it's a decision i always knew i wanted to make, but i had never truly confronted the issue until these past few years. i see graduate school as an investment in my future and an opportunity to differentiate myself from my peers. it's an experience that will help me become a successful leader of the advertising and public relations industry.
there are so many factors that go into my decision to go to grad school:
i first asked myself, "do you really want to be in school for another two years?" the answer is: yes. i enjoy learning in a classroom-style environment and i can easily see myself learning and growing in a graduate program.
how am i going to pay for it? will my parents help me out? family? loans? tuition wavers? graduate assistantships? scholarships? internships? a job?
where do i want to go? i know i want to have the graduate school experience in a larger city, but i need to find a program that suits my needs and career objectives.
when should i go? should i take a year off before applying? i've made the decision to go to graduate school the fall semester after i graduate from Drury.
where am i going to live? housing in larger cities is expensive. how do i pay for it? how can i find an apartment?
where can i work? most programs offer classes in the late afternoons and early evenings. are there paid internship opportunities available? a part time job?
am i ready to truly be on my own? this is a question that all graduates must be asking themselves. to many people, going out into the "real world" can be a scary thought, but i see it as an opportunity to keep learning, growing, and experiencing new things.
am i ready to abandon my love of theatre and music? NO. no matter where i am, i want to be involved extracurricularly or professionally in theatre, music, or musical theatre. many of the graduate programs offer groups and activities to non-major graduate students. if not, the cities in which i am looking offer rich theatre and music scenes.
i've been doing a lot of research on graduate programs all across the US, and even some in Europe! i am truly excited about the prospect of graduate school, but i'm prepared to do a lot of work to apply for admission. most graduate programs are highly selective and i know i need to work hard on my applications, personal statements, essays, and the dreaded GRE. i also need to contact supervisors, professors, advisors and mentors for recommendation letters. it's a lot of time and work to apply for graduate school, but it's a process for which I'm ready.
Look for more graduate school-related posts in the future.
