Tomorrow afternoon I have to take the Millers Analogies Test.

Based on my writing and my BA cumulative GPA I have been accepted on a conditional basis for the MFA program in Communications. I have to have the test completed and scores submitted before the end of my first 5 weeks of the spring semester.

I hate standardized tests and have spent a moderate to below moderate amount of time studying so far.

The school has told me that based on my merit I would have to absolutely BOMB the test before it would affect my admissions. After repeated requests for a desired score, they have told me that it basically doesn't exist. It's the WHOLE picture they tell me.

Have any of you taken this test instead of the GRE?

How come shut up isn't an option?

I recommend you watch Full Metal Jacket, eat one-half of a frozen pizza, & drink three (3) Miller High Life.

That's what I did before I took my ACT, & I scored pretty well. I think it's the FMJ that put me over so well, though.

So, maybe just watch that?

fake edit: I would reveal my ACT score, but, a) everybody will say 'you're livin' in the fuckin' past, man', & b) they will add 'but that being said, we scored way better than you, asshat'.

So, yeah....

because I didn't even think you'd take the time to respond?

In the absence of "shut up" as an option, I voted "Yes" so I've got your best interests ahead of most of these clowns. Don't forget that next time I tell you to shut up.

Post em.

I only scored an 1190 on my SAT. I forgot to show up the first time. Got an 1180 my second time. Forgot my calculator and scored higher in math and got an 1190 my third time.

aye aye, cap'n (not squirgle)

studying ain't gonna help you.

study, prepare, practice, get a good night sleep..whatever is going to put you in the right frame of mind to do well...just saying its one night and you want to do everything in your power to get accepted...don't take the slacker route just cause you can probably get away with it.

Phil. I'm hurt. Are you implying that I am destined to fail or are you saying that studying for these tests don't make a difference for anyone?

From my experience, the latter.

The latter, although looking at your scores I'd have to say that maybe you're not a stellar test taker, but as a teacher I'd say don't worry about. Most educators agree that standardized tests are a total pile of shit that have nothing to do with your intelligence or potential. I mean look at me, 1490 SAT, 34 ACT, 2060 GRE, 159 LSAT and i have succeeded at absolutely nothing.

wait, weren't you going to be an aquamatographer?

wait, who are you talking to? Oh it must be joe, everyone knows i can't swim, and the one time i waded in the ocean i got bit by a shark.

Phil your scores are super high. I hate to say it but chappy's are still well above average. Your problem has never been a lack of potential. Its been that you couldn't figure out what the fuck you wanted to do with your life or didn't have the balls to make changes in your life.

i would love to do underwater cinematography. That's a goal, certainly not my first step. My schooling is for directing.

And Phil, good lord those scores are high. Hell, my SAT scores were well above average when i took them, but 1490 you should be teaching rocket scietists. haha

I never studied for the SAT's either.

I work in admissions at a college and I would love to see scores of 1190 on the verbal/writing portion of the SAT. Just today I got an applicant that scored a total of a 670 and that is more the norm than the exception. truly adding confirmation to appliCANT. THat is beyond just being bad at test taking.

I fill in bubbles well. At least I made the move to austin. You know what paralyzes me more than anything? The idea that if i do anything else or start anything else, then the time to play music gets drastically cut. And I know that at this point i'm not going to really get better or worse, but the idea of not playing is really immobilizing.

I should have been somebody's sideman by now.

Well, so far I haven't studied tonight. I am going to bed soon. Maybe in a couple weeks when I get the scores back I will bump this and let those who participated see how I did.

The likelihood that I study tonight is slim at best.

won't do you any good anyways.

I am kinda of the same opinion, but I haven't done anything really academic in about 4 years so I am a little nervous, but I am going to bed soon so I am not exhausted when I take it. It's right in the middle of my work day.

At least you're Colin's wingman.

You know what? I have a friend here in Portland that is in a band, and has been a guitarist for years. I met him when he was about 24-25. He's 34 now. He recently got a pretty hefty promotion at his job (he works in the semiconductor industry), but he still plays with his band when he can. They did a bit of touring along the west coast a few years ago, released at least 3 albums, got some hefty sponsorship, but he's pretty much home-based now. One of the guys in his band is 24, and has major dreams of making it big. My friend looked at him and said, "you know, you should go for it, but I have to admit, it's over for me... I'm never going to make it big." It was weird to hear him say that. He still enjoys playing music and playing the odd show, but he knows at this point in his life, and especially with music being a somewhat young man's game, it's not realistic. So Phil, I'm not trying to discourage you or anyone from following your dreams, but at some point, you have to do what's best for you, whatever that may be. So if that means you teach kids at school while you get your bass groove on at night, then so be it, but remember: this is the choice that you've made. And you always reserve the right to change your mind.

Also, not that it's the same thing, but I watched a documentary on Karl Lagerfeld a week or so ago. And the interviewer asked him why he didn't have a spouse or kids. He was very blunt and honest about it, as he is about a lot of things, and said that family would have detracted from his goals. And in a way, he's right. I've often heard older women lamenting the fact that they were told they could "have it all," when it's just not true. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that we should all focus on the things that are most important to us, if we want to be happy.

What does wing it mean?

Take lots of cocaine and fly through it?

wing it just means you just take the test with no preparation and count on natural abilities to pull you through.

Like if your boss asked you to give a presentation on some market research or something and you don't prepare and just go in and use your knowledge to get through it.

Ah, it's a idiom. Fuck it, prepare and prepare dude. I've been winging it my whole life and all i'm good for is wandering around on trains and train stations looking for fare dodgers, for shit pay mate.