Gamecock Country

So for those who haven't yet received the good news I have been accepted in to the Higher Education & Student Affairs Master's program at the University of South Carolina for this Fall!! And to think that I almost put off applying for year...I guess my test scores weren't that terribly dreadful after all.

Then rather for a real Spring Break I spent a good part of it down in Columbia interviewing for Graduate Assistantships and getting acquainted with the town and campus. If you ever need to recruit for a grad program, please study USC's HESA department. It was absolutely amazing and I'm not sure how you could choose to go elsewhere after attending their Graduate Assistant Recruitment Program, more fondly known as GARP.

During our campus tour of course we got a great look at Williams-Bryce Stadium where the Gamecocks play against the other great teams in the SEC along with special others on occasion.

I'm already building my wardrobe of garnet and black for football games for the next few years. If you spot good garnet accessories, mainly scarves, jewelry or belts, please purchase and I will reimburse you :)

I will spend the next two years in the lovely Wardlaw School of Education building with some amazing professors who I was able to meet during my time in Columbia.

I'm already so excited and after hearing their panel I really just wanted to jump into the classroom...and it's so cool to know that for the first time I'm going to take classes that appeal to exactly what I want to do with my life. Shhh...don't tell my parents that, I mean I did love my four years at UNCW though!

One of their traditions is with the famous "Torchbearer" statue out front of Wardlaw.

To complete the program, all second year HESA students either complete a thesis or take a comprehensive exam aka COMPS. I clearly will be choosing the latter. Now it's tradition that as a HESA student you do not not touch the Torchbearer during your two years or it will be bad luck and you will fail COMPS, however if taking the thesis route you touch it early for good luck with your writing. The day the 2nd years take COMPS is a big celebration and many of the first year students gather outside with posters, silly string and other fun stuff to cheer as the 2nd years run out of Wardlaw after the exam and charge the Torchbearer finally being able to touch the statue!

So much history, tradition and spirit at USC and I think it's exactly the experience that I'm looking for. Loves you UNCW...but the football, really? Time for a second chance with more sports! I had a really great time getting to know the other GARPees (others accepted for next Fall) and the current students in the program. Unfortunately I haven't yet received an offer for a GA position for next year, though I'm staying hopeful as I know there is still time to hear about more offers. Each year there are a handful of students that attend in the Fall without a GA position and with the help of the fabulous program director and faculty these students are placed early in their first semester.

Now onto the hunt for roommates and a place to live for next year! I guess now actually though it's time to go start my day as my inbox is already busting full with unread messages. Hopefully to bed early tonight as I depart tomorrow at 7am for a 14 hour travel day to final destination: Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID. Let's see if I can make it through five airports, five states, and three layovers...

Until next time...

xoxo Anna