DUUUUUUUDE!

So, i went to Yale for the interview. It was awesome. First, some first-year students hosted a dinner for us interviewees - very informal, just a chance to ask a lot of questions and eat some free food and enjoy a free beer. I had been feeling a bit sick all day - some weird infection that I will get into later - but I managed to have a great time and get a lot out of it. The most remarkable thing was that all these students seemed, well, happy! They were all very happy, well-rounded, relaxed people who seemed to be very diligent intelligent people who also had time for lives outside of the classroom.

(This is in opposition to the first program (and most others) who tried to scare us all with how much we would be in class and pretty much have no time for outside activities. Students seemed less healthy and happy, and a bit overwhelmed....)

At any rate, I was very impressed with the caliber of the students I met and with how much they seemed to feel supported in this very intense program by faculty and each other.

That night, i had a fever and a bad stomach thing and I couldn't get to sleep until about 4:30 am. I had to get up at around 6 to get to my 8:00 interview - so needless to say, I was not in prime condition. I slogged my way there after being unable to eat breakfast or (gasp) drink a cup of coffee. I was incredibly nervous and shaky and exhausted and a bit out of it. Luckily, my interviews were early in the day - so I got them over with rather quickly.

The first one was with the program director. She also had someone following her around, so he chimed it a bit as well, but she was in charge. It was very relaxed (I wasn't) and conversational. I felt OK about it, but I also felt like i kind of babbled on a bit, being a little out of sorts. Anyway, the next interview went very well, it was much more "interviewy" - 3 PAs - a faculty member and 2 practicing clinicians - were asking me questions. I relaxed a bit and felt very good about this one. The rest of the day consisted of info sessions, lunch with students, sitting in on a lecture, and a tour. By the end of the day, I was absolutely sure this was the place for me. I was ready to blow off all other interviews and acceptances, even if I didn't get in, I would reapply next year. I loved it.

As I told the director at the end of my interview, it seemed to really live up to the "hype".
"We have a hype?" She asked, at which point I was certain I'd blown it.

I walked off to my hotel, not really knowing how I did, but feeling OK about it. I was told time and again that they would likely let me know one way or another by the end of next week or 2 weeks from now at the latest. I was ready for the torture of waiting 2 weeks.

I got back to the hotel, told my dad all about it (he'd been watching Lucy all day, since Todd had to go to Nashville for work) and called my mom to fill her in. I hung up the phone and saw that it was ringing with a connecticut area code - I thought it would be my friend Lisa. Or Yale to ask me for some more information on an essay they'd had me write. Or to reject me and get it over with.

It was Mary, the program director. She was calling to tell me how much she'd enjoyed meeting me. She went on to say that sometimes they like to call a few people they are particularly excited about right away to invite them to join the program. She said she hoped I would complete my PA training at Yale.

Oh. My. God.

I told her how excited I was and we had a short conversation after which I yelled and screamed and had a jump hug with Lucy and my dad.

I did it. I got into YALE!!!

I can't wait.