Time for an update.

I spent last week in Dallas while my parents were in Hawaii. I was babysittin the dogs. WHile there, contacted 3 Colleges in the area, requesting a meeting to learn more about their graduate school programs. 1 didn't respond at all, 1 responded by telling me "You can find the information on our web page." Thanks. And a third rolled out the red carpet for me! They scheduled an appointment, and I met with them on Monday.

My primary meeting was with the Grad Student "liason" or whatever for the Environmental department, and she was able to answer a lot of my questions.She also set up an appointment for me with the dean of admissions! (no pressure!) The meeting went very well, I think I impressed him. He said it would of course depend on my transcript and test scores, but he gave me an unofficial "you're in!" Woohoo!

The biggest change he brought about was that he strongly encouraged me to get my Masters in Environmental Engineering rather than Environmental Science. He said that not only will both degrees be considered for the same jobs, but the Engineers will also have a whole other pool of available jobs that "scientists" won't. He said on top of all that, Environmental Engineers will make about DOUBLE what an Environmental Scientist would.

So, after meeing with him, I met again with the liason lady. (She spent 3 1/2 hours with me!) We got to talking about money, and how I was deathly afraid of how to pay for this. (It's a private college, and tuition is $$$$!!!!) She told me how the school has a program that if you work for one year on campus, full time, then tuition is FREE beginning after you've completed one year! FREE! So then, she was like "lets just see what jobs are available right now.." She found a job that is the administrative assisant to the dean of Mechanical Engineering. It pays WHAT I MAKE NOW as a meteorologist (can you say wow?!) So if I could get this job, we wouldn't be taking a hit in pay, and after a year I'd get a FREE Masters! This liason lady is SO nice and has made it her personal goal to get my hired for this position! She ran around that day and talked to everyone in charge of hiring, telling them that "I'm the girl" and whatnot! Amazing!

The way this school (SMU) has treated me is incredible, and I really hope this all works out. Keep us in your prayers... Summer school starts on May 31. Between now and April 15, I need to take the GRE test, apply, and be admitted to grad school.... In order to start in the summer semester! Life will be crazy, but the end may be in sight for Jeff and me living apart! Woohoo!!!Please pray that if this job isn't the right one, that I will find another on-campus job that pays well so we won't have to take much of a hit in pay! It feels like God's will is beginning to become a bit clearer, and I hope He will continue to clear the path for us!