What should I do?

anksta

anksta

anksta

Soldato
Joined
19 Jan 2005
Posts
2,722
I am currently in 3rd scrapin an engineering degree but I want to change next to a Masters in Creative writing. I've found the course and it is definitely what I want to do. The head of the course wrote for Mitchell and Webb so he knows what hes doin. Anyway, I emailed before Christmas just sayin I am interested in applying and I just wanted to know whether it is a possibility, no reply.

So a few weeks ago I rang the number on the website and got put through to the admissions secretary, she said oh you have to send an email so I said I already did that and got no reply. She said she didnt know about that but gave me personal address and she would send it on to the head of the course.

I sent the email explainin I wanted in and within about an hour got an email back from the head of the course sayin it doesnt matter that I'm not from a relevant academic background as long as I'm suited to the course. Then he said come and meet me last Monday and we'll discuss it. So I was buzzin about that, emailed him askin if he would like me to take any writing and he said know which made me even more excited because then it was goin to be judged on my personality rather than credentials.

Anyway the Sunday before I was sposed to go I got an email from him explainin that he has had a family bereavement and needs to cancel, could I email him later in the week to rearrange. I was gutted but understood so I sent him an email sayin condolences to you and yours and I'll email you later. Got an out of office reply from that one explainin he has had a bereavement.

So I waited til thursday and sent an email askin to rearrange, had no reply yet. I got no out of office response either. I emailed the admissions secretary again yesterday sayin I presume hes still preoccupied with family matters and I dont want to pester, can you tell me an appropriate time to contact him again. She replied almost immediately sayin I've sent him this email he'll be in later.

Still no reply, that was yesterday afternoon. I know he must be busy and I am one possible candidate but he organised the last meetin almost immediately and I'm gettin worried now. I want on this course sooooo badly, I've done engineering for 3 years and hated literally every second of it, I should have changed ages ago but I'm stubborn to the last. I dont want to pester this guy but I will if thats what it takes. I'm gonna keep goin until he says you're not gettin on but I thought it was on friendly terms at the minute and I stood a good chance.

What should I do? email him again or give it a few more days, I cant go moanin again to the secretary cos I dont think she really has much to do with it.
 
Give it a bit of time I'd say bereavement is a pretty good reason to not be on the ball. You've done all you can and it looks like he's aware you want to re-arrange but its probably not on his list of immediate priorities.
 
Turophobic said:
Make up your own mind and dont post on public forums about it I guess. You wont get good advise, take my advise.
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as I am only askin for advice how to approach a situation and not whether to approach the situation I think it is reasonable. I've made up my mind about doin it I just want reasoned opinion on how.

Jamie1984 said:
Give it a bit of time I'd say bereavement is a pretty good reason to not be on the ball. You've done all you can and it looks like he's aware you want to re-arrange but its probably not on his list of immediate priorities.
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yeah I suppose you're right, how long though should I wait cos its already been over a week.
 
anksta said:
as I am only askin for advice how to approach a situation and not whether to approach the situation I think it is reasonable. I've made up my mind about doin it I just want reasoned opinion on how.



yeah I suppose you're right, how long though should I wait cos its already been over a week.
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You're entitled to seek advice on here as long as you dont post specific details.

A week or so doesnt sound particularly long to me. Why not write a letter and put it under his office door asking him to contact you when he has time and send a copy to his department. That way you have a paper trail.

Hassling him and the department might prove counter-productive to your aims.
 
mike gunnz said:
You're entitled to seek advice on here as long as you dont post specific details.

A week or so doesnt sound particularly long to me. Why not write a letter and put it under his office door asking him to contact you when he has time and send a copy to his department. That way you have a paper trail.

Hassling him and the department might prove counter-productive to your aims.
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Whilst I think that is a good and appreciate your advice it might be a bit weird goin all the way there just to put a letter under his door, I have never been
into his building. I might go for a look round the building though and just leave the letter for him at reception. I think the hassling his department is extremely true and I dont want to do that.

Helium_Junkie said:
Turophobic said:
Make up your own mind and dont post on public forums about it I guess. You wont get good advise, take my advise.
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rofl, what a nonce.

Take my advice and don't listen to idiots like this guy
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Cheers, I didnt think it was that weird a question either.
 
I think you should wait a bit longer, if he has been out of the office he will have loads to catch up with, he will get round to you eventually, if not try again in a couple of days.
 
.. thats a pretty servere education change.

Why are you interested in it? Have you done any creative writing of your own? Have you done anything recently?

Chances are if you can't answer those well and possitively, you might have difficulties getting on the course.
 
Nitefly said:
.. thats a pretty servere education change.

Why are you interested in it? Have you done any creative writing of your own? Have you done anything recently?

Chances are if you can't answer those well and possitively, you might have difficulties getting on the course.
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I picked engineering in the first place because it is a respectable, reliable and career-worthy course, however (as you will point out) that is not enough reason to embark on such a work load heavy intense course. I only wish someone would have told me before I ha dpicked it cos I well regret it.

I have only ever seen myself writin or some form of creative aspect but always thought it was a bit of a rock star dream and stuck to conventional routes. I write on my own and in my spare time whenever I can, I have submitted poetry to online journals, written one screenplay and started another, write and read short stories and recommended textbooks to similar courses.

I agree completely with you, the only similarity this course has with engineering is that without a personal interesnt and a level of personal commitment it isnt goin to be easy and therefore unadvisable. I think I have a passion for writing and noly want the chance to prove that to myself and everybody else.
 
When does the course start? September surely? if so there is quite a while to go yet... you should maybe wait a few more weeks.
 
tj86 said:
When does the course start? September surely? if so there is quite a while to go yet... you should maybe wait a few more weeks.
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yeah but I've already signed for a house next year (I didnt want to yet but it was that or have nowhere to live) so I would like to get it sorted pretty soon.
 
Perhaps you should learn 'proper' writing, before you attempt to get 'creative' with it? ;)

Or is your 'g' key defective?
 
My advice? Stick with engineering. I have 2 friends who put in the hard work at University and who are now earning three times my salary, with greater prospects and better job satisfaction. If you're cut out for a career in writing it'll come naturally and you'll be able to pursue it regardless of a degree in creative writing. Knowledge of engineering won't be so easily obtained.
 
mulpsmebeauty said:
My advice? Stick with engineering. I have 2 friends who put in the hard work at University and who are now earning three times my salary, with greater prospects and better job satisfaction. If you're cut out for a career in writing it'll come naturally and you'll be able to pursue it regardless of a degree in creative writing. Knowledge of engineering won't be so easily obtained.
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I take it you're not an engineer? Cos its awful, I apologise to all engineers who enjoy but to those I think they should put themselves in the situation of attempting a completely different career, one which they have no interest in and then imagine how much they would want to change.

I dont like engineering, I am not interested in turbulent flow in pipes and theres only so long you can read a question that begins 2 infinite plates...

Thats just an example but seriously it makes be depressed having to do this, I cant stand the prospect of doin anythin where anyone with the same trainin could do to a similar standard, that isnt what I want. I like people to look at what I have done and say "Thats really good" or even "I didnt agree with that" or whatever, not right or wrong.

Science is an area of academics or career suited to certain people and I think I have ran my course with it.

Jono said:
Perhaps you should learn 'proper' writing, before you attempt to get 'creative' with it?

Or is your 'g' key defective?
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ey?
 
anksta said:
I dont like engineering, I am not interested in turbulent flow in pipes and theres only so long you can read a question that begins 2 infinite plates...
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Why on earth would you enroll on an engineering course, then? :confused:
 
anksta said:
because I'm stupid, you want to take the mick I wont stop you
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Not taking the mick at all, well not in that post anyway ;) Just curious.

Anyway, to answer the original post... I'd go to his office and beat his secretary up. And by that I mean, go see if he's there yourself. In-person encounters are a lot more difficult to fob off than telephone/e-mail.

Take/write a note to give to his secretary if he's not there and ensure she understands that he is to receive it.

Secretaries are rubbish and most I've encountered will do everything in their power to avoid doing work or passing on messages.
 
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