annieca

I love, love, love my one class I've had so far. I didn't want to regret not taking a politics course before I graduated so I signed up for "International Peacekeeping and Ethnic Warfare." It's a lot of reading but it's interesting and it tries to keep my mind off of everything else. My History class actually doesn't start until Friday. Weird schedule where InterPol starts a week before everyone else so they can...get done the same time. But I feel everyone's pain! I am writing my own thesis and my goal is to have 2,000 words by Valentine's Day. I've been stuck at 1,500 for three weeks because I just cannot be bothered to care enough to work on it. I imagine a Skype conversation with my advisor back home after Valentine's Day will be the wake-up call I need. That, and programs are suppose to notify that week... I have no motivation but I'm doing it anyway. Well, the reading. The writing...eh.

HAHA! Definitely had a bit of a giggle fit over that one! Nope, my computer died due to a virus that knocked out my antivirus allowing all sorts of other viruses to get into it. :/ Yep, speaking from experience - just a nasty bruise on my arm. Otherwise, I'm good. Hugs for all the Northwestern carnage victims and congrats to the Wisconsin person! Madison's a crazy (read: drunk, hippie) town but the campus is right on the lake and therefore, pretty gorgeous.

I am curious - why did you apply to a school that doesn't fit into even your second backup plan? On my end of the world - I had the lovely experience of getting to buy a new computer today. There went $650 I wasn't expecting to spend until this summer. :/ But Sirius (my computer) and I are getting to know each other and Windows 8. I'm not expecting to hear anything this week. Of course, I'll still check my South Carolina app every day like clockwork. Also, some friendly advice... do not tickle a drunk rugby player if you want to end the night unharmed.

As if my life wasn't stressful enough already... My computer (Lily) had been on the fritz. Apparently it got a hugely nasty virus that knocked out my antivirus which then allowed it to get even MORE viruses. I took it to the free IT guys on campus and they worked for three hours with me to get my dissertation video sources off my desktop and then said "Yeah, we have no idea what is wrong or how to fix it. Take it to x." Well, that place charged 42 pounds an hour and there was no way I was going to pay that without knowing how many hours it would take. So I spent $300 more than I was expecting because of conversion rates, but I am sitting here with a brand new laptop. Sirius and I are getting acquainted and he hasn't decided to throw a fit at Windows 8. Which I have to admit is the weirdest thing ever but I kind of like it. Anyone else name their computer?

Had an acceptance from my favorite program on Monday and now I'm questioning it. In the US, the ALA accredits all MLS/MLIS degrees. My fav program is in the UK and accredited by CLIP. I thought that wouldn't be a problem for jobs but... the LinkedIn Society of American Archivists' page said it is next to impossible to get a job in the US without a degree from an ALA school. Which leaves me a few choices- ask more people whom I actually *know* in the field if UK Archives degree will hold up in the US 2) Scratch (sadly) the program off my list 3) Realize I might have to live in the UK to get a job or 4) Say to hell with it and know my CV will help since I've interned at probably the world's most prestigious museum institute. Any suggestions?

Congrats on Chapel Hill! It is an absolutely gorgeous campus. I can say that even if my family has a huge grudge against Tar Heels... Can't remember what your specialty is, but their German/Slavic history sections are amazing. Also, many hugs to the Berkeley turned-downs. I know that you all are great enough to show the university why they made the wrong decision.

My favorite figures wax and wane more than the moon but I will always read about... 1) Stalin- I have no idea why, but I find the man fascinating. He's not particularly related to my field but I do love him. 2) Jackie Kennedy- another non-topical figure for me. For me it's her ability to pick up pieces and stay calm and collected and always, always classy. And lastly... 3) authors in general. Give me an Oscar Wilde or a Jane Austen biography anyday and I'm a happy girl.

Congrats! As long as you don't *root* for the Trojans, I'm happy for you!

I'm told by Aber's current professors that the ALA/AMA/AAA support programs in the UK. Technically, Archives programs don't have to be certified by anyone - only library science ones need to be certified by the ALA. But most of the time Archives falls in with Library Science so I understand the certification bit. I definitely want to double check with someone in the US, but I can't imagine it's too big of an issue minus the degree names are different (MLIS/MLS in the US and a MSEcon in the UK). And many thanks for the resume comment! I am, definitely. But as I'm finding out, so many people have great resumes and there just aren't enough jobs.

Three things - one from a really good friend, another from a few people. 1) "Have confidence in yourself! You're qualified and will get in!" It's not that I don't have confidence in myself. I don't have confidence that other people are dumber/less qualified than I am. 2) "Well, it's only a MLIS (MLS) program so you can get in with low grades/low GRE/little experience" Just because I'm applying to programs that are relatively easy to get in, doesn't make me any less worried about acceptances or rejections. And my absolute favorite... 3) "You're too smart to be doing Archives. You should do x" (normally brain surgery they say) I don't WANT to do brain surgery (no offense to those out there). I don't WANT to do anything other than be an archivist for an NGO that's humanitarian based. Every program is difficult in their own right.

I don't know how I feel about the MA/MS being where you're a "student" still and not training for a job. Maybe that's the case for most MA/MS's but not for my program. I go into my program knowing it is job training and it is THE best job training I can get. Might also be different because it's basically a terminal Master's. It's really, really hard to find a PhD program in Archives. As I've had more sleep, I have to also say that it's offending to hear "Well, you're doing an MLIS(MLS) so it's not as competitive and therefore you can get in with crap grades." True, library science is easier to get into than a History PhD but that does not make the acceptances any less rewarding. Congrats on LSU and Northwestern peoples! And regrets and hugs to the Duke rejection.

@CrazyCatLady- well that was just slightly depressing there. Yeah, I expected to get into most MLS programs (except Chapel Hill where I just missed the GRE cutoff) but Aber's is special. They require Latin and I don't know a speck of Latin but... Yeah, I want to do archives for a nonprofit, prefer ably humanitarian based. @Wicked problem- neither actually. I was deterred from applying to the program with a favorite professor (by said professor). Still waiting to hear on my favorite US based one (the first one). I didn't know at the time Aber was ever even going to be an option until I fell in love with the university, the opportunities and the people. And to everyone else, thanks!

Got into my favorite today!!! No word on funding though.

I got my reading list for both of my classes this semester and holy cow, am I going to be reading a lot! Well, let me rephrase that. I will be reading a lot to keep my mind off things. The reading isn't required, only *suggested*. But it's a good distraction. Also, as much as I love you guys, staying away from the forums is also helpful. Or at least, staying away from the thread "Is anyone else losing their damn minds?" thread. :/ Good luck everyone! I'll have a proper cuppa and cookies waiting at the finish line!

We all seriously need chill pills. Not that this isn't probably the most important decision that is out of our hands so far but... we all need to calm down. Driving everyone within spitting distance insane too is probably not a good idea. On the other hand... My beef right now is with time differences. I'm five hours ahead of my East Coast schools, 6 for Indiana. So when I wake up at 10 on a Monday to check my email and see if anything's changed, well, it's 4 in the morning Central Time. Yeah, I understand midnight, but no decision is going to come in at 4 in the morning. My South Carolina apps have gone from "Reviewing applications" to "Decision Pending." No idea what that means but I'm just going to go with it. That's all I can do, right?

Oh this site is absolutely insane. I know I won't hear anything from my American schools until at least the week of Valentine's Day but here I am, freaking out regardless. Aber's decision should come this week. But...it's good to see everyone supporting one another in our insanity!

Congrats on the UBC offer. Vancouver's a cool town!

Oh, the kicking is serious. Aber was just kind of a whim. But the more time I spend in Aber, the more I *really* really want to go there. South Carolina wasn't a whim but the same sentiment applies. My resume is awesome for Archives. I'm not going to deny that. But I still see flaws everywhere. For example, Aber is the only archives program left in the UK that requires Latin. I don't speak a word. ...<br /><br />But, in good news - I applied for a fellowship/internship at the Library of Congress this summer - and the deadline has passed so my status on USAJobs has finally moved to "reviewing application"!

Congrats on Johns Hopkins! Everyone, I really did *try* to shift us a month ahead. But the area where the Rift is is under construction (go figure!) so I couldn't manipulate it. One of my choices is to stay at my study abroad school for another year and do a one year British Master's. My best friends here at Aber know this fact full well and keep poking me with "So, you're staying another year, right?" Even if they don't say it, I know they're thinking it which makes it even worse. Thankfully, that decision SHOULD come within the end of this upcoming week. IF not... Deep, deep breath!

Congrats on York! I haven't been on the real campus (only the film studies campus) but the city is gorgeous (for a British university city) and I've never heard anything but good things about the university. Congrats, congrats!

You'd think it'd work like that! But it doesn't. I wasn't freaking out UNTIL I got my first acceptance. Now I'm sitting here thinking "Okay, why haven't you contacted me School X, Y and Z? School Q did!" And now I frantically check my email. The other day my home university activities director secretary sent out a bunch of emails so my Carroll email said "3 new emails" and I got all excited. Nope, just announcements about convos and the MLK dinner. :/

That's the old Berliner Platz. Berliner Platz Neu is what I used but who knows...it's not like grammar changes that much in 10 years.

I second the British hallway. They (admissions) can be quite snotty on the phone but the actual departments and their secretaries are the sweetest people I've met at my university and will literally move heaven and earth to help you!

Been there, done that! I might be in Aber again next year and so I'm scoping out university housing (given to us automatically if we want it). My good good friend just got a two bedroom apartment and she has offered me the other room if I get in and chose Aber. If I go to grad school in the US I'm getting a cat so I have looked at humane societies in the cities where the universities are...

My poor Kindle didn't know what hit it yesterday when I put six journal articles on either immigrant nostalgia or Czechoslovakia's breakup...and then followed it up with Australia's 600 page Asian Manifesto and Animal Farm. On the plus side, I can only escape the articles by reading Orwell. Always good!