Heaslch09

So here's my rundown with a decision date approaching. I was accepted into the EPM program, offered $15,000 grant, $5,000 work study and $20,000 in loans. I have about $3,000 in my savings account (It's hard enough making ends meet teaching part time) to make the move to Boston. So assuming costs to live in Boston for a year in addition to tuition, I'd have to take out conservatively around another $25,000 or so in private loans to finance my degree. So I'd be adding on $45,000 to the $40,000 I have in loans for my undergraduate degree. My friends, family and former professors all have wildly different opinions on whether $85,000 is a responsible amount of debt to be taking on. They say you shouldn't have more student loan debt than you'll make a year, and I can't imagine starting at $85,000 with just an Ed.M., even if the degree can ensure me a job. Is anyone else in a similar position? I just feel totally dejected. I'd love to go to Harvard, but I think financially it makes more sense to stay and try to find a full time teaching job in my area.

Well, I'm not going to send in official word until I get the aid packet, but I'm pretty certain I won't be accepting the offer from Harvard. It breaks my heart to say it, but with just over $40K in loans from my undergraduate degree and not enough in saving to support myself in Boston for a year, I can't be taking out $50K for a masters degree. It just isn't fiscally sensible. I already feel like the debt I owe is a huge weight on my back. Good luck to all those attending!

I'm late to the party, but I literally had to run to the opening night of a show I'm music directing right as I got the news. I got accepted to the EPM program though! I am really excited and need to think things over, but sadly the more and more I think about finances the more I am thinking I probably won't be able to go to Harvard. There's the cost of attendance, plus living expenses and I still have $40K in student loans from my undergrad. I might choose a less well known program with full funding as my option. Maybe if I ever decided to get a Ph.D. I'll apply to a "name" school. There seems to be more assistance for doctoral programs. Congratulations to all those that got in though!

Just sent in my application this morning! Applying for: Ed.M. Program: Education Policy and ManagementGRE Score: V 165, Q 156, AWA: 4.5 (95th, 64th and 80th percentiles)Undergrad GPA: 3.634Work Experience: 3 years as a public school music teacher (everything from Kindergarten to 12th grade!). I've also worked at a bunch of summer camps as a counselor and a music theory teacher. Volunteer Experience: Music director for youth theater program in my city Undergrad Institution (Public, Private, Ivy, etc..): Small Private College (Music Education major, PoliSci minor) Research Experience: Minimal What Other Schools Are You Applying To: Penn State, UMass, maybe one more No clue if I have any shot in hell. I'm happy with my GRE scores at least. I'm not sure what kind of background they look for in the EPM program, but I'm looking for a place to combine my education and political science backgrounds.