It is the fourth and final year for myself and many other undergraduates this upcoming spring. We are all inevitably faced with the question, “What the hell are we going to do after we graduate?” Some of us may have a job lined up, some may decide to take a year to travel, some might return for a fifth year, and some may choose to continue their painful journey into the Hell pit known as Graduate Studies. As someone who has chosen the latter, here’s a list of experiences I have come across thus far into the grad school application process:
1. Am I actually applying to grad school right now?
Remember when applying to high school was a semi-stressful situation? Yeah, me neither—especially after starting an application to a graduate program.
2. OH MY GOD—did I save or submit?!
This is a constant anxiety. Every time I click “save,” my heart flips into my stomach because I’m terrified the system will just decide to send in my incomplete application.
3. It feels like I’m applying for a government job.
The number of questions and details you’re required to answer and disclose is insane! I swear I’m applying to work alongside the Prime Minister rather than to continue my studies.
4. Receiving any mark below an 80 makes you want to cry.
I’M TRYING TO GET INTO GRAD SCHOOL; JUST THROW 80’S MY WAY PLEASE!
5. Finding two tenured professors to referee for you is harder than it sounds.
So many profs don’t have tenure—and you don’t realize this until you try to find two to be a reference. HELP.
6. How the hell am I supposed to write a Statement of Interest when I have no idea what I want to do?
The more specific you are, the better your chances of getting in. Unfortunately, you have to actually know what you want to do in order to be specific. Not to mention done some research on the topic… Oops.
7. What does this question even mean?
This is a recurring feeling while working through my grad school applications. Some questions are so broad, and there are never any guidelines to help you out (typical university).
8. You’re never emotionally ready to submit the application.
It took me three days to officially press “submit.” Even after three days, I still wasn’t ready to make the commitment—unfortunately, the deadline made me do it.
9. After submitting, you start doubting yourself and preparing for the worst.
I’m not smart enough. They won’t like me. My statement sucks. I suck. Everything sucks. BLAH.
10. Then, the wait begins.
The next month or so is going to be full of anxious nerves; at the end of the day, these people decide my ultimate fate (SUSPENSE).
11. And while you wait, you get to hear your friends/family/peers/etc. ask you what you want to do when you’re finished school.
I’m applying to grad school so I don’t have to think about the real world for another year—just leave me alone!!
But in the end, despite the emotional rollercoaster of the application process, we all hope we succeed. Good luck to all applicants!