I want to apply for graduate school, but having to pay back a school loan terrifies me. I also wonder if the course work is going to break me down having a job and being a mother. If you are in grad school or have finished, what is your advice?
2006-12-20 09:27:08 · 3 answers · asked by Ms. Chick 6 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
To answer your question, it is in the teaching field. That is odd to know alot of people don't have full time jobs while in graduate school. Everyone I know who goes to graduate school or has already graduated had to go part time because they worked. Interesting idea, but I can't quit my job to go full-time.
2006-12-20 14:36:29 · update #1
If you are talking about a PhD program, very few PhD students at top schools pay for their education. Almost all of them get a fellowship or assistantship that pays for tuition, fees and grants a stipend that will pay for housing and food.
If you are talking about a professional degree (like MBA, JD, MD) -- then most students have to pay. If you go to a top school, the extra money you make because of that degree makes the debt worth taking on.
2006-12-20 14:35:03 · answer #1 · answered by Ranto 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All depends on the field. If you're going into the sciences or engineering (not medical), you'll probably be paid (not very well) to go to grad school and work as a teaching or research assistant. It'll be enough to live on, but not any more. Taking out a loan will be necessary if you want to get a car or anything like that. But you'll make more money with a graduate degree in most fields, so it will be easier to pay it off - and you won't have to start paying it off until you get out of grad school.
2006-12-20 09:39:53 · answer #2 · answered by eri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on your field of study, graduate school shouldn't cost you a cent.
(This does not apply to med school, law school, business school, or MSW or Ed programs.)
The way graduate school works is this:
You research which programs have faculty with expertise in your particular field of interest. You apply widely, which means applying to departments across the nation, and with different rankings. Make sure to achieve high scores on your GREs, and to submit a beautifully composed writing sample, and a literate and focused statement of purpose that shows familiarity with current theory in your field of interest.
Since you have a child, and you did not mention having a stay-at -home spouse, make sure to select a program that has job opportunities in the area for your spouse (if you have one), and affordable child care at the university itself for your child (if your child is not yet school-age).
In terms of admissions, departments award full tuition remission as well as a small living stipend to their top choice students. That's what you're shooting for. These awards are called fellowships and assistantships. Acceptance of these awards always requires that you commit to NOT holding a job while in grad school.
And regarding your anxiety about the coursework, yes, it will be tough. Assistantships also require about 20 hours of work per week (teaching or researching). But you can do it!
I must admit, I am a bit confused by your intention to hold a job while working toward a graduate degree. Do you intend to go part-time? Part time programs are few and far between, and are most often found only in Ed or MSW or business programs. If any of these are your field of interest, you should resubmit your question with specifics, because the answers to your question will be different.
2006-12-20 13:05:42 · answer #3 · answered by X 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋