Life is wonderful

March 19 - My SLP classmates were all excited that they were receiving emails saying that they were accepted into grad school at IUP. I can't even explain to you how defeated I felt when I did not get that email. I really felt like a failure. I know that I really shouldn't, because it was only a 1/6 chance that I got in. But I'm not used to failure or losing when it comes to academics. I was always in the top percentage in HS and graduated co-Salutatorian. So, when I am not chosen for the first round of grad school acceptances, I really feel terrible.

March 23 - Check my email and receive a message from the SLP director at Edinboro. Subject was "You've been accepted!" For a second, I struggled to read these words for what they really meant. I open the email, and yes! I was accepted at Edinboro.

My dad calls later in the afternoon and tells me that I received a letter from Clarion. I was also accepted at Clarion. The day could not get any better.

March 25 - Letter comes in the mail explaining my acceptance at Edinboro. This is the exciting part. The letter explains, "Because of your high ranking in our cohort of applicants, it is my pleasure to be able to recommend that you be offered a half-time graduate assistantship for academic year 2009-2010." I did not request an assistantship because I really hadn't planned on going there and figured I wouldn't have time if I did end up going. So, if they offered this, they must really want me to go there. ;-)

And since I did not hear back from my number one school (IUP), I thought about Edinboro's offer. It would be something new and different. I would have an assistantship that would pay for half of my tuition the first year and also a stipend. It's closer to home. The program itself is great. I don't think that I could have found anything better, and I know even if I got into IUP, they wouldn't offer an assistantship. So, this morning, I officially accepted Edinboro's offer of both admission and assistantship. I can't wait to start something new. This is going to be exciting!!!

Plus, I am part Scottish and love plaid and bagpipes. ;-)

“Life is like a hand of cards. You have to play the hand you're dealt, you can't win by folding, and sometimes you must take chances in order to win.” - Mike Connor