Cranky. Old. Man?

Not in.

NO WORRIES, SERIOUSLY. HOLD THE CONDOLENCES.

The letter was not actually a form letter (it was very specific to my application), and it was signed by the dean. They think I should get a master's degree first, as my grades in undergrad were less than stellar.

This immediately tells me two things:

1. The kid that got my spot had better grades. Fucker.

2. I may be able to get in next year. I live next to another university, one which transfers credits up to the university I am trying to get into a lot. Football rivals, academic incest. I could start on said degree without much trouble already, as said university is also ridiculously lax about letting people in (see: I was on academic drop for a semester and they let me in basically on a pinky swear). If they want proof I don't flunk out of every class, well, I'll give them proof.

I was starting to think that it was just a little too easy considering my history (spoiler alert: if there is ever an easy way, I manage to meander completely around it). And part of me is relieved. I'm not sure I'm quite ready to launch back into full time school yet. I really only want to get into academia to help fix it, because I think it's kind of broken. Also I like games a lot.

If I weren't adaptable, I wouldn't be where I am now, which is actually fairly happy. I do like my job. I'm just kind of ambitious and always looking ahead. So here I am, looking ahead. Hell, if I get the info I need soon I may even start a class this summer. This is how adaptable I am.

Also, I'm glad I was checking into apartments in town and not just up at Other College, cause, I need my own place if I'm staying for another year (or more).

So I'm thinking Education and CS classes. But we'll see what the Engineering Ed people say.

Am I disappointed? Of course. It's a great program and I want to do a lot of things with my life and I need some more cred to do ALL the things. It would be nice if I didn't have to wait another year or two. But this is part of the academic dance I have to do because I am just not a typical student. Never have been.

But then again, I'm only 25, I don't have kids, I don't have a lot of things tethering me down. I still have an undergrad in Aerospace Engineering from one of the top schools in the nation. I have health insurance and a retirement plan. I am not shit out of luck in life, I'm still doing pretty darn good.

And hell, not being in school full time this fall means I get to be there for the testing of THE AEROSPACE GAME I AM LEAD CONTENT DESIGNER ON. I was worried I'd be missing that, and I hate missing testing. I want to see kids play my game! I AM EXCITE FOR THAT.

So yeah, don't worry, I just figured I'd share the news.

Man, writing a personal statement is hard. But I think I've made some good progress. Of course, I had to compare my life and ambitions to a protagonist in an RPG.

Hey, my sister compared bird-watching to her microbiology work in her personal statement, and she's a lot smarter than me. Besides, my best writing for schools has always come out of weird connections. XD

I still have a research statement to write (which will be easier, because I just have to look at the guy who I want to be my advisor's page and pick out which parts interest me the most and how they apply to what I want to do). Best case scenario means I could get a university to pay me to help design games, while doing content/informal ed work on the side with my company.

I feel a lot better about this now and kind of excited again. Oh the turbulent emotions!

Reverb prompts will return only when I've written a draft of both of these statements, as my goal is to have them done tonight so I can have people look at them over the weekend. Anyone who has gotten into a grad school or works around one... feel free to volunteer to help me focus my statement properly. XD