So here is the rest of the deal (part deux),

This past Friday (8/4) marked an important day for me; it was the end of my research! I sort of have mixed feelings about the whole deal. On one hand, I had an incredible opportunity to make connections and gain invaluable experience, and on the other hand, it could have been more productive.

My professor did not spend very much time with me, and that left me sort of wondering what I should be doing, how to take care of things, and how much I should really get accomplished. After the Symposium, however, I realized that I was on track with the rest of the students. I feel, however, that I could have gotten so much more done with a little more help and guidance... o well.

The summer flew by so fast for me. After I started working hard on my project, the weekdays were over before they started it seemed, and time was just going by. I am VERY glad that I was given such a great opportunity at Wash U. this summer. I think it has helped me realize that Grad School is definitely in my future. I came to this not because of the work I did, but I saw all of the work that was going on. I saw all of the other grad students' projects and it got me very excited to know that will be me soon enough. Being able to do research on my own project, finding information no one else has, designing experiments and drawing my own conclusions... all of this seems incredibly wonderful, and I can't wait to get started.

So all in all, it was a very good summer. Although I didn't get out of the actual research what I wanted, I got out of the experience what I needed,and that's the most important part.

Until next time...

Joe

Ok, so here is the deal (for real this time),

After much deliberation, and an odd phone call, I have decided to turn my world completely upside-down, and change schools. Instead of Washington University in St. Louis, I will be attending Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE). A huge decision like this requires much explanation, so I shall do my best:

If you all can recall, I had a big mix-up with housing and all of that business (see previous blog) and that's where this all started. I was sitting there trying to figure out where I was going to live, and how I was going to afford all of my bills for the next year and all of the sort, when out of the blue, Mr. Ronald Banks, assistant to the Dean in the engineering department at SIUE called on my cell phone (still a mystery how he got that number!) He told me that he was excited that I was coming in the fall and that he looked forward to seeing me. As you can imagine, I was shocked, and couldn't quite figure out what he was talking about. When I asked him why he was under that impression, he told me because I was still active in the system, and he looked me up...

----So at this time, I should explain who Mr. Banks is and how I know him. Mr. Banks is a good friend of Mr. Richard Johnson. Mr. Johnson is an Alum of Illinois College and an Emeritus Trustee as well. He is very active in the recruiting, especially of minorities (which I am, by the way) and comes from Alton, IL-- my home town. He helped me a great deal in getting to Illinois College and got me in contact with Mr. Banks. Also oddly enough, I was in a program called MESA (Midwest Engineering and Science Association) when I was in 8th grade and Mr. Banks is the head of that program.----

Still with me?

Well, when I was making my original decision, I decided against University of Illinois at Chicago because of the distance from home and my sisters. That left just SIUE and Wash U. Originally, Wash U made what looked like an incredible offer: A scholarship worth a bit over half tuition which is about as much as they give (room and board I would have to work for), plus a grant and the research for the summer and SIUE's offer was not that appealing. It would have "only" been an extra few thousand dollars to go to Wash U, so I felt it was worth it. Well after Mr. Banks called, I told him that story, and that I didn't feel as if I got a very good deal from SIUE. He assured me I was incorrect, and that I should check again. So I did.

And as it turns out, I'm not as smart as I think I am. When SIUE awards their financial aid, they included not only room and board (which I will be living off campus) but also all of these extra costs that they estimate I might have. The bottom line, I thought I was going to have to pay 9,000 more than I really have to! I got a small scholarship, a few grants, and I will actually be refunded a small amount of money that should help me pay for my apartment. And now, after taking a small student loan, I will not have to work, although I will. All in all, the difference came to around 18,000 more per year!

So with that said, the decision was almost made for me. Although Wash U. is an incredible school with an unbelievable reputation, it just did not fit into my plans for the future. Going to SIUE, I have NO doubt in my mind that I will receive the same quality of education (if I had any doubts, I wouldn't have changed), but I just don't get the prestige. For me at this point, it is not that big of deal. I will be going to grad school for a Master's anyway, so the only thing that matters is how much I learn, not who teaches me.

Further more, SIUE's Engineering school is much smaller than Wash U.'s, and I really believe I'll enjoy that. Mr. Banks has given me the chance to volunteer with him in these minority youth engineering programs, and that is something I am incredibly excited about! I have received help from so many people that it will be very nice to start to give back. Also, with my classes that I have taken at Illinois College, my advisor has all but promised me a position with him as a grad student. This will be a very exciting adventure for me, and I am very eagerly anticipating the start of the school year, where ever that school may be.


As always, comments and/or emails are welcomed and appreciated!


Joe Calmese