Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Unrecommended

Just received via email:

Thank you for your application to the University of Washington Graduate School. Your file has been carefully reviewed by the graduate admissions committee in the English program. Unfortunately, I must notify you that the committee has decided not to recommend your admission and I have accepted that decision. The number and quality of graduate applicants to the University of Washington is extraordinary and these difficult decisions are reached through careful consideration of all applicants to a given program. In many cases, enrollment restrictions are also a factor, limiting our ability to accept all qualified applicants.


There are many things in life that I suck at. I deal with these incompetencies by focusing on my strengths, such as my ability to excel in education and work. I focus on these strengths perhaps too much, to the point of taking them for granted. Each time I've been rejected for a promotion at the library has been a slap in the face reminding me that it's ridiculously pompous of me to assume everyone else thinks I'm as great as I think I am.

It was stupid of me to assume I'd get accepted into UW's English program. It's a good program. As the letter points out, a lot of very capable people apply to it. Still, I assumed I was good enough (which definitely makes an ass of me, though I won't drag you into this). I've spent the last two months picturing myself as an English PhD candidate at UW, and now that future is not going to happen. Stupid stupid stupid.

I have yet to hear from UH's English program and UW's MLS program, but right at this moment neither of those possibilities matter. The UW English program is the one I cared about.

When I'm feeling calmer I'll look back at this post and be embarrassed by my melodrama. Oh well. Maybe melodrama can be the one thing I'm good at.
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14 comments:

  1. Cricket3/01/2006 1:20 PM

    I don't feel that it's Melodramatic at all (lol, look who's saying that!). You are dissapointed and there is nothing wrong with expressing it. Now go to your wife for a hug and a good cry...

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  2. John3/01/2006 1:45 PM

    At least you have someone there to support you through this melodramatic time.

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  3. Christian3/01/2006 3:59 PM

    Well, personally, I am extremely disappoint in the UW English program and think that they suck and are grossly overrated.

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  4. Th.3/01/2006 4:35 PM

    .

    Why don't we start a FOBU?

    That would solve several problems....

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  5. svoid3/01/2006 8:49 PM

    Sorry man, that sucks. Say the word and I'll go kick the ass of everyone that sat on that committee!

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  6. skyeJ3/01/2006 9:41 PM

    I'll go help him. Unless they change their mind and let you in, then I'll help patch them up. You are still a great person in my eyes. AND, you're really good at speaking English. I don't care what they say.

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  7. Anonymous3/01/2006 10:04 PM

    You're not being melodramatic at all. That legitimately sucks. I'm sorry to hear it, especially because I think so highly of your abilities, and think you will do awesome where you end up.

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  8. TK3/01/2006 11:33 PM

    Sorry to hear about your disappointment!

    I remember a famous blogster, though, who said 'God makes lemonade, if you're willing to drink it.' So don't get too discouraged.

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  9. Seth Hill3/02/2006 1:32 AM

    Hey Ben, So was this what you said to me on the phone today when I asked how you were doing? I didn't understand what you were saying, and I was too embarrassed to ask because I'm losing my hearing and the cars wizzing by were loud. I offer my condolences. Didn't want you thinking I'm a heartless Shet.

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  10. Melyngoch3/02/2006 11:01 AM

    I'm with edgy. Who wants to go to Washington anyway? Stupid state with its bilabial consonant . . .

    Having received a few of those type letters myself, I can sympathize. And I do. And I'm sorry. And I won't tell you about the really bad thing that happened to me while I was applying to grad school, on the off-chance that it will make you feel better . . .

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  11. Tolkien Boy3/02/2006 11:50 AM

    This is a sad thing. Sad for UW. I will shake my fist in their direction.

    (shakes fist)

    Now I'm really hoping that neither of us get into any grad school, and that we can then decide on another place to find a job so we can stay in the same city.

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  12. JB3/03/2006 3:14 PM

    My respect of UW has just dropped immensely. Maybe it's some sort of sign? Like UW isn't good enough for you? They're intimidated--it's natural.

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  13. Saule Cogneur3/04/2006 2:17 PM

    I got that exact notice. But hey, at least they hung on to it for a few months. They got back to me in January. I now have two "you suck" lettes to my name. I'm expecting more soon.

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  14. negativecapability3/09/2006 10:09 AM

    I didn't get into UW either four years ago (I think I got a variation of the same letter!)...but I applied to a lot of schools and now I am where I am now. This probably won't make you feel any better (as I am stinging from a serious of my own rejections recently that well-meaning friends are trying to talk me out of) Grad school admissions in programs like English at schools like UW are kind of a crapshoot - the number of qualified students really does exceed the space, so it comes down to which prof. on the committee read your writing sample and whether or not it clicked enough with them to fight for you. Random, yes. Unfair, perhaps - or perhaps a signal that it's not the best place for you right now anyway.

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