[thejellymill]

Salaam! Disclaimer: I've searched Islamica and didn't find any similar threads so decided to make one. Please forgive if it's a repeat

I want to pursue a graduate degree in something like Journalism or Political Science. My reasons include wanting to pursue a career in writing/journalism, plus I love traveling and learning about new people and places. I think a career in either fields of journalism or political science would do that. Oh, and I want to make a decent amount of money inshallah. I have a lot of questions and was hoping someone here with experience can answer even one of my questions...

- How does the concept of a thesis program vs. nonthesis program work? If there's an option in the program I choose, which would be the wiser choice?

- How difficult is the GRE? Keep in mind I suck phenomenally at math. Is it enough to borrow/buy a GRE study guide book from the bookstore or should I look into some sort of tutoring?

- The university I'm attending for undergrad is in USNews' top 40 schools list, the one I will likely attend for grad school barely makes the top 80...does this make sense? Shouldn't I be trying to "move up"?

- As for the cost... I am looking at the option of getting a job as a TA to help cover part/all of my grad school costs. Another route I can take is to work full time with the state so I can use my income to pay for school (also, I've heard they encourage and sometimes pay for their employees' higher ed ?).

[thejellymill]

Thanks guys, 28 views and not even one reply? Doesn't anyone on here know anything about grad school or have questions of their own?!

[Timbit]

Sorry, I'm only considering Canadian grad schools, so can't help out with most of your questions.

I just browse the websites of the potential schools and if I have any questions, I direct them to the advisors there. Some questions go to my current profs. And a few of my friends are in grad programs that are of interest to me, so I'm badgering them.

[wheelworks]

I don't really plan on graduating in anything above associates. I might apply to Stanford and portray myself as a super smart genius to see if I get accepted just for kicks though

[sally]

i read the title as gay school advice thread

^sign ive been on islamica too long

[khadeeja29]

How does the concept of a thesis program vs. nonthesis program work? If there's an option in the program I choose, which would be the wiser choice?
It depends on what your intentions are.. are you planning to get a PhD later? The thesis option usually takes longer and is more challenging. If you want to finish your degree more quickly, take the non-thesis option and you'll probably have to take a comprehensive exam.


- How difficult is the GRE? Keep in mind I suck phenomenally at math. Is it enough to borrow/buy a GRE study guide book from the bookstore or should I look into some sort of tutoring?
I don't know about this one.. I only applied to one school, and they didn't require the GREs. So I didn't take it. Luckily, I got in.

- The university I'm attending for undergrad is in USNews' top 40 schools list, the one I will likely attend for grad school barely makes the top 80...does this make sense? Shouldn't I be trying to "move up"?
Well, I think it depends on what field you're in. Like in health professions, no one usually cares where you graduated from. Do you think future job prospects look more at where you graduated from + your GPA? Then I guess it'd probably be wise to go to an elite school.

[thejellymill]

Originally Posted by Timbit

Sorry, I'm only considering Canadian grad schools, so can't help out with most of your questions.

I just browse the websites of the potential schools and if I have any questions, I direct them to the advisors there. Some questions go to my current profs. And a few of my friends are in grad programs that are of interest to me, so I'm badgering them.

One of my good friends is in grad school but she's an international student so I dunno if that would make a difference. I tried to research a bit on my own and I'm trying to make an appointment with an advisor here at the university to ask questions..I'm only here for 3 more days so time is limited (I'm in Colorado). Another thing I've found is that a lot of advisors/counselors don't always give accurate information...usually fellow or former students are better at "advising."

[thejellymill]

Originally Posted by khadeeja29

Well, I think it depends on what field you're in. Like in health professions, no one usually cares where you graduated from. Do you think future job prospects look more at where you graduated from + your GPA? Then I guess it'd probably be wise to go to an elite school.

I was discussing this with someone and they were like "do you know how many schools are in the US? Number 79 is still good!" so I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't make that as much of an issue.

[Timbit]

Originally Posted by thejellymill

One of my good friends is in grad school but she's an international student so I dunno if that would make a difference. I tried to research a bit on my own and I'm trying to make an appointment with an advisor here at the university to ask questions..I'm only here for 3 more days so time is limited (I'm in Colorado). Another thing I've found is that a lot of advisors/counselors don't always give accurate information...usually fellow or former students are better at "advising."

Yeah, international students tend to pay different fees. And they may not be eligible to work in the country, so... funding is way different for them.
Each program is different. You can figure out a lot just from reading their websites. Especially about the thesis vs. nonthesis thing.

Good luck with your applications.

[ChotooMotoo]

Thesis is better than non-thesis in most fields. Thesis is harder, and usually better from a funding point of view as well.

I never took the GRE, so I couldn't tell you. There is a math prep, and the math section really isn't all that hard. the ETS website has a lot of free prep material. You can also buy the ETS prep book off of e-bay for less than what they sell it for online if you feel the need for practice tests and such.

That the school ranks is nice. You are constrained by your personal situation. Don't make grad school any harder on yourself than it already will be by adding personal problems/stress to the mix.

I say go for it.

[PhDGirl]

I took the GRE and used the Kaplan workbooks to practice. Get the ones which have a lot of question sets because that will give you the practice you need. I think I spent $20 for them.

As for the thesis versus non-thesis, it depends on your goals. If you are getting a terminal masters where you'd go into the workforce, it doesn't really matter. If you'd like to do a Ph.D. later or go into a field where you'd be doing research, then a thesis is better. That being said, my masters was a professional terminal masters (so no thesis) and it didn't hurt me in the Ph.D. process since I've never had to do TA or RA work to be funded. So, it's really field-specific. The same goes for rankings - something could be ranked 80 overall, but #1 in a particular field. So you have to do your homework. Have you looked at the US News list for your particular program? You can also ask potential programs what their graduates are doing now. That should give you some indication.

Best of luck!

[Purple_alien]

What is your undergraduate degree in? I ask because if its journalism don't ge a masters in it. My teacher said that is a HUGE waste of time, and talking to editors, it really is. The only thing it might help with is if you want to teach later on. In the time you take to get your masters, someone else is getting the experience. Experience counts.
And where have you been? Journalist make like $25K. We be BALLIN!

[thejellymill]

Originally Posted by Purple_alien

What is your undergraduate degree in? I ask because if its journalism don't ge a masters in it. My teacher said that is a HUGE waste of time, and talking to editors, it really is. The only thing it might help with is if you want to teach later on. In the time you take to get your masters, someone else is getting the experience. Experience counts.
And where have you been? Journalist make like $25K. We be BALLIN!

My major in undergrad is Religious Studies (emphasis in Islam). I am really leaning toward a masters in poli sci, esp since I have heard from other people too that going to grad school for journalism is a waste of time. PhDgirl: yea I checked USNews, that's how I figured out the ranking for the uni in Colorado that I'm looking at. I didn't know it also ranks individual programs at a given school...I'll have to check that out iA

Thanks for the tips and advice everyone, I really appreciate it (given out too much rep in the last 24 hrs)

[PhDGirl]

Originally Posted by thejellymill

My major in undergrad is Religious Studies (emphasis in Islam). I am really leaning toward a masters in poli sci, esp since I have heard from other people too that going to grad school for journalism is a waste of time. PhDgirl: yea I checked USNews, that's how I figured out the ranking for the uni in Colorado that I'm looking at. I didn't know it also ranks individual programs at a given school...I'll have to check that out iA

Thanks for the tips and advice everyone, I really appreciate it (given out too much rep in the last 24 hrs)

You know, there is something to be said for not being long-distance with your spouse. I wound up going to a program that's not as good as I wanted because my husband and I didn't want to do the long-distance thing. Sometimes I feel a little bad about it, but mostly I'm comfortable with the decision. So, that's something to consider as well.

[thejellymill]

Originally Posted by PhDGirl

You know, there is something to be said for not being long-distance with your spouse. I wound up going to a program that's not as good as I wanted because my husband and I didn't want to do the long-distance thing. Sometimes I feel a little bad about it, but mostly I'm comfortable with the decision. So, that's something to consider as well.

Yea you're right, that's definitely a sacrifice worth making...long distance stinks .