$1126

The total cost of my nine graduate school applications--including transcripts, GREs, postage, etc.--was kind of ridiculous. But as of tonight, they are all submitted and paid for.

Highs and lows of the application process.

Lows: (1) Some of the schools are using an online system that doesn't let you randomly navigate between application pages. That means every time you open that application, you have to click through all the pages you've already filled out in order to access the page you want to complete. Lame. (2) Having to compile a list of all assigned authors and texts in my coursework in philosophy--since freshman year! Only one school required this, but boy! was it a pain going through my closet and piles of books to recover forgotten syllabi. I'm sure my list is missing some texts. (3) The writing and rewriting of personal statement(s). Every school wanted something slightly different--some wanted two statements, some wanted one, and the lengths varied wildly (from 300-1000 words). (4) The cost. Obviously.

Highs: (1) Polishing my writing sample. I'm really happy with it now and am excited about getting to present a part of it next month! (2) Online applications that let you randomly navigate. Great time-savers. Every institution should use them. (3) The CV and personal statement (after writing and rewriting). I have accomplished a lot in the last five years, and I think I can tell a compelling story about it, which is half the battle. (4) Even the onerous author/text list made me feel good about myself. That was a 1600 word list, and it only included the titles and the authors that were assigned (not complete bibliographic entries, not things I've read on my own or for most of my term papers, and not including anything I've read for school that was not philosophy-related). I've been a reading fiend!

I'm really grateful that I was able to live at home, rent-free, after returning from Toronto. I don't know how a recent college graduate could afford both applications and rent. Work more, I suppose. But then that's less time to polish your writing sample and statements of purpose: I worked less than part-time in October and November, and when I wasn't working, I was writing; there wasn't a lot of time to spare. I really admire those of you who had to do it the hard way.

For now, though, it's over.

Time to wait.