Have you ever applied twice to the same program?
No? Are you sure? It’s just me then.
Well let me share my story anyway…Back in 2023, I was so excited when I finally made the decision to go back to school and pursue my MPH. I completed my application, the program currently received a massive grant and was waiving application fees, woo-hoo!, and I didn’t need my GRE to apply (that was optional). I also had my three letters of recommendation in mind. I spoke to faculty so that I could better understand the program disciplinary tracks in order to see which one would best fit me. I worked really hard to write out my potential research plan for the 2+ year program. I submitted my paperwork, got my application fee waived, got my letters of recommendation in and waited to get my acceptance letter. I told myself, I had this and guess what, I did! I got my offer letter to start classes in Fall 2023.
I was so happy that I got into the program that I missed the blindspots I created on some serious challenges ahead. I missed taking into account other critical factors while applying for the program. Remember it’s one thing to apply, it’s a WHOLE OTHER thing to register for classes, set up a course plan and complete the program. For me, applying felt like the easiest part in my burgeoning MPH journey.
So what barriers did I face?
- Tunnel vision when faced with a serious challenge
- Not seeking out help when I needed it
- Miscalculating time and labor needed to pursue these studies
Tunnel Vision
The first (obvious) challenge to hit me was proof of my vaccination records. State law required that I provided my vaccination history to the Office of the Registrar for two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and one dose for tetanus/diphtheria (TD), taken in the last 10 years. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my vaccination record as it was out of state for my childhood vaccines and my original record was likely no longer in my parent’s possession. So, I called the public health department in our current state only to be told to contact my hometown public health department which led me down a rabbit hole that basically said, you’re out of luck if you can’t find your records. My tunnel vision, made me think this was the only solution and I basically gave up when I realized I wouldn’t be able to locate those records on my own.
Not Seeking Help
During this time, I could have called the Office of the Registrar for guidance, but I didn’t. I could have checked with the graduate coordinator, but I didn’t. I could have stopped by the admissions office, but I didn’t. Any of these routes could have given me the support I needed to move out of my tunnel vision, but I chose not to seek it out, because I truly did not have the capacity to do so at that time.
Time and Labor
Again, applying is one thing, but registering for classes, taking classes, creating a course plan, that all takes time and labor in addition to my full-time work. Where I missed seeing other important factors came in not planning for after my application. I had a daughter in her senior year of high school and a spouse serving overseas. I become a solo-parent in 2022 and 2023 and assumed, I could still add this to my plate [insert face palm or melting emoji here]. My full time work and being a solo-parent took up a majority of my time. There was no other room to add a graduate program and I really did not see that until I after I had applied – sometimes that happens.
What did I do?
I stopped.
I took a break from the entire pursuit and told myself now was not the time. I would later get a letter from the university that I was dropped from the program because I didn’t register for classes. In my head, I thought well if only I got my vaccination records, then I could register for classes, then I wouldn’t have been dropped. But in reality, I was too stressed from my other obligations and did not have the energy to reach out for help or consider creative solutions for my challenges. Instead, I held onto that letter for over a year because I felt I had failed before I even began the program.
Things did change and at the beginning of 2024, my spouse returned from overseas and in the spring our daughter graduated from high school :-). I realized that 2023 was not the time to return to school, so I applied again in Fall 2024. I paid the application fee, let my recommenders know I had to take a break (they all understood), resubmitted my application, created a new research plan (because research ideas change and that’s okay) and waited. I got my second offer letter and this time, I sought the help I needed, got my immunity test, got my tetanus shot, created a course plan, and am now looking forward to taking my first set of classes in Spring 2025.
I learned it’s okay to miss the mark the first time. My excitement in getting back to school clouded my judgement on the best timing for my success. But, failing forward has been one of my best teachers on this college journey.
To your salud and success,
AW
