Grad School Update

Hello, friends!

I figure I should give everyone an update about my plans for graduate school. This is a follow-up to my "Decisions, Decisions" post, which you can find here. During my extensive research on schools and programs in the realm of library science, I found a school that will let me start this fall. Initially I thought the earliest I could begin my program would be in January, but this school had a later application deadline for Fall Semester, so I decided to take the leap.

So I applied for the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Simmons College in Boston. It's a top-ranked library science program, although it is a pretty small private school. I was intimidated and unsure that I'd be able to get all my application materials in soon enough. They were kind enough to let me apply a few days late (the day I decided to even pursue a master's degree was their application deadline) and I was trying so hard to get everything in quickly. Luckily, within about 4 days I had written a compelling statement of purpose (aka admission essay), re-vamped my already-kick-A resume, arranged my letters of recommendation, and ordered my college transcripts. It was a busy week, but somehow I managed to get everything submitted. After some annoying interactions with SLCC regarding my transcripts, everything was running smoothly and then all I could do was wait.

Four to six weeks later, I got my acceptance letter!

(Sorry for the crappy quality)

For a while I wasn't sure whether I'd actually start in the Fall or if I'd try to get more scholarship money and start in the Spring. I finally decided to just go for it. After deciding that this is what I want to do, I just want to get started on the next chapter in my life.

The next step was to start looking at apartments and getting more information about both Simmons College and Boston in general. I was really overwhelmed and felt pretty clueless. Luckily, I got in contact with my cousin Brandon (who lives in Boston) and with his helpful connections I was given a website to help me find LDS roommates in the Boston area. Within less than a week I found an apartment with 3 other LDS girls in Cambridge, right across the river from Boston. It's really close to the subway, so I should be able to get to school really easily; I'll be living above a post office, which is just fabulous (mailing stuff is my most neglected errand); there is a mall within a couple blocks; and according to google maps, there are all sorts of cute little local restaurants in the area. The ward sounds really fun, too. It encompasses the whole Boston area, which means it has students from Boston University, Harvard, MIT, etc. And according to a couple of my friends who have spent some time in the Boston/Cambridge area, Cambridge is absolutely gorgeous. I'm really looking forward to it! I'll be moving out in the middle of August.

There's still a lot I feel clueless about, especially in regards to school, but I'm flying out to Boston with my mom in a couple weeks for Advising Day. Hopefully after I spend some time on campus and listen to people ramble on and on about how great the school is for a few hours, I'll feel more prepared. I'm excited to register for classes, though. I was reading through the course descriptions and it sounds like some of them are crazy cool (in a nerdy-sort-of-way). There are even some work study opportunities, so hopefully I'll be able to get some real hands-on experience once I'm out there.

The more I think about living in Boston, the more excited I get. I realized last week that whenever I see mail trucks I get really happy. I've also had a long-standing affection for sailboats--I just think they're adorable! I'm also a wee bit obsessed with leaves changing colors in the fall, and Boston has so many trees, it'll be gorgeous. PLUS, October is my favorite month and Halloween is probably my favorite holiday; Salem is only a couple of hours from Boston and I'm sure they have all sorts of cool stuff around Halloween.

Gorgeous, right? This is in the Boston Public Garden. I'll definitely be making a stop here.

Thank you everyone for your love and support! The program will take two years to complete, so I'll be living in Boston at least that long. I'll try to keep everyone updated.