Thanks for the inputs gents. Yea the commuting thing sucks, but it would be South TX to LA or Chicago at worst for the freighter side. I'm will to put up with some pain for a while so my wife can get her career going.
I think I'll send the app in FedEx and follow up w/ an email. I just need to finish the second essay.
V1V2VR has his first interview this week, good luck to him.
Mink, looks like you're not quite a year behind me, best of luck as well.
And for the record....I was in VT2 late 87. Man that seems like a long time ago!