Thinking about grad schools
Mar. 12th, 2020 07:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chhotiiI'm trying to get my thoughts in order on the subject of applying to master's degree programs. On the one hand-- I really enjoyed taking University-level classes, and having an M.S. would really communicate to potential employers who I am and what I can do. On the other hand, jumping through the hoops of the academic process is irksome hassle and I procrastinate the hell out of dealing with it all.
Typically, what I've found so far, is that tuition is expected to be about $50,000; and completed applications are due in August-ish for a September-ish start date.
Northeastern is the leading contender at this moment, perhaps just because their website is so good— it's been really easy to find out lots of information about the program just by clicking around in the website. There's a listing of the classes— core classes, concentration classes, and electives— here, and it's really exciting to read the course descriptions. I like how they've thought through the different concentration tracks. (I'm thinking I might do the Omics concentration, although the Data Analytics concentration is also a possibility.)
I feel like I would prefer an on-campus program over an on-line program. Although Northeastern has an on-line option, I prefer taking classes on-campus; especially at Northeastern, which would be a super-easy commute for me. I feel acutely lonely holed up in my apartment all the time. Of course, I don't know how the pandemic is going to change things; even on-campus universities are switching over to distance learning for now, and who knows how long that will continue. Classes at Northeastern are in the evening, which is less than ideal for my circadian rhythm and parental responsibilities, but great for continuing the program if/when I do find a job.
As a member of the student body, I would be able to buy health insurance for both myself and Vic from the university, so much cheaper than COBRA!!!
Northeastern proudly advertises the employment stats for graduates of their program: "94% employment after graduation in industry or research in last three years". Of course, it's the university itself collecting those stats, so there's that big grain of salt. But at least they address this question. It would be devastating to spend a lot of time not earning money as I complete this degree with the expectation of being able to get a higher-paid job at the end of it and then not find work.
Submitting GRE scores for admission is strictly optional. If one takes the GRE and does well it might enhance one's application, but one can certainly apply without GRE scores. This is good; I feel completely not ready to take the GRE at this point in time.
Boston University is also geographically close to where I live. I have emailed asking for a campus visit, but I'll bet the office that handles campus visits is in disarray and not responding to requests because of the pandemic. Bummer, as I have many questions about the program.
I haven't looked deeply into UMass Lowell or Worcester Polytechnic. These may be options. Commuting to Lowell or Wocester would be more of a hassle, but probably doable.
Brandeis has a program that's on-line only. They don't look at GRE scores for admission. They are very flexible about how many classes one takes per semester— so if one has a job or is otherwise busy, one can take a minimal number of classes per semester, and take as long as 4 years to complete the program; or, if one isn't working, one can go flat-out and complete the program in as little as 18 months. Other than that, I don't know much about the program.
John Hopkins has an on-line program. Delightfully, one has the option of choosing on a semester by semester basis, or even a class by class basis, whether to take classes on-line or on-campus. However, that's a rather theoretical possibility for me, as I don't live anywhere near Maryland. If one takes classes on-line, one has the option of "attending class" literally any time that works for one's schedule: during the day, in the evening, 3 a.m., whatever. Lectures are pre-recorded, and class discussion is a chatroom.
What makes John Hopkins an unlikely choice for me at this point is that the coursework prerequisites are steeper than other programs, apparently. To pursue the degree from John Hopkins, I would have to go back to Harvard Extension or BU Met and take some classes there before even being able to start the John Hopkins program. This would make getting the M.S. a very long process indeed. Prerequisites MIGHT include the second semester of Organic Chemistry, ugh! This is unclear. What a royal pain in the ass it would be to go back and do the second semester. I'd have to review all the first semester material, and Organic Chemistry is tough. I'd also probably have to take Data Structures, and Biochemistry. And, with all that, I wouldn't be getting the health insurance perk. I'd first be working on the prerequisites at a local university as not a degree candidate, and thus ineligible for health insurance. Then, as a distance student, it's not clear whether I would be eligible for health insurance at John Hopkins; but would I even want it if it's an option? If they self-insure then all their Tier 1 providers would probably be at affiliated hospitals near Maryland.
I asked about employment rates for graduates of the program, and the person trying to sell me on this program over the phone did not tell me what percentage of graduates have a good job soon after graduating. Rather, she nattered on about how they have a great Office of Career Services and run frequent job fairs. Probably in Maryland. Going to a job fair in Maryland would not be out of the question— I could take the train down and stay with Libby, which would be fun. But would there be a concentration of employers there in Maryland? And it doesn't look good that she couldn't tell me the employment rate. Maybe they just haven't collected the stats. Maybe other confounding factors make a comparison of schools based on this metric unfair. But it's an issue of great concern to me.
University of Maryland, global campus, has an on-line degree program as well. Some of the same concerns there: do I want an on-line program, when I could go to a local school? Especially given the desirability of getting health insurance through a school? Would employer contacts be concentrated in Maryland? It's a higher priority for me to investigate further than John Hopkins at this point, though, given the issue of coursework prerequisites.
Typically, what I've found so far, is that tuition is expected to be about $50,000; and completed applications are due in August-ish for a September-ish start date.
Northeastern is the leading contender at this moment, perhaps just because their website is so good— it's been really easy to find out lots of information about the program just by clicking around in the website. There's a listing of the classes— core classes, concentration classes, and electives— here, and it's really exciting to read the course descriptions. I like how they've thought through the different concentration tracks. (I'm thinking I might do the Omics concentration, although the Data Analytics concentration is also a possibility.)
I feel like I would prefer an on-campus program over an on-line program. Although Northeastern has an on-line option, I prefer taking classes on-campus; especially at Northeastern, which would be a super-easy commute for me. I feel acutely lonely holed up in my apartment all the time. Of course, I don't know how the pandemic is going to change things; even on-campus universities are switching over to distance learning for now, and who knows how long that will continue. Classes at Northeastern are in the evening, which is less than ideal for my circadian rhythm and parental responsibilities, but great for continuing the program if/when I do find a job.
As a member of the student body, I would be able to buy health insurance for both myself and Vic from the university, so much cheaper than COBRA!!!
Northeastern proudly advertises the employment stats for graduates of their program: "94% employment after graduation in industry or research in last three years". Of course, it's the university itself collecting those stats, so there's that big grain of salt. But at least they address this question. It would be devastating to spend a lot of time not earning money as I complete this degree with the expectation of being able to get a higher-paid job at the end of it and then not find work.
Submitting GRE scores for admission is strictly optional. If one takes the GRE and does well it might enhance one's application, but one can certainly apply without GRE scores. This is good; I feel completely not ready to take the GRE at this point in time.
Boston University is also geographically close to where I live. I have emailed asking for a campus visit, but I'll bet the office that handles campus visits is in disarray and not responding to requests because of the pandemic. Bummer, as I have many questions about the program.
I haven't looked deeply into UMass Lowell or Worcester Polytechnic. These may be options. Commuting to Lowell or Wocester would be more of a hassle, but probably doable.
Brandeis has a program that's on-line only. They don't look at GRE scores for admission. They are very flexible about how many classes one takes per semester— so if one has a job or is otherwise busy, one can take a minimal number of classes per semester, and take as long as 4 years to complete the program; or, if one isn't working, one can go flat-out and complete the program in as little as 18 months. Other than that, I don't know much about the program.
John Hopkins has an on-line program. Delightfully, one has the option of choosing on a semester by semester basis, or even a class by class basis, whether to take classes on-line or on-campus. However, that's a rather theoretical possibility for me, as I don't live anywhere near Maryland. If one takes classes on-line, one has the option of "attending class" literally any time that works for one's schedule: during the day, in the evening, 3 a.m., whatever. Lectures are pre-recorded, and class discussion is a chatroom.
What makes John Hopkins an unlikely choice for me at this point is that the coursework prerequisites are steeper than other programs, apparently. To pursue the degree from John Hopkins, I would have to go back to Harvard Extension or BU Met and take some classes there before even being able to start the John Hopkins program. This would make getting the M.S. a very long process indeed. Prerequisites MIGHT include the second semester of Organic Chemistry, ugh! This is unclear. What a royal pain in the ass it would be to go back and do the second semester. I'd have to review all the first semester material, and Organic Chemistry is tough. I'd also probably have to take Data Structures, and Biochemistry. And, with all that, I wouldn't be getting the health insurance perk. I'd first be working on the prerequisites at a local university as not a degree candidate, and thus ineligible for health insurance. Then, as a distance student, it's not clear whether I would be eligible for health insurance at John Hopkins; but would I even want it if it's an option? If they self-insure then all their Tier 1 providers would probably be at affiliated hospitals near Maryland.
I asked about employment rates for graduates of the program, and the person trying to sell me on this program over the phone did not tell me what percentage of graduates have a good job soon after graduating. Rather, she nattered on about how they have a great Office of Career Services and run frequent job fairs. Probably in Maryland. Going to a job fair in Maryland would not be out of the question— I could take the train down and stay with Libby, which would be fun. But would there be a concentration of employers there in Maryland? And it doesn't look good that she couldn't tell me the employment rate. Maybe they just haven't collected the stats. Maybe other confounding factors make a comparison of schools based on this metric unfair. But it's an issue of great concern to me.
University of Maryland, global campus, has an on-line degree program as well. Some of the same concerns there: do I want an on-line program, when I could go to a local school? Especially given the desirability of getting health insurance through a school? Would employer contacts be concentrated in Maryland? It's a higher priority for me to investigate further than John Hopkins at this point, though, given the issue of coursework prerequisites.
