my decision to apply to graduate school.

My decision to apply to graduate school was made quite simply. Somewhat simply. Alright, not that simply but it was a very simple statement that got me off my ass. I took two years off between college and my master's -- long story, will tell it some other time -- and every month from the time I graduated college to applying to grad school, I emailed this one professor (my Unofficial Advisor) repeatedly for advice. The exchanges went like this:

June

Me: I wanna go to grad school but I'm afraid of applying! Help!

UA: You should apply! You'd be great!

July

Me: I wanna go to grad school but I'm afraid of applying! Help!

UA: Oh, you've got nothing to be afraid of. You'll be great!

August

Me: I wanna go to grad school but I'm afraid of applying! Help!

UA: Don't worry so much. You'll be great!

And so on and so forth every month until the following July:

Me: I wanna go to grad school but I'm afraid of applying! Help!

UA: Seriously, apply this year.

August

Me: I wanna go to grad school but I'm afraid of applying! Help!

UA: Just suck it up and apply!!

[Her words. I still have the email somewhere.]

...so based on that sage advice, I decided to apply.