Normal

I'm going through the same thing. What's working for me is getting involved in a personal project in my field. It's putting the rest of my program in context and reminding me why I'm doing it in the first place. Plus, that way, even when I'm "procrastinating" and not contributing to my coursework, I'm still contributing to the development of my career.

I'm applying to a deaf program and know some conversational sign language, but I am very nervous about this interview. I was honest on my application about my degree of proficiency, but I'm still sweating the interview (I'm worried that it will be very awkward when I can't communicate effectively for the duration). I'm very good at picking up languages in general and I applied to this program with the goal of becoming fluent through total immersion (which I am also very confident would happen as I have been in those types of situations before and been able to pick up languages much quicker than through traditional study), but for now I am just not yet at that point. I was really hoping someone who has had to interview in another language can give me some feedback or share their experiences. I've been doing some google-research but I'd love to hear more specific stories about what you guys have gone through.

I'm thinking I might get my eyebrow re-pierced (for the 3rd or 4th time) and one of my tats re-done if I get into my top choice with some money. It's an alternative-culture school so this is actually one where I think I would fit in better with the faculty if I DID have those things.

Just have to vent...I've been in pretty close communication with my first choice program and I've noticed they're reviewing my file remarkably quickly. I was feeling confident for a while, but this one program, however, has two undergraduate course requirements that I did not complete, and I thought I would be clever and register for a graduate course that I thought would fulfill one of those reqs at a nearby university. Just got an email from the program head saying they've noticed that I'm missing those two classes and the one course that I'm taking (Advanced Human Growth & Development) does not fulfill the requirement of either Child Development or Adolescent Development. So basically, I fucked up, because: A] I did not verify that this would satisfy either of those requirements (although in my defense, I also signed up for this class because at the very least, it would knock out one basic requirement at the other school I applied to), B] I misinterpreted the requirements as those classes being required for entrance into the program, not for admission (thinking I could do the other class during a summer session), and C] It is too late to drop the class and receive a refund of any of the $2k I spent. I did not think I would be able to afford $4,000 taking undergrad courses after graduation for a school that I might not get into (I make $10,000 a year and have $50,000 in student loans out already), and yet here I am looking at spending possibly around $6,000 to do the same thing. There's definitely no way I am being admitted into this program (my dream school) now, and it is 1000% my fault.

I've applied to two programs and have decided to enroll as a non-degree student (at a pretty good school) in order to take one graduate class that's an introductory course for both programs. Do grad programs see this as applicants "getting ahead of themselves", or can anyone vouch for this being a boon for the application?

These are my sentiments exactly.

Thanks to you guys for your responses. It's really nice hearing from people who have been/are going through the process, plus it's helpful knowing that there are so many others simultaneously freaking out.

I've only applied to two schools, and in neither of them did I address why I was a B/C student as a freshman/sophomore (later turned into a 3 time Dean's List student). There was a lot of other stuff I wanted to say (mainly - embarrassingly - gushing about why I was so into the program), and it didn't really seem important to me to make excuses for something that is a common story for many college students (finding focus later on in the collegiate career rather than right off the bat). Now that I've submitted my applications, I'm worried that A] I didn't apply to enough schools, and B] I've left out some very critical information. I know everyone's going through the same process of freaking out right about now but I thought I'd put in my angsty 2p.

Gallaudet and University of South Carolina, for School Counseling.

Obviously editorialized, but then this came out: http://www.avclub.com/articles/nyu-professor-fired-for-failing-to-appreciate-jame,66821/

I'm watching this thread with interest. I applied and was accepted to a couple Media Studies program but am more interested in pursuing a career in education, and I've just spent the last few weeks working up the courage to bother my references to adapt their original letter for my new field. I've been working in both fields simultaneously for a year now and have done well in both, but I am afraid that the switching may indicate to my reference that I was not sincere in my original request, and may undermine the second. I've been curious as to how true this is as well.

If a school did a search for me they would find that I have applied to one other school, and to be honest I am equally enthusiastic about both for very different reasons. I know when you are applying to schools you are meant to try to convince them why theirs is the school for you, and I don't want to be seen as being insincere when I make that case to them.

My understanding is that a Master's is generally a pre-requisite to an Ed.S. degree, but my school has told me explicitly (it's even highlighted in their handbook) that this is not the case with them, and that no graduate courses are required prior to enrolling. So I'm just trying to figure out which would be the stronger degree, or if the Ed.S. degree is strong enough to stand on its own.

I'm looking at entering the school counseling field and my school of choice offers an Ed.S. degree rather than a Master's. I'm trying to figure out if one is stronger or more advantageous than the other. Ideally, I would prefer to hold a Master's, and am considering earning an MA in a related subject and pursuing counselor certification after (still have yet to determine how feasible this is or how cost and time effective it would be). Any insight?

I'm applying to two (maybe three) schools, and have already been admitted to one for next year (UK school). When initially writing my references, I explained about my career plans and why I would be pursuing the program I was. I'm about to start my application for the other school, and have come to realize that I'd like to apply for an additional program at that school (on top of the one I was initially planning on). One program was something I've been pursuing in order to advance my career, but the other program is just an academic interest of mine that I think is just important to be educated about in general (plus it's related to my undergraduate degree, whereas the other one is not). I don't want to seem wishy-washy or jerk my references around, especially after they have already enabled me admission to one school (which I am very excited about, but that I need to have a back-up for, logistics-wise), and I was wondering if it would just be a huge dick-move to say, "Oh, by the way, I think I'd also like to apply for X as well...". On a related note, I was also wondering if it was appropriate to send my thank you cards after all admissions processes have been completed or after the first round? I am extremely appreciative of what they did for me, and I don't want to be tacky in how I express that gratitude.