I'm applying to seven PhD programs, as most of you know, and in many cases, I had to send envelopes separately to the schools' Graduate Admissions offices and English Departments. Most of the envelopes going to GradAd were pretty light, containing only the application, fee (which varied fairly widely between schools), and maybe a personal statement. The EngDept envelopes, however, contained supplementary applications, forms for fellowships/assistantships, GRE scores, personal statement, and writing samples. Some of the schools wanted only creative writing samples (UNLV wanted 50 pages), but others also wanted a sample of my analytical academic work, so in addition to my most recent short stories I also included "A Lull in the Conversation," which I'll be presenting at ICFA in March. And at Wilton Barnhardt's recommendation, I included a copy of the food anthology as well.

On top of that, all the schools wanted two copies of my college transcripts. Last Thursday, I went through National Student Clearinghouse (a third-party organization that works with NCSU) and ordered transcripts sent directly to five of the seven schools. Two of the schools, UI-Chicago and UDenver, wanted me to include the transcripts with my own materials. The problem quickly became the postal service, overloaded with deliveries during the holiday season, and delayed because of volume and also nasty weather throughout the country. To get the Clearinghouse people to send the transcripts, they needed a signed approval form from me, mailed to them. So I had to wait for them to receive my form before they started sending things out. They emailed me two days ago to let me know they'd finally gotten it and were now sending out all the transcripts.

Now my problem was those two schools, one of which is my top choice (Chicago). I was having to wait for the transcripts for those schools to get mailed to me before I could send out the envelopes to them, and the deadline for Chicago is January 1. So after talking about it with my parents and Janet last night, I decided to go directly to NCSU's Records Dept. and get transcripts from them today. I just couldn't wait on the mail any longer. I'd already mailed out almost all of the envelopes on Monday, and having these two left was absolutely itching me.

So I went to the Registrar's Office this morning after dropping Janet off at work, went right up to the woman's desk since there was no one in line, told her I wanted four copies of my transcript, she took my student ID and scanned it, then went back to another cubicle to retrieve the printed out transcripts, came back, took my credit card, charged me $20, then handed me the receipt. That was it. I think I was only in there for maybe seven minutes.

I so should have done this in the first place. Dammit.

So a word to the wise, if you need college transcripts in a hurry, and you happen to live near your college, just go in person and get them.

Anyway, I went to the post office afterward and sent the applications off via Express and Priority Mail. All of the envelopes are now away, and I have therefore accomplished the last goals I had for this year. Whew. Now the waiting begins. If you have time, throw a little good mojo my way so that I get into UI-Chicago. I really really really want to go there.

To celebrate all good accomplishments this year and to ring in 2005, it's looking pretty good that Janet and I will be going to First Night Raleigh. They have all sorts of events going on downtown, and the Acorn Drop at midnight (yes, I know what you're thinking, an acorn?, and yes, you read me correctly). It's a non-alcoholic event, but we've both become increasingly teetotalers over this past year. I just don't drink as much as I used to (which wasn't much to begin with, and was usually only when going to parties).

So have a happy New Year's, y'all. All good things for 2005.

Now Reading:
Postscripts no. 1

Stories Out to Publishers:
8

Books Read This Year:
67

Zines/Graphic Novels/Fiction Mags Read This Year:
35