Now let me explain...

Earlier this year, Chris was accepted into several Master's programs in the UK. He struggled a lot with his decision, but finally sent off his letter of intent to Edinburgh. I was surprised, to say the least, that he didn't choose Leeds. It was his first choice, and his first letter of acceptance. For a variety of reasons, he ended up choosing Edinburgh. He did, however, defer his acceptance to Leeds for another year, just in the event that his education at Edinburgh does not go as planned. I'm certainly no expert on this issue, but it is my understanding that one can apply to a Master's program, or the entire doctoral program at a University, which rewards both the MA and a PHD. Chris only applied to the MA programs, with the intent to come back to the states for his doctorate. He feared he would hate living in the UK and the doctoral programs take several years, with no tranferrable credits. The MA programs were only a year, and he would leave with his degree. So he figured, if I hate it, it is only a year, and I'll come out with a Master's.

But someone has thrown a wrench in the works. The head of the program at Leeds has requested that Chris reapply for the entire doctoral program. But because he has already accepted the offer at another school, this program wouldn't start until the following year, after he has already received one Master's from Edinburgh. Essentially, he would be earning two Master's and a Doctorate should he choose this path because the programs are too different for his masters to qualify at Leeds. Here's the kicker-the education would be entirely paid for by the University, as would housing and food plans. And he would still walk away with a Doctorate much sooner than if he returned to the states. 1-2 years sooner. I don't know why, but apparently the UK has a much more efficient post graduate education process. Heck, even the undergrad programs are only 3 years, not 4 years, like here.

If he hated the UK after his first year at Edinburgh, he could decline acceptance and find a school in the states for his doctorate. But if he loved it there, he could stay and get his degree much sooner, with no added expense. He has already been accepted into Leeds, and it certainly sounds like the offer is his for the taking. Now, that would mean he would be in the UK for 4-5 years, instead of just one year. We both know one year apart would be hard, but we can't even imagine 4-5 years apart. So he asked me to consider moving to the UK after his first year. But the UK won't just let me hang out there for several years with my boyfriend, so for this to be possible, one thing has to change - my last name.

could it be?? After 4 years??