The ball is rolling....

So. I have made the first step toward my graduate studies. i have contacted the UofM for information on the masters alternative fifth year program in education. i have printed off all of my application forms, and transcript request forms. i also splurged and bought the MAT study guide. i have been informed that i do not even have to take the MAT prior to being accepted. that's kind of crazy. but i will take it anyway. the lady i spoke with said that the only way i wouldn't get accepted is if my GPA is lower that a 2.5...which thankfully mine is higher. i am really excited and scared at the same time. i have my fingers crossed that i will not have to take many pre-reqs and that the majority of my undergraduate classes will not have to be taken again.

Ummmm. I took the MAT practice test and only got 35% correct (out of 100). That is pitiful. It is very hard. would you like to try some???

1) 0 Degrees LATITUDE: EQUATER :: 23.5 degrees NORTH LATITUDE: (a. prime meridian b. tropic of Capricorn c. middle latitudes d. tropic of Cancer)

2) KAFKA : SAMSA :: CAMUS : (a. Gregor b. Meursault c. The Stranger d. Franz)

3) FIRST ANNIVERSARY: SECOND ANNIVERSARY :: PAPER: (a. Cotten b. leather c. linen d. crystal)

Yeah. and these were actually some of the easier ones.

So, i will be busy trying to figure out how in the hell you are supposed to "learn" analogies.

I am trying to come to grips with the though of quitting a full-time job...making less money...working part-time...affording an apartment...still paying my current bills...and staying on top of graduate level classes. not to mention student teaching towards the end. that is rediculious. but other people do it...so why can't I? I think it can be done. maybe if i just throw myself into the fire it will all work out. that is my plan anyway.

GRADUATE SCHOOL IS EXPENSIVE. $208 per credit hour. Potentially, I may have to take 54 at most. 48-50 is probably what it will take for me to graduate. That totals $11,232 just for classes. Not including books - which by the way are about $150 bucks a piece. and no....they will not give you money back no matter what the bookstore claims. And also parking permits, school fees, parking tickets (yep, i will get many of those), diploma/cap and gown fees....that's all i can think of temporarily. In essence...a huge chunk of change.

This time I would have to put myself through college. Meaning, more student loans I am sure. but, I am certainly not moving forward right now so why not?

we shall see. I am about to fill out my application forms and mail in tomorrow. I will know in 2 weeks if I am accepted :-) Then, I will have one foot closer to teaching cute little elementary aged kids! I am really excited!