Big move to Gallaudet University????

Well, I've made up my mind. I'm going to apply to Gallaudet University in Washington DC, the world's only Liberal Arts college for the Deaf. "What?", you say, "Matty's not Deaf or even deaf, how can this be?" Well, since 2001, Gallaudet has accepted a small percentage of hearing students to its ASL Interpreting Program.
I really hope to get in for this fall semester, which begins in August 2010. I will be going for a Bachelor's Degree in ASL Interpreting while attending there. Right now, I don't have a degree from CSCC, and I won't be graduating from CSCC first before going on to Gallaudet, just transferring credits from CSCC to Gallaudet.
This should work out perfectly because in 2012, one must have a Bachelor's degree in something to obtain the NIC Certification from RID/NAD for interpreting.
Also, switiching to Gallaudet in the fall would be perfect timing! The fall semester begins in late August. So my lease on my apartment here in Columbus ends July 1st, I have nothing holding me here to Columbus, and CSCC classes end in June, so I'll have two months off school before starting Gallaudet! I guess having two months off school could be good or bad...depends. I need to keep practicing ASL Interpreting while on this break. I'll figure something out.
Speaking of practicing ASL and interpreting, I need to find a mentor to go out on real assignments and observe. I asked someone I knew, and they kinda complained that I might be in the way, plus if it were a medical interpreting assignment, there is HIPAA to think about. He suggested I stick to observing public interpreting and asking them questions after the assignment. I thought that was a good idea. I may just visit interpreting agencies here in town though to see what response I'll get when asking to observe interpreters. I'm sure they're used to it, being that Columbus has such a high Deaf population, and there are several Universities in town offering ASL Interpreting programs.
So...yeah...a lot to think about in the next several months. Plus, I am still taking classes at CSCC, so I can't slack-off on those just because I think I may be moving to Washington DC and attending Gallaudet in the fall! I still have to pass this quarter!
I can't hide my excitement though. Every day, I'm thinking how wonderful it would be to be totally immersed in the Deaf culture there at Gallaudet and how that would only be beneficial when I go out there and interpret. Having a degree from Gallaudet pretty much means Deaf people will trust me right away out in the field. I will know the slang, the cultural nuances, and such, which will only help me interpret effectively. Going to a hearing college or university cannot do for me what Gallaudet can do. So, it seems the logical choice!
BUT>>>>screeeeech! I've got to be accepted first. There is a lot of paperwork, interviews, and so forth that must be completed first before being accepted. So, I dare not get my hopes up. Remember, only a few hearing people are accepted to Gallaudet. There is also an ASL proficiency exam I must take and pass to be accepted into the university. I know I'll be extremely nervous for that. I need to be practicing now till that meeting, that's for sure! I'll keep everyone posted how things go.
As of today, I have all the paperwork completed. I'm waiting on one thing, which is extremely annoying. I need one more letter of recommendation from a professor. I must have at least two letters of recommendation. I asked four professors for a L.O. R. as a "safety net" and guess what? I've only received one thus far. The advisor at Gallaudet says to hurry because the hearing student slots are filling up quickly for the Fall semester. So, come on, professors, get to typing! I need those letters yesterday! :) Hopefully I get one this week, and I will send everything on it's way overnight with return signature required on the package. I want it there quickly, and that proof someone from the admissions office has it in their hands.
Well, wish me luck! I'm going back to bed. It's like 5am, and it's too early to be up. *yawn*