Graduate program acceptance with no funding?

[Chukwu Chucks]

What u guys gonna do with that? specially if u r already "independent" from mama and papa?

me? Parents still got the money but it always tearing my heart if I take any more $$$ from my parents saving account

I'm still waiting for the announcement from multiple philantropist organization I applied....My instinct told me that 70% chance I gotta "rob" my parents again in order to continue to grad school (((

[avicus]

Is it really important for you to go to graduate school?

[Chukwu Chucks]

since I dont get a decent job after graduation.,....yes

[ghanada]

Most people on this forum go with 2 options:

1) Only goto grad school if it is paid for

or

2) Take out loans

I personally went with both options. I first did my Masters and took out loans. Now I am going to be doing a PhD which is paid for. I would much rather take out loans and be a little in debt than ask my parents for money. Especially as an engineer, you will be fine paying off your loans after you graduate. Or you could choose to take some more time off, strengthen your application, and then get into a grad program that is paid for.

[avicus]

I agree with Ghanada​. Just to add on, as you might be aware, it is generally more difficult to get into funded Master's programs, as they are relatively fewer than funded PhD programs. I have a few questions/concerns, however:

1.

Why are you applying to "philanthrophist organizations" for financial aid? IMHO, if you have some form of financial resources (viz. your parents in this case), then applying for financial aid from these organizations would not be a wise decision, since

• You would be competing with people who actually do not have the money for graduate school, and whom these organizations actually aim to help; (I'm speaking very generally here),
  
• If you were truthful in filling out the financial situation section of the application, you probably would not stand a good chance of receiving aid;
  
• If you weren't truthful in filling out your information, and if you did get financial aid as a result, would your conscience be fine with it? Even if it were, you would be denying a rightful applicant his or her chance to get financial aid.
  

2.

You need to be really sure that going to grad school WILL actually improve your chances of getting a better job, because you will end up becoming more specialized in your field, (unless you are switching fields). So when you graduate, your job options might actually become more limited, and you have a smaller choice of potential job choices.

What is a decent job to you? Good pay? Flexible working hours? Because it means different things to different people. My conclusion is, graduate school is not a MUST to get a "better job". Experience and interpersonal skills are just some of the myriad factors, besides academics, that will help you in securing a "better job"

[Chukwu Chucks]

...well, I have tried to find real job with my B.S., and the only one that offer me a job is a hard labor work....wait a minute...I've spent 5 yrs in college to do labor work with some hi-school grads???? FML!

[ktel]

I don't think going to grad school just because you can't find a job is the right reason. What exactly about grad school will help you find a job afterwards? Sometimes you really do need the second degree, but if you don't, you're not fixing the problem you're just delaying it. For example, from the posts on this forum I might guess that English is your second language? Perhaps this might be holding you back, and focusing your attention on improving your writing skills might be more worthwhile.

And in response to avicus, just because your parents could help you, doesn't mean that you shouldn't apply for financial aid. For example, in Canada when applying for government loans you must provide your parents' income if you have been out of high school for 4 years or less. After 4 years you are no longer required to do so, and therefore would probably qualify for much more aid. This is regardless of whether your parents would still help you out or not.

[Chukwu Chucks]

And in response to avicus, just because your parents could help you, doesn't mean that you shouldn't apply for financial aid. For example, in Canada when applying for government loans you must provide your parents' income if you have been out of high school for 4 years or less. After 4 years you are no longer required to do so, and therefore would probably qualify for much more aid. This is regardless of whether your parents would still help you out or not.

That's in Canada though....not sure bout the US