This SUCKS. ONE class, and that's my fun money for the next three months. I can't BELIEVE that. At first I thought it was a mistake - there's no way that it should cost that much for ONE grad class. I've thought about not signing up and looking around for scholarships, but I don't want to put this off yet again. Oh jeez- is this what I really want to do? I'm getting a master's in tech writing from UNT, and my ultimate goal is to teach tech writing during the year and consult during the summer. I like teaching, but I like teaching adults. I like my current job, though, and I already have all the education I need for that. I love the idea of being a perpetual student, but I don't want to PAY for it!! Maybe I need to look around for some help.
I'm also a little torn about the school, but the fact is that they don't have that field at Ivy Leagues, and for my field, this is one of the best. That's part of the reason I moved to Dallas in the first place - because this school was here. I like the idea of law school, but I don't want to be a lawyer - <insert apologies> studying the details of systems created by men annoys me - it's the same reason I hate programming.
I've been goofing off for a few years - distracted by nightlife, personal life, the airport, and the glorious freedom of my own place and own money and own life. I do want my ultimate goals, though, so I'm doing something about that.
I just didn't know how expensive it is. I HATE this!!! I want to go back to the days of self-taught. Can't I just buy the books and take a test somewhere? If only! Why do I want to do this again? Something to prove? It might be that... hmm, that shows an alarming insecurity. Wouldn't it be easier just to get some glasses that make me look intelligent? *sigh*
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My "don't talk about money" conditioning is kicking in, and I feel like this is slightly tacky. Hmm...maybe I'll go see about financial aid. I wish some of the fees were optional - I don't need the medical fee, I have insurance from workm and I do NOT want to contribute to the athletics.
I realize this is a pure whining thread - sorry about that. I had to share my sticker shock.
[ January 24, 2005, 02:42 PM: Message edited by: Lady Jane ]
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Katie, that's why Jeff had to choose between school and baby food. And he isn't even in grad school. Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Frisco stole katharina, and the moderators took her from him, but didn't return her to me. So, I needed another name, and Lady Jane is nickname of mine from when I was a wee Katie.
Added: *mentally crosses Ralphie off the list of possible narcs*
[ January 14, 2005, 05:26 PM: Message edited by: Lady Jane ]
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Tom, I don't know. Kristine said she would see about getting the e-mail address changed back to mine, but none of my e-mail addresses bring me the password.
I'd ask again, but ModGod sounded slightly irritated during last discussion about this, so I'm waiting for some good will to build up.
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Kat, is there any type of tuition reimbursement program where you work (BSA, right)? My company has paid all of my tuition for my tech writing master's so far. I've had to apply for it each semester, and it's a pain, but I haven't had to worry about tuition.
Not saying this to gloat, just to let you know it's a great thing if your employer offers it. Maybe something to check into.
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Hmm...that's a good idea. They send me places a few times a year for training - this should at least be worth it. I'll look. Good idea.
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Is there any way that you could get a fellowship or a TA or research assistanceship?
I know what you mean about spending money on yourself, though. I'm feeling pretty squicky myself about choosing to work part time and keep Sophie's daycare full time (I'll have the freedom of what days to work and if/when I want to take her out). I hate having to make those kinds of money/value decisions.
I think most schools allow you to opt out of the medical fee if you sign a waiver that you have insurance. You might also be able to get out of some of the activity fees, but usually they're pretty nominal. (~20)
Congrats for taking that first step, though! What class are you taking?
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*giggle* Technical editing sounds very, um...useful. But, you're right, not nearly as good as "fun money" sounds. Keep your eye open, though. I'll bet you can find something to help you pay for it.
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I have nothing to add but a wistful wish that I could have a brain transplant, or maybe brain implant of Katie's hard-won skills. I'm writing our training manuals and have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. Would you consider selling me your brain, Katie?
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I believe the insurence fee IS waivable, if you can show proof that you are insured and are willing to sign a wavier. The law requires that you be insured (IIRC) but it doesn't force you to carry their insurance.
Dag, what are you saying...that you wish your books could ocst 20,000 a year, like you tuition?
I got an e-mail today from the grad school saying I have a scholarship if I add one more class. That means I'd have to pay the difference between one class and two classes, but that's considerably smaller than the difference between one class and zero classes. And...I'll bet I can talk work into paying that difference.
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I had a full scholarship that also paid for books when I was in school before, but this time I'm paying for everything. Wes makes too much for us to qualify for financial aid, and we were four years into our marriage before we paid off his student loans so I detest the thought of borrowing money for this. So, we're just sucking it up and coming up with the money as best as we can.
Yeah, books are a killer. I really, really resent paying $75 for a used book and it's not even hardback. Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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quote: What I've been dealing with recently is $130 natural gas bills. Eep!
I'll trade you, Nato. Ours is $500. (That is to fill our propane tank once, which is what we use on the farm for our central heat). We are on the 3rd tankful of this winter.....
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I'm taking one class this Spring, because more interferes with the stuff I do on other nights. This is fine, except for one thing.
Oh my stars, I'm already bored.
Our class projects are to create things that I create every day on my job already. I'm wondering if this is one of those classes that is for those who didn't do it as undergrad and don't do it for their job. I wish I could submit one of my work projects rather than take the class - wouldn't that work? I get paid to do this stuff!
Begging the question, why am I taking it? Because I want the piece of paper. *sigh* Oh well. We are using a different program to create it, so I'll learn something there. And it's always good to brush up on principles and technique.
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quote:maybe you can pass out based on work projects
*grin*
I did, sort of. I told her what I did for work, and she sort of laughed that I wasn't going to learn a whole lot in the class. That didn't seem promising.
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Hey Kat, could you just ask the teacher if you could transfer to a more advanced class. If you pass the more advanced one, they'll normally realize you already met the requirements for a lower one.
quote:I don't know anyone who finished a master's degree program without taking out any loans.
Zal, I just finished my M.A. in English, and I'm actually up a few thousand from two-and-a-half years ago. I'm waiting to hear from Ph.D. programs, but you'd better believe I'm not going to any that would put me into debt.
Of course, if you're doing advanced degrees for professional reasons, debt is a viable option. I, on the other hand, am not aiming for any particular job, so there's no way I'm going to pay for my Ph.D.
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This is odd, because I don't know anyone who did pay for their advanced degrees. I think that Andrew paid for law school, but he did not pay a thing for his Ph.D. In fact, he made money teaching and with fellowships. My friend Jen is studying landscape architecture in Amsterdam and being paid for it.
If I ever decide to get an advanced degree (which I've been thinking about), it'll be totally free. There are benefits to being married to a professor. It's not a bad way to put yourself through school.
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quote: I don't know anyone who finished a master's degree program without taking out any loans.
I just got mostly done with my MLIS (a 3-semester program). The first two semesters (5 + 4 three-credit classes) were paid for by Bill Gates, whose foundation supports the training of public librarians. So I only had to pay for 3 classes, and didn't need a loan.
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quote:Hey Kat, could you just ask the teacher if you could transfer to a more advanced class.
I'm in the advanced class.
It's an elective, but it's an elective I'll have to take eventually. I guess that's the breaks when you get a professional degree for a profession you already practice.
[ January 25, 2005, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: Lady Jane ]
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quote:The first two semesters (5 + 4 three-credit classes) were paid for by Bill Gates, whose foundation supports the training of public librarians.
No such luck for educational librarians, I bet.
Though I wonder if I could get the MLIS through an information science program as oppposed to an education program - it would mean going to a different MLIS program, than the one I'm planning on now. I'd still be able to get the education certificate. Hmm....
Oh, and Kayla mentioned Pell grants - they are still based on economic need.
There are several grant and scholarship programs available for future teachers, if only I'd decide to teach math or science instead of specializing in reading and/or library media.
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Now we are learning how to create a site in Dreamweaver. Soon, we learn about styles. I'm bored.
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If you do the work, you'll get an "A" 'cause you already know how to do it, right? So can't you bring a book or surf the 'net or something during class?
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We learned how to calculate Means in my Psy 200 class today. We spent about a half an hour on learning how to AVERAGE things and my professor has promised we'll study it "in greater detail in the future."
I sort of feel like if you don't know how to find a mean you really probably shouldn't be in college.
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I agree. Or at least, it should be corrected in remedial math before you're allowed to take anything else.
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eh. How many people in your class didn't know? If it was a largish class, I bet on 10% or better. What are the math prereqs to take this class (even if not listed what did all the psych. majors in there take already?)
Studying it more in the future is questionable too. Is this going to be an intro to statistics? If so means might be a good place to start.
In the end though, its still sucky and boring.
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I've thought about not signing up and looking around for scholarships, but I don't want to put this off yet again. Oh jeez- is this what I really want to do? I'm getting a master's in tech writing from UNT, and my ultimate goal is to teach tech writing during the year and consult during the summer. I like teaching, but I like teaching adults. I like my current job, though, and I already have all the education I need for that. I love the idea of being a perpetual student, but I don't want to PAY for it!! Maybe I need to look around for some help. 
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