Graduate school v. current job?

Graduate School
1

<p>I was accepted to a good IR program with a focus in international environmental policy that would require moving and either quitting my job or working part time remotely. I also applied to a state school close by that has no recognition whatsoever in IR but I could also focus in international environmental policy as well. I currently work in the environmental consulting field and am looking to transition into a more internationally focused career, and not exactly the environmental work that I am currently doing. </p>

<p>I really want to attend the better school, but my manager is making it increasingly difficult for me to say yes to the school by offering to pay my tuition for the school here, allow me to continue to work, and offering to give me a raise. I am nervous about leaving a good (and relatively easy) job to go to school, take out loans, but potentially get me started in a great career. I am also worried about staying here, feeling stuck, and spending money on an education I'm not quite sure is worth it. Everyone keeps saying I can get take different paths to my desired career goal and don't be stupid by going into debt. However, I have also really wanted that second college experience, and I really love school. I already deferred admission to the better school last year, so I feel like these are my two options. Tuition costs about the same, its the other costs that are getting to me. Is anyone else considering the opportunity costs of leaving their job for grad school??</p>

2

<p>i’m not leaving a good job to go to grad school, but…</p>

<p>if your current employer is offering to pay for your tuition at the lesser-known school/program, then tuition costs are not the same. tuition to one school is free. grad school ain’t cheap and it’s not a guarantee of a great career afterward either. i’m not telling you not to go to the better school and program, but when you sit down and write out the pros and cons, you shouldn’t look at these two schools as though your tuition expenses are the same, because they’re not. be realistic about your options.</p>

3

<p>Is the local school at least good in the realm of state schools? I mean, there’s a difference between the U of Maryland (or Michigan or some of the California state schools) and the University of Idaho or someplace like that (no disrespect to Idaho–my Dad went to school there).</p>

4

<p>It’s a UC and a California state school. With the grant I received from UC, the cost for either school-not including living expenses- would be $10,000. For UC I would also have to take out $$ for living expenses, but the state school I wouldn’t. It wouldn’t be a huge loan, probably $40,000-$50,000 but I’m reluctant to have any debt. I also have a medical condition and would need to stay on my employer’s insurance through cobra, which would be another $5,000/year.</p>