Grad School: The Decision

Wow. This has been an intense and somewhat stressful adventure. But like all important and life-changing decisions, this one didn't go off exactly as we planned. Such is life. It turns out that we couldn't pick a school by finding out where we both got in--because none of our acceptance schools overlapped! I got into one of our top schools and Matt got into the other one, but neither of us got into both. How unexpected. But we've done a lot of soul searching and pondering and here is our official decision: We're going to the University of Virginia! Matt just accepted the offer on Wednesday.

UVa has extended Matt a generous stipend and he loved his interview experience there. The faculty were engaging and the research environment was stimulating. He found a lab he is really excited about working in and all his bioengineering dreams will come true in just a few short months.

My future will be decided with much more improvisation, trial and error, and pixie dust. Seriously though, the next five years will be one big journey of self-discovery. Since I won't be getting a postgraduate degree at this point, the options have only become more overwhelming. Do I get a postgraduate teaching certificate? Do I become Suzuki-certified to teach violin? Do I find a position at a local non-profit? Do I apply for editing jobs at local magazines and newspapers? The sky is literally the limit.

Amid all the celebration and confusion one thing has become clear: Charlottesville is the right place for us. We'll be back on the east coast--closer to our families, the ocean, and the Appalachian Trail. What more can you ask for? Here's to our new home!