So...New Mexico!
Well, I should start with an update on my list of schools.
Essentially (or flat out) rejected from:
:( Texas A&M
:( University of Utah
:( Arizona State University
Interviews completed:
:) University of Nebraska--Lincoln
:) Widener University
:) New Mexico State University
Interviews to go:
! Ball State (2/27)
! University of Memphis (2/28)
Still haven't heard from (and therefore am expecting rejection):
:( U of M
:( University of Missouri--Columbia
I didn't write about my trip to Philly and my Widener interview. Eh, not much to say. It has pros and cons, but the biggest con is keeping it from being an option: $21000 tuition per year (guaranteed 5 years) with no assistance whatsoever. That means student loans. Yeah, can't do it.
But, New Mexico State! Oh, how lovely! And since I am fond of lists...
Best things about the NMSU program & NM:
*** Faculty is primarily women of color
*** Emphasis on multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice
*** Portfolio comprehensive exam!
*** More counseling than research focused, but still with lots of opportunities to do research
*** A chance to do research on LGBT issues with an awesome faculty member, or on adolescents with another awesome faculty member, or even on Native American populations with another awesome faculty member :)
*** Work in the counseling center during 2nd year
*** Friendly students
*** Collaborative, junior colleague, "we want you to succeed" atmosphere
*** It's WARM there!
*** Can be considered in state after 1 year
*** Considered in state if I get an assistantship
*** In state tuition is around $2000 a semester
*** Only 2 semesters of being taped/observed (one for individual, one for group)
*** Cost of living isn't bad
*** Beautiful country with mountains, the Rio Grande, and a desert nearby
*** NO SNOW
Not so great things:
XX Funding isn't so great, but is still doable
XX Scorpions and rattlesnakes
XX Will get hot, very hot
I can't think of any other negative things now... Hmmm...that's good, right?
So, the good things about our trip:
:) It was WARM! Mid 60s
:) It was fun to fly with Chase
:) Chase found me some quartz on the mountain he climbed (but I think he still has it)
:) I had Chik-Fil-A
:) I made a new friend, Robert!
:) We had an amazing dinner in El Paso at this place called Cattle Baron
:) I won $15 on a scratch off lottery ticket in Texas
:) I got to send postcards!
:) Chase and I had a moment or two ;)
Not so good things:
:( We stayed in a sketchy Super 8 in Las Cruces
:( We stayed in a slightly less sketchy Best Western in El Paso
:( I was frustrated and exhausted a lot
:( I messed up a little during my faculty interview
:( Chase SAW two rattlesnakes (but I didn't)
:( I had a hysterical breakdown
:( I didn't want to come back home
I'm hoping to find out about offers and such around March 3rd from NMSU. I still haven't heard anything from UNL. They are 2 weeks late. But I don't think anyone else has heard either--one of the other interviewees emailed us over the weekend and asked if we'd heard anything and I guess 5 of us replied no. So...I don't know if that's good or bad, but I hope we hear soon!
I'll keep you updated!
Essentially (or flat out) rejected from:
:( Texas A&M
:( University of Utah
:( Arizona State University
Interviews completed:
:) University of Nebraska--Lincoln
:) Widener University
:) New Mexico State University
Interviews to go:
! Ball State (2/27)
! University of Memphis (2/28)
Still haven't heard from (and therefore am expecting rejection):
:( U of M
:( University of Missouri--Columbia
I didn't write about my trip to Philly and my Widener interview. Eh, not much to say. It has pros and cons, but the biggest con is keeping it from being an option: $21000 tuition per year (guaranteed 5 years) with no assistance whatsoever. That means student loans. Yeah, can't do it.
But, New Mexico State! Oh, how lovely! And since I am fond of lists...
Best things about the NMSU program & NM:
*** Faculty is primarily women of color
*** Emphasis on multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice
*** Portfolio comprehensive exam!
*** More counseling than research focused, but still with lots of opportunities to do research
*** A chance to do research on LGBT issues with an awesome faculty member, or on adolescents with another awesome faculty member, or even on Native American populations with another awesome faculty member :)
*** Work in the counseling center during 2nd year
*** Friendly students
*** Collaborative, junior colleague, "we want you to succeed" atmosphere
*** It's WARM there!
*** Can be considered in state after 1 year
*** Considered in state if I get an assistantship
*** In state tuition is around $2000 a semester
*** Only 2 semesters of being taped/observed (one for individual, one for group)
*** Cost of living isn't bad
*** Beautiful country with mountains, the Rio Grande, and a desert nearby
*** NO SNOW
Not so great things:
XX Funding isn't so great, but is still doable
XX Scorpions and rattlesnakes
XX Will get hot, very hot
I can't think of any other negative things now... Hmmm...that's good, right?
So, the good things about our trip:
:) It was WARM! Mid 60s
:) It was fun to fly with Chase
:) Chase found me some quartz on the mountain he climbed (but I think he still has it)
:) I had Chik-Fil-A
:) I made a new friend, Robert!
:) We had an amazing dinner in El Paso at this place called Cattle Baron
:) I won $15 on a scratch off lottery ticket in Texas
:) I got to send postcards!
:) Chase and I had a moment or two ;)
Not so good things:
:( We stayed in a sketchy Super 8 in Las Cruces
:( We stayed in a slightly less sketchy Best Western in El Paso
:( I was frustrated and exhausted a lot
:( I messed up a little during my faculty interview
:( Chase SAW two rattlesnakes (but I didn't)
:( I had a hysterical breakdown
:( I didn't want to come back home
I'm hoping to find out about offers and such around March 3rd from NMSU. I still haven't heard anything from UNL. They are 2 weeks late. But I don't think anyone else has heard either--one of the other interviewees emailed us over the weekend and asked if we'd heard anything and I guess 5 of us replied no. So...I don't know if that's good or bad, but I hope we hear soon!
I'll keep you updated!