Reinventing

Weird, one of my schools didn't give me funding, but still wants me to accept by April 15th. I guess I have another month to try to come up with something. Can't say yes without at least an assistantship.

I was also admitted without funding so far. Apparently at the schools where I applied, it is common to have students seek out their assistantships by contacting departments and offices (some of these have job descriptions posted, others don't). That said, with a deadline of April 15th, I feel like I'm in a rat-race to come up with something in the next few weeks.

I considered working at a CA university, and they make you sign this form attesting your loyalty to the state, as though you were accepting a high political office, etc. Very strange.

Did you fill out a special form fortiesgirl, to declare your residency? I'd follow the appeals process, if you can do that. I've found this whole financial aid process to be about as clear as mud. I was hoping to get a merit assistantship with tuition waiver, thereby bypassing the need for loans. I didn't fill out the FAFSA right away. Then I learned that for many of the assistantships, you had to have financial need (rushed to fill out the FAFSA, crossing my fingers). I also found some assistantships where I needed to be a resident to apply (bummer for my out-of-state schools). I feel like I'm finding out something and unexpected about this process daily.

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Something similar happened to me, where one of my recommenders disappeared (turns out, for health reasons). When it began to be very late, I lined up another recommender who had written me a similar letter previously, and could just tweak it to fit the new purpose. I let him know what was going on, picked a date to cut the cord with the other recommender and move on with the new one (based on the deadline), and then ended up calling him to say, "we're on, please send the letter on the date we agreed on." Could it also be that the program you applied to has a slow process? Mine weren't recorded as "received" for a while after my recommenders actually sent them.

monkeyfugg, yeah, the good "happy" drugs only last a few hours. . . I didn't have the heart to tell you that before. Are they giving you something else for the pain? Tylenol with codeine? I have a really bad reaction to it (makes me. . .uh. . . angry, apparently this is a common side effect). Just saying, 'cause I've never seen you like this. . . I hope your face/mouth feels better soon. I know it's awful and miserable pain. This is really, really tough timing with all you've got going on. Wish I could send you a cyber semi-melted milk shake for comfort. I was in a really bad shape on Friday. Checking websites, spending waaaay to much time on here, lamenting about what next. It felt very much like depression--hazy, unshakable waiting--like sitting in the DMV. :? I was even snippy with one of my co-workers when she was a bit attitudinal. I normally don't get too angry at stuff like that, just figure it's their problem. I realized that I was completely on the raw emotional edge. My other co-worker made me feel better by reminding me that things would be okay (she happened to catch me at the right time, when I was ready and able to hear that) and commiserated at what she'd been through for school (this helped a lot, just having someone else who knew the turmoil I was feeling!), and helped me see things would be okay either way. A month or so ago, I started to prepare myself that school or no school, I'd find some work to do and would still be able to enjoy life (TV, wine, long walks, etc). I was able to reconnect with that. And oddly enough, to remember what a PITA 10-page papers are--and those are the short ones. I decided to be a little more negligent in my checking, 'cause the stress was just ruining my life.

EdM is supposed to be more practitioner oriented, MA is more research oriented (PhD prep). But for most people just looking to get a master's, it probably doesn't matter. I'd go with Harvard. My experience has been with a few alums of both programs.

Red wine all morning Gets you a warning, Red wine At night, my delight.

Never underestimate the value of showing just how much you would suffer for your field of study!

Wish I had money. Why did I apply if it's No funding, no go? Spent my break crunching, Applications are no bliss. . . All that pain for this? Had dreams, still hoping-- Less idealistic now. I'll let the chips fall.

Yes. Am currently contemplating how long a letter would take to get to me from School A. And would they send it out before the decision went into the system, or after.

Awww, sorry habu. I'm afraid to open my mailbox now. I'm hoping to hear about aid, and it's not looking good. My field can't justify taking out much in college loans. My mind is already thinking ahead to alternative careers, or who I might be able to hit up for reccs next year. I guess at least a jump start might make the process less stressful for me than it was this year.

You won't even remember the surgeon. They zip in at the last minute, giggle at you trying to count backwards when you go under, and that's pretty much it. I have cracks and worn down spots from grinding too much (partially at night, partially from daytime compulsive crunching on snacks).

How do you think you'll feel on graduation day? Or ten years later?

No way, the drugs are AWEEESOOOME! Enjoy! And be prepared to look like a chipmunk. For several days. . . :mrgreen:

(((HUG))) and *crossing fingers for you*

Alternative careers are definitely on my mind. . .

It probably depends on the program. I think dark (nicer) pants and a dressy-ish neutral sweater, with flats, are likely to cause the least amount of thought about what you're wearing.

piccali, that's how my mind is working these days, too (just add in lots of compusive checking of e-mail account, holding breath, and that *doooh* feeling when there's nothing new in my inbox). I also watch Frasier in the evenings--the good episodes are relaxing, the bad ones bore me to sleepyland (not a bad thing).

You go, whateverneveram3n! I hope you get good news.

Indiana University is a great school! And it's nowhere near as boring as some places I've been. (Me, I seek out dull places. I focus more during the day, and sleep well at night!) So many writers and poets were inspired by calm, serene environments.

Wow, Jakrabite, that is impressive--making any kind of progress under this pressure is amazing. I think you lifted my spirits a little with that. Eeh, I should also add to mine: -5 lbs lighter (and that's probably being gentle to my ego)

There's no news no news Happy sad hopeful or mad All all all all all

It's okay--they're used to it.