grad school: prelim eve

Ah, yes, the much awaited "prelim exam" awaits me tomorrow morning. Bree and I walked in on Kris, Matt, Aimee, and Julie in 472 (Matt and Kris's office) this afternoon, interrupting some obscure ritual. A candle burned on Kris's desk, the others were bent over it. On the display of Kris's computer terminal glowed the Wikipedia entry for "Cyanide". Hmm! As for the prelim, I would describe myself as "cautiously optimistic." Though my passing it would be a miracle. How are those for contradictory thoughts? Studying for it has actually been quite useful and moderately entertaining (!). Of exams given in the past, were they given again tomorrow, some I could pass, most I could not. We'll see how it goes.

The exam is over two days. Tomorrow is mathematics, electromagnetic theory, mechanics, and special relativity. Wednesday is statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics. Each day's exam is 4.5 hours. Results (only in the form, "you passed" or "you did not pass") are distributed on Friday at the close of business. My prediction is that none of the american students who are taking it for the first time will pass, and that american students taking it for the second time as well as all foreign students will pass. We have two opportunities to pass the exam (the next being at the end of August), which must be passed "all at once," and not in parts. For samples of the exams, see Kris's posts from day one and day two of last August's exam.