Grad School
I know it's been over 2 years since I've actually posted here but I need a place to vent my ideas for a moment and I dont trust my facebook/myspace friends to be that interested or have thoughtful advice but there are a few people here who might have helpful advice.
Basically, I'm a little less than satisfied with my Grad School. Maybe I was too idealistic and thought the experience might be better but I have to say I'm a little underwhelmed.
I was contemplating trying to transfer to another grad school but after talking it over I decided that might not be worth it. However, now I have a new idea. My program is very short (26 credits) and a lot of the media study classes are 4 credit hours. Now, the breakdown of my degree is as follows....
12 credit hours in Media Study
12 credit hours in an outside concentration
6 credit hours of electives
6 hours of masters thesis
Now, this semester I am taking 13 credit hours and will have my 6 credit hours of electives completed (Media Ethics & the Movies and Art & Psychoanalysis). I will have 4 credit hours of DMS (independent study) and 3 credit hours of Global Gender Studies (my chosen concentration).
Next semester I want to take Film Theory as well as Dystopic Visions which will complete my DMS requirements. In addition I want to take Women Directors and Readings in Feminist Theory (which will bring me up to 10 credit hours in my concentration).
All I would need at this point would be my 6 hours for my thesis and 2 credit hours for my concentration (and since most classes are at least 3 credits I could do a directed study for 2 to satisfy this).
So, the question is.... Would I be insane to attempt to finish over the summer? I'm taking 4 grad classes this semester and it is going well so would I be insane to attempt 4 classes plus a 2 credit hour independent study? That way I would only need to do the thesis over the summer?
This has been done before by a friend of mine who just graduated from the same program so I know I wouldn't be the first. Additionally taking the extra classes in the spring would save me a great deal of money as UB does not charge extra for any credit hours over 12.
However, if I do this I would need to send out PhD applications in less than two months. This could be difficult as I have not been able to form deep enough relationships with a lot of professors to count on letters of recommendation.
I have a lot to think about but 85% of me wants to just do it. I love to finish early and work myself to the max.
Basically, I'm a little less than satisfied with my Grad School. Maybe I was too idealistic and thought the experience might be better but I have to say I'm a little underwhelmed.
I was contemplating trying to transfer to another grad school but after talking it over I decided that might not be worth it. However, now I have a new idea. My program is very short (26 credits) and a lot of the media study classes are 4 credit hours. Now, the breakdown of my degree is as follows....
12 credit hours in Media Study
12 credit hours in an outside concentration
6 credit hours of electives
6 hours of masters thesis
Now, this semester I am taking 13 credit hours and will have my 6 credit hours of electives completed (Media Ethics & the Movies and Art & Psychoanalysis). I will have 4 credit hours of DMS (independent study) and 3 credit hours of Global Gender Studies (my chosen concentration).
Next semester I want to take Film Theory as well as Dystopic Visions which will complete my DMS requirements. In addition I want to take Women Directors and Readings in Feminist Theory (which will bring me up to 10 credit hours in my concentration).
All I would need at this point would be my 6 hours for my thesis and 2 credit hours for my concentration (and since most classes are at least 3 credits I could do a directed study for 2 to satisfy this).
So, the question is.... Would I be insane to attempt to finish over the summer? I'm taking 4 grad classes this semester and it is going well so would I be insane to attempt 4 classes plus a 2 credit hour independent study? That way I would only need to do the thesis over the summer?
This has been done before by a friend of mine who just graduated from the same program so I know I wouldn't be the first. Additionally taking the extra classes in the spring would save me a great deal of money as UB does not charge extra for any credit hours over 12.
However, if I do this I would need to send out PhD applications in less than two months. This could be difficult as I have not been able to form deep enough relationships with a lot of professors to count on letters of recommendation.
I have a lot to think about but 85% of me wants to just do it. I love to finish early and work myself to the max.