Plans for if you don't get in?

[stell4]

Anyone else out there starting to feel super pessimistic about their chances of getting in? All this waiting is freaking me out even though I know there's still plenty of time to hear from schools. I have a pretty low undergrad GPA, so I haven't been feeling too confident from the start.

What kind of plans or ideas are you looking into if you do not get in?

I've been teaching high school after I graduated with my BA in chem and was certified to teach. It's been an ok 3 years, however, I need out of this career... like, last week!! So, teaching is out. I've looked into going for a 2nd Bachelor's, unfortunately, the 5 yr BS/MA program at the school I would like to go to does not allow 2nd Bachelor's for my program. I am also not sure if my odds for getting accepted for a BS are any better or if I want to start at bachelors level again.

I've also considered becoming a firefighter, I have an interview lined up on Monday. I think this is just my current state of desperation allowing me to think that is a viable option for me. After dealing with teenage boys in the classroom for 3 years I am not sure I want to deal with the slightly grown boys club... and little pay. The hours sound nice though, 2 days on, 4 days off.

Realistically, I've been looking into programs at the community college such as EMT, dental assistant, x-ray tech.... The nice thing about being a teacher in NM is that I'll get paid quite a bit more with just about anything I could go into (I know a taco bell manager and a counter girl at Macy's who get paid significantly more than me!)

[john-smith536]

I'm thinking of joining the peace corp to do something "fulfilling" for a couple years, then reapply.

If either of those don't work out, then I guess it's business in the daytime and self study at night.

For some reason, as much as I would LOVE to go to graduate school, it seems fine.

[ChasingMavericks]

I've been trying not to think of a back up plan because I am hoping so much that I don't need one.

There is so much more out there I want to do though if I am unable to make it to grad school in this next year. Here's my lovely list

*Transform my Communications minor into a major

*Enroll in cooking school or massage therapy (i've always wanted to do both!)

*Bum around at home, I do love the sun

*Take the last few classes to finish an Addiction Therapy Certificate

*Find a job throuhg CoolWorks and get to travel!

If we really think about it there are plenty of opportunities out there for each of us if grad school isn't exactly the right option right now. Something is going to happen for each of us

[laviola]

A year abroad teaching english hopefully - travel, get away from home, make money. Apply to masters programs again and perhaps law school, try a different route.

I have a plan, I would just need to make sure I execute it.. and I really would not like to wait more.

[jormniel]

Well, I have been applying for librarian jobs (my field is information science), and I have had several interviews.I have a few more interviews lined up. Keeping my fingers crossed for either opportunity!

[Marius]

Finding an RA position in a really good lab somewhere. Getting some more experience and finishing the two studies I have going now so I have two abstracts to attach to my next application. Hopefully getting one of those papers published as a second or third author. Then using all that to apply again. I was initially pretty discouraged but I know that I want science to be my life and I am not going to give up. I was just a little naive the first time applying. I'm going to have to bring more next time around.

[kaister]

I think it's probably 99% that I'll be going back home this summer. Which considering my situation (my home is in Hawaii) really isn't that bad, I'm sure many people wouldn't complain, but of course to me, it feels like a failure. But if I go home, I'll just try to find any sort of job to start paying off loans and saving up for reapplying. Hopefully volunteer at the university to get more research experience.

I am applying to paying RA positions but that's probably just as competitive and I'll most likley get rejected there too. There's no hope left for me, I've kind of accepted that all this work will culminate in failure, ah well...I guess there's always next year.

[Pen & Fork]

I'm hoping I won't need a back up plan, as well. But if I don't get into any of my three desired programs, I'm planning to try and get a writing job (perhaps online and hopefully paying) to build up my portfolio as well as a better job that will help me pay the rent while I work on my manuscripts and work on applications for fall 2013.

[sansao]

If I get rejected from all four schools while there's still time to switch things up, I've thought about withdrawing my graduation application, and turning my math minor into a major, I wouldn't actually need more than a year to complete it - just a couple lower level programming courses and like 4 more classes in math/stats. I could easily finish that up in a year...

I also thought about teaching at the high school level, but really I'll probably just try to boost my application by having concurrent degrees.

[whirlpool4]

My best friend told me not to look to grad school as a 'savior' and for once, I starting thinking about back-up plans. Not to be pessimistic, but to be realistic and at least be prepared for anything. Aside from applying again, this time for a Master's instead of a PhD, I would probably continue my job as a part-time tutor at the small state college in my town. I still want to be a professor and although I'm not too keen about research, I live too far from any research university to get involved without having to relocate anyway. I don't really have any cool plans aside from that...

I did consider becoming a high school teacher as well, but I currently tutor some high school students and trying to teach them something is like pulling teeth.

[mirandaw]

This is really complicated for me. I'm originally from Michigan, where I was advancing fairly quickly in local politics and campaigns immediately after finishing undergrad in English. I went from volunteer coordinating on issue campaigns, to campaign management for a state house position. Then I met someone across the continent, fell in love, and decided to leave it all behind in order to move to Canada (let me tell you, immigration is a ridiculous process). I finally immigrated, but after nearly 2 years of basic unemployment - my education and work history make for a fairly unconventional resume, to the point where I was applying to jobs i wasn't really qualified for and not getting them and applying for jobs I'm overqualified for and not getting them - my partner encouraged me to finally apply for grad school. We had been waiting for her to finish her degree and for me to get a little more experience, but I wasn't having much luck anywhere. I need some sort of further education to continue in the field I want to work in, because what I've got now isn't cutting it. Especially considering i don't have the network here I had back home.

So. I honestly have no idea. I only applied to one program, because it's the one i really want. If I don't get in, I wait? Apply again next year? Reconsider my options? Keep working in retail until something finally clicks? Keep volunteering in order to grow my network and experience? All of the above, probably.

[Gneiss1]

I was just talking to one of my professors about this today. I still have yet to hear back from any of the 5 schools I have applied to. I think I would definitely try again next year, I thought my application was pretty strong but having to wait this long I am beginning to doubt myself. My professor recommended if I do get rejected to inquire where my weaknesses were and see what I could do between now and then to strengthen my application. Perhaps I can find a position in my field to work for a year. We will have to see:-/ It's not quite over yet.

[imonedaful]

Just like everyone else on here, I hate making back-up plans but they are essential. Not having gotten in anywhere yet, it is hard NOT to worry about it. My mother keeps telling me "well, at least you have two jobs, you don't HAVE to go to graduate school." I tell people if I don't get in, I might have to do my PHD in Mexico. Haha. If I don't get in, I am working and I suppose I could keep my jobs and continue to save me money, if they don't drive me crazy in the near future. I am an administrative assistant at a college (ironic, I know) and I work as a personal trainer at the gym. But these are obviously not things I see myself doing for the rest of my life. I have been making a short list in my head of different schools I might apply to next year if I were to reapply and go through this process over again. And if I did, I would definitely sit for the GMAT again since I think my scores were the weakest part of my application. Everybody faces the same issue if we don't get in, how BADLY do we want to do this and HOW MUCH effort is it worth?

[TeaGirl]

Getting my second rejection today, I'm starting to feel like making a back up plan is important.

I suppose first on my list would be to retake the GRE, and try and get perfect scores.

Apply again for jobs (where I'm working is fine, but I'd like to do something else).

I think I will explore avenues of volunteer work. I've got a whole year for it.

Travel somewhere for the summer (consolation prize). Maybe I'll visit my sister in Germany.

Prepare myself mentally for reapplying next year, because this is not just a passing thing. I really want it.