Slightly different career path..

Graduate School
1

<p>I've been talking to a lot of grad students and applicatns in my field lately, and there seems to be that general dream of being " a professor at a respected university, producing amazing research."</p>

<p>As for myself, I'm more interested in teaching than research, and really, all I want to do is get a professorship at liberal arts colleges or undergrad-heavy schools, have some fundings for my research, but spend lots of time in class.
Of course this is not to discredit scholars at those schools - I just don't like how many profs/dept. at prestigious schools end up being very research centered without much emphasis on students and teaching. I guess I'm not that ambitious when it comes to becoming the next Michel Foucault. I just like being in school :P</p>

<p>So my question is, is going after the schools with the best name value the best option for me? Even if that means spending a lot more money, or getting less personalized attention from the advisor? I have to choose between a top10 school with huge department and no funding, and a top 30ish school with smaller but solid department with funding. Right now I'm entering MA, but I'd also appreciate comments regarding grad career as a whole..</p>

2

<p>No PhD? Go with the funded MA. And whoever has better track record for getting students into top PhD programs.</p>

3

<p>Ooh! Ooh! I found one. Yay kindred spirits.</p>

<p>I’m looking at teaching more than research myself. I’m thinking community colleges–that’s where the future of tuition inflation is headed.</p>

<p>Honestly, why choose a school by name alone? Of what use is a top ten school if you become a bitter, impersonal teacher? I really don’t think potential employers will care for the prestige as much as they will your accomplishments wherever you go–and I’m sure they’ll have heard of whatever smaller, respectable program you prefer.</p>

<p>I plan to choose my grad school by which would teach me the most, and by which adviser is most helpful. And by which one gives me money :confused: There will always be bountiful career choices for hard workers.</p>