A Sprint That Becomes a Marathon

This time last year I was in your shoes. I’d waded through the lengthy application forms to apply to graduate school. I had begged, bribed and coerced professors, superiors and colleagues alike into writing recommendation letters. I suffered through the gut-wrenching introspection required to write the admission essay, all the while thinking – what could I possibly say that will interest them? I’m boring. After using precious vacation days to travel I’d visited campuses and stumbled through awkward admissions interviews. The results were cartwheel worthy. Acceptance letters were delivered to my mailbox from all four coveted schools. The contenders included two traditional ‘B’ programs (with awesome basketball teams) while the other college had a respected advertising department (with great football). Granted, Northwestern University is not known for its athletics but they did have the academic program on which I’d set my cap. The bulky, white envelope from Northwestern was the last to arrive – by some postal service fluke – at my office. My boss, also a Wildcat having graduated from Kellogg in the early 90s, sat with me while I nervously grasped the letter. Surely he knew by the size of the package that it held acceptance. While my heart raced as I tore open the envelope, his gaze was unflinching.

In the end I chose the Integrated Marketing Communications program at Medill. The decision was tough but has proven to be correct for a few reasons. Probably the most important is that I love the fusion of the communications & marketing disciplines. To me the fulfillment I receive from learning outweighs the opportunity cost incurred. A close second is my classmates. The caliber of people I encounter here contributes immensely to an enriching experience. They challenge and teach me every day. A practical reason this decision was right for me is that the skills I have learned thus far, coupled with the Northwestern name, will allow me to take my career to the next level. Above all I have found that the graduate school experience is what you choose to make of it. Simply stated the more you put into it the more you get back. When I left my job last summer to travel before moving to Evanston my boss offered his thoughts as a parting gift. He said about graduate school that it is a sprint that becomes a marathon. My advice to you - be sure to bring your running shoes - it will be a great run!

……….Bronwen Murray