Kudos (oh, wait, we're in Xangaland... so change "Kudos" to "eProps") for an update. At least you're doing it, unlike _some_ people I know. *looks around* I'm glad to read about your goings on.

Cassi, I'm sure that you will be fine in terms of grad school. I mean, if you were applying to MY grad school (VERY prestigious and selective), I'd take you in a heartbeat. That would be like the easiest choice ever. Duh. Keep in mind this, too, that you may feel completely average, but your completely average is among the MIT crowd... Um, are you kidding me? You're on an entirely different tier than almost everyone else. Psh, in my case, you're on an entirely different planet. You said that in two months you could be found utterly wanting. But what about the other possibility? In two months, you could be found one of the smartest, most desired, privileged young people on the globe... and in two decades you could be a world renown Nobel Prize winner. So, if possible, take a deep breath and let some relief come for the moment. It'll all work out.

And huzzah! for playing the guitar. You're going to be a rockin'-and-a-rollin' Nobel Prize winning scientist.

You're cool.

It sounds like you play the guitar about as well as I do. Did four years ago, anyway.

Also, with all due respect to Allen, you probably won't get a nobel prize for three or four decades. For the science prizes, they wait to make sure the findings stick. Good luck with grad school, and good luck not worrying about it now that it's out of your hands.

cassi,

you are amazing. you were amazing when you applying for undergrad... and you still are [and not just what you do, but who you are.. but that's not what we're looking at right now]. ok, easy for me to say that, but you know that, of course, the continuing education and the field narrow down the people to a more select pool... people who are more serious, research-driven, smarter, more like you...

but even amongst them, you are really remarkable. maybe it doesn't look like that at MIT (although, i bet you are still somewhere in the upper percentile for your major), but judging from BU's pool (which isn't that great at physics or particle physics, i know... but is pretty good at BME), you are really excellent. . . and i know that doesn't garantee anything for graduate school, but you might be surprised. everybody might want you. . . or just a few will. worst case scenario, one that you haven't considered that much will really want you, and you will be amazing there, too.

w00tles for you learning the guitar. that's awesome! everybody starts out like that... just a few cords at a time. probably the best thing would be to find some easy song with cords that you know, and then that can be your motivation to practice until you can transition. that's what i did. . . have fun!