MonkeyPants

tea time

Of course, not being able to read the letters throws me off a bit, but the people who wrote them have known me for years and know what i'm capable of, so i'm certain they're strong. Three are from semi-famous faculty, and i've worked with them fairly extensively. The rest are from professional colleagues. So that part of the application, i think, is strong. When i spoke with the assistant dean, she dropped this gem, "I can't guarantee that the committee will read everyone's letters, but we do look at how many you have and the names on them." So...?

oh boy, now this face is making me freak out. did i screw up by doing this??

hanging gardens

my husband finally got fed up with my obsession. he rented a fiddle, lured me into the car, and drove me to a lesson he had set up. now when i start freaking out, he hollers at me to go practice "Twinkle Twinkle" another 50 times. he's a good man.

i have the same plan.

basket case

i have eight for one program and seven for the rest. i wasn't taking any chances- if one didn't arrive, i wanted to have as much backup as possible.

loose women

foot loose

Got this email from assistant dean at my first choice school on Feb 8th: "On looking over your application, I see that you are missing a letter of recommendation from [NAME]. You may want to remind Mr. [NAME] about this. On the other hand, we do only request 4 letters of recommendation and you have several more than that. We are also missing an official copy of your GRE scores. If you have an unofficial copy, I will be more than happy to accept that. You can either scan this over to me or send it via fax [NUMBER]" Cue rising panic. Sent the scores, she confirmed they arrived, no word since then. Freaking out!

Thanks- i appreciate that!

Also, "You mean she only speaks TWO languages? What a maroon!"

ADCOM 1: 3.8 GPA from prestigious liberal arts school, seven kick-ass LORs from semi-famous faculty... ADCOM 2: Meh GRE scores. Kinda weak SOP. ADCOM 3: Independent research experience in Algonquin religious practices? Who's doing that these days? ADCOM 4: She's...a Native American Muslim? Too much diversity! ADCOM 5: Her writing sample deals with the circumpolar bear cults in Wisconsin? ALL: WTF? *toss* NEXT! *maniacal laughter*

cocoa butter

the whole process is making me manic/depressive. severe mood swings- one minute i think, "of course i'll get in somewhere, i'm awesome!" and the next, "of course i'll be rejected everywhere, i'm an idiot!" sigh. positive thoughts, positive intent, positive actions, positive outcome.

season finale

house hunting

life line

University of Chicago Divinity and Humanities depts both said they'd be notifying "at the end of February or by the first week in March at the latest."

i'm 31. Did my undergrad from 24-28, started working full-time at 14. Couldn't afford college til i was 24. I did bring this up in my applications, and i have three years of work (in research!) between undergrad and applications. Tho' by the time this process is finished, i'll probably feel about 75. Courage!

conjunction junction!

free sample

the silence is pretty terrifying. i know my programs don't inform any students until March but i can't stop compulsively checking my applications and email. i was contacted by the assistant dean at my first choice because ETS didn't send them my GRE scores. she had me fax them over, confirmed that they arrived, and then said my application was being forwarded to the adcom. that was a week ago. and of course i am in the grip of a "what does this MEAN?!" panic attack. sigh! courage, everyone.

whole heart