Agony

Hello world,

Did you know that I have stumbled upon one of the most agonizing situations I've ever been in my entire life? What terrible event causes such horrific agony? All who have been in my shoes currently would probably agree with me wholeheartedly! All those who have not been in my shoes will never fully understand the pain.

So what is this terrible event?

Waiting to hear back from graduate schools.

Currently, I have heard back from two graduate schools for entry into a Music Theory program. I heard back from Eastman. They supposedly want me to enroll in their Music Theory Pedagogy program over their Music Theory program. Hey, it's Eastman. I'll take an interview if I can get one. And one I did get! Friday January 29th...I'll be grilled by professors during my interview.

The week before, I will be heading to the University of Cincinnati. Fortunately (or unfortunately), they grant an interview to all students who apply.

These are the two schools I've heard back from at this point. I definitely feel good that I got an interview at Eastman because it is such a difficult school to get into. Getting an interview is a small moral victory, even if I don't get in. It shows me that I definitely have a future in music theory and that I personally chose the right path.

I still have to hear from the University of Oregon, Yale, and The Graduate Center at CUNY. As far as the University of British Columbia...what is the status with them? Well interestingly, when I visited them this fall in late November, I really just made a visit to the school to see if it was one worth applying to. When I left, I began to be concerned over the fact that interview would probably occur during the Winter Olympics and finding a hotel and airfare would probably be hellish! After I jotted an email sharing my concerns, I received one back that mentioned that basically my trip would be sufficient for an interview.

Either I impressed them or severely damaged my chances there. But considering how well I thought the trip went, it probably was the prior statement. I remain cautiously optimistic. I really loved the UBC campus and program. I really loved Vancouver. To be fair to all of the graduate schools though, they all have impressed me in their own right.

So why the agony? Well...the fact is, I have no idea where I will be heading in less than half a year. What if I don't get into any grad programs or don't get enough money to make it worthwhile? Then...real life begins! That's the major difference between graduate school admissions and undergraduate admissions. The fact is, most of my friends are going to be working full-time jobs while I'm hoping to go to more school.

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On a separate note, I have made an observation. I don't know what it necessarily means, but it sure is an interesting observation. Many of my friends and my parent's friends ended up at top tier schools, mostly private. Duke, Tufts, GWU, etc etc etc. However, most of my friends that are graduating from such schools are not going onto graduate school. However, my friends who stayed at state institutions like myself are the ones pursuing their field further by attempting to go to graduate school. I'm sure it really doesn't mean much other than the fact that going to a state school does not really impact your future. To me, it seems like a very cost efficient way to go about your education.

And with that, I leave.

D.