Fighting for my Academic Life
I heard back from two Universities (neither positive) so I decided to contact University A, my first choice since I submitted the applications. The Graduate Secretary informed me I was on an unofficial waiting list, but that it was unlikely I would be offered a place because my undergrad marks were pulling my GPA down.
I was disappointed, but Minako and others pushed me to go explain myself. Dr. Sylvester, the person I was hoping to work with and University A. He was very encouraging and directed me to Dr. Trogdor, the Graduate Coordinator of the Department at University A. Trogdor explained that my average made me ineligible for funding from the Faculty of Graduate Studies at University A, meaning the Department would have to fund me instead of funding four other MA students over the next four years, and that was unlikely.
So I called the Faculty of Graduate Studies. They explained that they take the past 20 half credits for my GPA, and that they will go back as far as it takes (i.e. it doesn’t matter that it’s almost ten years ago, and it won’t change ten years from now). However, there is the possibility I could enter as an MA student with the possibility of switching to the PhD program once my GPA climbed high enough.
I contacted Trogdor again and he is brining it to the admissions committee.
Meanwhile, I contacted University B, my second choice, and they gave me the same message: Marks too low. I asked if they would consider admitting me to a qualifying year, and they said they would consider it.
Offers to MA students have been made at both Universities, so enough people would have to decline or the Departments would have to make an exception.
My other options? I could take a year of undergrad classes to raise my average (funded by student loan) and apply once that is done (although that may not play as well with the admissions committees). I could also find an MA program still accepting applicants and go there. Ontario apparently has a lot of money to throw at Grad students.
On top of that, leaving Halifax and Minako suddenly seems like a very very sad thing. I mean, I always knew it would be difficult, but now it seems much more… just worse.
So after a week of going to meetings, making phone calls, pleading for my academic life, feeling rejected, not eating properly, I am taking a mental health day, which is also a day to catch up on the things I have been neglecting.
I am afraid. I am deflated. I am tired. I think I might be getting sick.
A small (big) part of me wonders if I’m trying to do something out of reach.
I was disappointed, but Minako and others pushed me to go explain myself. Dr. Sylvester, the person I was hoping to work with and University A. He was very encouraging and directed me to Dr. Trogdor, the Graduate Coordinator of the Department at University A. Trogdor explained that my average made me ineligible for funding from the Faculty of Graduate Studies at University A, meaning the Department would have to fund me instead of funding four other MA students over the next four years, and that was unlikely.
So I called the Faculty of Graduate Studies. They explained that they take the past 20 half credits for my GPA, and that they will go back as far as it takes (i.e. it doesn’t matter that it’s almost ten years ago, and it won’t change ten years from now). However, there is the possibility I could enter as an MA student with the possibility of switching to the PhD program once my GPA climbed high enough.
I contacted Trogdor again and he is brining it to the admissions committee.Meanwhile, I contacted University B, my second choice, and they gave me the same message: Marks too low. I asked if they would consider admitting me to a qualifying year, and they said they would consider it.
Offers to MA students have been made at both Universities, so enough people would have to decline or the Departments would have to make an exception.
My other options? I could take a year of undergrad classes to raise my average (funded by student loan) and apply once that is done (although that may not play as well with the admissions committees). I could also find an MA program still accepting applicants and go there. Ontario apparently has a lot of money to throw at Grad students.
On top of that, leaving Halifax and Minako suddenly seems like a very very sad thing. I mean, I always knew it would be difficult, but now it seems much more… just worse.
So after a week of going to meetings, making phone calls, pleading for my academic life, feeling rejected, not eating properly, I am taking a mental health day, which is also a day to catch up on the things I have been neglecting.
I am afraid. I am deflated. I am tired. I think I might be getting sick.
A small (big) part of me wonders if I’m trying to do something out of reach.
posted by deadwriter at 10:21 a.m.
2 Comments:
Nonsense. You're not "trying to do something out of reach." Grad school is a mind game from start to finish, and we are our own worst critics and enemies. It took my partner a heck of a lot of tries to get into McGill (and it got downright humiliating near the end), but he now is the belle of the department, and is attracting funding and accolades from various fronts. His undergrad GPA was terrible ... but, no matter what anyone tells you, there are always ways around that.
If you do go the 2nd M.A. route, you wouldn't have to leave the 'Fax and Minako THAT long. Our M.A.s are two years long, but the 2nd year is just your thesis, and TONNES of people do the second year from home. So you could even be gone for less than 7 months.
Think positive. I know you're capable of this!
Yeah, I agree with dr. weezie. This is definitely not out of reach for you. You might have to work hard at it, but you will get in and you will do well there. I think you'll belong there, once you get there.
The last thing you had to work so hard at and be so patient with was getting into your current job field. Isn't that ironic? Now you can't wait to get out. The academic game will be better for you.
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