Good morning Hubski!
In reference to lil's suggestion about my pubski post yesterday, here are some questions that I probably should answer myself, and hear other peoples answers before I make a decision.
1. Why did you go to grad school?
2. When did you go to grad school?
3. What is a good reason to go to grad school?
4. What is a bad reason to go to grad school?
5. What is the best state of mind to start grad school?
6. What obvious and not so obvious things should I look for when choosing a program?
7. How on earth am I supposed to generate income while simultaneously committing enough hours to my studies? During the school year in undergrad I worked usually less than 10 hours a week.
And I'm sure I'll think of others. My answers, such as they are, are as follows.
1. Long term, to increase my earning potential. It's hard to think of a specific skill set in my field that I couldn't get cheaper, or with a less crazy time commitment. But the connections that you make in those environments can be incredibly valuable, both personally and professionally.
2. I dunno. If I want to start next fall I need to make some very big decisions soon.
3. I'm having a hard time thinking of an answer that doesn't involve money in some form.
4. Family pressure, obligation, 'because you're supposed to'
5. Probably with a certain fatalistic acceptance of your stress levels and lifestyle for the next few years.
6. No idea. Probably if I get along with/share vision with the faculty.
7. ????? Profit?