Lauren35

If anyone is concerned about the money for applications then grad school is probably not for them... it's a very expensive endeavor on it's own

Lol did you see how everyone responded so negatively to that? People get very jealous and bitter when you say that you have enough money for things. I didn't think you were flaunting it in a mean way or anything, I've just noticed that especially in the whole grad school culture people tend to get very mean and attack you personally if you're not living in poverty. For instance, when people learn that my parents pay for 100% of all my expenses and I don't have to worry about money when I'm in grad school they immediately attack me and say that I am the worst person on earth, must be lazy/stupid/dependent/not worth the dirt I'm standing on because I'm not paying my own way. Everyone grows up with different circumstances and some people end up getting higher stipends. I'm sure you earned yours, I just find this response to be very amusing, and sad in a way.

Well I was mostly referring to my own experiences and the experiences of pretty much everyone I know. I used PCs exclusively until I went to college where they told me it was a Mac campus so I got a Mac. I would never go back, they are just so much better. They don't get viruses/spyware and become completely unusable after a year. You don't have to pay monthly fees for anti-virus software that doesn't keep the viruses out anyway. Everyone I know that has used a Mac after using a PC would never go back. Dealing with a PC is just too much of a headache, they become pieces of junk pretty quickly and have to be replaced. The main argument against Macs is that they are more expensive but like I said, you get what you pay for. It may just be personal preference and I know that some people like working with PCs, I would just never recommend one to anyone unless they want to keep buying a new computer every year or two.

I think the smart opinion is, if you have the money get a Mac, they are just better machines and will last you a lot longer. They are more expensive but better quality - you get what you pay for.

This is exactly what I need! Thanks to everyone for their responses, I really appreciate it. I feel that like is what I'm fighting with - the rationalist side vs. the emotional side. nessadub had it spot on with the psychology stuff, I did not have a good time in undergrad, miserable actually, because it was the wrong place for me and that has left me a sort of angry and unhappy person to be around. I feel like going to school B would be best for my mental health and overall well-being, but since when did going to grad school become about that? I know it's not, it's about getting a job afterwards, that is why I'm so confused. I am going to be visiting both schools this week and I'm going to try to ask some questions to get a better idea of what things will look like in 2 years for me. If I can get a job going to school B then I have a feeling I'd rather do that. I just don't want to regret passing up an opportunity like school A. I totally agree with what cybe2001 said though, about being a big fish in a little pond and being able to excel, it seems like they really want me at school B and that if I put a lot of effort in that I could make it work for me. Thanks so much to everyone and I'll give an update once I get back from all my travels to the schools!

Hi there, So I've pretty much narrowed my choices down to 2 schools and I know they want me to make a decision soon. I am so torn, I keep going back and forth and have no idea how I'm going to choose. Sometimes I wish someone would just do it for me, I'm so worried I'm going to make the wrong choice. I'm just going to lay it all out and any advice or opinions are greatly appreciated. Things to keep in mind: This is all for a Master's degree, I am not planning on going on to a PhD at this point, so any place I go I will only be there for 2 years. Also, while I am taking cost into consideration, my parents will be paying for all of my expenses (tuition, housing, living etc.), they just want me to be happy and go wherever I think is best. They told me not to make the decision based on money, but it's hard to ignore all the time. And yes, I realize how lucky I am to have this opportunity and plan on working at least part-time while in school. School A: Prestigious and recognizable name, not terribly expensive but in a city where cost of living is very high. I am not a city person at all and would feel uncomfortable living there. Would give me the best opportunity of getting a good job in my field and although I'd probably be unhappy there, it's only 2 years. Also, it's closer to some people that I'd like to be near. School B: Pretty unrecognizable school, reputation might prevent me from being able to get a good job in my field. However they have offered me an assistantship (with stipend) and tuition remission. In a very nice area in a part of the country that I think I would enjoy living in. I'd probably be happier overall spending the 2 years there but I'm not sure if it's worth the potential affect on my career. So I guess what I'm asking is, should I just suck it up and go to the school that will give me the better career opportunities or take my chances with a virtually unknown program that would make life easier on me in the short term? I feel like because it's only 2 years and this will likely affect my job prospects for the rest of my life that the decision should be easy, but it's hard to pass up things like an assistantship and a more pleasant lifestyle. Even now when I'm writing this is seems like a no-brainer, but I really wanted some other opinions. Thanks!

This is just out of curiosity, but do you guys ever worry that you won't be able to find a decent, reasonably secure job because journalism is a dying field? That's what I have heard, just wondering.

This seems much more up my alley than the positives thread, I actually have something to contribute here. Mostly I'm worried about my low GPA (3.1) and GRE score (1200) and AW score (3.5) and my personal statement which is probably going to be viewed as boring and nothing special. So yea pretty much everything about my application that matters. Can't wait for the coming months!

What if you don't have anything positive about your application? Probably should have spent the app money on anti-depressants... sorry to lower the mood, carry on.

Sorry I didn't mean to be confrontational, I'm just feeling the stress of the application process and trying to survive in a terrible economy. I'd love to have the luxury to do what you did, I'm just scared that my own financial future is going to be scary if I can't make this school thing happen. Best Wishes. Oh P.S. I could never ever do the military thing, not in very good shape lol

Well right now it might be difficult being an international student because I hear that schools have to pay more to support those students and right now that is very hard for them. But about your profile, I know all of those schools require a minimum of a 3.0 GPA (and some require a 3.3) just to apply, so I'm not sure how that will affect you, and honestly your GREs are not in the range for any of the schools you have listed. They require a combined score of at least 1100 or so and most people that apply and are accepted have over a 1300. I'd recommend applying to some other places that have lower admission standards just to be safe because I don't know how far your letters of recommendation and personal statement can carry you with those scores.

It must be nice to be able to do nothing and get paid in vegetables, but for the rest of us living in the real world, that is not an option. I don't know about everyone else but I don't have the time to sit on the beach and do nothing with my life. I'm already drowning in debt and dreading my future if I don't get in anywhere. I hope graduate schools want people other than those who are just getting PhDs for kicks.