Historian's Corner

The Graduate Application Process

2011-09-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

Over the past few months, I've researched several universities and their respective faculties. The process has been informative and strangely exciting. My final list has topped out with ten prospective universities, and my top three include both east and west coast opportunities.

Now that I have chosen the schools where I would like to apply and the members of the faculty I'm most compatible with, I must move forward with the next phase of the process which includes looking at application deadlines, fees, and admission requirements.

So far, every school requires the following:

The application--pending
Three letters of recommendation--pending--I have spoken with three separate professors and obtained a verbal agreement for support. However, I must contact them again and send the necessary forms, as well as up-date them on my current scholarship focus.
GRE Scores--complete-I only need to contact the testing center and have the scores forwarded to the universities I'm applying.
All Transcripts from post secondary universities--pending--I only need to contact my old university and pay the fee for sending them.
Writing Sample--complete--I'm going to use the conference paper I wrote for my MA
A statement of purpose--in progress

I feel that I am in a good place within the process. I have a lot of requirements lined up and ready to go. Whenever I feel overwhelmed with the details, I just look at my top three universities and I remind myself why they're worth the stress.

My top three choices:

Additionally, I can always go to my intellectual happy place when the going gets tough.

<- Queen's College Library Oxford

Pay It Forward

2011-08-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

Recently I celebrated another birthday. The time spent with friends made a big difference to a day that I usually try to forget. Getting older is not something I relish, but this year is different. Instead of concentrating on my age and those things I have yet to accomplish, I have decided to declare this MY year. Things are going to change.

There are a lot of things that need to happen this year. I need to fill out applications for graduate school. I need to generate an income. I need to take charge of my weight. In my mind, I think of all the things I have to do to make these things possible; and then I realize I don't HAVE to do anything. There are things I WANT in life, and they are incredibly egocentric. Don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting things and I am a huge advocate of creating goals for yourself. However, in my case, I feel like I need to step back and think outside of me for a little while.

Thinking beyond myself, shouldn't be too hard. Every year, I think to myself: You need to help out at a soup kitchen. You need to help out with habitat for humanity. You need to do... something. Over the years I have been passionate about several causes and the concept of paying it forward. In an effort to balance my WANTS with the rest of my life, I'm renewing my commitment to the 'pay it forward' concept and I want to raise awareness for the homeless problem in my country.

Allow me to share a few statistics for the United States: (2007)

On any given night, approximately 750,000 men, women, and children are homeless in the US.

* 56% are living in shelters and transitional housing, while 44% are unsheltered.
* 59% are single adults and 41% are persons living in families.
* 98,452 are homeless families
* 23% are chronically homeless according to HUD’s definition.

These are more than just numbers. The statistics above represent human beings who at one time had the same hopes and dreams as we all do. Of course you don't have to take my word for it. For more information about the Alliance to End Homelessness, click here.

To better understand the Pay It Forward Concept, click here.

I appreciate those of you who took the time to read this. If you're interested in learning a few of the things on my "Bucket List" click here. It is a lighter and more carefree list and includes some of my more crazy ambitions. ;)

Is the Mind A Super Computer?

2011-08-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard someone say that the human brain is like a super computer? Most of us have heard it, but have you ever considered the accuracy of the statement? More importantly, if you choose to believe it, how can you make your brain process information in a way that is productive and beneficial to you?

Motivational speaker, Tony Robbins, believes asking yourself daily questions is the answer. Your conscious and unconscious mind automatically seeks to answer any question you put out there. According to his theory, the way we feel about ourselves and our lives can be directed and determined by the quality of our questions. Of course, he says much more on the subject but I'll let you research the man and buy his cds to get more detail.

For now, I'm going to test his theory. It sounds logical, but practical application is the true test. Below is my first series of questions: I've decided I'll keep my answers private for now.

1) How can I become thinner and enjoy the process?

2) How can I finish editing my book with enthusiasm?

3) How can I avoid self-sabotage?

4) What can I do today that will make me happy?

5) For what am I most grateful or what has God done for me? (essentially the same question)

Inspirational Photo
Amalfi Coast, Italy

(Photo pulled from tumblr. I don't know who to credit. If you recognize it, let me know.)