<p>I graduated last year from top twenty liberal arts school. I didn't excel, but I did decently at a challenging school, with a 3.45, and (painfully, painfully close to honors) thesis in Gender Studies.</p>
<p>but I kind of squandered the time when I should have been figuring out the next step. So I've been toying with the idea of a masters in counseling, either as a M.Ed or M.S. and deadlines are in a month. I have the GREs done, two letters of Recommendation acquired, and two applications half written. I'm pretty sure I can get in, but I'm lukewarm about the whole thing, and not sure exactly what I want to do.</p>
<p>Should I wait another year to really get passionate about something? or should I get my ass in gear while I still remember how to study?</p>
<p>finish your application and then make your decision about what you want to do once you’ve been accepted some place. you may be lukewarm now, but by september you may really want to do this, and if you didn’t submit applications, you have another year to wait. if you did, and got in some place, you’re on your way. and if you submit, get in, and decide not to go, you’ve only lost a bit of money and you’re free to do whatever else you want.</p>
<p>finish the apps just to give yourself the option. decide later.</p>
<p>^ I agree with the above poster.</p>
<p>I would take a year off. If you do get into a program and aren’t really committed, you’ll be just going through the motions and may not do as well as you might, or you may drop out. A year working will help you figure out what you really want, and then you’ll be going back with renewed energy.<br>
Don’t worry about forgetting how to study. You’ll remember. It’s mostly about motivation, anyway.</p>
<p>Hi omalleja, I agree with StrangeLight. Since you already have the applications underway, if you feel you can make the deadlines, go ahead and apply as long as you first examine your reasons for wanting to attend these programs. Ask yourself what you hope to get out of them and how they will take you closer to achieving your future career goals. One good test of this of course is, while writing your statements of purpose for these programs, if you are able to articulate very strongly and very clearly your interest in and preparation for the program and your reasons for wanting to attend, this would suggest that you have a firm interest in the field. If you cannot define your motivation for going to grad school, that uncertainty will come across in your essays, and adcoms may not regard you as a serious applicant. </p>
<p>So I would say, go ahead and apply, but also remember that graduate school is a commitment of both time and money, so some thoughtful consideration should go into your decision to attend. As moonchild noted, the hard work you put into grad school will not be worth it if you are not passionate about the program, so just be honest with yourself about why you want to go.</p>