In my 2010 By the Numbers post, I mentioned a letter that carried some of the best news of the year:
I had been accepted into graduate school!
Grad school was always on the agenda. I earned my associate's degree while I was in high school and therefore graduated with my bachelor's from BYU just after turning 20. The plan was to get a few years of good work experience and then return to the classroom to earn a master's degree, but Matt's base assignment made that a more difficult goal than previously anticipated. Then last fall, after months and months of research, I finally found the perfect program for both my academic goals and our current situation.
Fast forward through a mountain of application paperwork in the fall to one late night in December, when the fateful envelope arrived. I ripped it open to find the best news--that I was one of only 20 students accepted into the cohort! Dollar signs aside, I was thrilled. And to make it even better, Matt was thrilled for me, too.
Since my school schedule conflicted with my work schedule, I've officially quit my job and swapped my salary for student loans. Last week, I stepped onto a college campus as a student for the first time in three-and-a-half years and it felt amazing!
That was just orientation, though. The real deal begins next week and will end in two years with me walking across a stage to receive my Masters in Public Administration. It'll be a long road, but I'm so excited for the journey!
I applaud your ambition. I was SO done with school by the time I graduated. People always ask me if I'm going to go to dental school and become an orthodontist. No way in heck. Haha. Good for you! I wish I had your kind of ambition and studiousness. ;) You will be amazing, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteSmart and beautiful?! No freakin' fair! Congrats on getting in!
ReplyDeleteCongrats !!!! :D Gotta say, that was pretty ambitious to complete your associates while going to high school -- I had MORE than enough on my plate as a high school student!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ashley! I admire you for working hard to continue your dreams. Best of luck during the whole process!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm in my second semester of graduate school and I absolutely love it! Good luck!
ReplyDeletewoohoo congrats!! thats so awesome!!
ReplyDeleteMy alma mater, go '49ers! Congrats! I finished my MS in Special Ed there in May of '09!
ReplyDeletethat is amazing!! i so wish i would've finished school, and BELIEVE me it is definitely easier to get it done before you have kiddos! :) congrats to you and good luck!
ReplyDeletehillary
you earned an Associates in high school!! that is amazing...and that you got accepted of course.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ash! Love that campus! Took some classes there when I was completing my graduate work!
ReplyDeleteThat is fantastic news. You will do great. We loved hanging out with your family last weekend and wished you guys could have been there too. Hopefully we can meet up soon. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteAsh, that's great!!! You'll do absolutely amazing!! Keep us posted along your journey!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome!! I am so happy for you! You will do awesome!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, girl! Are you just loving it?! You'll be PERFECT with Public Admin!
ReplyDelete*muah*
Wow, associates degree in HS... that's impressive girl! Congrats on starting grad school!
ReplyDeleteI recently fell soon a similar situation... got my acceptance letter into dental hygiene school. We start in the fall and I am really excited... but a little nervous to quit work to pursue a different career. Not to mention my salary now will no longer be in the picture. Yikes!!
I've just recently found ur blog... love the posts. Keep up all the hard work lady! :)
Ciao xo
Congratulations! I'm so proud of you for following through with your goal to get a Masters. I'm sure you will have lots of wonderful experiences as a result! Couldn't be more proud of you!
ReplyDeleteThats awesome Ash. Best of luck in the program. I swear I've got the best Nieces and Nephews anyone could have.
ReplyDeleteI should mention that even though you are in a Masters Program, there are certain matters that take precedence....Its MARCH MADNESS and your bracket is glaringly absent from the Graf Bracket Competion on CBSSports.com Come on Ash, where are your priorities!?!
congrats!
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