#SAGradHunt & New Opportunities

Hello --

Happy almost turkey day, or for those of us in the Western Region of NASPA...happy almost #naspawr11 in San Diego! So there have definitely been some changes since I last spoke about my graduate school list. Shortly after creating that list I became engaged in conversation on Twitter with other Student Affairs hopefuls like myself, on the search for the perfect program for them. Utilizing the hash tag #SAGradHunt we are able to communicate about the processes and steps we are taking. It's been really great to have NASPA hold these conversations, as it introduces you to others who may one day be in your cohort. My graduate schools have only changed slightly since I last gave you list, first of all I had left one off, and secondly, I now have removed one. Basically, I'm still at five schools.

Officially I present to you to the programs that have made the Ashley cut:
1) New York University
2) Colorado State University
3) University of Vermont
4) Rutgers University
5) Michigan State University

I have also finally asked for my letters of recommendation, but still have one more to ask for since NYU needs two from a faculty and I just found that piece of information last night on the website.

I also have great news! The job hunt has finally ended after a two-month stint of applying constantly everyday. I have moved to Simi Valley, CA just outside my undergrad institution of CLU and I actually work at CLU. Great little resume builder in line with higher education if you ask me. I'm now the Administrative Assistant for Grants & Special Projects in the Graduate School of Education. Basically it's a really fancy name for helping develop all what the School of Ed stated when they applied for the grant money. Definitely a big girl job, mind you I base that on the following: my business cards, office name tag, set of keys, phone extension, and the huge 23' mac desktop I have. Oh and my OWN printer. What up!! (joke, I don't think I'm that cool). Anyways, it is definitely going to be a great learning experience to work with other supervisors outside of Student Life, especially since I was spoiled and worked with the same person and people for four years (minus my Semester at Sea staff). Well, I promise I'll get to blogging more!

I'm sure I'll have a handful of things to talk about while I'm at NASPA Western Regional 2011 in San Diego, CA starting Thursday. I'm so excited to meet with lots of people and a tad nervous! More importantly I'm excited to reunite with one of our NODA interns, Steven Wong from this summer. He is finishing his second year in Oregon State's program. He's flying in to LAX so he can come see the Transfer PAs he worked with all summer and the SOCs of course! I'm so excited, seriously though, I am! I love San Diego, and I love Student Affairs, talk about putting two great things together!

Last but not least -- the SOC applications came out yesterday, can't believe it is already time for somone to take over my job, tear! Either way, I wish them all the best of luck! Follow me on Twitter, as that has a lot more updates and conversation on Student Affairs from the future professional prospective. Especially one who comes from a small liberal arts school and is looking at larger universities. Watch the change!

Much Love
A-Ram.

Update: Jobs & Grad School

Sorry for being gone for so long, being unemployed for some reason is still quite busy. I've had a number of job interviews recently, but alas still no job. Part of the problem is a majority of them are part-time jobs and since I'm graduated they view it as I'm just taking anything till I find something better. In this case, they don't realize that something better is just graduate school 11 months from now. Anyways, on to more exciting news. I recently had a job interview with International Studies Abroad (ISA). I am hoping I get a second interview because this is the job opportunity of a lifetime especially for me and my confused mind. If everything works out, which I am not really sure if it will --trying to stay positive though, I would move to Austin, TX. It would be perfect since UT-Austin has a higher education program. Again, everyone keep your fingers crossed for me. 

I have finally narrowed my graduate school list to the six schools I plan on applying to for admission in Fall 2012. Here is the list for your personal viewing along with the why. Mind you, it is early October so chances that one or two can change is highly likely, but I'm hoping that is not the case. These are also ranked in order for me as well:

1. New York University - M.A in Higher Education & Student Affairs. 

• This is my number one choice for a number reasons: it's a completely different experience than my undergraduate experience. I would have the opportunity to live in a major city with lots to do all the time. The school is 15x the size of my university, and I have the opportunity to get experience at several types of schools. 
• Unfortunately, if I get into the program, the only way I'll be able to attend is if I can manage to land an assistantship in residence life and have a very good package put together. 

2. Colorado State University - M.S in Student Affairs & Higher Education

• Number two simply because it is a great program and the cohort is larger than most other well-known programs. I don't think a relatively small cohort like 8-12 people is for me. The woo in me really needs to have some options (joke). I also really like this program because there is opportunity to gain experience in Greek Life without having been a part of it. It's something that I know I won't have the opportunity to learn or gain experience in unless I had personal experience. This opportunity is huge to me. Also it's Colorado...duh. 
• Not really a down side to this program..I just hope I get in!

3. Penn State University - M.Ed in College Student Affairs

• The bonus and reason here is that they have a dual-title degree program with International & Comparative Education. This is a huge plus for me given my professional goals and aspirations as a Student Affairs & International Education professional...see how I combined those two. YUP, you'll see me soon being famous for something.
• I don't know how much University Park, PA is a place I'll be able to enjoy, we'll have to wait and see. The other down side, is the one requires the GRE and I don't know that my score will be good enough. Also, my friend's cohort is currently 6 people, it's a little small for me.

4. Michigan State University - M.A in Student Affairs Administration

• This school just kind of happened by accident on my list. It has a really interesting program, it's a large school with the D1 atmosphere I've never had. The location isn't major city, but it's a great city nonetheless. Also, the flights to Minneapolis aren't so bad. 
• Downside: It will be miserably cold -- but I mean where isn't it going to be cold that I'm applying. Also, green, is just not a color I like to wear -- then again that's how I felt about purple. We'll see!!!

5. Rutgers University - M.Ed in College Student Affairs

• This is an up and coming program at a major university. The program is already well-known after being only a few years old! It's not that far away from New York City, in the event that I can't go there. The package is not that bad financially, I wouldn't have to pay a dime the first year and the second year I wouldn't have to if I become a resident (ooh..resident of New Jersey, what up Sn00ki and JWoww)
• Downside: New Brunswick, is not the best place to be by yourself at night. I don't know how much of a problem this would be if I am trying to go out to NYC some nights!

Well, there it is, the completed list. Obviously, I'm going to need a back up plan if none of these work out but let's not think about that. My one back up school will definitely be University of Kansas though. It has a program, financial aid, and it's KU, my favorite basketball team ever!! Anyway...here's to my application process. The next step for me is ask for my letters of recommendation. This will be fun!