Small updates

"StudyStudyStudy" (jesterjin) 04/02/2019 at 15:42 • Filed to: None

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Sorry to vent, but I don’t like to have people tiptoe around me at work or at home, so some internet catharsis.

I’m pretty bummed. I didn’t get into the school I was hoping for. I work for the school, I live nearby, and my boss was willing to keep me on while I attended if I got in. That would have meant I would have had benefits, insurance, and when I graduate all my sick time and vacation time would have basically tripled their value. Unfortunately I received news I got wait-listed.

I did get into another program that is in-state. Lower tuition, much lower cost of living, smaller class size, no grades (graded on pass/fail), free parking, closer to the outdoors, etc. It is 120 miles away, so not a difficult distance to cover for weekend trips home or what not or to visit friends. Since I can’t take my vacation and sick time with me, there will be a really lax summer I imagine along with a decent payout so something else to look forward to.

I’m getting on in years, and without a guarantee I would be accepted next year, I think waiting a year may be off the table.

Without a steady stream of income, looks like the fate of the Datsun is more or less sealed. Friend and I made a list of what some detractors are and he’s helping me sort through them. I took a lot of short cuts or “function over form” decisions when I was content with the car being mine, but with thoughts of wooing another buyer, the small problems are going to have to go away.

A teaser pic for what is to come:

New intercooler mounts to replace the tacked in washers that occupied the space before. 

BEER4Bonnieville > StudyStudyStudy 04/02/2019 at 16:19

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What does getting along in years mean? You that old?

StudyStudyStudy > BEER4Bonnieville 04/02/2019 at 17:23

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Over 30 now, closer to mid 30's when I graduate.  G oing to be hard finding an entry level job in my field if I’m in my late 30's. 

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > StudyStudyStudy 04/02/2019 at 17:55

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Any chance you could get in on the sidelines o f your field and maybe have some leg up on another fresh graduate? More than one way into a building, even if  the front door is the most obvious.

StudyStudyStudy > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/02/2019 at 18:38

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That is a good analogy.

Hard to say. I suppose age could be a benefit in that the licensure usually sets you up as a manager and having a 26 year old manager vs a 35 year old manager may be appealing. You can’t start practicing until you are accredited, but you can intern so I’ll try and snag as many opportunities there. 

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > StudyStudyStudy 04/02/2019 at 18:43

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Granted, I speak from the perspective of someone given a guided tour. I was in a co-op program from freshman year and I entered right out of high school so I graduated in my early 20s with some years of experience already under my belt. But I effectively leapfrogged the en try level positions in my field because of it. I want past laboratory technician and went straight into a chemist role.

RacinBob > StudyStudyStudy 04/02/2019 at 20:29

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I think your employment/work situation is darn valuable and I would not give up without a fight. What have you done to communicate your situation to the first school? Remember a no is just a no until somebody says yes.

G o in person to the department you are applying for and tell the secretary that you are have applied for the school and are on the wait list. Explain that you want to talk to someone in the department because you are are trying to decide your next step. Leave it at that.

You have a good reason to ask, as your plan B is probably not achievable given your situation. When you meet someone from the department, explain why you feel this is the school/program and ask them what they think you should be doing in your situation.  
 

You are a non-traditional student with employment experience and are a lot more valuable than you might think. All you need is one person to say “I want that guy/gal in my department” and make a phone call . Admissions works for the department, if the department wants you , you go to the front of the list.

Look, if you get into your 1st choice school, y our continued employment, reduced cost of living, tuition savings etc is worth at least $100k. And that doesn’t include that you have a boss that likes you and wants to keep you. That is worth fighting for.

Don’t be down. Instead be determined that you will be the one person who makes it off that list into school .

The world rewards those that stand up and do not take no as an answer . 

RacinBob > RacinBob 04/02/2019 at 20:54

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RacinBob > StudyStudyStudy 04/02/2019 at 21:04

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Ps, what program are you trying to get into and also what field are you presently working in?

StudyStudyStudy > RacinBob 04/02/2019 at 21:11

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That is not a bad idea, to find out what is needed to maybe b ump my position higher on the list. Really sitting here twiddling my thumbs and feeling sorry for myself won’t do me much good. There are some avenues I can explore, they mentioned some concerns with academics I am in a better position now to assuage then I was a couple weeks ago.

Thanks,  I truly appreciate the advice. It will at least make me more active in my fate than passive. 

StudyStudyStudy > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 04/02/2019 at 21:17

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Small world, I’m also a chemist :), although I do more microbiology now then chemistry . I’m shooting for what the british call a chemist now.  I worked my way up from the bottom, but as you said I did that during school so I entered a really good lab at more than the lowest position. I graduated at the tail end of the recession so I was happy even to have a job let alone one that was stable and one I had experience in. 

StudyStudyStudy > RacinBob 04/02/2019 at 21:19

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I didn’t want to bog down my sob story with details, but I’m shooting for a degree in pharmacy. I’m a research scientist  in a microbiology lab.

RacinBob > StudyStudyStudy 04/02/2019 at 21:24

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Heck yea they should talk to you. You mean your somebody with a job in the field, and skin in the game. You have a lot more in common with the people in the department than 90% of those that apply. Make it happen,  

RacinBob > StudyStudyStudy 04/02/2019 at 21:28

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Make them judge the person they see instead of the piece of paper. If you are committed, make them see it.

nuff for now, good luck.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > RacinBob 04/03/2019 at 08:46

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I fully agree with this answer. I also think following this suggestion only further proves your value to them.

RacinBob > StudyStudyStudy 06/01/2019 at 13:57

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Whatever happened? Update please.....

StudyStudyStudy > RacinBob 06/02/2019 at 04:09

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Still on the waiting list. Some people have gone up to bat for me, and I’ve updated my grades with 4.0's I got last quarter and currently have 4.0's in my classes , but as of now still on the list.

As they tell it, there is not much else I can do as I have met all requirements, essentially I am in if space allowed . I’m going email them next week and find out if there is anything else I can be doing, they really should have heard back from most candidates I imagine so short of someone failing to fulfill pre-requisties I may just be told to wait .  

Luckily since I got into another program I’ve already started the next steps, I have an intern license in the works, some health training classes, and student aid all completed.

Appreciate you checking in!

RacinBob > StudyStudyStudy 06/02/2019 at 10:17

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Excellent. Carry On.....