Good News!

Well, as many of you know, I busted my butt last semester to get my GRE General and Subject exams taken, essays written, letters from professors put together, and grad. school applications completed. I've been waiting in anticipation since I mailed them out in early January. My mom called today to tell me that I had a letter from the University of Vermont in the mail at home (I'm at school). I had told her NOT to open any letters I got from colleges, on pain of death ;) My fear was that they were going to read the "we regret to inform you..." letters, then have to break the news to me.

But, I couldn't resist or wait until Friday, when I come home for Spring break, to find out. So, I had them read me the acceptance letter over the phone! My first response letter from a college was an acceptance letter from the University of Vermont, congratulating me on my accomplishments and inviting me to go into their Masters of English program. They weren't able to offer me a teaching assistantship or a fellowship, which isn't ideal...but I've been so worried about NONE of the schools accepting me into a program, that it's SUCH a relief to know that, no matter what, I HAVE been accepted into at least one of the schools!

If I get a better offer from one of the remaining 4 schools I applied to (more financial aid), then I'll go elsewhere...but I'm so excited that my first response was an acceptance letter!

:reading: = :banana:

Congrats! Acceptance letters are the best!

Congrats Kim...That is great news and a testament to your accomplishments and hard work.:gj:

Congrats Kim! :gj: (Did I spell that right? ;) :8:)

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Congrats Kim! :gj: (Did I spell that right? ;) :8:)

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Oh, Deb... you know that I think you have impeccable English! :D

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Originally Posted by AzureN1ght

...but I'm so excited that my first response was an acceptance letter!

:reading: = :banana:

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That's wonderful Kim! I wish you all the best with your goals and endeavors' :gj: :D

Congratulations Kim! That's wonderful!!!!! :hug:

way to go! :gj:

Thanks, everyone :D I was so excited, I had to share my good news with my BP.net family :grouphug: I love you guys!

so which school is your first choice? (unless you don't want to say)

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Originally Posted by fishmommy

so which school is your first choice? (unless you don't want to say)

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My first choice is UConn Storrs--they have guaranteed teaching assistantship with $19k/year stipend and free tuition for every incoming English Masters student and they also have a PhD program. I'm anxiously awaiting their reply, for good or ill.

I've also got applications out at University of New Hampshire, State University of New York at Stonybrook, and Penn state.

WOOOO!!!!!

Reminds me of when I was applying for jobs when I was just out of school. I used to pin my rejection letters to the wall opposite the toilet. Very satisfying location to read them. :P ;)

Congrats! All your hard work is paying off! :gj: way to go!

Congraduations, Kim! Good job!!!!

(Yeah, I know its spelled incorrectly, but I couldn't resist!)

Steve

Awesome news! Congrats to you! :gj:

That's great kim, I'm very happy for you.

Great work Kim!!! :banana::D:banana: Congrats on that achievement! BIG HUGGS!!!

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Originally Posted by hoo-t

Congraduations, Kim! Good job!!!!

(Yeah, I know its spelled incorrectly, but I couldn't resist!)

Steve

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You people know just how to torment me ;) Next time around, you'll be calling BP.net ur faverit sight! :D Thanks for the laugh and the congrats ;)

Awesome news! Grad school is so much better than undergrad work; more fulfilling and interesting and focused! You'll love it!! :gj: It's good to know that some people are still interested in language and grammar and syntax! Far out! Good job! Congratulations!! Crossed fingers for further great news!! :banana:

congratulations!!!!:banana::banana::banana::):):)

Congratulations! Hope you get your ideal school! I was accepted in to the Masters Program here at Barry University in Miami (for MIST) but I can relate the "WAIT" was horrible! Hope to hear many more great things from you in the future! :gj:

Congrats!!! :D

Hey celebrate and go buy a new snake!! :snake: You clearly deserve it.

Congratulations Kim! I'm so proud of you. I hope you have several more of those coming your way. Here's a little laugh in your honor!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...llerkitteh.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...lke/lolcat.jpg

Just to update--I've heard back from 4 of the 5 schools I applied to.

I didn't get into UConn, which is disappointing and Penn State said no, as well. I suppose it's not too surprising. UConn is primarily a research-based institution and they have fantastic funding for their incoming grad. students (EVERY incoming MA candidate receives a TA-ship covering their tuition and with a $19k/year stipend). So, there is a great deal of competition to get in, and they really get to choose the "cream of the crop". And Penn State is Penn state ;)

As I mentioned, I got accepted into UVM. However, because I didn't get a TA-ship or fellowship, I've since found out that I would be taking out close to $45k in student loans my first year if I wanted to go. Because of my chosen field of study (English Literature) and the entering pay for people in teaching/part-time professorships/publishing is so low...I just can't see having 80-100k out in student loans when I graduate. That's a LOT of debt hanging over my head.

I have also been accepted into the University of New Hampshire, which is an excellent school for the study of English. I'm waiting to hear back within the next couple of days about whether or not I've been given a TA-ship or some other form of departmental aid. Keep your fingers crossed for me on this one, because if I don't get a TA-ship, the same story as for UVM applies.

I guess at this point, if I don't get a TA-ship for UNH, then I've got to go with Plan B: Move to CT, get an apartment with my boyfriend, find a generic corporate job, apply to a nearby school with a English Lit MA program and go part-time while I work. It's not ideal, but I'm not going to give up my dream of having an MA even if I can't afford to do it full-time.

:grouphug: Thanks for the support, everyone! It means a lot :)