Graduate School

Over the past six months it has discouraged me when some one immediately asks, "Where will you be going to Grad school?" It seems as though any time I mention that I will be graduating in May, that is the first question that is asked. I in fact DO someday want to attend graduate school to continue my education in a specific field and to make more money, BUT until I figure out what I actually want to go for I will be entering the work force.

I see that many of my other colleagues feel the same pressures also. There are many other students that I see enrolling themselves in graduate test prep courses and asking each other the same exact question, "Oh you're graduating, where are you going to Grad school?" I wonder if any of these people who are immediately going to graduate school after undergrad even know what they want to go for? With the exception of course doctors, teachers, etc who have career requirements that require further schooling than undergrad. But, isn't the point of graduate school to work for a little while, then figure out that you want to narrow your work to a specific field.

These pressures from colleagues and adults have made people loopy. Graduate school is expensive and I am SURELY not discouraging it because I myself want to go someday, but I feel as though other people my age should not feel the pressure to go immediately. People LOVE to tell people their plans about how great they are and in reality, it is a better idea to keep them to yourself.

It is socially acceptable to speak of where one is going to Graduate school, it seems as though others now are looking down on you if you are even considering NOT going. Our society of upping each other had gotten out of hand. I have found that our generation is just trying to top each other over and over again. People need to RELAX and do what is best for themselves. Unless you are confident in taking the GRE or LSAT and doing well the first time, just the prep for these tests can cost over $1000.

I found an article today from usnews.com about the salary increases due to a Master's or Doctoral degree. There are many positives, but students my age need to realize that there is TIME for that.

Of course, the pressures of not getting a job and going right into graduate school seem to make sense. Keep educating yourself (or putting oneself into more debt) is a good idea, but you better hope you make the money after all that to pay back your loans. For people like me I just cannot afford that immediately from undergrad. I can not take out more loans right now it is just not sensible. I would be willing to bet there are many students that feel the same pressures that I do.