ARteacher (2022-2023)

Full-Time Work Experience:
Secondary Teacher in rural Arkansas, 2008-Present

Volunteer Experience:
Team Captain, Relay for Life 2003-2008
Camp Counselor, Camp WOW Summer 2007
Blood Services Coordinator, American Red Cross 2006-2007
Volunteer Action Council Chair, XXX University 2005-2007

Activities:
XXX University Alumni Board 2010-2013
Centennial Planning Committee, XXX University 2008-Present
President Student Government Association, XXX University 2005-2008
Newspaper Staff Writer, XXX University 2007-2008
Presidential Leadership Cabinet, XXX University 2006-2008
Delta Zeta Sorority, XXX University 2006-2008

*All scholarships are total for three years.

**Although Little Rock has always been my first choice because of it's closeness to UAMS (my husband is attending), I thought it would be interesting to apply to a variety of schools to see what happened. Missouri is the only school I applied to that was not free or did not offer a fee waiver. I will continue to update this section for the benefit of future applicants who may be curious, although my decision has been made!

1-14: When I didn't hear from the UofA after two weeks, I sent an email to make sure my application was complete. Today I got an email stating my file is complete and a decision letter has been mailed. Although they have an online status checker, I was never given any sign-in information.

1-15: I attended UALR's law preview day today, and everyone was very friendly. Although this school is not ranked as high as some of the others I am applying to, it is my first choice because of location. My husband and I are both native Arkansans, and this is the only location in the state that offers a law degree for me and a medical degree for him--in-state tuition for both is very appealing.

1-15: Accepted to the University of Missouri via mail in regular envelope.

1-15: Accepted to the University of Arkansas via mail in regular envelope. Offered $2,000/semester.

1-21: My online status checker for UALR changed to "Congratulations! You have been admitted" today. Should receive more information in the mail soon. Now we just have to wait for my husband to hear from UAMS! Sending up prayers.

1-21: Just got a voicemail from George Mason congratulating me on being accepted. Should receive more information in the mail soon. My online status checker for GM changed to "You should expect to receive a decision letter in the mail in two to four weeks. Please note that applicants' requests for decisions via phone or e-mail will not be met." It does not indicate admit or reject, so I am glad they called.

1-22: Received acceptance email from UALR at about 1:30 this morning.

1-25: George Mason acceptance folder arrived in a large packet today.

1-27: Received UALR acceptance letter today. Offered $9,000 divided among 90 credit-hour course study.

2-2-10: Accepted to Baylor's summer term via snail mail in mid-sized envelope. Even with $30,000 scholarship, I would graduate $81,000 in debt! I wish this was an option, but in-state tuition is too tempting!

2-5-10: Decision made at SLU via status checker. My secondary email address is ___@slu.edu, so that's probably a good sign!

2-8-10 Accepted to MSU via voicemail with a quarter tuition scholarship.

2-8-10: Accepted to LSU via large packet in mail.

2-8-10: Accepted to Gonzaga with $48,000 scholarshop via large packet in mail.

2-10-10: Mailed withdraw letters to Bayler, Gonzaga, GM, LSU and MSU.

2-11-10: Rejected at Illinois via email. Even though it's my first rejection, I'm not upset about it because it was definitely a reach. All of the schools I applied to outside of AR and MO were mainly just out of curiosity. We are still waiting to hear if my husband has been accepted to UAMS.

2-16-10: Accepted to SLU via large packet in the mail. Offered $18,000 scholarship and must remain "in good standing."

2-19-10: I missed a call from a Baylor 2L today. He left a voicemail with his number, and said I could call him if I had any questions about the school. I thought this was a nice personal touch.

2-19-10: My husband received his acceptance letter to UAMS today! Thank you, God! Little Rock, here we come :)

2-22-10: Received a nice packet from MSU today. It included a 25% scholarship for the first year, renewable with a 3.0 GPA. If my GPA is about 3.5, it would be increased to half or whole tuition. Also included $5,000 non-renewable for first year.

2-23-10: Received a call from an MSU L2 today.

2-24-10: Rejected to Virginia via email.

3-4-10: Accepted to Denver via email.

3-5-10: Received phone call from MU law student.

3-8-10: After reading about students' success with scholarship negotiation, I decided to give it a try. I sent an email to the Dean o f Admissions at Bowen in late January. He responded quickly and was very friendly. He said they could not increase the scholarship amount at that time, but to check back in a few weeks. I followed up, and was told to wait two more weeks (my guess is that people who withdraw have their scholarship money put back in the "pot"). Today I received an email that offered a scholarship increase of $6,000. Not bad for a few emails! I will mail my official acceptance letter this week.

3-12-10: Waitlisted at Washington and Lee via email. Letter in the mail.

3-15-10: Waitlisted at Seton Hall via letter.

3-16-10: Received an email about Bowen's Admitted Students Day. It is Friday, April 16 from 12:30 to 5:00 PM. Planning to attend.

3-26-10: I received an acceptance letter and scholarship offer to the Clinton School of Public Service today. It is located in Little Rock, and I would pursue a master's of public service concurrent with my JD from Bowen. This would put me in school for a total of four years. My first year is entirely at Bowen, second and third mainly at Clinton with electives at Bowen, finish fourth year at Bowen. I am interested in non-profit work, so this could be a good fit for me. I was told they only accept 3-4 JD/MPS students per class (about 30 students), so I am very happy about this acceptance. If I change my mind during my first year, I can always opt out of the concurrent program.

4-21-10: Just received an email from Indiana asking if I was still interested in their program. They said my application was "in review" and I could receive a decision in 10 days. I let them know I have made plans to attend school elsewhere. I can't imagine anyone waiting this long to hear a decision from a school.