Should I take a year off before going to grad school?

Question

Pros: less stress, time to relax and figure some things out, it might be nice to have a real job for a while

Cons: what if i never go back? it could be harder to get in if i wait

Answer 1

I don't really have an answer except that I had the same question. I decided not to take time off. The reasons include, what if I get a job that requires me to travel? What if I get lazy, or my interests are not in it anymore once I leave school and never go back?

Some people take time off to establish themselves in a career first with their undergrad degree and then go back later on. I've always had to work full-time regardless anyway so that really doesn't effect me too much.

I have decided to go to grad school right away just to get it done because I'm afraid of what might happen if I don't. Uh...2 -2.5 more years.

Really, the answer depends on you and your particular situation. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

Answer 2

It depends on the type of program you are looking to get into. If you are going for an MBA, most schools require you to have a few years work experience.
What I have found especially with myself is that if it is something you really want to do you will go back. I worked for almost four years before getting my MBA, and believe me there were times when I thought maybe I would rather spend time with my wife or start a family.
One on the greatest pieces of advice I ever got was not to rush my life away. Assuming you are a traditional college student, you are 21-22 years old. You would be 24 when you finished a Master's program. That is still very young.
I would suggest getting a job in the field you think you want to pursue. Spend a year or two working and see how you really like it. Do you really want to invest more money in education if it is a field you don't like?
It is not necessarily harder to get in, in fact it may be easier. Schools like people with real world experience. I am not sure what other programs are like but MBA courses are very real world/real life siutations. Gradaute school is not like undergrad where you sit in some huge lecture hall listening to a professor give the same lecture he/she has been using for years. While there are lectures, it is also very hands on if you have interaction in the class in encouraged and also required.
You need to do what you think is right. There is not right or wrong answer, you may even discover you want to work and go to school so perhaps your company will pay for it.

Good luck!

Answer 3

If you get accepted now, you can always defer enrollment for a year.
Here's the thing - people get jobs, then they start to think they need THINGS. A new car, a credit card, a bigger apartment, etc. They start to rely on that income to survive, and then can't go back to school because they can't afford to live without an income any longer.
To break things down into words you've probably heard in economics class, it's all about opportunity costs. So to make things overly simple, compare the income you'll be making the first year after you graduate with your master's to the income you'd be making in that year you took off. I'm guessing that money is going to be significantly less because it takes time to find a professional job, and then what company is going to hire you if you only plan to work for a year? You'll wind up working at a restaurant or a bar, some place where they don't expect you to stay long.
On the other hand, if you do find a professional job that you like & would like to stick with, many companies will pay for your education if you continue to work. I worked full time and got my master's in one year, it was completely paid for.
It really depends on what you want. The downfall to that is most companies require you to stay with their company for so many years after you get your degree, but they don't give you a promotion or anything - so you're making less money.
I quit my job with the company who paid for my education & got basically the same job with another company making twice the money because I had the experience and education.
You really have to decide what's best for yourself.
You can increase your earning potential greatly with a master's, but ultimately if you think you'll wind up not going back to school after taking a year off, just get it over with.

Answer 4

Taking a year off is fine, and feeling a bit lazy is normal. But why not do something interesting and fun in that year? Why just hang about working some crap job? At least, if you're going to work a crap job, why not do it overseas via BUNAC, or work for Habitat for Humanity or something? I actually think it's a good idea for people to take some time off between undergrad and grad. Otherwise, you can get burnt out, and in addition to that, taking a year off can confirm for you that the path you've chosen, and the grad field you plan to study, is in fact the right one for you. But that said, during your year off, it'd be a really good idea to be doing something to enhance your grad school applications. While working a real, full time job would be fabulous, it's not required. But just sitting around and working some part time job that you aren't particularly interested in? Not so impressive. Look at other options for this gap year. Try to do something with at least some significance and purpose. Travel, or volunteer. Or work abroad via BUNAC. Even if you stay home and work that part-time job, also try to volunteer in something related to the field you plan to study. Do something meaty during this time, and build your resume, so that your grad school applications are strengthened rather than weakened by your gap year. Gap years are great. They are valuable. But you need to use them wisely.

Answer 5

It all depends.....I think i would take year just for a breather, and to work part-time, but i'm sure u worry that u might get lazy and not go back. I've seen ppl take a year off, and still can't get back to school. But everyone is different. I would take a year and see it as a break from school, in that time, u can take a vacation, or work if u choose to do so. There are both pros and cons to this, but i think its different for each person. You have to personally weigh ur pros and cons.

Answer 6

I took off 2.5 years. Best thing I could have done. I got some real world work experience and was able to make a better choice about what I wanted my future career to be so picked a better major. Yes there is always the fear that you will never go back, but if you want it you will find a way to make it happen, plus you might find an employer willing to pay for you to go to school.

Answer 7

Take a year off from college; but continue with what I hope will be a lifetime of learning. Give thought to not only grad school, but the idea of maintaining a relaxed yet focused approach to all areas of life. What is the rush. The world of employment, family, and responsibilities will still be ahead of you.

Answer 8

I think that you have to do what's best for you. I have decided to take time off before I go to grad school, because it's a personal choice. I am so drained from school ( and I also work full time) that I need to take a break..just for a year!! I'm not mentally ready to go back! I will however go back whether my friends or family believe me..If nothing else then to prove them wrong!! :)

Answer 9

Depends. Are you positive of what you want to study in grad school? Not just field (ie, Sociology, Biology, Engineering....) But SPECIFIC area? If not, I'd go work in your field for a while first, it gives you perspective. Grad school is NOT like undergrad, it's not a place for you to figure out what you want to do, or find yourself / explore your interests. You have to know what you want, go after it, and touch the ground running. If you know exactly what you want, and have a general idea of the job you want after grad school (so you know what classes to take and concentration), go for it! If not, take a year and figure it out.

Answer 10

I went straight through out of fear of never going back. But I've met people who took the year off and don't regret it. Some law schools will allow you to apply for the upcoming year and then defer your admission--is this an option for the schools you're thinking of?