I Got in!!!

I GOT INTO VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY!

Yesterday, I was just casually checking my mail and I saw an email from Vanderbilt with this subject: "You are invitied to visit Vanderbilt for Masters Visitation Day."  I clicked on it, but thought absolutely nothing of it.  A lot of the schools have had events either online or on campus for prospective students and that's all I thought it was.  But when I opened it up, I read:

 "I am pleased to inform you that you have been admitted to pursue master’s studies at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of education and human development. You will receive a formal offer letter in the mail within a few days, but I wanted to share the good news with you as quickly as possible."  

When I first started reading it I was somewhat on auto-pilot mode, so I didn't quite process what I was reading.  It was so strange.  Of course, after a second or two I realized what it was saying and I freaked out.  Tom was right there, so I shouted to him and we jumped up and down a bit.  It was pretty darn exciting and very unexpected.  It's a lot harder to get a handle on whether you're qualified for programs or not when it comes to graduate school.  Before I get to the rest of my thoughts, here are some photos of the beautiful campus!

The school grounds were designated an arboretum because they have some many great trees and such.

My building!  School of Education and Human Development.  Arguably the sweetest building on campus.  Great lawn too.

Pros:

- Pretty campus
- Nice area
- Cheap living expenses
- #1 Education program in the U.S.
- A really great professor that I like
- Close-ish to my sister Emily
- Decent weather
- One of only two schools that Tom is applying to

Cons:

- Possibly more expensive tuition-wise than the other schools
- Not real excited to live in my 4th mid-sized city in the midwest/south (VERY been there, done that)
- There MAY be other programs I like better
- 2 year program (some are only 1)
- School year starts earlier than most, giving us very little time to get there and set up before school starts

Basically, there's a decent chance we'll end up going, but it won't be clear until we hear back from all the other schools and, most importantly, get the financial break-down of all of them.  It's very nice to have gotten in, though, because it's one of the school that could be the only one I got into and I'd be completely content.

If any of you have ever visited Vanderbilt, or know someone who's gone there or anything, feel free to give me your input!!!

Til next time.