posted
As some of you may know, I'm finishing up my undergraduate studies in Classics this year here at the University of Wisconsin. I've applied to grad schools and have now heard back from four: three rejections and finally...
An acceptance letter! Woohoo! It came this morning from the University of Kansas - and they put me on the list as an alternate for a TA-ship, which apparently they don't often do for first-year students (and they used nice words in the letter, like "impressed," "please," and "immediately" ).
So this is pretty much me being overly relieved. With the first three "No"s, I was beginning to doubt myself and my applications and was even thinking about alternate plans. Thankfully, I've got something concrete now.
Though I still am waiting to hear from Arizona, which is actually a higher choice than Kansas. But at this point, I'm just happy to be accepted anywhere.
[I've never used this emoticon before. It's kind of weird. But I am going to party tonight ]
posted
Update #1 (of possibly many): I got a phone call last Friday from the department secretary at Arizona saying that my letter had been mixed up with another girl's and when I get hers, I should disregard it. I was told that she was denied for Ancient Language Deficiency (I could hear the capital letters), but that my letter was "different." Naturally, my brain started working around all the different reasons I could be rejected....
Until this morning. After having skipped all (both) my classes and showering, I checked the mail. The only thing was the small envelope from Arizona. Trepidation growing, I opened it to find...
A provisional acceptance. I need to learn more Latin before I can get major funding, but they liked me enough to offer me a place even with my minor Ancient Language Deficiency.
Now I have to evaluate the funding situation and decide. But hey, acceptance is acceptance, provisional or no. Posts: 3932 | Registered: Sep 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
FG, the reason I didn't go to Kansas (and they wanted me) was that they sent me materials, including some about how they have a special campus tour day for "minorities".
That's why I decided not to go.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Really, KQ? Wow! I attended KU for awhile, and I never knew they did that (of course, that was long ago...)
In our state, KU is actually considered the most "preppy"(?) college - where all the 'rich kids' go. (although I wasn't rich when I was there) but you do meet LOTS of rich kids there. It is also considered an island of liberals in a conservative state...
posted
It wasn't that they were trying to "target minorities"; it was that they wanted to point out "the many opportunities available to minority students on our campus". It just smacked of racism to me, the way they wrote it.
And if that's the most liberal college, I'm scared.
Of course, I ended up deciding not to go to college immediately, then ended up married with a baby. So what do I know.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'd hate to be the person who had to call the other girl and tell her she got the wrong letter. Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Congrats. I hope you enjoy graduate school as much as I did. It was challenging, fun, and you're surrounded by smart people who are all (mostly) pulling for you to succeed. What's not to like?
posted
Update 2: I decided. And it's going to be Arizona (U of A, in Tucson). To further complicate matters, I've got to go in July so as to catch up on my Latin. In four weeks of summer class, I'll be covering the equivalent of two semesters of Latin. Yikes!
But I'm truly excited and happy. Which reminds me... I should email the department. But yeah, I'm leaving Wisconsin. And perpetual winter.
Posts: 3932 | Registered: Sep 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Soooo, will there be a midwest clump gathering before you leave? That you'll actually attend? I'd be disappointed if you leave our clump before I get to meet you.
And, um, congratulations! I'm glad you came to a decision, and wish you much luck!
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Aw, but Kansas sounds like such a lovely place.
"We've swallowed that dust and cleaned its dark clumps from the corners of our eyes. Some windy days when we wash our hair, the water turns brown from the catch of the day."
posted
I'm glad you've made a decision that seems to work for you. I hope you're happy in Arizona - I've only been there once and I can say that my most significant impression was this - it's hot and there's very little green stuff.
Not that the desert doesn't have it's own beauty, it certainly does, but after being there for one day I was longing for my rolling hills and trees of home.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Carrie I have a good friends that lives there, if you get lonely. She's a planetary science PhD student.
And yes, going from Wisconsin, prepare yourself for *heat*! I personally love it, and would choose to live in the desert over the midwest if I had the choice, but I also came from the pretty arid climes (normally) of Southern California too so it wasn't as much of a shock.
posted
Congratulations, Carrie! I had an ex-boyfriend attend that program in Arizona, although I'm sure he's gone by now. From all reports, he really enjoyed it. Posts: 1163 | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
July, huh? I'll just miss you. But congratulations on making it into the program and deciding to come to Tucson. Posts: 378 | Registered: Aug 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
You need to try to prepare yourself for the heat. Coming from WI, July in Arizona is going to seem like you've descended into the fiery pit of hell, so try to mentally prepare yourself for it (and make sure to keep the heat in mind when planning your hobbies, activities, transportation, and clothing).
posted
You know, I've lived in SoCal or Arizona for the past 16 years of my life and I still can't prepare myself for the heat of summer. I know it's coming and I can tell myself it'll be worse than I remembered-because it always is- but when the heat comes, I'm always surprised that I've been able to survive summers in the past. It's not something I can adjust to for some reason. Posts: 378 | Registered: Aug 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Climate was definitely an initial factor in the decision-making process - I'm very much a winter person (I was born and raised in a place called "The Frozen Tundra," fer cryin' out loud), so I was suspicious of the heat. Fortunately, the benefits of the department far outweighed the lack of cold. Fiery pits of hell, here I come!
quote:Soooo, will there be a midwest clump gathering before you leave? That you'll actually attend? I'd be disappointed if you leave our clump before I get to meet you.
Likewise, ditto, and I really hope so!
Posts: 3932 | Registered: Sep 1999
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
).![[Party]](graemlins/party.gif)
[I've never used this emoticon before. It's kind of weird. But I am going to party tonight ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
]
![[Hat]](graemlins/hat.gif)
![[The Wave]](graemlins/thewave.gif)
![[Cry]](graemlins/cry.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[ROFL]](graemlins/rofl.gif)
you wish!
