Going for an unfunded MA - Now what?

[korartiz]

At this point, I'd rather be in debt that be stuck working in a coffee shop or restaurant for another year+. The job market is ridiculous and I don't see me getting anything gainful without further employment. 

[Tweedledumb]

After reading all these respones, I think all of you have some really valid points. Ultimately, it does seem to come down to the individual situation. In my case, without any undergraduate debt and the option to live at home rent-free for some period of time, all while mainting in-state tuition from a school I really like, I think it's a pretty viable option. That said, I know it's going to be a risk. And I do need to keep my debt to an absolute minimum. But I just don't think I can work another year in a coffee shop in Middle-Of-Nowhere-Missouri with only a vague hope of finding a funded MA program next year. I also should have mentioned that my undergrad GPA was pretty dismal due to the fact that I attempted a Business major for a while (big mistake), thus making it that much more difficult to obtain competitive TAships and fellowships. An MA now, even unfunded, at least offers me the opportunity to prove that I am able to do well in grad school - this, I hope, will pay off more in the future when it really matters.

I'm just throwing this out there since you're in Missouri right now -- Missouri State has several fully funded TAs available each semester for their MA programs in the English Department. I think getting the MA first is worth it for the experience and networking, but I wouldn't be doing it if I wasn't funded...

[Strong Flat White]

Hi there! My MA was unfunded. Here are some tips based on my personal experience:

 

1. Fill out the FAFSA. You won't get much, but you might get some state-based grants.

 

Or you might get much! FAFSA dispersements and awards are in large part determined by your unique circumstances.  As a dad of 2 kids w/ a wife also in school, we get all kinds of FAFSA...but it does help to apply earlier rather than later, as many institutions dole out their grants for people like me on a rolling basis. Procrastination could cost you thousands of dollars. Good luck!