I received an email from UPEI today notifying me that the reason I hadn't received any transfer credit from my original studies (right out of HS) is because they didn't ever receive the transcript from the college!!!!
So.... looks like PEI isn't 100% off the table yet. I re-requested my transcript from Seneca (that I originally requested and was charged for on FEBRUARY FREAKIN' 15TH!!!) and emailed UPEI back to let them know it was coming.
Yeesh! I'm happy to know it's back on the table, but at the same time.... it's really frustrating.
Showing posts with label PEI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PEI. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Now I Know
The envelope I’ve been waiting for finally came. I’ve been accepted to the UPEI BBA program. But…
We’re not going.
The transfer credit calculation was the deciding factor. Because it’s not an apples to apples transfer in terms of my major, I’d be losing a year’s worth of credits that I’ve already earned at my current school and from my previous studies. I knew this was a possibility when I applied given that the program I’m in and the program at UPEI are not identical. This means that I’d be studying 2.5 years with a full course load (5 or 6 per semester) in PEI as opposed to 2.5 years I have left with a partial class load(3 classes per semester) here. The difference? I can handle paying tuition on a part-time basis without going into debt because I can still work full-time. If I start studying 100% full-time, I’d be taking on more student loans because I wouldn’t be working. Thus, it’s just not practical. I was willing to do it for a year, but 2.5 would be a lot of debt that we don’t need, especially when I’ve already earned equivalent credit elsewhere. It’s pretty complicated, but in the end it boils down to this: it’s just not worth it for us at this point.
Am I disappointed? Yes. Do I wish it would have worked out? Absolutely. Is there a part of me that’s a little bit relieved? Definitely.
Not going eliminates the stress of having to deal with either selling or renting our house, it eliminates the cost of moving, the stress of trying to secure a home and employment across the country and it frees up the small stash of money we started saving for the move for other things that we need it for (a vacation, new shingles for the roof, etc). Don’t get me wrong, if it had worked out with my transfer credit, I’d be willing to handle all those things and I’d be really excited to do it, but there is that small part of me that’s breathing a sigh of relief.
I’m not going to lie, I’m really disappointed. We were really excited for the possibility of this adventure, for the change, but I know that everything happens for a reason. For now, I’m just going to concentrate on getting through my degree here and then we’ll see what happens. Maybe we’ll move out there when I’m ready to apply for grad school? Who knows… we may still invade the east yet!
We’re not going.
The transfer credit calculation was the deciding factor. Because it’s not an apples to apples transfer in terms of my major, I’d be losing a year’s worth of credits that I’ve already earned at my current school and from my previous studies. I knew this was a possibility when I applied given that the program I’m in and the program at UPEI are not identical. This means that I’d be studying 2.5 years with a full course load (5 or 6 per semester) in PEI as opposed to 2.5 years I have left with a partial class load(3 classes per semester) here. The difference? I can handle paying tuition on a part-time basis without going into debt because I can still work full-time. If I start studying 100% full-time, I’d be taking on more student loans because I wouldn’t be working. Thus, it’s just not practical. I was willing to do it for a year, but 2.5 would be a lot of debt that we don’t need, especially when I’ve already earned equivalent credit elsewhere. It’s pretty complicated, but in the end it boils down to this: it’s just not worth it for us at this point.
Am I disappointed? Yes. Do I wish it would have worked out? Absolutely. Is there a part of me that’s a little bit relieved? Definitely.
Not going eliminates the stress of having to deal with either selling or renting our house, it eliminates the cost of moving, the stress of trying to secure a home and employment across the country and it frees up the small stash of money we started saving for the move for other things that we need it for (a vacation, new shingles for the roof, etc). Don’t get me wrong, if it had worked out with my transfer credit, I’d be willing to handle all those things and I’d be really excited to do it, but there is that small part of me that’s breathing a sigh of relief.
I’m not going to lie, I’m really disappointed. We were really excited for the possibility of this adventure, for the change, but I know that everything happens for a reason. For now, I’m just going to concentrate on getting through my degree here and then we’ll see what happens. Maybe we’ll move out there when I’m ready to apply for grad school? Who knows… we may still invade the east yet!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Where my brain has been lately....
Several people have asked us why we would want to move to PEI. Why not one of the bigger cities on the east coast... like Halifax. My answer?
This.
And these...
And because...
-it's called "The Gentle Island"... who doesn't want to live on the Gentle Island?
-the total population of the whole island is about the same as the city I currently live in
-Chef Micheal Smith calls it "Food Country" and says that PEI is one big amazing farm surrounded by gorgeous beaches (heaven for me)
-because I could go sea kayaking and whale watching in the morning, horseback riding on the farm in the afternoon, a feast on the freshest of fresh seafood for dinner
-the scenery is spectacular
-they have a good University that offers the degree that I really want
-it's a totally different way of life from what we have now
-everybody and their brother moves out west... we want to go east.
This.
And these...
And because...
-it's called "The Gentle Island"... who doesn't want to live on the Gentle Island?
-the total population of the whole island is about the same as the city I currently live in
-Chef Micheal Smith calls it "Food Country" and says that PEI is one big amazing farm surrounded by gorgeous beaches (heaven for me)
-because I could go sea kayaking and whale watching in the morning, horseback riding on the farm in the afternoon, a feast on the freshest of fresh seafood for dinner
-the scenery is spectacular
-they have a good University that offers the degree that I really want
-it's a totally different way of life from what we have now
-everybody and their brother moves out west... we want to go east.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
A waiting game
I'm just a big old ball of nerves and excitement lately. Why, you ask? I submitted my application to UPEI early last week and to say that I am anxious to hear back from them is the understatement of the year.
I know I have the marks to get in without a doubt. I had honors in high school, graduated college the first time around with high honours and my lowest mark since returning to university is a B+. My concern is more related to how many transfer credits they will give me (I don't want to lose out too badly) and whether or not my math credential course earned through my current school will be accepted by them as the math pre-req required for business programs.
I sent a whole package of detailed paperwork to them explaining my situation, I've requested all my transcripts be forwarded to the school and and waiting on pins and needles to hear back. Everything is on hold (house hunting, job searches, etc.) until we hear back from school. If the transfer credits don't add up or the math credential course isn't accepted, we're not going anywhere. I'm not setting myself back in school. However, if everything works out then we can make decisions about the house and when to leave and Bub can inquire about getting a transfer out there.
For some reason we have our hearts set on PEI... so I didn't even apply anywhere else yet. Not smart, I know.
The family is mostly supportive. Both of our mothers and my Dad think it's a great idea. Interestingly enough it's my step-dad and Bub's Dad that are not keen on the idea. This is interesting because both of them, at one point in their twenties, picked up and moved across the country themselves. My step-dad asked my Mom to "talk us out of it" and my FIL just got grumpy when we told him. He literally got this disgusted look on his face and said "why would you want to move there"... ummmmmm for the same reason that you moved out west in your twenties. Because we can and because we will enjoy the adventure of living somewhere that provides a totally different lifestyle to what we have now. I know it's going to be a battle with him and that he's going to fight us all the way. As a bonus, he's totally passive aggressive so nothing will be straight forward... it will be all "you know it rains out there a lot right?" "you know that the housing market out there is not really as good as here right?" blah blah blah... YES! Did you ever consider that I've been doing research like CRAZY? That maybe just because you're finding out about this for the first time doesn't mean that we haven't been looking in to this in detail for a long time?
Hello FIL, have we met? I'm the super obsessive and uber cautious DIL that you often brag about? Remember me? Do you really think that we haven't been putting a TON of thought into this?
Regardless of anyone else's opinion, we're making this decision on our own. We will definitely ask for feedback but ultimately no one will be able to talk us out of it. It's frustrating to hear my FIL and step-dad talk about how wonderful it was to the live out west for a couple years, but then to have them react like this when we say we're going east. It doesn't make much sense to me.
Anyways... my fingers are still crossed and my hopes are still high and really, no one can talk me down. I know this is the right decision for us. If we put our work in and if it's meant to be, it will be...regardless of what anyone else thinks.
Now... I'm off to buy some Wellies for our big move. ;) What do we think...
I know I have the marks to get in without a doubt. I had honors in high school, graduated college the first time around with high honours and my lowest mark since returning to university is a B+. My concern is more related to how many transfer credits they will give me (I don't want to lose out too badly) and whether or not my math credential course earned through my current school will be accepted by them as the math pre-req required for business programs.
I sent a whole package of detailed paperwork to them explaining my situation, I've requested all my transcripts be forwarded to the school and and waiting on pins and needles to hear back. Everything is on hold (house hunting, job searches, etc.) until we hear back from school. If the transfer credits don't add up or the math credential course isn't accepted, we're not going anywhere. I'm not setting myself back in school. However, if everything works out then we can make decisions about the house and when to leave and Bub can inquire about getting a transfer out there.
For some reason we have our hearts set on PEI... so I didn't even apply anywhere else yet. Not smart, I know.
The family is mostly supportive. Both of our mothers and my Dad think it's a great idea. Interestingly enough it's my step-dad and Bub's Dad that are not keen on the idea. This is interesting because both of them, at one point in their twenties, picked up and moved across the country themselves. My step-dad asked my Mom to "talk us out of it" and my FIL just got grumpy when we told him. He literally got this disgusted look on his face and said "why would you want to move there"... ummmmmm for the same reason that you moved out west in your twenties. Because we can and because we will enjoy the adventure of living somewhere that provides a totally different lifestyle to what we have now. I know it's going to be a battle with him and that he's going to fight us all the way. As a bonus, he's totally passive aggressive so nothing will be straight forward... it will be all "you know it rains out there a lot right?" "you know that the housing market out there is not really as good as here right?" blah blah blah... YES! Did you ever consider that I've been doing research like CRAZY? That maybe just because you're finding out about this for the first time doesn't mean that we haven't been looking in to this in detail for a long time?
Hello FIL, have we met? I'm the super obsessive and uber cautious DIL that you often brag about? Remember me? Do you really think that we haven't been putting a TON of thought into this?
Regardless of anyone else's opinion, we're making this decision on our own. We will definitely ask for feedback but ultimately no one will be able to talk us out of it. It's frustrating to hear my FIL and step-dad talk about how wonderful it was to the live out west for a couple years, but then to have them react like this when we say we're going east. It doesn't make much sense to me.
Anyways... my fingers are still crossed and my hopes are still high and really, no one can talk me down. I know this is the right decision for us. If we put our work in and if it's meant to be, it will be...regardless of what anyone else thinks.
Now... I'm off to buy some Wellies for our big move. ;) What do we think...
traditional?
or something a little more funky?...
Monday, February 7, 2011
An Adventure? Maybe.
Bub and I are at a turning point. Not in our relationship with each other, but in our lives in general. Lots of changes in both of our professional lives have caused us to take a step back and think about what we really want... and it has been eye opening.
We've owned our home for 2.5 years now and we love it. We love it because it's the first house we bought together and because it's been home for so long now. But, we've been tied to it since I returned to school. Every decision we make has been based on the house and if we will be able to continue to afford it. I know this is normal but it's really getting to me lately. Career decisions, academic decisions..... everything revolves around the house and I realized recently that it really bothers me.
So.... we're moving. And I mean MOVING. Like across the country or overseas like we've always wanted to. Or at least, that's the plan right now. The fate of the house is yet to be determined. Ideally, we'll keep it and rent it out because we do plan to return in a couple of years, but if we have to sell, then we will. Owning is wonderful, but it's not everything and I don't want to miss out on life experiences just so I can say that I own a home.
As of last night I am officially researching universities out East and in the UK. And can I tell you... I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! I've looked at The University of Prince Edward Island's and Dalhousie University's Bachelor of Business Administration programs and both look really good. I'm leaning towards UPEI at the moment for a few reasons but it's still in the very early stages of research. And for those who say that moving from Ontario to PEI wouldn't be a big change... I say you need to do your own research. The two provinces couldn't be more different. Next, I'll pick a few in the UK and then I'll submit mass applications. Obviously, staying in Canada would be much easier for many reasons, but if we could make the UK work for a year or two, I'd be all over it. Wherever we end up, I'd like to rent a little house, get Bub working full-time at some funky job (like a corner pub in England or something)and I'd tackle school full-time. I just want to experience life in a different way for a little while.
If this is going to happen, it's going to happen quickly. I'd be applying to start at the new school in September and taking the summer off of classes at my current school to pickup a 2nd job to save. But honestly, I've never been more excited about anything. I think this is a big opportunity for us to go and experience something totally different than what we're used to. I'm hoping that it's meant to be and that fate will be on our side. Fingers crossed.
We've owned our home for 2.5 years now and we love it. We love it because it's the first house we bought together and because it's been home for so long now. But, we've been tied to it since I returned to school. Every decision we make has been based on the house and if we will be able to continue to afford it. I know this is normal but it's really getting to me lately. Career decisions, academic decisions..... everything revolves around the house and I realized recently that it really bothers me.
So.... we're moving. And I mean MOVING. Like across the country or overseas like we've always wanted to. Or at least, that's the plan right now. The fate of the house is yet to be determined. Ideally, we'll keep it and rent it out because we do plan to return in a couple of years, but if we have to sell, then we will. Owning is wonderful, but it's not everything and I don't want to miss out on life experiences just so I can say that I own a home.
As of last night I am officially researching universities out East and in the UK. And can I tell you... I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! I've looked at The University of Prince Edward Island's and Dalhousie University's Bachelor of Business Administration programs and both look really good. I'm leaning towards UPEI at the moment for a few reasons but it's still in the very early stages of research. And for those who say that moving from Ontario to PEI wouldn't be a big change... I say you need to do your own research. The two provinces couldn't be more different. Next, I'll pick a few in the UK and then I'll submit mass applications. Obviously, staying in Canada would be much easier for many reasons, but if we could make the UK work for a year or two, I'd be all over it. Wherever we end up, I'd like to rent a little house, get Bub working full-time at some funky job (like a corner pub in England or something)and I'd tackle school full-time. I just want to experience life in a different way for a little while.
If this is going to happen, it's going to happen quickly. I'd be applying to start at the new school in September and taking the summer off of classes at my current school to pickup a 2nd job to save. But honestly, I've never been more excited about anything. I think this is a big opportunity for us to go and experience something totally different than what we're used to. I'm hoping that it's meant to be and that fate will be on our side. Fingers crossed.
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