Finally!

Dear Kathleen:

Congratulations! Your application and supporting documents have been carefully reviewed by the Admissions and Awards Committee of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University and I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to begin study in the professional master’s degree program commencing with the 2010 fall semester.

For those of you who know, April of last year (2009) was a very stressful time for me. I tried, without success, to apply to graduate school. My life was consumed by the decisions I would receive. Once I didn't get accepted anywhere, I was devastated, and felt that I had no self worth. Rediculous, I know. Instead, I found a job, had some free time to see visit Kurt and do the things we love to do, and by doing that, I realized that I was more than just my academic career; my amazing fiance, family, hobbies, values, etc, make me who I am.

Once we realized that we'll be living in NC to go to Fort Bragg, I decided to apply to grad school again. This time, however, I knew it would be just a piece of my plan for the future, not the whole thing. I was content knowing that if it didn't work out, I could find another job, spend time getting settled together in NC, and take it from there.

Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised to get this email last night! Finally! My hard work has paid off. Although the program is expensive, right now I'm just basking in the contentment of finally achieving my goal. One that I almost gave up on after the discouragement of taking the GRE twice, and having professors tell me I was close, but just not close enough, to being admitted.

Finally, the only thing I want to say is, YAY!!! :)