I wish I could but I don’t want to.
I’ve decided to apply to 2 more library schools (at the behest of fellow librarians, who tell me I’ll have a horrible time getting to class at Queens College). I am currently in the middle of filling out applications for Queens College, St. John’s University, and Rutgers University. The application fees are going to make me bankrupt. Why must they be so expensive? And on top of that, I just registered for the GRE. That cost me $140!
The exam is in two weeks, on Friday, January 25. I’m hoping this will give me enough time to prepare for it, considering I don’t even know what the GRE looks like. From what I understand, there are three parts to it — much like the current version of the SAT. There’s a verbal section, a math section, and an analytical writing section. That’s pretty much all I know. I took the SAT four years ago and did OK. (Out of a possible 1600 points, I got 1280. It’s not the best but it’s average.) I’m hoping I retained some of the knowledge and that I’ll have an easier time preparing for the GRE. I’ve also read that 2 weeks is about all a person needs to review for the exam, provided that at least 1 hour out of each day is devoted to studying.
Either way, application deadlines are quickly approaching. I need to take this test as soon as possible to make sure that the schools get them on time. Next on my list: personal statement. I have no idea what to write for my essay. I’ve only just begun my foray into librarianship. I don’t even know why I’m going into librarianship. So until I figure that out for myself, there’s no way in hell I can put it down into words for the admissions panel. There are some LiveJournal communities on graduate & library schools that I’ve been checking out. Some users post their statements of purpose for review and such. Maybe I’ll get some ideas from these people because, honestly, I don’t even know where to start.
I should also be looking into scholarships. I’ve had it easy the last four years, having my tuition paid-for by the school. (I actually get money from my school every semester. My scholarship pays for the tuition, my financial aid pays for textbooks — whatever is left over is given to me in the form of a check. It’s pretty sweet.) I don’t even know what it’s like to pay for school. I’ve never had to worry. Why can’t that continue into graduate school? That would be nice. Anyone want to give me, like, $30,000 for library school tuition? ‘Cause librarians don’t get paid very well… so, y’know, I’ll need all the help I can get.
Life’s getting hard.
