"I am pleased to inform you that your application to graduate studies in the Master of Education degree program in Secondary Education Teaching History at Slippery Rock University has been given approval, under the condition that you complete the undergraduate competency courses necessary to earn teaching certification."

That is the first sentence of my acceptance letter for Grad School. I start in January as a Post-Bacc student (one who has already earned a Baccalaureate degree) instead of a full Graduate student, meaning that I pay the Undergrad tuition price. Once I take the classes I need, which is stuff like geography and state history etc, I get bumped up to Grad student.

I was skipping on the way back from the mailbox this afternoon. I applied over a month ago and to see that letter made me SO happy!

Now cross your fingers and hope I can get either financial aid or a job so I can avoid taking out a student loan.

That's great! I'm happy for you. I wish you luck with the job or financial aid. And also good luck with whatever classes your taking. Congratulations!

Aren't student loans low-interest while you are in classes? In any case, congratulations! You now get to take your love of History a step further! You are planning on teaching History, correct?

Yes, I am. If possible I am gonna try to make the jump directly into junior colleges in hopes there are more openings for history teachers.

As for the loans... I've gone this far without having to get any, something I am actually proud of despite it taking twice as long, for this program if it takes getting a loan I will do it. From what I saw the Stafford loan is somewhere between 3.6 and 6.8% depending on if it is subsidized or not. I do think I can deal with that, but I don't know it it will give me enough for costs... they were all saying like "$3000 a semester" and if they don't give me residence status that will barely get me half time status.

I am really hopeful that I still qualify for the Pell Grant, though it seems to mostly be for undergrads. In fact the bulk of all grants and scholarships are only for undergrads. And the TEACH program does me absolutely no good because apparently the only "low income" school in the entire state is on the other side of it. You'd think there would be at least one "low income" school in a city as large as Pittsburgh, but apparently not... which I suppose is good for Pittsburgh but not for me.

Congrats Elara! I'm sure you will do great in your classes you seem like a very smart person. Hopefully you get some aid paying for the courses, because I know taking out student loans can be a hassle  and take a long time to pay off. When you are done you will be able to teach me (and others) about even more history

Also, Slippery Rock University is possibly the greatest name for a university EVER!

Congrats! That's awesome that you got in! I already saw this on facebook but it's still exciting.

Is there anything specific that you major in as a Grad student of education?

Secondary education, specifically teaching history.

That's awesome
Congratulations!!!
What kind of history are you specialized for? I mean is it about American history or  Egyptian or  Greek or ancient Roman history etc?

noelia : I personally specialized in American and Ancient history (Greek and Roman)... mostly Ancient. The program itself is probably going to go American/World since that is what I remember learning in my high school history classes. If I can get lucky and get into a community college or something right off the bat then I might get more say in the matter.

Honestly though, I love all history, so I am sure that whatever I get I will be happy... I just want a job, period.

Wow, that's really good. I'm proud of you.
Congrats on that one. Hope it works out for you

Congratulations.
You're a very smart person who's loaded with knowledge, I know you'll do well. =)

That's cool. Actually ancient history (mostly Greek one) is my favorite kind of history

Good luck with everything

Even though we don't know each other (our only communication has been through personal messaging in regards to giving out trust points),  I wanted to say congrats.   I've always had an interest in European History. Good luck on your endeavors and may it all turn out well.

Gabe

Getting into college is so exciting isn't it?

I remember when I got my acceptance letter, I was so happy, and everything was amazing the rest of the year.

I dropped out due to financials, but that's beyond the point.

Congratulations! Hope you enjoy this opportunity!

Awesome stuff, Elara. Good to hear that. I took a Greek mythology class in high school, so they definitely exist as courses more than you might think. But I guess that depends on what school you'd be teaching at.

Gosh it must be like a dream, more or less. I am still in community college and am now taking interest in as well as trying to get well informed as I now being a legal adult, have to manage my own financial independence soon as well as things like insurance and school-related. Congratulations on getting in, though I don't quite get what you did, you have a B.S. or B.A degree and just need finish couple ge, and then are bumped to Grad student. I am not familiar with undergrad/grad student stuff seeing as that I am in community college but plan to transfer.

UserMike : Undergraduate is basically the designation for "classes that can lead to a BA/BS degree" or "student that does not have a BA/BS degree"... which means it's the standard classes that you are probably used to. Graduate level courses are supposedly more difficult. I have my BA in history, and I have to take a few classes that are required for the teaching credential that are not "graduate level" classes before they officially declare me a grad student... I don't really think I would call them g.e. since they are for a specific thing and I don't have a choice of which to take. Consider them pre-requisite courses.

Cyro Xero : Actually I think Greek Myth falls under the Language Arts department in most schools, but I will keep that in mind in case the school actually offers anthropology courses, which is where it really belongs. Well... technically it's "Classics" but you won't see that area of study until college. The stuff I'd be teaching would be things like the history of the Roman Republic, it's transition into the Empire, and it's fall.

Congrats on making it in, Elara! You've gotten over what I think is one of the toughest hurdles of being a student. Good luck with your courses!

Congratulations, Elara! Best of luck on the financial side of things because I know that can be a pain if you aren't prepared. Education is one of the biggest steps you can take to success.

Congrats again!