It's March 10th and my mailbox is empty

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the experiences and concerns of a participant regarding their graduate school applications, including acceptance statuses, financial considerations, and future career options. The scope includes personal reflections on the application process, potential paths forward, and the job market landscape.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their current status in the graduate school application process, noting acceptances without support and a rejection, and expresses concern about the lack of responses from other schools.
  • There is speculation about the implications of delayed responses, with one participant suggesting it may indicate being a borderline candidate for admission.
  • Questions are raised about the possibility of accepting one of the current offers and seeking alternative funding options, such as jobs or loans.
  • Another participant suggests considering part-time enrollment as a viable option to balance work and study.
  • Concerns are voiced about the competitiveness of the job market and whether pursuing graduate school is worthwhile without financial support.
  • Some participants advise against paying for graduate school out of pocket, suggesting finding employment that could cover educational costs instead.
  • A distinction is made regarding the job market for physics versus other fields, with one participant indicating their focus is on mathematics and not expecting opportunities in the physics job market.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the value of pursuing graduate school without financial support, with some advocating for caution and others suggesting alternative paths. There is no consensus on the best course of action, reflecting differing perspectives on the job market and educational funding.

Contextual Notes

Participants' views are influenced by personal experiences and assumptions about the job market and financial viability of graduate studies. The discussion does not resolve the uncertainties surrounding the application process or the implications of financial decisions.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals navigating the graduate school application process, particularly those concerned about funding and career prospects in STEM fields.

eastside00_99
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So far in the graduate school application process this is how I stand:

illinois (accepted w/o support)
Tufts (accepted w/o support)
Duke (rejected)

-------
Haven't Heard from

University of Washington
University of Southern California
City University of New York
Rice University
Boston College
Wake ForestI have many things rattling around in my head:

(1) Why is it so late and I haven't heard back from any schools? To me, if I can draw any conclusions about how my application rates compared to others by this data, I would have to say I must be a boarder line case between admittance and rejection to most of the schools I apply to. Hence the reason for no support and for the long wait for replies on my applications from the other schools.

(2) Has anyone else had a similar experience?

(3) Say I get rejected from the remaining schools! Then I know I can get about 10-12 K from my parents for at least the first two years. Should I just take one of the offers at tufts or illinois and look for alternative forms of support to pay for the rest (such as job, loan, or something else)? Alternatively, I will have to find a job anyway and will probably still go to school at least part-time (but I would probably take undergraduate computer science courses or mathematical finance courses) unless the job is uber-terrific!

Any advice here?
 
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I guess also there is the option of asking to be a part-time student rather than a full-time at illinois or tufts and getting a job. That doesn't seem like all that bad of idea really. Still what do you guys think?
 
What are you planning to do with your life?
The job market is pretty competitive at the moment, and if you can't even find support at a grad school, then taking grad school might not be worth doing.
 
Well, with you CaptainQuaser, I just don't have any good options now do I? I guess there is always well-fare.
 
I would not pay for grad school out of your own pocket if I were you. Perhaps you can find a job that would pay for you to go back and get your Masters.
 
I meant the physics job market. You can get a decent job elsewhere, and perhaps even if you get a good industry job they may pay for you to continue education as Cyrus said. You shouldn't pay for grad studies out of pocket.
 
oh, I see. Well, I'm a math student so I definitely am not expecting a job in the physics job market.
 

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