Scoping out options for grad school... I might be going crazy, but I think this could work.
So lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking about graduate studies. A lot.
Graduate school is going to hit me in the side next year if I don't start preparing for it now.
I've got two options:
1. Bust my butt in school each term by doubling a full-time load (equivalent to 20 hours per week of classroom instruction). I can take four classes per term, find part-time employment in addition to music ministry (however, making hardly any money), and graduate next May. I would take the summer off and begin graduate studies in the fall.
2. Lighten my class load from four classes to three classes per term. This would push my graduation back to either October or December, but I would be able to hold a full-time job in addition to school. Then, pursuing graduate studies would be much more flexible (considering that the my car note, furniture financing, etc. would be paid off). I would begin graduate school in January 2008, or even June 2008 (if I needed more funds).
What I'm really considering, at this time, is Option #2.
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I never want to lose sight of my goal to become a minister in the Unitarian Church. I've been debating whether to go straight into seminary, or into a graduate-level MBA / Management / Finance program. At this time, I see seminary as a goal in the not-too-distant future. I'd love to go to seminary, but I know that ministry will not be my main career. So, as of this time, I'm thinking that I should concentrate on pursuing my MBA. Within two years of its completion, I'll begin studying for the ministry either in Chicago or San Francisco (two places that I would need a 6-figure income to live even slightly comfortably).
If I decide to go to graduate school here in the U.S., I'm considering the following options:
1. Stay in Houston and pursue Master of Science in Management from ERAU
2. Stay in Houston and attend Rice University
3. Live at home with parents and attend Tulane University [go to class either TTh or MWF only]
4. Move to Phoenix [my most desirable place to live] and attend Arizona State University [Executive MBA Program]
As of right now, I'd probably puruse either option #1 or option #4.
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My other option, what I really want to do, if I can save up enough money within the next 18 months:
To obtain a work visa, work in entry-level marketing or management in Dubai, and attend a two-year MBA program at the University of Wollongong or United Arab Emirates University in Dubai.
I've looked up the costs of living (which are pretty comparable to the U.S. and only 5 - 6 % cheaper, I'm finding), and it'll cost me a lot to get over there. I can obtain an entry-level job making about $48,000/year U.S. That'll cover the costs of financing an apartment, financing a 2005/06 Honda Accord, undergraduate debt, and living expenses (note that I'll need another loan to cover education costs). Recently I've been scoping out my options, and there are a plethora of jobs available to "fresh" college graduates. My fluency in English qualifies me for just about job out there. Not knowing Arabic is a disadvantage, but it's not a requirement for 25 - 40% of the jobs I looked at.
So what to do now: prep for GMAT exam, figure out exact costs needed to move to Dubai.
Otherwise, Phoenix [hopefully], here I come...
I know this sounds a bit outrageous, but no one thought I would end up at ERAU... and guess what, I did. No one thought I'd make it to Houston... and guess what, I did.
Graduate school is going to hit me in the side next year if I don't start preparing for it now.
I've got two options:
1. Bust my butt in school each term by doubling a full-time load (equivalent to 20 hours per week of classroom instruction). I can take four classes per term, find part-time employment in addition to music ministry (however, making hardly any money), and graduate next May. I would take the summer off and begin graduate studies in the fall.
2. Lighten my class load from four classes to three classes per term. This would push my graduation back to either October or December, but I would be able to hold a full-time job in addition to school. Then, pursuing graduate studies would be much more flexible (considering that the my car note, furniture financing, etc. would be paid off). I would begin graduate school in January 2008, or even June 2008 (if I needed more funds).
What I'm really considering, at this time, is Option #2.
---------------------------------------------
I never want to lose sight of my goal to become a minister in the Unitarian Church. I've been debating whether to go straight into seminary, or into a graduate-level MBA / Management / Finance program. At this time, I see seminary as a goal in the not-too-distant future. I'd love to go to seminary, but I know that ministry will not be my main career. So, as of this time, I'm thinking that I should concentrate on pursuing my MBA. Within two years of its completion, I'll begin studying for the ministry either in Chicago or San Francisco (two places that I would need a 6-figure income to live even slightly comfortably).
If I decide to go to graduate school here in the U.S., I'm considering the following options:
1. Stay in Houston and pursue Master of Science in Management from ERAU
2. Stay in Houston and attend Rice University
3. Live at home with parents and attend Tulane University [go to class either TTh or MWF only]
4. Move to Phoenix [my most desirable place to live] and attend Arizona State University [Executive MBA Program]
As of right now, I'd probably puruse either option #1 or option #4.
---------------------------------------------
My other option, what I really want to do, if I can save up enough money within the next 18 months:
To obtain a work visa, work in entry-level marketing or management in Dubai, and attend a two-year MBA program at the University of Wollongong or United Arab Emirates University in Dubai.
I've looked up the costs of living (which are pretty comparable to the U.S. and only 5 - 6 % cheaper, I'm finding), and it'll cost me a lot to get over there. I can obtain an entry-level job making about $48,000/year U.S. That'll cover the costs of financing an apartment, financing a 2005/06 Honda Accord, undergraduate debt, and living expenses (note that I'll need another loan to cover education costs). Recently I've been scoping out my options, and there are a plethora of jobs available to "fresh" college graduates. My fluency in English qualifies me for just about job out there. Not knowing Arabic is a disadvantage, but it's not a requirement for 25 - 40% of the jobs I looked at.
So what to do now: prep for GMAT exam, figure out exact costs needed to move to Dubai.
Otherwise, Phoenix [hopefully], here I come...
I know this sounds a bit outrageous, but no one thought I would end up at ERAU... and guess what, I did. No one thought I'd make it to Houston... and guess what, I did.