Should I drop out of grad school?

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm early in my second year of a three-year graduate acting program. The good: It's an excellent program (as MFAs in acting go), I've got a full ride plus assistantship (no debt whatsoever), and at the end of the three years I'll have a terminal degree and union eligibility. The bad: I don't really want to be an actor. Not anymore. I also don't want to teach (just in case anyone decides to throw out that idea). The degree, then, will be pretty much worthless. I spent five years in New York living the lowly life of the off-off-broadway actor, and I really just used grad school as a means of escaping the world. I'm bored to tears and it's a chore to go to class every day.</p>

<p>The thing is, I'm 28, and I'll be nearly 30 when I graduate. I have no real work experience aside from crummy temp jobs when I was living in NYC. I have a B.A. in history from a no-name state school with a gpa a shade over 3.0. </p>

<p>Do I just stick it out for two more years and then start completely over with something else at 30? I have no idea what I'd like to do, but I'm wondering if I really want to put off the process of finding out for another year and a half or so. An MFA doesn't really give me any marketable skills outside of acting, but would it look bad to drop out?</p>

<p>I recognize that I've got a pretty sweet deal here; but if it isn't what I want to do, is it worth it to see it through just for the sake of getting a piece of paper?</p>

2

<p>Not sure, in part because you have neither listed nor alternatives nor mentioned how long this feeling has been afflicting you. Is this sudden? Have you felt like this your entire time in grad school? What is it about acting that you no longer like?</p>

<p>And again, what are your alternatives? If you still want to do something in the industry, (like writing, directing, whatever) then finishing the degree seems prudent. If you want to do something in another field altogether, then what is your plan? Do not quit this program until you have a plan that is realistic, acceptable, and long considered.</p>

3

<p>Do you have any friends to talk about this issue with? I know during the second year or so of my PhD most of my friends and I absolutely hated what we were doing and regretted starting it. It took us anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to snap out of it. :)</p>

4

<p>I have to concur with the above posters. It’s common for graduate students in every field to question whether they really want to continue and if they’ve chosen the right path. The rigor of graduate study can burn you out. That said, even a “sweet deal” is not worth it if you’ve been miserable for a prolonged time.</p>

<p>Do have a concrete plan for an alternative. If you quit, will life be even tougher because you don’t have a job? What DO you want to do, and how can you achieve it? If nothing else, staying in the program can buy you some time while you formulate other plans. </p>

<p>In any case, congratulations on gaining admittance into an MFA acting program. Even if you eventually choose not to pursue acting, you’re obviously talented.</p>

5

<p>FWIW
Take all the acting skills you can muster and fake it for the next 2 years until you complete your degree.
Your attitude about acting and teaching may change by then.
It may be torturous but hopefully,completing the program will be worth the self satisfaction and will be the highlight of your resume for years.
We are probably already in a double dip recession so enjoy the safe haven of a paid education for 2 more years.
Good luck.</p>

6

<p>If you know that you don’t want to be an actor, and you know that you want to start over with something else, then why on earth would you stay somewhere you are bored and miserable? If you know you want to get a graduate degree in something else to prepare you for some other type of career, leave your MFA program and then go pursue that something else.</p>

<p>When I was considering leaving, I learned some very valuable things:</p>

<p>1) The age you are is the age you are, regardless of whether you leave or stay. if you will be 30 in two years, you will be 30 regardless of what you choose to do. Do you want to be 30 and miserable in an MFA program (or just finishing one), or do you want to be 30 and moving on to something else that you like better?</p>

<p>2) A sweet deal is not so sweet if you hate it. So what if the MFA is free? If you don’t want to use it, it’s like a free sample of a top-line shampoo for a bald dude.</p>

<p>3) I 50% disagree with Batllo. Life is too short to be miserably slaving away in a program you hate for a degree you won’t use. You don’t complete a degree for the self-satisfaction; you complete a degree because it’s a credential for something. The other 50% I agree with thought, and I’ll outline in a few moments.</p>

<p>The questions that the other posters asked are relevant. Is this a sudden onset of anxiety? Many grad students get that halfway through their program. They’re deep enough in that they can’t see the beginning anymore, but there’s no light at the end of the tunnel yet. There is much panicking and realization that the job market sucks, sometimes the work is boring and miserable, omg I am so tired of taking classes, etc. Your job is decide whether this is a momentary panic that needs sleep, therapy, good food and kvetching with other grad students to get over - or whether it’s a symptom of something bigger, whether you really just don’t want to do this crap anymore and whether you want to move on to something else that will also fulfill you.</p>

<p>Do you want to stay in the field or any related field? Then an MFA may be useful. </p>

<p>The caveat for this, and the other 50%, is that I believe a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. I believe in not moving on to the next unless you have something lined up. I contemplated dropping out of my PhD program in the middle of my 3rd year. It’s smack dab in that halfway point. I started applying for jobs while I continued to complete the requirements for my degree - because I was getting paid, yo. You have to eat. So even if you decide to leave, it may be worth it to stay until you are financially read to cut ties - unless the program is driving you so crazy that you HAVE to have out.</p>

7

<p>Be patient with yourself. Sounds like you just need to connect to the right people. Have you applied for any internships in your field as an actor? Have you looked into interning at a film production company or media related areas. By interning, you’ll be able to pick up other skills as well. Learning on the job so to speak. Even if you have to file papers or serve coffee, that will get your foot in the door. Building your resume is as important as earning your degree. Success doesn’t happen over night. It requires hard work and endurance. Take advantage of your free education.</p>

8

<p>Possibly. Actually, I am fine with it either way.</p>

<p>Anyway, should I shave my goatee? It’s well proportioned and neatly trimmed (don’t think relief pitcher); but will I look and feel more vibrant clean shaven?</p>

<p>Tough call, no?</p>