Pinging everybody who replied in no particular order. thundara bfv NotAnotherNeil lil CurmudgeonsMuse Isherwood am_Unition Ok so, funding. I have a certain amount of debt now, I'll probably not have less debt afterwards. I think I'll just have to compare packages between wherever I apply, factor in cost of living in the different areas, and somehow reach a sensible comparison of cost. Timing - Sooner seems to be better than later, by and large, especially in my field. (Clinical Research) If I want to get to a point where I am able to effect the kind of changes I want on research protocols and planning, I'll need a Masters of Public Health or something similar. In addition, I'm pretty much intentionally capping my earning potential for the next few years. That said, my application to any given program might be stronger with more and diversified field experience. Why/Drive/Reason - I care a whole heck of a lot about the wellbeing of my patients and their families. Cardiac illness always seems to occur in particularly vulnerable places and moments. My own story has it's ups and downs, and there are lots of people more and less affected than I am. But even if I had only my subjective experience of the disease, that is enough to set me firmly against this kind of illness. If one kid gets to skip having open heart surgery at age 11, I'll consider it worth it. I am lucky enough to be living in a time where cures are being developed. I get to watch in real-time as all of medical science begins to connect, interface, and develop meaningful improvements in quality of life for people once condemned to all kinds of misery. I have to believe that's a worthwhile goal. On a slightly more pragmatic note, if I want a plot of land on a lake or mountain somewhere someday, I'll need to find a way to finance the process. Getting the advanced degree sooner theoretically means raising my salary cap, and as long as I stay employed, and continue to be worth more, I'll be better off financially in the mid-long term. Theoretically. Beyond 'It would be cool to live/work overseas' can anybody see any practical benefit to pursuing positions abroad? I'll probably add to this post.