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[whytemyke]

I'm looking at going to Grad School currently, and the first problem I see with it is that, like at Georgetown, they want you within these averages, like 2-4 years in the workforce and shit. I'm paying for all my shit with student loans, so there's no way I can just go work for 4 years and come back to school, cuz I'll still be paying my loans. And who the fuck can get a job with a B.S. or B.A. in political science anyways? Ugh.

So I'm gonna start looking at other places to go to grad school. I want to go to a good, respected grad school, but I also wanna be able to enjoy it and such. I have a good resume, strong work experience (not necessarily in my field), Model U.N., Pi Sigma Alpha polisci fraternity, pretty good GPA and I'll smoke the shit outta the GRE. I'm thinking of maybe just applying at Michigan or something, but I'm FROM Michigan so I'm also thinking of looking somewhere away from home finally. I was looking at South Carolina.

Any ideas from the GAF on expanding your educational experience?

 

[Boogie]

Come to Canada. University of Toronto.

 

[whytemyke]

Come to Canada. University of Toronto.

Damn. That's actually a really, really good idea. I fuckin' love Toronto. I'll start diggin around for info on student visas in canada.

 

[Deku Tree]

It's all about what you want to study.

If you don't tell us what you want to study,
it's almost impossible to make a recommendation.

 

[Prospero]

What Deku Tree said.

In addition, given the current academic market, I'd be highly reluctant to pay money to go to grad school in many fields--humanities, especially. In my opinion, the best attitude to have is to go for a scholarship or a stipend and think of it as a low-paying job (which it will be--the university is going to get its pound of flesh out of you in teaching assistantships).

 

[distantmantra]

What field are looking into? Political science? Law?

In general, masters programs are less likely to fund you than a doctorate program. Keep that in mind.

 

[whytemyke]

Oh, I'm going into international politics.

I figure I might just stick with my home university right now-- Central Michigan University. Not really prestigious, but I'm pretty cool with all the professors in my department, finally, where I could go to their office hours and talk with them all and they'll all know me and what I stand for. Plus there's a few I think I could get to help me get a stipend, too. It's not too prestigious, like I said, but if Condi can get a doctorate from the U of Denver and get as high up as she is, then I'm thinking your success is less of where you're from and more about what ya do.

 

[djtiesto]

It really helps if you find a job that'll pay for your Masters. This used to be a lot more common back in the day, but they're still around. Usually the Masters has to be in a field relevant to your job work.

 

[Deku Tree]

Plus there's a few I think I could get to help me get a stipend, too. It's not too prestigious, like I said, but if Condi can get a doctorate from the U of Denver and get as high up as she is, then I'm thinking your success is less of where you're from and more about what ya do.

It's all about getting your foot in the door, and what you can do afterwards.

 

[the year 20XX]

In addition, given the current academic market, I'd be highly reluctant to pay money to go to grad school in many fields--humanities, especially. In my opinion, the best attitude to have is to go for a scholarship or a stipend and think of it as a low-paying job (which it will be--the university is going to get its pound of flesh out of you in teaching assistantships).

I agree with this, and I'll add:

DO NOT PAY FOR GRAD SCHOOL.

 

[Nerevar]

I agree with this, and I'll add:

DO NOT PAY FOR GRAD SCHOOL.

uh, that really depends on what kind of grad school you're going to ... good luck getting free money to go to law school / med school / business school (business school is possible, but unlikely ...).