I told myself I'd update this blog when I got some news regarding schools, and that day has come.
Yesterday I opened my rejection letter for the Japanese Summer Language School at Middlebury. I was disappointed and shocked. Shock was the first to come, but that passed. Now I'm just left with disappointment.
They asked me if I'd like to be put on their waiting list, and today I'll give them a call and let them know I'd like to be added. I'm also going to try and speak with an admissions person... not because I'm angry or upset; instead, I want to know whether or not there was something about my application that was off putting. I thought that I would be one of the better candidates for the program, and they thought otherwise, so I really need to understand their perspective. I'm hoping it will help me with my future business school applications, in addition to giving me some closure.
**WARNING: QUICK RANT AHEAD**
I just don't get it. I spent three years in the country, lived in two wildly different areas, went from zero Japanese to basic fluency on my own, spent 9 months at a language school and graduated at their second to highest level. I was thrilled about taking the language pledge for the summer, and I was excited to share my experiences and the things I've learned along the way with the beginners. In my mind, I was a fantastic candidate, and I honestly can't figure out why they wouldn't give me a chance to be at their school.
**RANT OVER**
So far, being in Boston has been good. I've seen some shows, been dancing a few times, started classes, began my GMAT studies, etc. I've been a busy person. I also had a wonderful weekend in Arizona playing frisbee with old friends.
I've been busy. But I've also been bored. Playing the application game is a long, stressful process. And after getting the news from Middlebury, I've grown even more concerned.
Bored isn't the right word. Maybe tired?
The GMAT, for example, gets more important by the day. I'm starting to feel like I'll need a 700 (out of 800) to be competitive. And although my practice scores have been climbing steadily since I started studying, I'm worried that I'll reach a plateau. Worse yet, I'm worried that the stress on test day will tank my scores.
In addition, I need to start thinking about backup plans. It's a very real possibility that I'll be rejected from business school.
Business school was plan A1.
Middlebury was A2.
Just Middlebury, no business school was plan B.
Plan C? Yikes. I honestly haven't seriously considered it. My guess is that I'd start applying for business school again... they'll start accepting applications in November for 2011 admissions... but that's not really a plan. It's just another year of what I'm currently doing. And I simply can't afford to waste a year.
Yuck. I was hoping to avoid these sorts of posts, but when life hands you lemons, you gotta smear them all over the internet. Only then can you worry about finding the sugar and making something palatable out of it.
The internet is my juicer.
We'll see how it all tastes in May.
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3 comments:
Dear Tom,
I'm really sorry that Middlebury didn't accept you outright, and I admire how proactive you are being about the experience (and hopefully they will, too). Perhaps you were somehow overqualified for the program because of your fluency and time in Japan? And is there another way you could get the same benefits from some other activity/program without having to go to Middlebury?
Mostly: I never even knew you could doubt yourself, because I'm not sure I've ever met anyone who doubted you.
Don't doubt yourself, no one else does!
<3
-Becky
I think Becky's right. They probably think you are over qualified. I wonder if you could be a counselor or something?
becky: they told me it was because i didn't have a traditional background, so they weren't sure how to judge me. and since my test scores for a standardized test haven't been sent to me, i had nothing to give them.
but yeah, no problem. i was looking for free education. i was just a little shocked when i wasn't even accepted.
jhenn: i'm over it. they can all hang out jerk off to kanji. i think i'll just blow my JET money on some dumb shit this summer. you know... like short shorts and memberships to volleyball teams.
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