Last October (months before the layoff) Bret and I felt prompted to consider a possible career change and go into Academia/Teaching at a major university. Much prayer and fasting went into trying to make this decision and we never got a clear answer as to what we were supposed to do, just that we were to take the initial steps and start the process.
Going down this path required Bret to study and take the GMAT again as it had been more then five years since he had taken it when he got his MBA. Not knowing the final outcome, we felt we were supposed to take that baby step of faith and see where it led.
His score was high enough that it enabled us to apply to PhD schools. Again, after fasting and prayer we felt that we were to go through the application process not knowing what the final outcome would be.
The whole experience was a huge leap of faith for us on many levels. One aspect of that is while Bret has a strong GMAT score and work experience, he has absolutely no experience with researching and publishing, a major criteria for PhD schools.
We applied to 11 top schools across the country. We heard today that we were accepted to the Darden School of Business at the University of Virgina in Charlottesville, the number one school on our list. WOW! We are so humbled and so full of gratitude. Application numbers were up this year and PhD programs generally accept 2-3 applicants a year. One reason we like this school is because it is only a three year program verse others which are 4 to 5.
While we have not made a decision as to if we will accept it or not, I am SO incredibly proud of my amazing husband. Just to paint a picture of how low the odds were: Michigan (which we applied to as well) had over 500 applicants and accepted 3. What a great compliment to Bret, whatever we decide.
We acted on faith each step of the way, sometimes wondering what we were thinking. While the Lord never let us see the complete picture of how things would turn out, there is no doubt we we have been prompted, led and guided to this point. Sometimes He gave us little glimpses to carry us through. Now comes more prayer and fasting as we figure out what path the Lord would have our family take.
Again, we have not made our decision, and a hard one it is. (So stay tuned!) But for now we're off to celebrate by getting ice cream!
2 comments:
Congratulations, Bret and Emily! We would miss you terribly :(, but are so happy about your acceptance to Darden and the possibility of having a new direction! You'll know what to do! We love you guys.
congrats!!!! i couldn't be happier for you guys! although i think it would be a terrific decision to go, i think it's more important to be near the other texas cranes :) no jk, whatever you decide will be absolutely amazing! oh and of course bret would get in! i've heard that campus is fab. love it. keep us posted...
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