Level Up.
Well, it’s official. I have accepted USC’s offer of admission to the Doctoral program. I am an equal mix of elation, anxiety, and apprehension.
This decision has been a long-time coming. Earning my Doctorate has always been on my bucket list, and I’ve spent the last five or so years earnestly researching programs. This was not a decision I made lightly, and after applying to two schools, I selected USC. It was my stretch goal, and their admission rate is notoriously low, so if I’m being honest, I wasn’t really expecting to be admitted. But that’s how things work sometimes.
I certainly didn’t get here alone. First and foremost, my incredible husband has been ridiculously patient in listening to me obsessively think out loud and who has agreed to a small bank account and big anxiety for the next three years. My hero and surrogate big brother, Maury Forman, has always believed in me (even when I didn’t believe in myself) and who knocked it out of the park with letters of recommendation. My brother continues to keep my humble. My BFF endured a rambling and years-long pro/con list, yet always encouraged me, but was open and honest when I was saying things that made no sense. And my adorable in-laws who just might be more excited about this than I am. I am so grateful for the role each has played in getting me here.
I haven’t even started yet (classes start in May) but I’m already overwhelmed and impressed by the on-boarding process. Trojan life is good.
Here are a few questions I’ve been asked when I share this news:
Are you crazy? Quite possibly.
Did you get scholarships? Nope. Turns out that if you’re a white, middle-class woman who has lived frugally and been careful with money, there’s not a lot of financial assistance out there.
Do you have to travel to Cali? Yes, occasionally, but not for the first year because, well, COVID.
Are you joining the crew team? Definitely not (though this does make me laugh).
How are you going to juggle your teaching schedule, running your business, and trying to be a wife, mother, and generally well-rounded human? I always answer this question the same: How about if we let me worry about this?
But here’s the thing: I’m not worried about it. I know this is the right decision for me. I mean, I’m going to spend three solid years learning more about how organizations can leverage their assets- human, social, financial and tech- to successfully navigate through a changing environment. I’m going to master collection and analysis of evidence to enhance data-driven problem solving and create effective interventions in organizations- and so much more. For a nerd like me, learning the latest methodology to take what an organization has and maximize it to the greatest efficiency to achieve short and long-term goals does not get much better.
Go Trojans!