Grad school advice

Exottica · Senior Otaku Gender: Joined: 26 Feb 2005

Since this area is also for the asking and giving of advice, I have a question for those of you that have maybe done the whole grad-school dealy-o. I took my GRE this morning and did fantastic, (yay!) Now, I'm trying to decide if I want to apply for the Fall semester or take a semester off and go in the Spring. There is none of that "once you take off, you'll never go back." I'm definitely going and I've listed the pros and cons for both sides and I'm already leaning toward one side. I just wanted to know if some of you more experienced PO's might have some advice, financial information, etc, for me. I appreciate it!

Blackmage · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 12:41 pm Post subject:

Its always nice to take a break...

silverorb · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 3:32 pm Post subject:

i'm in the same boat as you Smile

right now i'm applying to 6 schools for next fall. i figure that i might as well go straight into grad school to not lose my academic momentum. and congrats on the good score! i did a pretty shitty job myself, which was extra sad considering i rocked the SAT. oh well. if you wanna have bitch-fests about the stresses of applying, pm me xD

Fox

Excel Zero · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 3:50 pm Post subject:

Amen to that. I am getting closer to start Grad and I think I'll just be jumping right in. Though I admit there was alot of internal debate about whether to break or go straight in. I think you'll be able to make thr gith decision for you.

Good luck

End of line

Excel

Silver Adept · Otaku Lord Age: 42 Gender: Joined: 20 May 2003

I jumped in with both feet to my graduate program from my undergraduate - I view it that if I go immediately, then I'll spend less time there and have a better ability to pay off my loans. Additionally, congratulations on good scores.

Exottica · Senior Otaku Gender: Joined: 26 Feb 2005

Thanks for the comments so far and for the congrats 'n' stuff. ^_^ So much to think about... And I might take you up on your offer, Silverorb... Twisted Evil

underpants · awesome sauce! Age: 41 Gender: Joined: 07 Jul 2004

I only had 2 days inbetween graduating college and starting graduate school! Talk about jumping right in. As much complaining as I do about the work load and all, I'm so happy I went straight for it after college. There are a lot of people in my program (Grad school of education) that are much older, between 30s and 40s and even 50s. I look at them, and how complicated their lives are and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to jump right in after college!

So duh, I say GO RIGHT FOR IT!!! You'll be thanking yourself in the end!! Plus wouldn't you get a break in the summer?? Mr. Green

Exottica · Senior Otaku Gender: Joined: 26 Feb 2005

Yeah, summer's sort of a break.. but the thing is, I have a chance to go to Japan for 3 weeks to do a research project in Hokkaido at some point during the summer. Upon returning, I have to stay on campus for an uncertain amount of time and write a "scholarly article" based on my research. The details are sketchy and I have to take it on faith that I *might* be going. I have no way of knowing yet if it's certain. If I do get to go, that puts me at a month if not more of no summer job... So I don't know if that might end up being icky, financially-speaking.

reaper · I miss you Shar Gender: Joined: 28 Dec 2002

Well basicly I would say if u want and or need the break take it... one semester will not make or break your future...myself I probably wont take a break, but thats because i have been put a semester behind by my jack ass school lol

Cheshire · Hippy Kitty Gender: Joined: 31 Jan 2005

Have you talked to Sybok? Is he ready to move with you immediately? Or will he stay behind for a while if you go in the fall? If you're not going to one of the schools with family housing it might be nice to have a semester to get settled into a new home and job.