Hi,
I’m just looking for some support and advice.
I graduate in July (after a long sojourn) and my lease at my apartment in my college town expires at the same time.
What I want to do is study to take the GRE for 4 months, and apply to graduate school for the following August.
The problem is I don’t want to live with my parents ( I also will not be able to drive myself around, as my drivers license is suspended for 3 months - a reckless driving charge - very irresponsible and horrid).
Nevertheless I will soon be 27, am desperate to be on my own, have taken out loans to pay for everything (~33k in debt) the past 6 years and the very parents that plan to “have me move back home in with” expect me to have them drive me around, find a job that ‘makes 12-16k’ and that, according to them, “eventually you’ll find someone and your priotieis will change” - they also drop hints they want me to get married and its time to be “just like your father”.
My dream scenario is an apartment at the college town I’m near working odd jobs to pay the rent, until I get into graduate school. I am also ferociously enflamed by the academic environment and feel I thrive being stimulated in the said surroundings.
It’s in Neuroscience - A BS. Per what I’d go into, maybe Kinesiology - I’m interested in the relationship between the nervous system and exercise, specifically energy thresholds and pain adaptation. I was inspired by William James’ essay on the Energies of Man.
I’m also creative and artistic, I love language and History. I want to play to my strengths here
(I also have a philosophy background).
Four months seems like an excessively long time to study for the GRE.
Do you know which school you want to go to? Are you anywhere near it now? I would say just start looking for a job right where you are, and try to keep your lease, unless you have some compelling reason to move now. Moving is expensive.
Any possibilities of being a TA/GA? If not, don’t beat yourself up. As more people are returning to school, it’s becoming increasingly rare to land a TA/GA position. Believe me, I know.
Grad student here, had around $32k in debt before applying to grad school. I don’t know about the program that you want to go in, but I find it nearly impossible to work full time and go to school full time. Some people do it, but not many. I live with my father, as there is no way I could afford living on my own at the moment. I hate it, especially after having much more independence during college, but sometimes…it’s the price you gotta pay now to get beyond that $16k/year future.
No offense, but it doesn’t sound like your parents want you to aim for the stars. Do they not realize how little $12-16k is in today’s day and age? That’s below the poverty level. Why would you want your own child to aim for below poverty?
Oh, and the GRE sucks. It tests nothing relavent to your field. I didn’t study at all and got a high enough score to get in. Not that studying would have even mattered- absolutely nothing on the test had anything to do with my field, it was just a big waste of time and money. I wish you luck.
I’m not really familiar with that field of study. But isn’t starting salary for college grads like $40k? Why are you looking at what sounds like close to minimum wage jobs?
Also, one of the nice things about being on your own is that you don’t need to listen to your parents anymore.
Starting salaries vary hugely between careers, but why odd jobs are in the plans is a valid question. What kind of odd jobs are you thinking of, OP? Are they something that would bolster your grad school application? If not, what avenues would you have where you want to live that would give you a stronger application?
I know this isn’t what you want to hear but at 27 years old you need to get your act together. The very fact that you would ask it this forum tells me you do not. Reckless driving is usually a reduced charge some something much worse.
Sounds to me like you have some things to resolve. That’s not going to happen I grad school. Take some time and figure out what you want to do over the next say 10 years. Than you can make specific plans.
Per oddball jobs, I’m very cognizant of comfort zones and I’m afraid if I find a ‘good’ job I’ll take on too many extra commitments and liabilities that won’t allow me to escape it, whereas if I just take odd ball jobs till I get into graduate school than I’ll still be following the path towards my dream career (professor).
You are afraid you will lose control of yourself with too much money and get trapped into your job? That is a really REALLY dumb reason to not even look for a decent job. I am actually stunned by the logic, or lack of it. With a crappy job and a few credit cards, you can do the same thing.
If you have fears like this, you should be living with your parents.
I think you need to find yourself a nice girl and settle down already – you’re 27, you’re not getting any younger and nice girls don’t grow on trees, you know. Why not try one of those dating services on the computer?
I’m assuming by odd jobs, you mean things like waiting tables or temp work. If you can get a better job, especially one that is relevant to the role you want to have, by all means do it. You can stick to living cheaply while earning better money if you’re afraid of taking on too many commitments and that will give you some extra money in the bank for grad school.
You are 27 years old. It’s nice that your parents have their own preferences for what you do, but the decision is entirely in your hands.
The other advice I should give you is start looking for work now. I spent ten months unemployed after I got my Masters degree and that was with a solid resume. Even if you’re just looking for an hourly wage, start looking now.
Not sure how it works where you live, but around here, University students are hired for summer or co-op student work on four to eight month terms. They’re paid professional wages and work in their field. Sometimes it’s crappy work, but they also get included in certain meetings/decision making processes and gain a TON of professional experience in the ‘real world’. Sometimes it’s great work and they are offered a job with the same company once they finish their grad program.
