Jobs after graduation

[Sip]

I say go to Stanford if you're into computer science.
...

Standford, Berkeley, and MIT are the top 3, not necessarily in that order. If you can get in any of them, by all means!!!! Though Berkeley is by far the most affordable among the three (the other 2 are private ).

[loseyourname]

Stanford and MIT are two of the richest schools in the entire world. You'll receive 100% of the aid you qualify for at either school. There's no reason why they should cost any more than a public.

[Sip]

The problem is, what happens if all of a sudden in the 3rd year you don't qualify anymore ... that 30K per semester bill just for tuition will seriously make you reconsider your choices quick!

I paid about $4-$5K a year when I was going through UCLA. For Ph.D. (my advisor paid me as a grad student researcher as well), and the last year I got a fellowship which covered everything and then some. Heck of a deal if you ask me! But yah but having any of those top 3 names on your diploma definitely makes a big difference.

[loseyourname]

Heck, it makes no difference to me. Biology students have their grad programs paid for regardless of where they go, plus a stipend.

[Sip]

With computer science and electrical engineering grad programs (and most other engineering that I know of) it's not that easy. I know here at UW Madison a lot of students have a tough time finding an advisor that can support them (financially). But one thing which is important is that there is always a way for the really good students. It's the average and below average ones that need to watch out. And if one goes to a top top school, chances of one being the average kid gets to be much higher

[ckBejug]

Business. If you are a grad student and work full or 3/4 of the time I need to know how many times per week on averege do you get the urge to shoot yourslef.

She's not a grad student yet, although she does take classes. Doesn't seem to get to her. Amazing girl, huh?

I'm not in grad school yet. I will go back to grad school next year or the year after, depending on how long my current job takes to complete. I disagree with whoever said seeing the $$$ will make you not want to go back to school. I did the whole poor student thing and now I'm out making money and can't wait to go back in to graduate school. It all depends on if you've liked school and the whole learning setting in the past. If you've never liked it, making money is obviously going to call to you more than going back to school and getting educated more...

Hoping to get a Ph.D. in Molecular bio/genetics/biochemistry/cell biology/developmental biology from somewhere without having to be in school for 8 years!

p.s. Seapahn if your grades stay above-par I don't see why you suddenly wouldn't qualify for financial aid and/or scholarships. I completed four years at USC with $33K price tag each year (since I lived there and everything) and only have $39K in loans now that I'm out. Of course when I get to grad school I'll have tuition remission and a stipend (like Lose said) because bio students are lucky like that

[patlajan]

With computer science and electrical engineering grad programs (and most other engineering that I know of) it's not that easy. I know here at UW Madison a lot of students have a tough time finding an advisor that can support them (financially). But one thing which is important is that there is always a way for the really good students. It's the average and below average ones that need to watch out. And if one goes to a top top school, chances of one being the average kid gets to be much higher

I have this cooky dream of working and completing a civil engineering degree in night school. Am I totaly nuts, what do you think?

[ckBejug]

I have this cooky dream of working and completing a civil engineering degree in night school. Am I totaly nuts, what do you think?

Kooky dream indeed. I think you're totally nuts. Is this even offered anywhere? isn't night school geared more towards completing a high school or associates degree or something? Civil engineering?! You nut.

[Sip]

p.s. Seapahn if your grades stay above-par I don't see why you suddenly wouldn't qualify for financial aid and/or scholarships.

At the graduate level (I'm talking engineering, especially CS and EE), grades are hardly a factor for anything anymore. Most grad students automatically get A's and B's by just showing up to class. For Masters you still take some classes but for PhD, classes are only like the first year or two ... it usually takes 4-5 years to do a Ph.D. typically like at UCLA. Qualifying for fellowships and/or getting support from a professor usually depends on your success and abilities (and potential) to do research and publish.

[ckBejug]

At the graduate level (I'm talking engineering, especially CS and EE), grades are hardly a factor for anything anymore. Most grad students automatically get A's and B's by just showing up to class. For Masters you still take some classes but for PhD, classes are only like the first year or two ... it usually takes 4-5 years to do a Ph.D. typically like at UCLA. Qualifying for fellowships and/or getting support from a professor usually depends on your success and abilities (and potential) to do research and publish.

Ahh that's right. I forgot we were talking on the graduate level. This lack of funding thing is one of the things that scares me about choosing to get my PhD. What if a few years from now the already volatile situation with cloning and stem cell research gets even worse and I'm left high and dry? I guess you just try your best to do some kick @$$ work that's not shoddy and excellent enough to warrant more funding. That, and try working for someone with a guaranteed grant for certain necessary research.