Relief, sweet relief.

A few weeks ago I had a crisis in my grad school application process: one of my "recommenders" dropped out.  He was a former professor of mine in grad school and I took three of his classes, far more than any other professor I had at the time.  In addition, it seemed that my grad school was in transition, with lots of comings/goings and retirements about that time, so he was the only logical choice.

And then he really didn't remember me, seeing as it has been 11 years since I've graced grad school with my presence. The problem with this?  He said he would do the letters, then said he didn't remember me, well after my apps were in to the various grad schools. 

At the last moment, I had to change him out and replace him with a former boss. 

Then another crisis -- another recommender had work issues (which I knew were plentiful) and just finished the letters this weekend. 

This roller-coaster ride of grad school admissions has had me up and down and loop-the-loop more times than I can count.  It is relief, sweet sweet relief that now all the recommendations are in and I can just relax a bit, waiting for grad school notifications in a month.  It is with sincerest hope that because of all these recommendation snafus my application was not relegated to the "no" pile, but that remains to be seen. 

I just want to know where I am going.

Bloomington?
Chicago?
DC?
Portland?

Where .... indeed.

A month from now ...

A month from now ... I know who has accepted me into their Ph.D. program

A month from now ... I can make plans for my move to __________.

A month from now ... I can revisit just how much furniture I want to move.

A month from now ... I can begin the countdown until I am finished in Florida.

A month from now ... I can know whether Hoosier Guy and I will be geographically close for the next four years.

A month from now ... I will know, definitely, what, where, why and when I will be pursuing my degree. 

A month from now ... seems so close ... and so very far away.

Well, crap.

Last summer when I was looking around at grad schools it became readily apparent that I should be identifying three parties to provide letters of recommendation for my applications.

It was suggested that I find one from my former school (IU), one current and one colleague.

I contacted a former IU prof, he seemed to remember me and be amenable.  He said he'd do it. 

Now he says he is bogged down and can't quite place me as a student, although I took three classes with him.  I know it was eleven+ years ago.  I know. 

So I'm searching for my third reference.  And have to change my grad school apps.

Because he didn't back out until Today.

Now THAT is what upsets me.

Booo.  Hissss.

The College Visits (Thus Far)

While I was in DC this week, I made a point to make appointments with both American University and The George Washington University to learn more about their Ph.D. programs in public administration.  I'm trying to visit them (6 schools) all before the application deadline although that doesn't look realistic right now for the Seattle and Portland schools.  Those may be January.

So anyway.

I should state that all six schools are contenders.  All of them are top 30 schools, all of them are within a few ranking points of the other and all of them would be great on a resume.  Really, this is going to come down to "fit" and financial package.  For those of you that aren't aware -- being a Ph.D. student often pays.  Literally.  I could get a fellowship for teaching and/or research that would pay me a stipend as well as give me -tuition free-.  Yes.  So, obviously I am looking hard and doing my best to sort out where I'll go.

First visit was yesterday -- to American U.  I met the advisor for all Ph.D. public affairs programs.  He is staff (not a professor) but truly understands the process and the ways in which the program works.  We had a meeting scheduled for eleven (for an hour) and I was in there the better part of an hour and a half.  We chattered back and forth like magpies, with each moment bringing new and different ideas, thoughts and plans to the table.  Suffice to say, we got along famously and he encouraged me to apply.  He later walked me to a class (that was in session) and asked if I wanted to stick around until the prof had a break.  I said yes, and sat in the hallway listening in to a lecture. 

At the break, I walked into class, introduced myself and the professor was warm, engaging and interested in me being there.  Asked me all sorts of questions, flattered me (they were talking about grants and he said he wished he had me in there as a guest lecturer) and was really open to the notion that I'd email him and learn more.  I left on Cloud 9. 

So.

I should also mention that I made this appointments about 6 weeks ago when I knew I'd be in DC at this time.  I wanted to give a long enough lead time for a good appointment slot and also so I'd have an opportunity to meet with someone one-on-one.

I arrived at my appointment today at GWU and met with not only an advisor, but another potential Ph.D. student.  Yeah.

The advisor hands me a packet of stuff that includes their master's program stuff (I asked her if she wanted it back [because I HAVE the masters in what they offer] and she said, no, this is the general packet we give everyone).  The meeting lasts less than an hour, isn't very engaging or personable (because she has two prospective students to talk to), and basically leaves me with a very sour taste in my mouth for GWU.  She was helpful (in a general way) but wasn't selling the notion of my application (or the other student's application) at all.  I mean, seriously, you have two potential Ph.D. students (who have their master's) and you can't be bothered to organize a freakin' packet of material to exclude the master's stuff.  Lazy.  Fucking Lazy.

I should state at this point that of ALL SIX schools, this is the one that I (of course) have the best contacts.  My mentor knows the head of the frickin' department.  One of my professors this year is an alum.  Oh yeah.  Not Pleased.   Boooo Hiss to GWU. 

So I'm not sure they have made the "apply" list any more.  American -- oh hell yeah.  GWU -- damn it, I'm disappointed in you.