graduate school interview in Edwardsville, Illinois

I feel alive as I step on the plane to Carolina, where I will make my transfer to St. Louis , MO. Its the first time I'm traveling to the midwest- and for good reasons too.

I have packed two types of suits in my roller for the interview portion and several casual outfits for the rest of the time.






I meet an animator on her way to a film festival an hour north of St. Louis. She keeps me from freaking out when the rental car rejects my credit card and my phone malfunctions. I use a different rental car and give up on using my phone. I wait with her until her boss picks her up from the airport. We exchange business cards and go on our separate ways. Her card is animated with a bird inside and outside of a cage as you spin it.
I won't get into how I got lost but when I finally find my hotel, it is bright pink and sits snug next to Denny's. My room is large and comfortable. I am grateful because the trip already feels long and I am only set to be here for two days.

The first round of interviews are okay, we are divided into groups of ten and are questioned by three panels of grad students and faculty. I don't find the questions too taxing and am feeling more or less at ease. I make plans to meet one of the applicants at a gallery opening downtown.