[OT] graduate school

[Andrew Jorgensen]

On Wed, 2008-03-26 at 14:05 -0600, Andrew McNabb wrote:
> On Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 01:19:56PM -0600, Derek Davis wrote:
> > I have applied to graduate school, and been accepted to my top two
> > choices, University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech.  However, I don't
> > know how to choose between the two.
> 
> My opinion is that the advisor is everything.

I was going to say the same thing but leave out the "opinion" part.  I
have not been to graduate school but I have worked with / known many
graduate students.  You should not be thinking about what school at all.
Period.  Your experience in graduate school will largely be determined
by the professors you work with.


On Wed, 2008-03-26 at 14:09 -0600, Mike Lovell wrote:
> Jesse Stay wrote:
> > On Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 1:19 PM, Derek Davis <derek.davis at gmail.com> wrote:
> >   
> >> I'm hoping that as a bunch of students/ex students/future
> >>  students/never-want-to-be-students, your collective wisdom may help me with
> >>  a difficult decision.
> >
> > Not to spoil your decision, but what is your reasoning for graduate
> > school?  Do you want to become a Professor?
> >   
> I have thought about doing grad school just to get a grad degree. Not 
> necessarily to get a higher pay or for a better resume. I would just 
> like to say that I have a Master Degree and that I accomplished that. 
> Just doing research in a particular area of tech for 2 years also sounds 
> kind of fun although the rest of grad school might be kind of painful. 
> Anyways......

Like I said, I haven't done it yet myself (and don't plan to) but I know
people who have (am married to a Master of Music).  The amount of pain
you go through (and money you burn through) to get a graduate degree is
absolutely not worth the paper they mail you at the end and often not
worth what the line on your resume can do for you.  Overqualified,
under-experienced is not a recipe for landing a great job.

Also if you are married please consider the devastating impact graduate
school may have on your family.

I'm not saying don't do it.  Just be absolutely sure you want to, and
know why, before diving in.