And Now it is Upon Me

On Wednesday, I take the GMAT for the 3rd time. While I have consistently scored in the 90-95th percentile on the verbal section of this test, I have earned a 49 and 66 percentile ranking on the math part in the earlier sessions. While that means I am better at math than 66% of people taking the GMAT, many PhD programs like to see scores in the 90s and well, that's just plain unlikely to happen for me. Often people assume that my accounting background would make me good at math. What it makes me good at is excel and that's not allowed in Wednesday's effort. When's the last time you calculated 13! by hand? How many of you even know how you would begin to caluclate 13!? ************************************************************************************* Either way, Wednesday will be the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. For a while I can put the study books away (at least until I take linear algebra in the spring...woo-hoo party!). On Wednesday, I will begin the month long process of actually applying to schools. Last time I applied to eight schools, got three interviews and accepted admission at Michigan State. (Enter economic crash - stage left.) This time, I will apply to at least six schools and max out at eight. (The schools have a 3-8% admission rate for this sort of thing, so I think it's wise to cast a wide net.) I have selected two of the finalists, but can't seem to fill in the rest of the list. As I explained this dilemma to my husband yesterday, he suggested that since the decision is such an important one, one that will likely impact the rest of our lives, we use a highly scientific system. Essentially his system involves examining NCAA football records and applying to those schools with the best records. I asked him what we would do about schools that didn't have football teams and I believe his response was something like, "Why would you apply to a school that doesn't have a football team?" ************************************************************************************* Ironically, my mom would tell you that my dad selected his PhD school based on the football team and it seems to have worked out okay for them. At this point, it's probably as good of an indicator as any in the school selection process. That and the proximity of a Chipotle.