ACM88 Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 I know there are a few forums floating around with people asking about their Plan B's; the scenarios that include not getting into graduate school or those that include not getting into a school you would actually go to. But, does anyone here not have a Plan B? I know that I don't. For me, Plan A is the plan. I'm getting ready to finish up a master's and I've applied to 7 schools with interveiws from 6 of them, but no acceptances (yet?). I still have the bulk of my interviews to get through and I know that there's still a lot between now and any admissions decisions, but I don't have any idea what I'll be doing if everything falls apart. I know that it's definitely a terrible insurance plan, but I don't want to accept the thought that I might get rejected from everywhere. Anyone else out there put all their eggs in one basket (that basket being school or bust)? I'd love to commiserate.
SLPjmar Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 If I don't get into graduate school this application cycle, I am very much stuck. For SLP, a Master's degree is needed before working in the field. I could become a speech-aide, but that is mostly based on geographical location and finding a practicing professional who agrees to mentor me. Not getting in really isn't an option for me. I haven't really allowed myself to explore the what-if possibility because it scares me so damn much.
ACM88 Posted February 2, 2013 Author Posted February 2, 2013 If I don't get into graduate school this application cycle, I am very much stuck. For SLP, a Master's degree is needed before working in the field. I could become a speech-aide, but that is mostly based on geographical location and finding a practicing professional who agrees to mentor me. Not getting in really isn't an option for me. I haven't really allowed myself to explore the what-if possibility because it scares me so damn much. I can understand that fear. I think that my situation is less daunting, but similar. With a master's degree in biology (ecology), there are theoretically a number of things that I could do, but with the job-market as tight as it is, getting a PhD is really what makes you competetive, especially if everyone else has one. Plus, I feel like I just don't know enough yet to be successful in any position, part-time or full-time, that I could get. I need a PhD for not only job-market leverage, but also for confidence in what I'm doing. No one ever really teaches you how to survive in limbo and I definitely feel like TGC is full of people just learning how to stay afloat, myself included.
ArtHistoryandMuseum Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 I can understand that fear. I think that my situation is less daunting, but similar. With a master's degree in biology (ecology), there are theoretically a number of things that I could do, but with the job-market as tight as it is, getting a PhD is really what makes you competetive, especially if everyone else has one. Plus, I feel like I just don't know enough yet to be successful in any position, part-time or full-time, that I could get. I need a PhD for not only job-market leverage, but also for confidence in what I'm doing. No one ever really teaches you how to survive in limbo and I definitely feel like TGC is full of people just learning how to stay afloat, myself included. Similar circumstance: I have a master's in Museum Studies, and there are things I "could do," but I need more academic background of art and artifacts to do exactly what I want to do in the field. As I have the basic skill set and passion, without that experience of advanced study, I'm kept in limbo: I cannot progress further as I'd like, and elsewhere I'm overqualified/not long-term fit. The GradCafe "is full of people just learning how to stay afloat, myself included." Absolutely agree!
courtc8891 Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 I tried not to think about it so I certainly don't have anything that could be called a "plan," but if I don't get accepted anywhere I think I'll work and re-apply next year. I've also be toying with the idea of writing the LSAT or perhaps applying to professional programs like a masters in library and information science for the fall of 2014.
ACM88 Posted February 2, 2013 Author Posted February 2, 2013 Similar circumstance: I have a master's in Museum Studies, and there are things I "could do," but I need more academic background of art and artifacts to do exactly what I want to do in the field. As I have the basic skill set and passion, without that experience of advanced study, I'm kept in limbo: I cannot progress further as I'd like, and elsewhere I'm overqualified/not long-term fit. The GradCafe "is full of people just learning how to stay afloat, myself included." Absolutely agree! Ditto. The GradCafe is definitely the only thing keeping me sane right now. I imagine that will change pretty quickly once I see my programs listed on the Results Page (which, btw, is an obsessive compulsive personality's wet-dream). Until I get any admissions decisions, all I can do is keep telling myself that my application is competetive and I will get in somewhere, but I might have to feel some disappointment along the way. ACM88 and SLPjmar 2
pogopuschel Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 Only applied to one school, and don't really have a plan B. If I don't get in it's not that big of a deal, but I haven't though about what to do in that case.
Eager Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 Hey guys! You want to hear a no plan B scenario? I only applied to one program. Now mind you, it is the only place i want to go, but it is only one. Everyone else has lists of places, so as I have said on other forums it is acceptance or bust!!!!!!
Linelei Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 Thank goodness I got accepted and don't have to worry about this! But my 'Plan B' was to do more research, strengthen my application, and apply again next season. I know what I want to do and by God I am doing it! Never give up! Never surrender! But more seriously, there is nothing else I want to do with my life, so there is no other plan. I didn't even apply to safety schools, because I would have been unhappy with anything less than my dream schools. Monochrome Spring 1
ACM88 Posted February 2, 2013 Author Posted February 2, 2013 Only applied to one school, and don't really have a plan B. If I don't get in it's not that big of a deal, but I haven't though about what to do in that case. Hey guys! You want to hear a no plan B scenario? I only applied to one program. Now mind you, it is the only place i want to go, but it is only one. Everyone else has lists of places, so as I have said on other forums it is acceptance or bust!!!!!! Applying to one place is gusty! I understand only applying to places you truly see yourself attending and being happy and, to some extent, I think I did that. I have one safety school because after I applied everywhere, I panicked that maybe I set the bar too high and decided to apply to a "safe" school. I think I can count on having that school in my back pocket if I need it, but I really do doubt I'll go there (which makes me feel terrible for leading on my POI). The last couple days I've been trying to prepare myself for rejections but instead I end up feeling a lot of fear about being rejected! It's a terribly cyclical situation. I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts as I panic about hearing back from schools.
NoddaProbBob Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 (edited) I am SO glad that I'm not the only person without a plan B. Like someone else said, going to either of the schools that I applied to is the Plan. Plan A and Plan A only. It's hard to let your mind go there and think that you won't be going to graduate school at all. I had that freak out moment the other day. I hadn't heard from either of my schools and I was legitimately flipping out. I was on the phone with a friend venting my fears and as soon as I got off the phone with her, an email came through to invite me for an interview. That was a huge relief! As for the other school, Northwestern, I have been neither accepted nor rejected. Which is scary considering the interviews for the program started yesterday and last through March 1st. I'm praying that this is an unofficial waitlist. I haven't heard anything since the second week of January when they said that my application was under review. That same email informed me of interview dates to keep open "just in case". I had just assumed I was rejected because I haven't heard anything at al past that. I don't really know what to think. I don't have a Plan B but maybe I should think of one... Edited February 2, 2013 by NoddaProbBob
Queen of Kale Posted February 2, 2013 Posted February 2, 2013 I went all in. Me too. It was motivation by fear. Without a "fall back" I was squeezing that last drop of effort out of my fried-up little brain. ACM88 and uromastyx 2
ACM88 Posted February 3, 2013 Author Posted February 3, 2013 Me too. It was motivation by fear. Without a "fall back" I was squeezing that last drop of effort out of my fried-up little brain. Honestly, that's genius. What motivated me to put my best foot forward for these applications was the fact that I nearly didn't make it into college out of high school because I was overconfident about my potential. Everday since I made it into my bachelor program, I have been giving everthing 100% because I know how close I was to being just a high school graduate. I hope you were able to put together the best applications possible! I know I did. Let's just hope they're good enough!
stillalivetui Posted February 3, 2013 Posted February 3, 2013 Yep, this is my one and only time applying. I can't afford to apply again next year.
Halcyon17 Posted February 3, 2013 Posted February 3, 2013 I'm an international student. It's grad school or get out of the country 60 days after graduation, because finding a job that will sponsor you for an H-1B right out of college is a female dog. Sure I can try to get back in in a year, but I don't really want to go home and go through that whole immigration stuff a second time. So yeah. All or nothing.
ACM88 Posted February 4, 2013 Author Posted February 4, 2013 I'm an international student. It's grad school or get out of the country 60 days after graduation, because finding a job that will sponsor you for an H-1B right out of college is a female dog. Sure I can try to get back in in a year, but I don't really want to go home and go through that whole immigration stuff a second time. So yeah. All or nothing. I can't relate to that kind of pressure, and I don't know many people who could, but I'm wishing you the best of luck.
HigherEd2013 Posted February 4, 2013 Posted February 4, 2013 I'm an international student. It's grad school or get out of the country 60 days after graduation, because finding a job that will sponsor you for an H-1B right out of college is a female dog. Sure I can try to get back in in a year, but I don't really want to go home and go through that whole immigration stuff a second time. So yeah. All or nothing. Oh wow, I'm sure it will work out for the best! I'm crossing my fingers for you. Good luck! Eh, Plan B's are overrated. Plus, you find out if you need one pretty quickly this semester so you have enough time to come up with one .
CP3 Posted February 4, 2013 Posted February 4, 2013 My plan B isn't very solid...build my portfolio and get relevant work experience I never ONCE thought about a plan B while I was filling out applications, getting LORs, etc. I was way too consumed with the process, I didn't want any doubts to distract me. But now that I've received 2 rejections, and the rest of the decisions are slowly approaching, all I think about is "plan B" I put all of my eggs in one basket a few months ago, now I'm frantically trying to get some of the eggs back!!!! lol! ACM88 1
trudeau Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 Plan B? There are several tall bridges near my home... practical cat, ZacharyObama and ArtHistoryandMuseum 3
GodelEscher Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 Plan A: Get into PhD program Plan B: ...refer to plan A
Quigley Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 (edited) Plan B was to try again next year. Thankfully I won't need to. There isn't really any other option that feels right for me. Edited February 6, 2013 by Quigley
Soleil ت Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 I think my Plan B is to come up with an impromptu Plan B in case of disheartening events/rejection. Until then, I've only got one plan: go to schooooool.
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