Graduate Scmaduate, where should I go?

March 31, 2010 | Filed in: Uncategorized

My big fear of being accepted into Grad School didn’t come true. Thus far I’ve gotten accepted into three different programs. I’m still waiting to hear back from three more programs, but should know early next week if I got accepted or not into these last few. I’ve already even said no to one of the programs. All the programs that I’m looking at besides one are Low-Residency. This means that I would travel to the school’s location for around 10 days for the intensive part of the semester. Basically reading and writing hardcore for those 10 days. Then you come back and spend the rest of the semester working with your mentor on your projects and lots more reading and writing.You do most of the coursework online but it’s a lot, lot, lot of writing and reading. I think the only way you become a better writer is just by writing and reading. So I believe that these types of programs are really a good idea.

I would be staying where I am now and would continue to work at my job while going to school. So doing a little research here’s what we are looking at:

Ashland University in Ohio – They are the Tuffy Eagle (eagles?) and are purple and gold. I got in here! The program takes two years.

Fairleigh Dickinson in New Jersey – They are the Devils and are blue and red. I got in here but this is also the school I said no to already.

University of Alaska at Anchorage - They are the Sea Wolves and are green and gold. The same colors as the university I attended for undergrad! I am still waiting to hear back from them. I really like their program but it also is the only program that takes three years.

Chapman in Orange, CA – They are the Panthers and are cardinal and gray. This is the only program where I would be physically attending school daily. I am still waiting to hear back from them but the more I think about the low-residency program, the more I lean towards that concept. We’ll see. This is also the most expensive option.

Goddard in Vermont – They don’t have a mascot and their school color is blue. Weird, I know, but they are the smallest school I applied to. I am still waiting to hear back from them.

Fairfield in Connecticut – They are the Stags and are cardinal and white. I have been accepted here and this is the program that makes me the most excited. Their program is held on an island in Mystic, CT and below are some of the pictures of the location where the program is called called Enders Island. Their program takes two years as well.

I was immediately sucked into the school by those pictures. I looked at the faculty too and was very impressed. How can you not be creative in an environment like that! Funny thing is that Fairfield is the last school I applied to and I kind of applied there on a whim. It was as time went on and learned more and more about the program there that I liked their program the most. I think when it comes down to a decision, it will be in between Alaska, Fairfield and Ashland. We shall see what Alaska says and then I will make my final decision next month. School would start up for me mid July! Have you heard of any of the schools? Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

I am excited and nervous at the decision that I’ll be making but I know I will learn a lot about writing and that is something that I love.

As for running, I went this morning for thirty minutes and it felt great. I did my sit ups and push ups last night too and even though my allergies are killing me lately, I am starting to feel better and more ‘in the groove’.

I also was thinking of doing an Adoption April series like I did last year, where I talked about being adopted and growing up adopted and was wondering if anyone would like to read about it again, or would like me to do something like that again? Tomorrow is the exciting iFitness belt giveaway! :)

xoxo

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I’d love to read some posts on the adoption topic…being a new reader, I missed it last year!

My sister attended Fairfield, and I attended Sacred Heart which is also in Fairfield, CT. Beautiful area, but it is quite expensive! They have tons of awesome places to eat too, which is always a plus! if you have any questions about the Fairfield area shoot me an email. :)

I’m from Ohio and have had a lot of friends attend Ashland for grad school and have loved it!

I knew you didn’t have anything to worry about! Can’t wait to hear your final decision!

I’d also love to read about the adoption subject. Very cool!

Here’s why you should go to Fairfield:
1) You’re most excited about that program
2) THOSE PHOTOS
3) I can take a train there from DC (I just looked it up on Amtrak like a creep) and stalk you!!!
4) THOSE PHOTOS!

I got my MBA at the same place I got my undergraduate degree. They say this is not always wise, but I did it because I was passionate about the school, the program and it fit my lifestyle when I went back. So, my advice to you is, go with Fairfield if you can. It sounds like your are most excited about it and it will make a good fit. You are paying for this and you have to live this – go where it makes you happy and you know where you will have the best shot at success! Good luck girly! So exciting!

What is your area of study? I say go to the place that has the best reputation for it and doesnt break ye olde bank.

don’t be a fool, stay in school! Best of luck to you wherever you choose!

I cannot picture you in Alaska. You are summer and sunshine Cali girl. LOL! But that program in CT sounds pretty impressive. And those pictures are stunning. I ended up going to college at a place I went and visited at the last minute too and didn’t fall in love with it until after the fact. Now I’m soooo glad I went there.

wow those pictures are amazing! I would want to go there, too! How exciting.

If it helps, I’m getting my MBA the same way (2 in-residences, the rest done distance/online) and it’s awesome. I’m learning so much more than I did in my undergrad sitting in some classrooms! Good luck with your decision!

I have a few friends who went to Fairfield undergrad and loved it!

I agree with @Marie.
It all depends on your major, especially when it comes to your graduate degree. Pick the school with the best program/reputation.

Ummmm why no schools in Illinois so you will be close to me!? :)

Just by the way you wrote this all, I feel like Fairfield makes you the most excited and provides what you want in a graduate program, etc. Obviously there is a lot to take into consideration but since graduate school really lets you focus on what you love and are passionate about, you should chose a school that only helps to cultivate that because it will make your experience THAT much better! Wherever you end up will be exactly where you are supposed to be!

Adoption April series- YES PLEASE. xoxo

Regarding the adoption series, have you ever seen the Locator on WeTV. So interesting, you should apply!

That is a tough choice! Alaska sounds fun and I know Fairfield is beautiful but both places are a long way away to travel to. The Alaska one does take 3 years which seems like a con to me at least. Go with what your heart says and i am sure you will enjoy it!

This comment has NOTHING to do with grad school – athlough I know you’ll make the right decision about that!

This is about the LA marathon race report:

dang girl, you give good race report. Seriously. I loved every picture and vid. Sorry the wheels came off so early. marathons are HARD no matter how prepared you are. I’m glad you taking some time to remember how much you enjoy running. Doesn’t need saying but you still rocked it out – and you looked great doing it!

p.s. porta potties are WAY grosser than mother nature!

Congrats on already receiving some acceptances! Decisions, decisions. Fairfield looks incredible!

I’d love to read more about your adoption and growing up in general. It’s a fun way to get to know you.

Oh, and you can go ahead and PICK ME NOW for the iFitness belt. :-D

Pick the best program/reputation for the least amount of debt you’ll take on. Theres nothing worse than being suffocated by $100Gs when you graduate… closely evaluate a cost benefit analysis and make sure your future income will benefit from this investment into your education.

And yes, I love the idea of Adoption April!

Fairfield is beautiful, but its an acquired taste. I was planning to go there for undergrad and then changed my plans after orientation weekend. I think Alaska on the other hand would be amazing!!!

hey congrats on all the acceptances! i’m a little confused though…

with these out-of-state schools you like, does that mean you’re looking to move? or do they all have this 10-day thing where you’d spend a majority of your semesters in LBC? when do you start?!

I pick Fairfield soley for the fact it is located in Mytic, CT – a la a little movie called “Mystic Pizza”. (I’m a Sigma Kappa and that movie has hidden meanings for us.)

But best of luck wherever you go!

Well if you pick Ashland University I’m only and hour from campus (attended Girls State, and cheerleading campe there. Nice small town feel if you like that, but since you are only there 10 days that shouldn’t matter.

Go with the best “program” school and your set.

Good Luck!

Oh Conneticut is beautiful! Mark Twain seemed to like it as did his work;-)

Congratulations on your acceptances!

Congrats on the acceptances and having choices!

Fairfield looks beautiful–the perfect writing escape to go and be inspired. And you sound so excited by it, it seems like a perfect match!

Fairfield! Being from New England and having a sister who lives in CT, I know a lot about the area. Let me know if you have any questions. What is your major going to be?

All exciting stuff. Best of luck.

My advice–do what you think is best for you and where you are at in your life right now, but make sure you are getting the best education possible. If you love your job, there’s no reason to quit and I’m sure there’s a way to be able to do both.

That was my big decision when I started thinking about grad schools. Since I’m married and still paying off my undergrad, I wanted to go someplace cheap and that worked with my schedule b/c I love my job. So I’m spending 2 weeks for the next 3 summers working on my masters in Oregon. It’s not my ideal choice, but every other option forced me to miss most of my summer sitting in classrooms for the next 3 years. Plus I would still be paying off my masters while my kids would be getting ready to go to college!!

Are you going for a MFA in Writing? I am currently chipping away at my bachelors in Writing/Lit and Philosophy (2 classes/semester = about 3 more years to go ;-P slow process when you work full-time!) and am toying with the idea of going for a masters as well. Fortunately for me, there is a very good program right in my “back yard” at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR (about a half-hour drive from my house.) Seattle Pacific also has a good program.

Anyway, I vote for Fairfield – I used to live near Mystic (worked at Mystic Seaport for 5 years) and it’s a very nice community. Rustic but very tourist-heavy in the summers.

STAGS!!!!!!!! haha that school is beautiful and I am glad that it has a good program that would work for you as well. I think adoption April is a good idea and I love hearing about it from you :)♥

I have no words of wisdom, sorry(!), but wanted to say congrats on the acceptances! Very exciting news:)

ok, now I want to go to the last one :) so excited for you!

I would love to hear you adoption story. My close friend reunited with her biological daughter at her high school reunion. My friends have been together since high school and had their daughter who they gave to a wonderful family. They later married and had three more kids. Their story of keeping in touch (my friends parents kept in touch with the family over the years) and being invited to her graduation and now having an awesome relationship with her is awesome!!!

If I’m going to hire you, the first thing I consider is the school you attended, then your performance in that school, then the type of experience you have, then how cool you seem to be (to fit our culture). So, factoring tuition in, which program is best known for its program and turning out great professionals in the type of career you want to have? Go with that one. That said, you can make your own path and open your own doors and, judging by your blog-personality, I have no doubt you will be successful whichever you choose. Also, sometimes you think you know your career path and then it changes 5 or 7 years later. It’s going to come down to your actual job experience and connections you make over the years.
Assuming you want to stay in SoCal, my vote is Chapman for all of the above reasons. Alaska would be fine in the summer months because it would be sunny 23 hours a day and you could run at 2 a.m. ; ) Fairfield looks like the setting of the next creepy movie. Didn’t Leonardo get stuck in a criminally insane asylum there, recently? ;-)
Good luck, and happy to talk with you more about the subject. It’s one of my favorite things to do with people in the college/graduate stage.

I, also, am from Ohio and my best friend went to Ashland for Undergrad and now is attending Grad school for Creative Writing (same as you). She LOVES the program, staff, and all the opportunities at the school. I wish you the best of luck attending Grad school that suits you best :D!

I would be leaning towards low-residency as well. That’s what I plan on doing when I go to grad school eventually!

I vote for the one in the pictures or Alaska! Haha, you’d probably hate Alaska though since it’s cold!

Oooh fun times. I haven’t heard from any schools but the hubs did–two for two on his applications.

I wonder what an online program would be like? I really liked the in class experience I had plus I was able to move to a new place for a little while.

Definitely adoption april if you’re willing to do that again. I feel like I learned a lot about you and your family and what it would be like to be adopted.

do an adoption april!! I missed it too. I also think of adopting a lot, when my hubby and i decided to start a family, so it would be great to hear you perspective.

My boyfriend did his MBA at Ashland and liked it. Definitely not as scenic as the others but nice in its own way. I say go with the program that excites you though.

I had a friend who was seriously considering Fairfield for her undergraduate college. She ended up choosing somewhere closer, but she was impressed by the school.

I don’t know anything about any of your other choices, except the one that you’ve declined! My undergraduate college was down the street from the Florham Park campus of Fairleigh Dickinson. I had some friends who went there, so I visited a few times, and I frequently passed by one of the entrances on my morning runs. :-)

Whatever you choose, they all sound like great choices!

Hey Danica,
I’m an MFA student at a full time Creative Writing program at Indiana University. I’ve heard good things about Alaska and Goddard–particularly Goddard for low-res.

Best of luck w/ your decision.

Congrats on being accepted to Grad School! It’s always nice to have too many decisions : )
Being from Boston, a LOT of people from my high school go to Fairfield (I didn’t visit there but I went with my sister when she was looking at schools) and my brother goes to Sacred Heart which is very close by. It’s a gorgeous area and a fun place to live (from what I’ve heard). And you’re a two hour train ride from Boston and like 30 minutes from NYC, sounds pretty perfect to me : )

Congrats to you!!! C’mon who wouldn’t want you?!?!

D. I can tell you that Enders Island is very nice, 2-3 times a year we kayak around the island. The town of Mystic is your great little sea side New England town. think of this also it is flat for running, that has to be a plus.

Congrats! I’m not familiar with any of the schools, but I will say that the Connecticut one is beautiful, and being that Connecticut it a hop, skip and jump away from where I live, I’ve been many times and it’s a beautiful state. Especially in the summertime.

On a completely unrelated note, my allergies have been out of control lately too. Zyrtec D around the clock for me!

I went to college in Ohio about 30 min. south of Ashland University and had to go up there for a test. It was a really nice area and from what I’ve heard from others, it has great programs and good professors! I would also love to hear your adoption story! I have a really close friend here in Nashville that is in the search for her Biological mother and I would love to send her to your site!

As for the ifitness belt, I WOULD LOVE TO TRY ONE!!!!!!

I went to Rutgers for Grad School, so I’d say go to the one in Jersey–but you already said no. Good luck w/ your search. When I decided on my school I specifically chose east coast schools, so you choose a school that you know you’d be able to stay with and still be away from home…

That little island place looks awesome!!! I imagine it’s the kind of place where a brilliant novel would be written! lol No pressure of course . . .

You know sometimes it’s the places you apply to on a whim that you end up attending. That’s what happened to me and law school. I ended up attending (and loving!) the last law school I applied to – University of Victoria Law.

Yaaaaayyyy for Grad Student Danica! :o)

Good luck with your grad school decision! I just finished graduate school last year myself. Like many other commenters, I think you should pick the place you are most excited about…which sounds like Fairfield. :)

Well I can tell you that Fairfield is a wonderful place and it is a really good school. Also Enders Island is a beautiful place and one of the nicest places along the Connecticut coast. I think you might enjoy it. Good luck in your decision making. Choosing schools is always difficult.

Hmmm Fairfield and Alaska are the ones I’ve heard the most about but in the end, you know what’s best for you!

I LOVED Adoption April and learned so much about you, so I vote for another similar series!

i say ashland all the way. but thats because im midwestern biasd and i would come and hang out with you for 1 day- even if it meant sitting there watching you write. seriously this is AWESOME!

It sounds to me like you have already answered your own question about schools. I could tell you have this immediate attraction to Fairfield. I look forward to reading about whichever you choose to go. Thanks again for writing.

Congrats on getting accepted to so many places! That’s awesome! I know you’ll make the right decision, and I can’t wait to hear what it is!

Also, I didn’t comment yet on your race recap, so I’ll just comment here. You are so awesome, and you totally inspire me. Your recap sounded exactly like how I felt the last 8 miles of my first (and only:) marathon last April. I’ve been too scared to go back. You are so brave and so disciplined! Great job finishing:)

I’m a new reader and so I did not read the adoption series last year. My son is adopted, so I am always very interested in other’s personal experience with it. PLEASE do it again!

PLEASE talk about being adopted!!! My husband and I are thinking of adopting and I would love to hear about your experience.
Beth

I agree with what Bill said above!

Also, I’d love to read your story about being adopted. You are such a fascinating person!!!

Good luck with the decision-making! I have some tough life decisions to make in the next few weeks, too. Gaaah. Everything will work out regardless — for the better!

well you are staying there right? are any of them close to you?

I would love to read about adoption and your experiences. We are considering this as an option and would love to understand a little more from the child’s/adoptee’s perspective.

Beautiful blog. Keep up the good work.

I really enjoy reading your blog, but I never comment! Anyways, I graduated from Ohio University (in athens oh, not OSU in columbus) & I know they have a really good journalism school. Not sure if its something you are interested in, but might be worth checking into.

Sorry I’m a few days late commenting on this post but congratulations for already being accepted into so many schools! FDU in NJ is really close to me so I’m bummed that you said no to them but the other school looks way more beautiful! Good luck with your decision!

Congrats on being accepted to so many programs! It is such an exciting time. As intense as it can be while waiting to be accepted, it can be even more nerve wracking when it comes time to make the actual decision!

There is certainly a great deal of variety among your choices. Being an east coast girl, I’m partial to Fairfield.

Just believe that you will end up where you’re supposed to.

UAA

UAA is nice (I go there) it’s definitely a local school with lots of commuters and very few dorms, but you’ll love the Alaskan experience!

Ashland is an hour away from me!! I haven’t heard anything about the school though…but I feel like a guy I work with has a daughter that goes there…??

Good luck!

I grew up 20 min. from Ashland Campus.Beautiful! and school is VERY well respected. Vacationed once in Mystic Seaport. Amazingly beautiful and historic. Kinda ‘damp’ all the time… and I’m from humid Ohio. Now I live and work at a pro running store in Santa Barbara. You should come run our marathon! Nothing beats S.B.and I could get you a comp. My coach is the race director!

hey CT is the best state to live in…just enough winter and plenty of fall and spring (I grew up in Connecticut, about an hour from Fairfield). Also, John Mayer lived there. ALSO, you’d be a short train ride to NYC. The best city ever! ;-D

Good for you! I must have missed that you were thinking of applying to grad school. You obviously have a talent for writing, so what a good choice.

Wish I had any grad school advice that didn’t relate to law school specifically, but absent that – good luck with whatever you decide!

Congrats on your acceptances and good luck with your decision!

Ashland! But live in Columbus and make the drive. You’d love it. And be super close to me. (well, super closER)

So sorry for the late reply….

How exciting for you to have all of these options for school!

I lived in Anchorage for 3 years and would be more than happy to share with you my experience. I LOVED it – but running year round there can be challenging. Let me know if you want more info!

Best of luck to you!

Come to CT and then you can run with me and get my butt in gear!!! (am an aspiring runner and love your blog!)

I grew up in Ohio and have many friends/ family members that went to Ashland University for both undergrad and graduate work. I think that it would be a great school for you. The weather might not be something that you are interested in though. It is snowy and cold in the winter and sometimes snows in April. Running outside will be an adjustment for you. Since it also rains a lot in the fall and winter. Good luck choosing. :)

Come to Fairfield! I’m currently a student there and love it. My program is small and the professors are extremely knowledgeable, involved, encouraging, and challenging. The campus is very nice and the town is great too. I always see students running on the jog/bike trail along the edge of campus, too :)

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