# Do you really want to go to graduate school? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 17, 2008, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939 "2008-02-17T00:57:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/1 "2008-02-17T00:57:28Z")
No. That’s my final answer. After earning a pre-business General Studies Associate Degree and about to finally graduate with a Bachelor in General Studies, I’ve decided I’m not going to law school, or any graduate school for that matter. Though I’ve always left the option open, I can now say what I want. I want only what I have now, more or less. I don’t want to spend time or money getting a law degree. I’m just going to go into the business world, even though the economy is in the tank, and maybe teach part-time. So working full-time and teaching part-time. That’s what I want. Psychology, sociology and political science - that’s my philosophy. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/2 "2008-02-17T01:00:27Z")
My final answer is ‘‘Yes - but not right now.’’ Good for you knowing what you want. I have no idea what the hell I’m going to do. As long as you’re happy and can keep a roof over your head, it really doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![nikonikosuru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@nikonikosuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikonikosuru)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/3 "2008-02-17T01:53:36Z")
Not really. I’m so burned out from schooling (Kalamazoo College - where your best hasn’t been good enough since 1833!) that I just don’t know how I can keep on going. But in order to reach my goal jobs of translator or interpreter or Japanese teacher or Japanese professor or a ESL teacher (whew!) I know that I’m going to have to keep up truckin’ through school. And my major here is in no way related to anything I want to do in the future. ☹ I’ve been thinking about going to graduate school for linguistics. Although I wish I could take a breather without feeling guilty…I feel 40 years older than I actually am and the stress from all of my requirements to graduate from Kzoo makes me not want to even get out of bed in the morning, I can’t imagine feeling excited for graduate school after this. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/4 "2008-02-17T01:57:15Z")
Keep your options open in case you change your mind later. That’s where I met my wife. That was the best part of graduate school. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/5 "2008-02-17T02:02:20Z")
I wish I could change my answer–but with 10 weeks left in the program, it’s a little too late for that. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/6 "2008-02-17T02:17:00Z")
I went straight from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree, because, frankly, it was easier than looking for a job. And that was fine. I had an assistantship, so my tuition was covered and I even had a teeny little income. I will say that the only thing the M.A. has done for me professionally is to have qualified me for the “master’s preferred” or “master’s required” jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/7 "2008-02-17T02:33:57Z")
My options are left open - but I am happy with where I am. The thing is I knew what I didn’t want (medical school, though a noble profession not for me, divinity school, though venerable not for me, ect.) and I knew what I did want (maybe law school, maybe business school, ect). My uncle majored in biology and studied to be a school teacher but ended up in the military. With a career in the military, retired, living in Las Vegas, he’s now working as a civil sevant. So, I guess, life is unpredictable. I’d basically like to have the life my uncle lived. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/8 "2008-02-17T02:34:00Z")
No - but I’m in the middle of it anyway. I have to get a Master’s Degree in order to compete in my first promotion board being held next December. I haven’t had time to really get into a program, take my time, and enjoy it like I wanted to–I’ve been on the road too much the past few years that I’ve had to shoehorn a degree into the two short years I’m in Georgia. So no, I never really wanted to go after it at this point, I only do it for promotion, and even so, I have to rush through everything and not really study as hard or intently as I want to. Tripler Just my two cents. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/9 "2008-02-17T02:36:32Z")
It took 10 years working for me to want to go back to school. I’m glad, both that I waited until it was something I truly wanted to do, and that I’m doing it now. Yes, I am that freak who loves law school. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PharmBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/74df32/32.png) [@PharmBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PharmBoy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/10 "2008-02-17T17:40:44Z")
You have to really want to go to grad school, because if you think your undergrad degree was mind and soul-crushing, you haven’t seen anything until you get to grad school. Looking back over 13 years, I’m glad I went, but I can tell you, it took me 5 years until I felt that way. And just the sight of my dissertation on the shelf makes me sick to my stomach… ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/11 "2008-02-17T18:36:36Z")
I guess the answer must be yes. I mean, I’m still here, which can only be described as a pure act of will. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/12 "2008-02-17T19:01:58Z")
My MA program was nicknamed “grad school boot camp.” Only a handful of us crazies have decided to pursue PhDs. One year of grad school really tested our resolve. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/13 "2008-02-17T20:35:43Z")
I went straight from my B.S. to grad school, and it was the smartest thing I ever did. No way was I ready for work yet, my horizons expanded, and I loved it. But it isn’t for everyone. I just wanted to insert a bit of positivity into this tread. ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/14 "2008-02-17T22:03:10Z")
I am in my 21st year of saying that I will go back for my master’s degree when my undergrad stops doing the trick for me. At this point in my career, people look at my work experience. ---
**Author:** ![ignis\_glaciesque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@ignis\_glaciesque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ignis_glaciesque)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/15 "2008-02-18T04:20:48Z")
As a man who’s scarcely more than a year from earning his very own B.A., the answer would be, “Yes, but not right now. Work a couple of years in the real world, and then come back and get my graduate degree.” In fact, this is the _recommended_ course of action for people in my desired field. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/16 "2008-02-18T05:09:19Z")
No, I don’t want to. But I probably will anyway. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/17 "2008-02-18T12:05:52Z")
No! In fact, I am solidly against grad school except for doctors, lawyers, and people who really actually want to be scholars of a subject. Why? I can think of no job that couldn’t be better learned spending that two years on the job instead of in a classroom. I’ve learned more in the past two years of my life than I could have in a dozen years of grad school. Furthermore, the real world is exciting, open and exhilerating in the way the structured life of school could never be. Who knew I could learn functional French in ten weeks instead of in years of classroom work? Who knows more about Africa, Bob the African studies major or me the girl who lives in Cameroon? Or put it this way…when a company wants it’s workers to learn a skill, they train them. They don’t send them to grad school. It’s only when you are the one picking up the tab that they suddenly think grad school is a great idea. There are better, faster, cheaper ways to learn. Now, a solid basic education and critical thinking skills are important and I think a college degree is a good thing. And grad school is great if you want to do research, specialize in a specific part of a subject, and want to be part of academia. But I am very, very resentful of the “arms race” attitude towards education. I think that now that college is open to more than just the elites, there needs to be a new way of sorting people out. And that is to expect even more schooling and things like unpaid interships that have little to do with the job and are always going to be more difficult for the poor to do. Now personally, I am willing to go to grad school if I know what I want to do and understand how a grad degree will help me do it. But there is no way in hell I am going just because it’s the thing to do nowdays. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/18 "2008-02-18T12:49:05Z")
I got my BSE in 1979. Having a MS woudn’t have made any difference in my career, although I might have been able to do some part-time teaching at the local junior college if I’d had a graduate degree. At this stage of my life (2 years to retirement) there’s no practical reason to pursue it, and I’m not so enamored of academia that I’d bother with it. On the other hand, I’d thought about teaching high school after retirement, but Maryland requires all teachers to begin work on their masters within 5 years. So my choice is to teach 5 years then quit, or go back to school myself. Still thinking on that one… ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/19 "2008-02-18T12:52:14Z")
Maybe. But only if I were wealthy enough that it was not a burden in any way. ---
**Author:** ![ErinPuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939/20 "2008-02-18T13:26:47Z")
I’m getting my BMus. in May (assuming I don’t explode before then), and I’m planning to apply to graduate programs in musicology for fall 2009. I’m hoping the year off will have the effect of reminding me how much I like being in school and learning things. I know I’m making a poor choice, statistically speaking - I’ve read that something like 1 in 6 people with PhDs in musicology are actually working in the field. So I might end up living in a box or something. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-really-want-to-go-to-graduate-school/437939.md?page=2)