DECISIONS, DECISIONS
It seems that I always write in here when I'm going through big changes or having to make big decisions =)...but I guess that's how it goes, right? Needless to say I am going through another big change and here are my thoughts....
I have heard back from all the graduate schools I applied to and now have a pretty big decision to make...do I A) Stay in Chico and go to CSUC or B) Move to Boston and attend Northeastern University. I have started a pro's and con's list for each school and so far they are neck and neck. So far the list contains only pro's and con's for the school program and city in which they are located. Northeastern is ranked a bit higher; neither school emphasizes a thesis, which I think stinks; Northeastern offers more areas of connection but also limits you to choose the thesis track or the internship/career track and I would want to do both; Northeastern is considerably more expensive and I have limited fund with which to use; Chico, however, is not that exciting of city and most of you know it's not my favorite place in the world but I do like it and it has grown on me; Northeastern's program outline states that the program will take approx. 2 years possibly longer if the thesis route is choosen; Chico on the other hand I could finish in a year, year and a semester at the longest;...I think I really need to answer two main questions:
1. What career path do I want to pursue? If I want to pursue a career in the Political Science field then I think it makes the most sense to move back east where there are more opportunities to intern with different organizations and more chances to make connections. However, if I want to pursue a career in education and go onto a PhD program and teach then it makes sense to conserve the money now, get the MA out of the way and decide if I want to teach in CA or elsewhere, then decide on a PhD program.
2. Do I still have that major desire to live on the East coast? And if so, do I want to go now when I know I have a program to go to or do I want to stay around for a little bit longer to think about it and try again in a year or two?
It doesn't really matter what the answers to these questions are it's going to be a tough decision. I think for the next month or so I am going to have to do a lot of thinking. =)
I have heard back from all the graduate schools I applied to and now have a pretty big decision to make...do I A) Stay in Chico and go to CSUC or B) Move to Boston and attend Northeastern University. I have started a pro's and con's list for each school and so far they are neck and neck. So far the list contains only pro's and con's for the school program and city in which they are located. Northeastern is ranked a bit higher; neither school emphasizes a thesis, which I think stinks; Northeastern offers more areas of connection but also limits you to choose the thesis track or the internship/career track and I would want to do both; Northeastern is considerably more expensive and I have limited fund with which to use; Chico, however, is not that exciting of city and most of you know it's not my favorite place in the world but I do like it and it has grown on me; Northeastern's program outline states that the program will take approx. 2 years possibly longer if the thesis route is choosen; Chico on the other hand I could finish in a year, year and a semester at the longest;...I think I really need to answer two main questions:
1. What career path do I want to pursue? If I want to pursue a career in the Political Science field then I think it makes the most sense to move back east where there are more opportunities to intern with different organizations and more chances to make connections. However, if I want to pursue a career in education and go onto a PhD program and teach then it makes sense to conserve the money now, get the MA out of the way and decide if I want to teach in CA or elsewhere, then decide on a PhD program.
2. Do I still have that major desire to live on the East coast? And if so, do I want to go now when I know I have a program to go to or do I want to stay around for a little bit longer to think about it and try again in a year or two?
It doesn't really matter what the answers to these questions are it's going to be a tough decision. I think for the next month or so I am going to have to do a lot of thinking. =)