The Hand of the Lord

When I started my undergraduate degree in communication disorders, I always knew that I was going to have to get a master's degree. It has been a part of the plan from the very beginning but it was one of those things that you just never think is actually going to happen. As I started the application process, it all became a little too real. A fear developed inside of me that I wasn't going to get into any graduate school and my dream/plan was going to be put on hold or completed washing down the toilet. Applications were sent to schools from East to West...

1. Washington State University
2. Eastern Washington State University 
3. Arizona State University
4. University of Utah 
5. Utah State University
6. Idaho State University
7. University of Virginia 
8. George Washington University 
9. Northeastern University 

If everything went according to my plan, I would get accepted into Utah State but the likelihood of that happening was pretty slim to none. Every part of my application was border line and on the lower end of the their acceptance averages. It was a long-shot to say the least but I wanted to try. After Utah State I didn't really care where I went. They were all different and far away.

While in DC I received an email notifying that I had made the wait list. I was happy but still nervous. I hadn't really heard from any other schools and this wasn't the start that I wanted. I ended up getting an interview with Arizona State but shortly received a rejection letter. I subsequently received rejection letters from a number of other universities. On  March 21st I received another email informing me that I had been accepted into the program and would start in June!! Waiting for other schools to reply didn't seem to take as long after that and it honestly didn't matter as much. When it all was done and finished, Utah State was the only school to accept me. Of all the long shots and safety-net schools I applied to, I got into my top choice.

Other than divine intervention, I can only attribute this miracle to one small, seemingly insignificant interaction. You might remember my trip with Dad to Atlanta for the ASHA convention. I forgot to mention that while there I stopped by the Utah State booth,where I met Dr. Kim Corbin-Lewis, the chair of the department. I spoke with her briefly, asking about the program and if there was anything that might help my application stand out. Upon leaving I didn't think much of it but did send her an email later that night thanking her for answering my questions. After a few days, I received an email from the academic supervisor explaining that I had impressed Dr. Corbin-Lewis and asking if I needed any help with my application. That was quite the shock.

I know this could have been put a lot more eloquently but I felt like the story needed to be told, especially since I haven't written it anywhere else yet. The whole experience was one that you look back on and see the hand of the Lord in every step; even if I didn't see it along the way.