OK, I give...

[sarahmichelef]

• January 2001:  Close to the end of grad classes (I took an independent study, Soc of Self, and Teaching Sociology that spring), beginning to work on my first comprehensive paper (which I ended up defending second...).
• January 1995:  I had gotten in to Carleton early decision the month before.  Slacking like crazy in my last semester of high school.
• January 1989:  Sixth grade.  Sixth grade was the worst.  Badbadbad.  I didn't really have any friends.  I was playing the piano and learning the oboe, and starting to play USYSA soccer since I couldn't play Parks & Rec anymore.
• January 1983:  Kindergarten.  I believe my teacher was Mrs. Langley.  Elizabeth and I were completely inseparable.  (Look at the cool thing that she's doing right now here.)
• January 1977:  I was a newborn.  In my first month of life, I would be a difficult nurser and lose one pound from my birth weight.  I liked bottles of soy formula much better.

Comments

[ellid.livejournal.com]

Question: how hard was/is the Sociology program at UMass? I'm once again toying with the idea of going back to school for Sociology of Religion, but I'm absolutely terrified of the statistics classes since I am truly horrible at math. I already have an MA in religion and excelled at the sociology of religion courses so it would be a good fit, but....

[alphasarah.livejournal.com]

Academically, you could totally handle it. My one caution would be that there's only one person in the department who does soc of religion, and he's very close to retirement. You could handle the stats. I'm not sure who they've got teaching them now, but Sanjiv is awesome and very patient. And Doug is not great in the classroom but fantastic one-on-one. If you're really interested, I'd drop Jay a line and chat with him about it - he's demerath@soc.umass.edu. You might also want to talk to Janice Irvine, who's the grad program director - she's irvine@soc.umass.edu. Feel free to tell them that I sent you. ;^)

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I just e-mailed Jay, and yes, I used your name :). I mentioned my final project at Hartford Seminary and dropped a couple of names of my old professors, and asked if he had any advice. I know that there's no chance of getting in this fall, but next spring or fall would be ideal.

[ellid.livejournal.com]

I just got e-mail back from Dr. Demerath (he says hello, BTW). He is indeed leaving in May, but he thinks I'd be a good match for the department. If I'm completely set on sociology of religion he advised me to go somewhere else, but pointed out that religion can be applied to almost any aspect of life.

I'm still interested and have asked for more information. I've been mulling this over for a while, and we'll see. Further ruminations will be in my journal....