BonoIsMyMuse said:
What I'm being paid wouldn't nearly be enough for me to actually live on. It came down to taking loans or working at least one other job to get by, and I decided having extra time to focus on my work and on the classes I teach for my stipend was worth the debt. I have enough stress to deal with--I definitely don't need money worries on top of it.
I went to a private college and my parents couldn't afford to help me too much, so even after scholarships I had to take out pretty many loans. That was my choice not to go to a state school, and I don't regret it one bit. I was really shy as a teenager and went to a very small high school, so a big school would've swallowed me up.
I think we're in a similar sitation.
Even if a grad school offered a stipend, that would likely only cover tuition. There's still rent, insurance, my wedding, etc. and if you're a full time student, it's hard to work full time or more without going insane. At this point, I can't even afford to take the GRE.
I also went to a private college because it's a really great school and I couldn't afford going to a cheaper but good state school somewhere else because of travel expenses. My parents didn't really pay any of it. I got some need-based, but based on my dad's income, we're OK, except I don't get any of it
I worked really hard to get As and scholarships, but even that covers maybe 1/4. Everything is too competitive these days. My mom got a full ride to the same school with only a 3.4. I ended up with a 3.9 and also had some awards from the gymnastics team and all I got was the scholarship you always get based on the GPA brackets. These days, you've got to be president of five clubs and have a 4.7 to get anything worthwhile
I also agree college is not for everyone and people should not be made to feel ashamed because they didn't go, but for some professions, it's impossible to go anywhere without a masters. I also want to go into veterinary medicine, not necessarily as a vet, but even to be a vet tech there are additional associates degrees required. I can't go back to school right now because Phil really wants a teaching degree and since he knows exactly what he wants, he can go first.
Ah well, at least there is comfort in knowing I'm not the only one who's screwed.