This week, we finally decided that I would apply to the MBA-Evening program at CSU. On Wednesday, I found out that I had missed the official deadline, but that the admissions office would accept my application if I could complete it before the 3:30 pm meeting on Thursday. I had to arrange for 3 recommendations using the CSU form, and it had to have my signature and be sealed; even though I saw that as the hardest part, it came together very readily. Roxana and I spent a good part of Wednesday looking for my transcripts, but we never found them. I got most of the mechanical tasks accomplished Wednesday night, and I began thinking about what I wanted to write for my statement of purpose; Roxana found some good suggestions to keep in mind from a book I had checked out of the library. I was too tired to do anything creative at 1am.
At 5am, I started my Thursday. I wrote the Statement of Purpose (attached to this email). I completed the online application and printed electronic copies of each page, because Rachel (admin asst in the admissions office) said that she wouldn't receive it on time via the normal process. I found an electronic copy of a job application from over a year ago that had my GPA data, so I was able to complete all the sections of the online application. I gathered everything together and wrote a cover letter. I took my packet to Rachel just after 8am. She received it, but she said, "I don't think I can give this to the committee without the transcripts. Could you have the universities fax me a copy?" My heart sank. Counting on a miracle, I said I would see if CCU could lend a hand.
I taught 6 courses last year at Colorado Christian University, and I had to order transcripts to get that position. (or did I give them my unofficial copies???) I called Phayne (the admin asst at the Fort Collins campus) and asked if she could help. While I was on the phone, she pulled my file and saw that she had photocopies of all three necessary transcripts. She faxed them to CSU right away. Then Rachel sent me an email asking if CCU could send over the originals; it turns out that the fax was very hard to read.
I started investigating the possibilities to get the originals that were in my file at the main campus in Lakewood CO (west of Denver). Phayne gave me two contacts in different offices there. The first one only had copies as well, but she involved another colleague in the second office, and we were back in business.
Meanwhile, Roxana had taken the minivan to the service station early in the morning due to a starter that was about to die. It seemed like they were going to be able to fix it that same morning, but then it needed more work. Roxana (who had never driven to Denver without me and who had never rented a car) accepted the challenge to be my courier. She asked our neighbor John for a ride to the service station, and fortunately he waited to see that the car worked (which it did NOT). She called me via her cell phone to see if the plan was still moving forward; it was about 1:30pm. To her surprise, I said YES. I told her where to rent a car, and John took her there. She rented a 2005 intermediate size gold Ford.
Roxana had the presence of mind to think of inviting a teenage boy to help navigate. She thought of Andrew (Maggie Beth's nearly 16-year old brother), and he was available and willing. Roxana, Hannah and David Joshua picked up Andrew in the brand new car and headed to Denver. They mostly stayed on track and recovered any missed turns. They followed my directions (including a description of a door that was propped open in the back of the building) and made it to the right CCU office. Our contact was nowhere to be seen, but Hannah spotted the envelope with my name on it.
Rachel called me at 2:45pm to say that the fax was really hard to read, but I helped her through it. It was also confusing, because at the end of her very busy day, she was trying to make sense of three fuzzy transcripts (none of which pertained to the institution that sent it!). She was aware of all the effort, and with the little information she was able to gather from the fax (with my help), she said she would give my papers to the admissions committee for their meeting that afternoon. She encouraged me to call back today (Friday) to see what news there was.
Roxana and I talked again at about 3:30; she was just getting the papers at CCU. I suggested that I take the four of my adventurers out to eat upon the completion of their mission. Thirty and sixty minutes later, they were still battling traffic trying to escape the grip of Denver. I told Roxana that Rachel suggested slipping the papers under her door.
We all came together to begin sharing perspectives, stories and details of the days events. The place of choice was the Texas Roadhouse restaurant. Everybody (including the kids) really pulled together to accomplish this feat.
This afternoon, I spoke with Rachel. The committee had so much work that they planned to continue on Tuesday. She had found the original transcripts and was pleased to replace the fuzzy copy with these very legible papers. She asked me to call again on Wednesday.
Mom probably remembers encouraging me to pursue an MBA a millennium ago. I wasn't ready then, but I'm very hopeful to be accepted and pursue this now (starting in August). I'll let you know.
Love,
David
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