Boril

Yes, the credits would count towards the degree once I was matriculated. The work is with one of the major collaborators of my POI, so some portion of it would help with the research for my thesis. There probably won't be any opportunity to publish my work initially. After crunching the numbers, the difference in time to completion could be just 1 semester which in the grand scheme of things isn't much.

Hey all, I applied to a masters program outside of my undergraduate major, and was offered a full time job (guaranteed for at least one year) in a different but related deparment. Basically what happened is my POI at this university thought my undergrad and professional background might be a good fit for the work one of her collaborators needed to have done, so she recommended me to him. If I took the job I would be eligible to take a course or two per semester at no cost as a non-matriculated student with the intention of rolling into a matriculated RA position in my desired department when funds became available. The work I'd be doing is indirectly related to what I want to study. Since I haven't received an official acceptance or academic financial offer to the graduate department yet, this is all still hypothetical, but suppose I was admitted to the academic program with a TA. I would be left with the following choices: Work full time as a pseudo RA + benefits + mediocre pay (much higher than TA, much lower than industry with my experience) + 1 course per semester non-matriculated + working closely with faculty, indirect networking with other students Work half time + TA pay + much faster track to degree + more direct interaction with faculty and students If you had to choose between these two options, which would you pick? What factors would sway your decision?

I submitted an application with a Jan. 10 deadline. Typically this department sends out offers mid-February, but this year I know the department's admissions committee hasn't even met and it's now past the middle of March. If the school has had earlier response times in the past it is no guarantee that it will be so this year. Best of luck to all still waiting.

Thanks for the suggestions courtc and pears. I'll try to get in contact with the department chair early next week. Here's hoping there's more good news to come!

Hey all, A week ago I received an email from graduate admissions at a school where I applied to an M.S. Civil engineering program. All it said was "congratulations, you're accepted" and that more info would be in the mail. Well, today I got a letter they sent. The letter has all the typical account set-up stuff in it, but there's zero info from the engineering department, no info about visiting, and no mention of financial assistance or lack thereof. It was really quite anticlimactic. Should I just be patient and wait for more info to come, or is it reasonable for me to be getting in touch with someone with questions at this point? I really do not know how to proceed from here. Thanks for any words of advice you might have!

Without funding I am unwilling/unable to attend. Having said that, as long as I have enough income to cover (most) of my bills I'm happy. 1: Good community with faculty and fellow students. If everyone's at least somewhat happy, there's a good chance I will be as well. I don't want to spend the next few years surrounded by grumps. 2: Research fit 3: Lab resources/freedom to explore 4: Faculty network (within the university and in industry) 5: Location

25 here. Of those in my social circle, I will be among the last to start grad school (hopefully this fall!), but I've had a chance to travel and work a bit and figure life out. I seriously considered grad school right out of my undergrad, but am so glad I didn't pursue it. I've completely changed career ambitions since then and would've ended up studying something that pays well but doesn't make me happy.