90sNickelodeon

I think people underestimate the power of a double major. Major in something you like (English, Art, Medieval Studies) and couple that degree with a practical major (Chemistry, Biology, business etc.). You get the best of both worlds. You study something you really like, and something you really need. As for grad school in the humanities, I wouldn't recommend it. Teaching jobs (decent ones, at least) are SCARCE and super competitive. You are likely end up in the adjunct wasteland. Plus no one really wants a Renaissance Studies professor anymore. I hate to push for "practical" degrees, because university shouldn't become a vocational school. But really, students must be hip to the job market (such as it is) and trends to figure out the best course of action to effectively market themselves.

Anyone else frustrated with their grad school grades?

Just bizarre, petty people and unreliable administration.

That person really needed to grow up. I didn't hear that many excuses in middle school!

I feel like my master's program is not preparing me AT ALL for an advanced degree. I was not expecting this lack of serious academics. I saw the curriculum, and it seemed fine, but when I started taking the classes they were so Mickey Mouse that I became VERY frustrated. Is anyone else feeling frustrated about the (lack of) rigor in their program?

I for one applaud this thread. Some people are stuck in la la land and take out loans left and right, not realizing that they are shooting themselves in the foot. The fat cats win, the students lose. Bravo!

VERY lonely. It's hard to meet friends in grad school.

Thanks, everyone!

My grades are terrible. Got a B- and a C+ last semester. Thus far I have another C+. I dunno. Maybe I should withdraw and get a job at Starbucks.

It's hard because what I want is to be successful. I want a good job that pays well so that I can be financially independent. That's all. Yet it seems like I have to keep going to school in order to make that happen. Quite frankly, I have been in school all my life with only two years as a break. I feel like I need to grow up, put on the big girl pants and just get out there and work. But it isn't happening. I'm already burned out in my graduate program. I'm not even sure that this is what I want to be doing (personality-wise, I feel like I might have made a bad decision). But the thing is, I don't even know what I'm passionate about. Well, I do know what I like but a ) I'm not good enough to teach it b ) it doesn't make any money. So I understand where you are coming from. At least you have some idea of where you want to go.

Student advising.

Link-Is an advanced degree worth it? Valuing Another Degree Jonnelle Marte Monday, April 12, 2010 Does an advanced degree still propel you ahead? The answer isn't as straightforward as it used to be. The unemployment rate for people ages 20 to 24 with a bachelor's degree fell to 7.2% in March, from 7.6% a year earlier. But that still leaves scores of twentysomethings vying for fewer jobs. And the pool of job hunters will grow as the class of 2010 enters the work force. So, it may be tempting to sidestep the whole job search, at least for a while, and go back to the security of academia -- to further your education and make yourself more marketable in the long run. But you'll need to determine if delaying your entry into the job market and incurring the costs of a master's or M.B.A. degree will pay off in this economic climate. "In many, many fields, education up the wazoo is not going to matter as much as on-the-job training," says Heather Huhman, president of ComeRecommended.com, a social-networking site for young professionals. The Cheaper Hire People over 25 years old with a master's degree earn about 20% more a week than people with a bachelor's degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And those with professional degrees get paid 50% more. These days, however, as employers continue to cut spending, expectations for such higher pay could backfire when you're competing against less educated -- and less expensive -- candidates. For example, entry-level teachers with master's degrees often have a harder time getting hired than those with bachelor's degrees because schools typically pay more to teachers with master's degrees, says Steven Rothberg, founder of CollegeRecruiter.com. Graduates "need to understand that many employers will be turned off by their higher education," he says. What's more, some of the pay boosts typically associated with master's degrees may vanish as state governments and school boards contemplate moving toward performance-based pay systems, from education-based pay structures, says Mark Schneider, a vice president at the American Institutes for Research, a behavioral and social-science research organization in Washington, D.C. Administrative or policy jobs with state and local governments, which also tend to reward higher education with higher pay, aren't as available or lucrative these days because of tight budgets, he adds. In many industries, trading in potential work experience for additional education could leave you short of certain skills and networking, says Ms. Huhman. Taking on Debt Another factor to keep in mind: More education usually means more debt. People who pursue a master's degree end up borrowing 55% of their tuition, according to Finaid.org. And fewer employers are reimbursing tuition costs. Of course, a graduate degree can be beneficial in some situations. Career changers can use the degree to show they have knowledge of the new field. And a master's may be necessary to qualify for certain higher positions. Some high-level marketing and business consulting positions require candidates to have an M.B.A., says Boston job coach Susan Kennedy. If you're undecided, consult companies you'd like to work for and mentors in your industry about whether education or work experience will do more to advance your career, says Ms. Huhman. Write to Jonnelle Marte at jonnelle.marte@wsj.com What do you think? Personally, I selected a program that will ensure that I won't get into debt after I graduate. But how about you? Is the debt worth it in the end, given the information in this Wall Street Journal article?

That's where I am in my life. Well said.

UPDATE: I chose UCONN! I feel that I made the right decision.

I took the money. I got into Columbia, NYU, and Michigan--all top programs, but I chose a strong program at a state school (UCONN) for full funding. I don't regret my decision for a minute. *Dances like Napoleon*