Grad school

It seems like an economic turmoil has driven numerous students into considering for grad school even when that wasn't their initial plan. However, the society also expect at least a master degree these days so I presume the standard educational accomplishment has risen. Although I, myself, have considered grad school since entering college back in 2006, I was fairly torn apart between a so-commonly-heard MBA versus Higher Ed Administration. I give credit to the current economic status for letting me focus more on grad school application than job application. Currently, I'm working on both at the same time. Ideally, I would like to get a full-time job and be able to pay for a part-time (or full-time, if possible) graduate program. I feel like that more I get older the less I'll have the time to study for anything. I'm only in my early 20's ("barely" 22) so I want to get these degrees before I hit any major events like marriage or just being in 30's (and single). Technically, 21 or 22 should be the age to graduate with a bachelor's degree but under my circumstance, I will be getting that at age 23 and then hopefully do master's at 24 or 25. Feels so old to be already thinking that much ahead, but that's just me. We see more people continuing their education until late 20's and early 30's (even later for med students and others in rigorous programs) - I'm so going to be part of this race...

My extremely random thoughts about this exploding trend for master's degree begins...

[Why study more? What is the purpose of expanding our knowledge? Is it because we really enjoy the accomplishment or is it an obligation? Is society simply becoming more complex and thus requiring more intelligent individuals? Could it be like some people I know, just to avoid the big world out there? What is this frantic race to grad school anyway? Do all college people on earth want master's degree? Is grad school intended for people who have a thirst for more knowledge? The answer- I don't know. I realized that people have all different kinds of reason for going to grad school. So...why are you going to grad school? ]

Summer 2009 is going to be exceptionally busy - studying for GRE (which I want to do good), asking for recommendation letters, filling out applications, writing personal statement, and etc. In addition, I'm trying to fill in 30~40 hrs/week of work to save up some money in the future. It'll be an exciting summer, mainly because I really want to get into this program. HEA [Higher Education Administration] degree is nothing compared to the expectation for potential med school applicants, but I still would like to position myself at a good school. So far, I have narrowed down to 7~8 Texas public schools.

My boyfriend Z is currently in a process of completing his med school applications. Along with numerous Texas schools, he plans on applying to schools in California, New York, and some Northeast schools. I'm pretty sure that he would want to study somewhere closer to his home so we'll see how this would turn out between us. I find May 2010 to be a very interesting time...

So this leads to my next question. How do people balance between self-career/education pursuit versus relationship? How much are we willing to give up either his/her education to keep the relationship? Or, should it be the relationship that needs to be sacrificed? We are in a society that women tries to do much as much as men in terms of education and career. Just as men, women follow her dream and thrive for more. So in that case, what do couples do? Is it ideal for either of them to completely respect each other's plan? Should relationship at least deserve a consideration in decision-making process? Should one of them sacrifice for a greater purpose? Or should there be a compromise between the two - that by the way, still leads either of them to some degree of sacrifice. What does it take to make two people equally happy?

That's just my overall thoughts on grad school. Grad school is simply difficult in general because I have to consider the physical distance between my family, financial issue, job settlement, and future location of the boyfriend. Should my boyfriend be a factor considered in my plan? I don't know. Would he take consideration of my path into his plan? I don't know. My family thinks I should return to El Paso to pursue both job and edcuation. Would I do that? I don't know.

With grad school and job searching, my senior year in college seems to be full of uncertainties. As I worry about situations that I have no control over, I continue on with my life with lots of hope.