go to that school. By the time I finally did get rejected I just didn't have much emotion to give other than relief that I didn't have to wait anymore and yes, move on with my life. But that was pretty brave calling them, at some point you just have to end the waiting for yourself even if it means bad news over the phone. Hopefully you get into UH, getting in somewhere is better than nowhere that's for sure, there are people how have applied to many programs and got nothing out of it, if it really doesn't work for you then maybe you can transfer to another/better school with some great grades and experience under your belt.

It's for an MA.

I'll be starting my Master's this Fall in Global Affairs, I'm ecstatic about it. I know there will be ups and downs just like with everything else. But I'll tell you exactly how I realized as an undergrad while majoring in International Studies, which is obviously along the same lines, that I'm loving what I'm doing and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I was having a miserable week and I hated one of my professors, I was in class (not his) and I zoned out for a minute and thought, "yikes, I really love this, this week has sucked and not everything is awesome, but there literally is nothing else I'd rather be doing than this right here." I loved my course of study, it led me to the Peace Corps which has led to me acceptance at a program I know I'll love too. It was a profound moment for me.

Wow, we sure do! I was in Ukraine 07-09. I taught English and wrote a small grant, among a few other projects. It was pretty tough but on the most basic level I knew I had to make it all the way in order to get to the next stage of my life. At the time I wasn't necessarily planning on grad school right after, but it sure has come in handy to say the least. Wow...Morocco.

Hmm that's a really great suggestion! I'll definitely wait until a few days after the deadline so that way I can ask if they have any idea of numbers and rankings as a way of "just mentioning" my continued interest and any new connections I can make to myself and the program. Thanks very much!

I just got a letter, nothing else, it said that once I confirmed my program would send additional information. I want goodies too! I know Mason is no GW or American, but I didn't get into those schools, so it's not an issue. At this stage of the game I see Mason as my way out of my current situation, working at a preschool in Arizona is not something I can continue much longer. Sure, if I'm graced by GW with an acceptance off the waitlist I'll drop Mason like a hot potato if you know what I mean, but in lieu of anything else Mason feels great. Plus there's a 2 week residency abroad included in the program like GW so I have a good feeling about this. Is there really such a thing as a terrible graduate program?

I will consider it now, thanks for the suggestion! Have you decided on a school yet?

Nope, but CONGRATS, and not waiting feels absolutely amazing. The fact that I finally don't have to be obsessively thinking about it, by which I mean calculating, dreaming up scenarios, hoping for mail, sifting the Internet for information on admissions processes, and so on and so forth...all freakin' day, every day. It's all good no matter how the waiting ends.

Congrats!! They work fast, which is refreshing. In regards to the campus, I still would prefer to actually be at one of the top schools in DC if I'm being honest,that's where I plan to do any internship or job. But I applied to Mason because I deemed it a safety school, it's almost in DC, and they at the very least have something pretty close to what I wanted, which was International Development with a Governance and Democracy concentration like American and GW have. Mason has a specialization in Global Governance and Public Management., close enough. For me the location is a very close second in importance to of course my desired program. I didn't even consider any school not in the DC area. I'm fine with a not-so-special campus and I'm ready and excited about returning to academia, I guess if I were an undergrad living on campus I'd care more or if I had any other options I have to start the process of finding an apartment, I know DC a little and know a few people in town, but obviously I can't justify living in DC if I'm not even going to school there so I'm thinking about finding something in between DC and the campus but I have to be very close to a metro stop because I do not want the expense of a car. This is so new and I haven't even touched this subject until right now because I couldn't get motivated to do the research until I got an acceptance letter. Oh, and I already confirmed my admission with Mason and they told me I can start registering for classes on April 12! Yikes, this is for real now. The only way I won't be at Mason is if I get an offer from GW in May, but the chance of that happening is most likely incredibly slim..so sure see ya around!

Congrats to those getting off that list! I've seen some posts about updating the admissions committees about research and your continued interest in them, but what if you're not pursuing a research based degree and have nothing really to update? When I sent in my email confirming my spot on the list I just added something like as a former Peace Corps volunteer, International Development at GWU is my first choice program...something of that ilk. I asked about rank and number of people on it, but was told they won't know any of that until after April 20, which is the deadline for confirming your spot. Then they say they will get back to us by May 21st, and according to last year's posts about it, it was still the middle of May when people were waiting. So what can I do, if anything to bolster my chances? I don't have a job in my field, not taking classes or doing research. I feel like it would just seem desperate to send a random "I'm still really interested" email. Am I wrong about that?

CONGRATULATIONS!! That's so exciting. I know that over the moon feeling and we deserve it after this long arduous process, I think I'll probably shout it from the rooftops if I actually get into my top choice, which I'm currently waitlisted at...but for now I'm still all fuzzy wuzzy over my acceptance. You go get that PhD! Fingers crossed for Owlie!

Oh no, so sorry to hear that. Maybe you can apply again to some other programs for spring admission so you don't have to wait a whole extra year and maybe get in touch with some admissions people to advise you a little.

Thanks, I'm sorry you didn't get in too....but I'm not sorry and I'm done stressing. You're very right, the bright side is that it's over. I'm not sure at this point which is better, the fact that this awful process is over or that I actually got in somewhere. I guess the combination of the 2 is pretty sweet. Are you waiting on any other schools?

Thanks very much! It's the MA in Global Affairs program. I don't know if this is strictly the reject batch, but according to what's been happening here, it sure seems like it. There could be a few acceptances in there who knows. But if this last batch had anything to do with the time you submitted I have to say that is highly unfair. There's a deadline for a reason, if you get it in on time you should have just as much chance as everyone else. Like I said, I certainly don't know for sure, but based on this thread it sure seems like it had something to do with it. I mean BryanJ has been accepted to both GW and Georgetown but waitlisted at American? There's something a little off about that, plus everyone else here who got in weeks and weeks ago with either waitlist or reject status from those 2 schools...it's a little hard to swallow. But I'm not dwelling on it anymore, at least my application fee was waived, too many applicants and too few spots is probably the bottom line. That's great that you are in somewhere too! It's a great feeling.

First, no apologies necessary, we're all here to vent, rant, and support each other through this insane process. Second, I also applied to GMU, but for Global Affairs which is under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, not sure if the MPA is under the same. I submitted my app to Mason in mid-January, however it wasn't processed and deemed complete until just 2 or 3 weeks ago. They didn't start processing until after the March 15th deadline, but they send out the decisions as soon as they're made, which is good. I did not expect to hear from them so soon. First off, I had contacted the coordinator because they claimed they did not receive one of my documents, she told me if they didn't get back to me in a few days she would see to it herself. I emailed her letting her know they found it and completed my application and asked when to expect a decision, her response floored me, "you should receive a very exciting letter in the mail next week!" And she was for real. But they just started making decisions like 2 weeks ago, I guess mine was at the top of the pile somehow, not sure, maybe it was because I was in contact with the program coordinator, who knows. I was waitlisted for GW's International Development program, glad I still have a shot at it, however slim, but I'm not counting on it and I'm just running with Mason now. In regards to American....sigh, I got my reject letter for International Development also in the mail today. I read it and then promptly shredded it. I didn't expect a rejection, most people on this board who got rejected or waitlisted at GW got INTO American. The batch theory is definitely solid. Those of us who have been waiting and waiting are starting to receive waitlist and rejection letters. Most of the acceptances went out in the 1st and 2nd batches, we're just not sure at this point if there are any acceptances in the 3rd batch at all. There certainly could be so this isn't meant to discourage or upset you, you could be one of the lucky ones. But those few of us that frequent this board who were in the 3rd batch submitted around the same time you did, my LOR wasn't done until the day of the deadline. I don't know if this hurt my chances...I don't care anymore. This is unfortunately the reality of it, but again, there could be acceptances in the batch, we just don't know...or you very well could end up on the waitlist. But you do have an acceptance from JMU and that's something awesome! Many of us have contacted admissions at least once just to get a little information, I couldn't even imagine something like that hurting your chances. I would say no to that. Admissions is busy because of US. Have you visited the GMU campus? I'm curious about it.

Phew...I'm officially done waiting. Today I received both a reject and acceptance in the mail. I knew I got into George Mason, but it just didn't feel real until just now when I got that letter. I opened the small reject letter first, shredded it and said "I didn't really want to go there anyway," which isn't really true, but felt good to say and then relished in my acceptance letter. I actually tore the letter when opening the envelope, but the Congratulations was in tact and my dad promptly repaired it. There's a very slim chance I could get an offer off the waiting list at George Washington University, but I won't know about until mid-May, that's just too far away and my hope for that is just as slim as my chances...so it's in the back of my mind, but I'm running with George Mason right now, the school that actually wants me. What a relief to not have to wake up tomorrow wondering, waiting, and obsessing. It'll happen for all of you too, I didn't think it would ever happen for me. Phew.

Received my acceptance letter for the Global Affairs program!!! It's dated 3/30. Just a letter though, after you accept then the program will send out more information. I believe we'll be notified of financial aid electronically.