EmilyChopin

ALSO! Do you know about Public Service Loan Forgiveness? http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/PSF.jsp

I got my package the other day too, and yep, unsubsidized loans. Those loans, and if you have a Perkins loans, can be traded for work-study if you make a good case to the Financial Aid Office. In library science experience is way more important than grades--so I'm planning to work in school. My plan is to enroll for fall with what they gave me, try to get a job/TAship/scholarship, and then if that doesn't pan out, withdraw or take a leave of absence.

Thanks for the kind words everyone! I feel much better already. I think I knew it probably wouldn't be bad, but it is such a relief to hear it from someone else who's been there.

Chasely: I did feel that the students I met were very kind to one another, and I sat in on a class session where they encouraged everyone to contribute to the discussion, even me. oswic: Thank you so much for the kind response. I cannot articulate how much I appreciate you going out of your way to comfort a stranger. Thank you. : )

That's a big thing I'm worried about. Jealousy does not breed great relationships. Although maybe me feeling like I have to prove myself and them feeling like they have to beat me will be mutually beneficial?

I was accepted into my dream program a few weeks ago right out of undergrad, and have already committed to attending. I'm twenty years old, and finished undergrad in three years. I knew I would be on the young side for grad school but when I visited the program this past week I realized I'm significantly younger than anyone else in the program. The degree is one that people often go back for after working for a while, but I've known for a while that this is the career I want, and so I applied much earlier. My academic adviser told me my application must have been quite impressive, because the program doesn't usually admit students that are still doing their undergraduate degrees. It was a nice compliment. : ) But now I'm worried I won't be taken seriously by the faculty or my cohort. I also don't feel like I have much to talk about with the current students and am worried we won't get along because we are at different life stages--many of them are married and/or have kids. Whenever I try to share information about myself I feel as if I am reminding the person I'm talking to how young I am. Furthermore, I'm incredibly socially awkward when I'm caught off guard (like, I can give a smiling, confident speech when I know I'll have to, but try to start a conversation with me in a coffee shop and I'm non-functioning). I'm afraid these combined will give me a reputation as some kind of aloof wunderkind, or worse, someone who got into grad school not knowing what it entailed and is in over her head from the beginning. To top it all off, I'm a first-generation college student, and occasionally I feel a little lost among the academics as it is! I know I'm smart enough and capable of handling the workload, but I'm afraid that lack of confidence from faculty or my peers will throw me off. I've always readily gained the support of professors in my undergraduate institution, and have succeeded partially thanks to their votes of confidence through letters and the grapevine. Can someone give me advice? I don't even know what I'm asking, but some reassurance at the very least would be appreciated.

You probably know already, but I got an email today saying the positions had been filled.

I applied for the GA crew but I haven't heard anything. I got a call from Marie Potter, the Academic Advisor, but when I tried to call her back I had to leave a message. I'm assuming if she wanted to interview me I would have heard back from her by now, so not sure what that was about. I also talked to the financial aid office and they said for new grad students aid comes out around mid-April. I'm hoping before people have to make decisions!

Hello! I haven't heard anything about TA/RA/GA positions, or scholarships. Is your fellowship outside the UW? If it isn't how did they let you know? I'm first generation in every way, so a lot of times I feel like I don't know exactly what is going on with this process. But good to meet you! See you soon. : )

I got into UW Seattle! See you guys there! (Has anyone heard about money yet?)

I was accepted into the UW-Seattle residential program. It was my first choice and the only school I applied to, so I feel very lucky. I also have yet to hear about financial aid and I don't recall hearing anything about when we would hear. Soon, ideally.