Hi everyone! It's been a long time since my last post, but I'll try to catch you all up on the happenings in my online education life. I graduated in May 2008, with all the pomp and circumstance I had been expecting, and for a few weeks I breathed a sigh of relief. It was all over!
I was trying to make a decision about graduate school; I had R.I.T (Rochester Technical Institute) in my sights like tunnel vision. R.I.T and Drexel are similar in many ways, like shorter semesters, and a reputation for real world practicality, and since I knew I could succeed in that environment, I was hesitant to try something new. As a "long shot," I applied to Columbia University Teachers College online program. To be quite honest with all of you I was too focused on R.I.T, and never thought of myself as an "Ivy League girl." But I liked the idea that Teachers College was offering an online degree. You could do your degree in one of two ways. First you could go as a "summer intensive" student, and take courses in the summer and the rest online. Secondly, you could do the entire degree online. Could this work? I sent in my transcripts, the application, the whole nine yards to both R.I.T and Teachers College. But for Teachers College, I held off on sending my personal statement. I wasn't sure if they would even consider me, so I knew that my personal statement surely would be my selling point. I worked on my personal statement for two weeks and still had some reservations. I finally sent it with a, "No way I will ever get in attitude." But low and behold, I am currently in my second semester at Teachers College and having the time of my life.
I'll admit I didn't expect to feel so scared and intimidated, but I was. The stateliness of the college overwhelmed me. The first time I walked on campus I thought to myself, "You don't really belong here. The daughter of a dog groomer should not go to a school like this."
My professors turned me around very quickly. My advisor, Howard Budin, is the nicest most down to earth person you would ever want to meet. While there is no doubt that this man possesses a wealth of knowledge, he is humble and always willing to share his time or opinions. I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have such great and giving professors.
Never say never, is my new motto! Who knows what else is in store for my family and I. Right now I am just trying to focus on passing programming this semester :) and get my husband through his PhD at Walden.