I am having a helluva time finding a 3rd recommender for grad school
I have bumped into a small-minded mentality at the junior high school where I work. My boss has told the entire staff that they are not allowed to give me a letter of recommendation. She said they could get into trouble.
Each day I have asked a co-worker who has helped to train me if they would give me a letter of recommendation, only to find out the next morning, that my boss has told they they are not allowed and they could get into trouble.
I have tried to explain it to them. It amazes me.
Today I spoke to the secretary to the principal of the school. She will ask the principal later today or tomorrow morning if he will give me a letter of recommendation.
ugh. On top of this, I have a neighbor who is harrassing me. I have had to call the police. The neighbor works for the community where I live. I don't have any proof, so the leasing office, only told him "that whether it is true or not, stop." It's sickening.
@bestvase7265, I could use some guidance and prayers
How are you feeling?
Just stopping by to say a quick hi @purpleTree4652
Sorry you're having trouble getting the recommendation.
@SweetPea321
SweetPea! It's such a lovely surprise to hear from you!
Thanks. I still have a little time. The letter of recommendation isn't due until the 31st of January. The deadline is the 1st of February. So, I have a little time.
How are you doing? How is your daughter? :)
I'm doing alright and so is my daughter. Thanks for asking :) My daughter just got approved for SSI so that extra money will help out. That was a nice surprise. I'm hopeful that this year will be better for us and hopefully for you too.
@SweetPea321
SweetPea, congrats on the SSI, yes, that will be immensely helpful. God's blessings to you.
@SweetPea321
Hi, SweetPea!
How's life? Have you started to receive the government disability support?
I'm sick. The nurse practitioner thinks it is a virus and a sinus infection. Mostly it isn't bad, but since I serve food in a cafeteria for a living, I am out of work today and tomorrow.
I hope to hear from you. :)
--tree
Lots of good thoughts coming your way.
The letter of recommendation from the principal is actually the one that you want anyway. He or she will understand better than anyone you are working with why going to graduate school would be so meaningful to you. You are headed in a better direction, rather than a worse one, but I know that it is very frustrating.
I am sorry about your neighbor. There is a chance that they will stop harassing you now that others have noticed. The best that you can do is to record the moments where you see any harassment happening.
Keep on the path. You are doing well. These are bumps rather than roadblocks.
I am doing okay overall. This is my school prep month so it is a little less stressful. @purpleTree4652
@bestVase7265
BestVase,
Glad to hear you are doing ok.
What is school prep month? It's cool that it's less stressful.
The school principal isn't going to write a letter for me. He said if I was his direct report, he would. However, he said he would see what he could do to help me.
In the meantime, I wrote the director of the MLIS prog at U of A. I've been keeping her updated. So, I asked if she thought it was better I wait until the last minute to see if I can find a third recommender or if I should apply with 2 recommenders. She did say I could apply with 2, but I didn't get a good feeling from her about that. And if I wait for 3, the slots for the program are being filled. The school told me they fill the slots as the apps come in for the early deadline of the 1st of Feb.
Do the best that you can. If the situation with the principal helping doesn't clear up by this Friday submit the application with the two. You are letting the grad school know your situation and that is good.
There are people out there who want to help you. Just keep looking for them. It is still all a step at a time. And there is always another step to take even when a door closes.
How is your volunteer application at the local library going?@purpleTree4652
@bestVase7265
I like your advise. Thank you for that.
I don't think the library has chosen me. I called them on Friday (I think) and was told the woman in charge of that is out until Tuesday. Back when I first called about the job, I was told them want the volunteers in place before their 50th anniversary celebration week. That week is the last week in January. So, I don't think it looks good.
Plus, in the interview, the librarian, Carolyn, told me she wants me to complete the background check because she knows of two libraries nearer to me who are also wanting volunteers.
So, I'll call tomorrow.
How have you been feeling? Did the surgery help at all?
I bet the other libraries will work out great. Sometimes the smaller ones are even better places to work at first as a volunteer.
The surgery basically told me that I didn't have cancer. The doctor said that the next step was getting an IUD. At age 54. Oh joy. Anyway, someone should call soon to get that set up. The cycles are still really bad. I just finished the heavy stuff for this last one this afternoon. I am quite tired and definitely went through tons of clothes and sheets. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. @purpleTree4652
@bestVase7265
Oh, my lord God, Vase! I with I could help you somehow. That is a lot of blood to lose. They better call you soon to set up the appt for the IUD. Do you have anyone to be there with you while you're going through this? Ignore that question if its too personal.
If there is ever anything I can do for you, please let me know, and I'll do it.
@bestVase7265
Vase,
I finally have some good news. The library chose me as a volunteer. I start Friday night. :)
I submitted my application to the U of M, as soon as I got home and was able to add the library to my resume and include that in my application. :)
I haven't heard from the grad school of the U of A yet. I'll ask my contact at the library for a letter of recommendation. I think it's too soon, but I'll ask anyway. Whether they say no or yes, I'll tell the grad school that I'm done with my application.
That all sounds awesome! Enjoy the volunteering and learning about the library.
I am so sorry that I didn't see that other message about me last night. I had a few too many to look through and I missed it.
Thanks so much for your kindness. I will be okay with the cycle stuff eventually I am sure. I am just pretty tired of it. I am going to call the office again soon to make sure that they haven't forgotten about me.
This last time wasn't as horrific as the one before that. So that is a plus. And I have been learning a bunch about myself and the impact that my hormones may have had my entire life.
But thanks again for thinking about me.
@bestVase7265
Hi, Vase,
How are you feeling? Have they moved up the appointment for you?
My supervisor at the library where I volunteer gave me yet another excuse for why she isn't even sure if she can write a letter of rec. So, much to my chagrin, I told the program at the U of A to process my app without the 3rd letter of rec.
I do have good news. The Main branch of the public library system in jax contacted me about an administrative specialist job. My interview is tomorrow via zoom. I really want the job. It's part time and the pay is perfect. I really want to move away from here and closer to the Main branch library. So, the timing couldn't be better. Please keep me in your prayers or send good vibes for the interview. It's at 3 on Tuesday.
I hope you're doing ok. You're in my thoughts.
The library interview is awesome. It is the best news that I have had today.
Don't worry about the letter of recommendation. You didn't have a lot to work from and that happens. If they don't except you now they might after you get some other experience. You are headed in a good direction.
I am overall okay. They finally called to schedule today. It won't be until the middle of next month, but that is okay.@purpleTree4652
@bestVase7265
Well I told the U of A to process my app without the 3rd letter of rec. It's so disappointing to me, but the director of the MLIS program did tell me that I could apply without the 3rd letter. What she didn't say is that I could be accepted without the 3rd letter.
My application at the Univ of Missouri is being considered. I am hoping you were right when you said, "you got this."
I started filling out the scholarship application and came to an essay. "In 500 words or less, please indicate how scholarship or fellowship funding will help you." Do you happen to have experience with scholarship essays? If so, do you feel up to helping me with my essay? If not, please tell me. No hard feelings.
Thanks, either way.
Of course. Feel free to write something up and I will look at it.
Did you have the other interview yet? I am really crossing my fingers for you on that one. @purpleTree4652
@bestVase7265
Thank you so much.
Yes, I did have the interview. They asked me about a lot of experience that wasn't in the job description. I didn't have that experience. I don't think it went well, unfortunately.
@bestVase7265
Hi, Vase,
This is it...In 500 words or less, please indicate how scholarship or fellowship funding will help you:
Two most important idealistic things to me: 1. Supporting myself as a research librarian, a librarian at a special library, or a reference librarian. 2. That I can contribute in a meaningful way to scientific research.
Three most important realistic things to me: 1. Surviving and being able to pay my rent and bills. 2. Being able to pay for my graduate school education.
These funds will help me achieve my dream, to work as a librarian. If I make it, it will be the pinnacle of my life.
My life has been hard. I am a second generation American and a first-generation college student and graduate. I put myself through college by working full time for employers who included college tuition as a benefit. I also got student loans for the years I worked to become eligible for the tuition benefits.
I finished my last class at Georgetown University in 2002 when I was 40 years old. Only five months later, I unfortunately experienced a trauma that left me with PTSD and changed the direction of my life. I was no longer able to work. I lived on disability income and had little money. When I did think I was ready to work, no one would hire me. The PTSD obvious. It has taken me those 20 years to work in therapy and with psychiatrists to be able to work part time effectively and prepare to enter the full-time work force again.
Under President Obama, my student loans were forgiven due to my PTSD disability diagnosis. A stipulation was included that stated I may not apply for government assistance again in my life, unless, my student loan is reinstated, I am taken off disability, and I receive a diagnosis that my PTSD is gone. I’m happy and proud to say that I have improved and grown greatly, but I am proceeding cautiously reentering the workforce.
I realized that I am at a perfect moment in my life to reinvent myself. School is a perfect path for that. I’ve always wanted a professional degree. I realized years ago that I am a born researcher. I love research. Why not go to school to be a librarian and work as a researcher? I’ve always dreamed of helping scientists work on the research projects I read about in scientific journals. I can do this, if I can find the money to help me pay for school.
These funds will help me pick up my life where trauma stopped my career path. I’ll be 60 years old this year and I am struggling to survive. If I make it through graduate school and become a librarian, I will finally be independent financially, and contributing to research in a professional way. I will finally be able to live without fear of not being able to survive. I will feel like I have finally arrived.
We can still hope for the best with the job thing. It could work out. You don't know. At a bare minimum you got some good practice of what a library job interview feels like.
I am going to need to wait 24 hours on responding with comments unluckily. My husband really needed to talk tonight and he used up most of my 7 cups time.
I promise to do it tomorrow.
@bestVase7265
Not a problem. I hope all is ok with him.
This is good overall. I have shortened it in a few places where it was a little repetitive. You also don't need the partial sentences that you had at the beginning. You have a compelling tale here.
These funds will help me achieve my dream, [delete comma] to work as a librarian. If I make it, it [delete] Becoming a librarian will be the pinnacle of my life.
My life has been hard. I am a second generation American and a first-generation college student and graduate. I put myself through college by working full time for employers who included college tuition as a benefit. I also got student loans for the years I worked to become eligible for the tuition benefits.
I finished my last class at Georgetown University in 2002 when I was 40 years old. Only five months later, I unfortunately experienced a trauma that left me with PTSD and changed the direction of my life. I was no longer able to work. I lived on disability income and had little money. When I did think I was ready to work, no one would hire me. The PTSD was too obvious. It has taken me those 20 years to work in therapy and with psychiatrists to be able to work part time effectively and prepare to enter the full-time work force again.
Under President Obama, my student loans were forgiven due to my PTSD disability diagnosis. A stipulation was included that stated I may not apply for government assistance again in my life, unless, my student loan is reinstated, I am taken off disability, and I receive a diagnosis that my PTSD is gone. I’m happy and proud to say that I have improved and grown greatly, but I am proceeding cautiously reentering the workforce.
I realized that I am at a perfect moment in my life to reinvent myself. School is a perfect path for that. I’ve always wanted a professional degree. I realized years ago that I am a born researcher. [I love research. Why not go to school to be a librarian and work as a researcher?] Delete because you say this in other ways. I’ve always dreamed of helping scientists work on the research projects I read about in scientific journals. [If you have room put a sentence in here about making society as a whole better] I can do this, if I can find the money to help me pay for school.
These funds will help me pick up my life where trauma stopped my career path. [I’ll be 60 years old this year and I am struggling to survive.] Delete - you make this clear in other ways. If I make it through graduate school and become a librarian, I will finally be independent financially, [delete comma] and contributing to research in a professional way. I will finally be able to live without fear of not being able to survive. I will feel like I have finally arrived. [delete]
Things are overall okay, thanks. His mother is ailing and he has been visiting a lot.@purpleTree4652
@bestVase7265
Thank you so much, Vase. I wish you, your husband and MIL well.
@bestVase7265
I thought about it and the last sentence is dark. The last sentence I had about arriving was positive. Is there something else I can say to twist the ending positively?
Your best option may be to just remove it. It reads well without it.@purpleTree4652
@bestVase7265
Hi, Vase! How are you feeling?
I'm having problems posting to you. I'll try again.
I worked in your suggestions to the last two paragraphs. Would you please tell me what you think?
I have a strong feeling that I want to end the essay on a powerful, positive note. I added a new final sentence.
Thanks.
--tree
@bestVase7265
It would help if I sent you what I changed. lol
I realized that I am at a perfect moment in my life to reinvent myself. School is a perfect path for that. I’ve always wanted a professional degree. I realized years ago that I am a born researcher. I’ve always dreamed of helping scientists work on the research projects I read about in scientific journals. I believe I have the capability to contribute amazing work that will help all of society. I can do this if I can find the money to help me pay for school.
These funds will help me pick up my life where trauma stopped my career path. If I make it through graduate school and become a librarian, I will finally be independent financially and contributing to research in a professional way. I will finally be able to live without fear of not being able to survive. I will finally be in a place to use my research talents to help us all.
That is quite solid. Good job on the rewrite. That looks good as it is right now to me.
Every time that you write you get better and better.
@bestVase7265
You're just a good advisor. :) But, thank you.
All I am is another set of eyes. You are doing the composing. Give yourself credit too. @purpleTree4652
@bestVase7265
I was accepted by the Univ of Alabama. :) Now I just have to figure out how to survive and put myself through school.
Thank you for your help.
I saw that in the other post! That is awesome. I think you start by figuring out exactly what you would need financially to both survive physically and keep from going into debt. @purpleTree4652
@bestVase7265
Thank you for that advice. My head is reeling from everything I have to do. It helps to have steps laid out in black and white for me to follow. :)
Think little steps not big. It really helps it from being too overwhelming. You can do this - say that to yourself over and over.