Do I accept this fellowship?
May 10, 2017 11:24 AM Subscribe
I've been admitted to a top graduate program and got a fellowship that pays for all my tuition. Hooray! But...it comes with strings attached and hesitant to accept.
I got into a dream graduate school. However, it's very expensive but I could make it work. Then out of the blue I got an email about interviewing for a fellowship. I did, and got it today and need to give a response very soon.
It requires me to work at a company for a year before going to grad school in a city that I am not super excited about. But in return it pays for full tuition.
Pros:
1. Full tuition is nice and allows me to not worry about the costs or being in debt. I am lucky to have investments/savings so I could pay half of it (the rest are loans), but I would be taking money out of investments that I'd rather not have to touch.
2. The company is in an industry that is adjacent to my interests/goal and could be interesting work experience and help me get closer to my goal.
Cons:
1. Don't want to defer a year. I'm already on the older side and another year will just make me older. I worry it will be harder for me to connect with my peers/meet a partner if I am older.
2. I am not thrilled about the city (a small city in the US). I've already done stints for work where I've worked in a remote location and I found the loneliness really tough, and thought that was something I would not have to deal with again. Mentally, I've struggled with depression and I worry about moving away from family and friends.
3. The company is not directly related to long term goal - it's definitely closer. So think of it as I want to enter teapot polishing and this is teapot manufacturing. I am in an entirely different industry now (like...lizard cultivation).
4. I kinda feel guilty about getting this. Although it's a merit fellowship, I feel like I am taking it from someone who really needs it. I'm certainly not rich, but I am able to pay for tuition out of savings. What if I am taking it from someone who would be crushed under debt?
This is a tough decision - truly 50%/50% on it. I'm kinda leaning towards turning it down, but I also don't want to regret years down the road of being in debt after graduation and wonder if my cons are really cons.
I got into a dream graduate school. However, it's very expensive but I could make it work. Then out of the blue I got an email about interviewing for a fellowship. I did, and got it today and need to give a response very soon.
It requires me to work at a company for a year before going to grad school in a city that I am not super excited about. But in return it pays for full tuition.
Pros:
1. Full tuition is nice and allows me to not worry about the costs or being in debt. I am lucky to have investments/savings so I could pay half of it (the rest are loans), but I would be taking money out of investments that I'd rather not have to touch.
2. The company is in an industry that is adjacent to my interests/goal and could be interesting work experience and help me get closer to my goal.
Cons:
1. Don't want to defer a year. I'm already on the older side and another year will just make me older. I worry it will be harder for me to connect with my peers/meet a partner if I am older.
2. I am not thrilled about the city (a small city in the US). I've already done stints for work where I've worked in a remote location and I found the loneliness really tough, and thought that was something I would not have to deal with again. Mentally, I've struggled with depression and I worry about moving away from family and friends.
3. The company is not directly related to long term goal - it's definitely closer. So think of it as I want to enter teapot polishing and this is teapot manufacturing. I am in an entirely different industry now (like...lizard cultivation).
4. I kinda feel guilty about getting this. Although it's a merit fellowship, I feel like I am taking it from someone who really needs it. I'm certainly not rich, but I am able to pay for tuition out of savings. What if I am taking it from someone who would be crushed under debt?
This is a tough decision - truly 50%/50% on it. I'm kinda leaning towards turning it down, but I also don't want to regret years down the road of being in debt after graduation and wonder if my cons are really cons.
If, after graduation, you get a job offer that would pay you more than you need to live on, would you turn it down because they might otherwise offer it to someone who needs the money more than you?
This seems equivalent to a one-year employment contract with a very substantial bonus: whatever you would otherwise pay for grad school.
Grab it.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 11:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
This seems equivalent to a one-year employment contract with a very substantial bonus: whatever you would otherwise pay for grad school.
Grab it.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 11:32 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
My rule of thumb, when you write out all the pros and cons and whatevers and suchlikes: Whatever you say last is what you really want to do, and you're looking for permission.
posted by Etrigan at 11:34 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]
but I also don't want to regret years down the road of being in debt after graduation and wonder if my cons are really cons.Take the fellowship.
posted by Etrigan at 11:34 AM on May 10, 2017 [10 favorites]
Wait, this first year of work is *paid* on top of getting you free tuition down the road? Do this thing!
posted by whitewall at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by whitewall at 11:35 AM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Are you working for free? I am confused about that part. What about relocation costs? Is the compensation decent, or will you be dipping into savings anyway?
One year is NOTHING in the longterm! I lean towards taking the fellowship if the other financial concerns are met.
posted by jbenben at 11:41 AM on May 10, 2017
One year is NOTHING in the longterm! I lean towards taking the fellowship if the other financial concerns are met.
posted by jbenben at 11:41 AM on May 10, 2017
Response by poster: I will be paid. Not sure yet on the relocation costs, but I anticipate being able to save more as in a small town with lower cost of living.
posted by treetop89 at 11:42 AM on May 10, 2017
posted by treetop89 at 11:42 AM on May 10, 2017
Although it's a merit fellowship, I feel like I am taking it from someone who really needs it.
Assuming there's a hard separation between merit- and needs-based grants where you're going, the person who needs the grant more than you due to their financial status likely has different avenues than you for dealing with that. If you decide not to take the grant, it's not necessarily going to be given to someone who needs it more. There's even a good chance it will go to someone who needs it even less than you do and they'll take it.
posted by griphus at 11:48 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Assuming there's a hard separation between merit- and needs-based grants where you're going, the person who needs the grant more than you due to their financial status likely has different avenues than you for dealing with that. If you decide not to take the grant, it's not necessarily going to be given to someone who needs it more. There's even a good chance it will go to someone who needs it even less than you do and they'll take it.
posted by griphus at 11:48 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I mean usually in a situation like this I'm like "there is no right path etc etc etc, your happiness is important" but I think the advantages here are so ridiculously clear you gotta bite the bullet and do the year in Dink Town. There's incredible value in making it out of grad school with no debt.
posted by superfluousm at 11:49 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]
posted by superfluousm at 11:49 AM on May 10, 2017 [11 favorites]
I am lucky to have investments/savings so I could pay half of it (the rest are loans), but I would be taking money out of investments that I'd rather not have to touch.
Graduate school that you have to take out loans for is not worth it. Period. Graduate school that requires you to deplete your savings is not worth it. Period.
This is a tough decision - truly 50%/50% on it.
This is not a tough decision. Take the fellowship.
posted by saeculorum at 11:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]
Graduate school that you have to take out loans for is not worth it. Period. Graduate school that requires you to deplete your savings is not worth it. Period.
This is a tough decision - truly 50%/50% on it.
This is not a tough decision. Take the fellowship.
posted by saeculorum at 11:56 AM on May 10, 2017 [13 favorites]
(I can't quite parse whether the school is in the same small city as the offer - this is with the assumption that they are not the same location.)
To look at the other side, you're 28 and still interested in having a wife and kids? Living in a small town for a year before escaping to go off to grad school probably will delay that. Depending on how small and traditional a city you're talking, many people your age will be coupled up with kids and the people that are single might not be willing to get involved with you due to the short amount of time you'd be there. A year of loneliness in an unfamiliar city can be crushing.
Have you exhausted the other options to reduce the grad school costs such as being a TA?
posted by Candleman at 11:57 AM on May 10, 2017
To look at the other side, you're 28 and still interested in having a wife and kids? Living in a small town for a year before escaping to go off to grad school probably will delay that. Depending on how small and traditional a city you're talking, many people your age will be coupled up with kids and the people that are single might not be willing to get involved with you due to the short amount of time you'd be there. A year of loneliness in an unfamiliar city can be crushing.
Have you exhausted the other options to reduce the grad school costs such as being a TA?
posted by Candleman at 11:57 AM on May 10, 2017
Huh. How long will it continue to pay full tuition for? And you work for them first and then reap the benefits? I would have expected most situations like that for them to want your services *after* you've trained up your education, not before. I'm actually kind of surprised they don't want more from you than that!
posted by aimedwander at 12:00 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by aimedwander at 12:00 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
This sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I don't mean to dismiss your concerns out of hand, but, well, I'm going to dismiss most of them out of hand.
I get not wanting to wait a year, but I don't think it will significantly affect your ability to interact with your peers. Even if you're like, 30 years older, grad school has a way of bringing people together (shared misery). As for finding a partner, don't close the door on finding someone in the small town. It's probably not the best place to look, but magic can happen anywhere.
The fact that the company isn't exactly what you want isn't really a factor. It's not your final destination. The key thing is, they're helping you reach your final destination. I'm pretty cynical about corporate America, but this actually sounds like they're doing you a favor.
Don't feel guilty. I read advice years ago that still holds pretty true: don't go to grad school unless it's fully funded. If you have to pay out of pocket, it's a sign that the program doesn't really care about you. You're getting funding - just take it and don't look back.
You'll notice I skipped one, and that's because I do think that one is a legitimate concern. I spent a year in a graduate/professional program in a city I absolutely hated, and fifteen years later, it's still such a dark period of my life that I don't like to think about it much. That said, I did make it through that year. How far away is it from where you are now? From where the grad program is? Do you have any friends or family in the area?
Ultimately, I'd probably go for it. It sounds like the positives really outweigh the negatives. I understand why you're apprehensive, but I think the risk is worth it.
posted by kevinbelt at 12:02 PM on May 10, 2017
I get not wanting to wait a year, but I don't think it will significantly affect your ability to interact with your peers. Even if you're like, 30 years older, grad school has a way of bringing people together (shared misery). As for finding a partner, don't close the door on finding someone in the small town. It's probably not the best place to look, but magic can happen anywhere.
The fact that the company isn't exactly what you want isn't really a factor. It's not your final destination. The key thing is, they're helping you reach your final destination. I'm pretty cynical about corporate America, but this actually sounds like they're doing you a favor.
Don't feel guilty. I read advice years ago that still holds pretty true: don't go to grad school unless it's fully funded. If you have to pay out of pocket, it's a sign that the program doesn't really care about you. You're getting funding - just take it and don't look back.
You'll notice I skipped one, and that's because I do think that one is a legitimate concern. I spent a year in a graduate/professional program in a city I absolutely hated, and fifteen years later, it's still such a dark period of my life that I don't like to think about it much. That said, I did make it through that year. How far away is it from where you are now? From where the grad program is? Do you have any friends or family in the area?
Ultimately, I'd probably go for it. It sounds like the positives really outweigh the negatives. I understand why you're apprehensive, but I think the risk is worth it.
posted by kevinbelt at 12:02 PM on May 10, 2017
Do it. Do it, do it, do it.
The more you learn about teapots from all angles, the better it will be when you get out of school and are doing what you are aiming to do.
If you are worried about missing family and friends, choose to spend your resources on better communications equipment and a slightly larger apartment than necessary, so you can host them on frequent visits.
Finally, paying for grad school out of pocket or taking out loans means not only not adding to your retirement savings during the years your are studying, but actually setting yourself back financially. Trust me, 20 years from now you will be kicking yourself for having gotten yourself deeply in the hole for getting your degree in N years when you could have been way better off financially for having gotten it in N+1.
Do it.
posted by Sublimity at 12:08 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
The more you learn about teapots from all angles, the better it will be when you get out of school and are doing what you are aiming to do.
If you are worried about missing family and friends, choose to spend your resources on better communications equipment and a slightly larger apartment than necessary, so you can host them on frequent visits.
Finally, paying for grad school out of pocket or taking out loans means not only not adding to your retirement savings during the years your are studying, but actually setting yourself back financially. Trust me, 20 years from now you will be kicking yourself for having gotten yourself deeply in the hole for getting your degree in N years when you could have been way better off financially for having gotten it in N+1.
Do it.
posted by Sublimity at 12:08 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Trying not to be cynical, but are you sure this offer is legit? Have you run it by the school? What's the guarantee they'll pay your tuition after the year is over?
posted by LoveHam at 12:08 PM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]
posted by LoveHam at 12:08 PM on May 10, 2017 [21 favorites]
As for finding a partner, don't close the door on finding someone in the small town. It's probably not the best place to look, but magic can happen anywhere.
And if you are counting on meeting a life partner in graduate school, I would not do that either. Either way...a year is not going to make that big of a difference in terms of dating. Someone who is hot for you at 37 would be hot for you at 38. (Or however old you are.)
posted by Countess Sandwich at 12:42 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
And if you are counting on meeting a life partner in graduate school, I would not do that either. Either way...a year is not going to make that big of a difference in terms of dating. Someone who is hot for you at 37 would be hot for you at 38. (Or however old you are.)
posted by Countess Sandwich at 12:42 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
Don't worry about a year in terms of it distancing you from your classmates. My class had a 20 or so year age span. A couple of us left careers in other fields. A couple were married, one with kids. Some of us were single. We all formed a close bond and we are all still close many years after.
If you have the chance to do grad school debt free? Absolutely do it. Those many years after I just referenced? I just finished paying my loans a couple of weeks ago. It is worth it for your investments to be working for you during this time.
posted by goggie at 1:05 PM on May 10, 2017
If you have the chance to do grad school debt free? Absolutely do it. Those many years after I just referenced? I just finished paying my loans a couple of weeks ago. It is worth it for your investments to be working for you during this time.
posted by goggie at 1:05 PM on May 10, 2017
I'm not sure if the fellowship is in the small town you don't like or if it's the graduate school, but I'm not sure it matters. If it's just the fellowship then it's just one year. If it's the graduate school then you are already committed to living there (because there is no chance you'll turn down the graduate school completely, right?) so that doesn't really belong in the fellowship "con" (that's more a "graduate school in general" con).
So living in this small town is either a short-term thing or something you have committed to doing anyway.
Your remaining objections boil down to "In one year I'll be one year older", "The company is insufficiently perfect", and "I feel guilty for being awesome". I apologize for the framing, but these are some weak-ass objections, and that's without having the "plus" side of the ledger include "Free graduate school".
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 1:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
So living in this small town is either a short-term thing or something you have committed to doing anyway.
Your remaining objections boil down to "In one year I'll be one year older", "The company is insufficiently perfect", and "I feel guilty for being awesome". I apologize for the framing, but these are some weak-ass objections, and that's without having the "plus" side of the ledger include "Free graduate school".
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 1:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
I just want to point out Con #3 is actually a Pro.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 1:18 PM on May 10, 2017
posted by DrAstroZoom at 1:18 PM on May 10, 2017
I just got my graduate degree at 37. I know you're in your thirties, too. You won't be too old. And that year is going to get you closer to fulfilling a major life goal, so there's a bit of difference there as you'll have strong motivation to soldier through.
But mostly, YOU DO DESERVE THIS. It's not like you got this fellowship under nefarious circumstances, like your uncle was the admission officer. You earned it. It will ultimately improve your quality of life from the sounds of it.
DO IT.
posted by Ruki at 1:19 PM on May 10, 2017
But mostly, YOU DO DESERVE THIS. It's not like you got this fellowship under nefarious circumstances, like your uncle was the admission officer. You earned it. It will ultimately improve your quality of life from the sounds of it.
DO IT.
posted by Ruki at 1:19 PM on May 10, 2017
nthing making sure it's legit with the school. That said, don't worry about connecting with peers and meeting a partner. You're just as likely to do so on the job as in grad school. And you're reaching an age where age differences aren't as important in friendships. Also, that one more year isn't a bad thing - older students with more life and professional experience often get more out of school (speaking as a former grad TA, and as someone who was 33-35 during grad school. 9 years on I'm still connected with most members of my cohort, some of whom were younger and some not).
posted by AliceBlue at 2:06 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by AliceBlue at 2:06 PM on May 10, 2017 [2 favorites]
I *strongly* echo LoveHam's concern about the legitimacy of this offer. I've never heard of this happening in my discipline or frankly any other disciplines. In fairness, I've also never asked around about this kind of thing and I have only my own limited experiences so maybe this is completely legitimate and common in some disciplines. It would cost a company a lot of money to completely fund someone in graduate school so it seems extremely odd to me that they would make that offer and only ask that you work for them for just one year (AND be paid for that year of work!). Are there any other commitments e.g., you have to come back and work for us for __ years?
posted by ElKevbo at 2:07 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by ElKevbo at 2:07 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]
First, are you sure that it's normal in your field that everyone pays tuition to go to grad school? Like, it's a professional school type of program? The advice I usually see on AskMe, and that I tend to agree with, is that you should not have to pay to go to grad school (i.e., for a Ph.D), or at least should not have to take out loans. The fact that you're considering it a normal thing that without this fellowship, you'd have to take out loans to attend this graduate program . . . well, I'm skeptical of the program in that case.
Secondly, speaking for myself as a fellow depressed person who has trouble connecting with peers, I would not be able to take this job without major difficulty, because I suffer when separated from my support system; I know this because I've had a lot of one-year moves/jobs that I suffered during, and I hope to never do that again. But that's me. If you are the kind of person who says "I can do anything for a year"—and if it's true for you, not just wishful thinking—then that's great! Seize the opportunity. If not, though, that's not a crime, and you should do what's right for you. Just wanted to let you know I hear what you're saying as far as the mental health concerns go.
posted by honey wheat at 2:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Secondly, speaking for myself as a fellow depressed person who has trouble connecting with peers, I would not be able to take this job without major difficulty, because I suffer when separated from my support system; I know this because I've had a lot of one-year moves/jobs that I suffered during, and I hope to never do that again. But that's me. If you are the kind of person who says "I can do anything for a year"—and if it's true for you, not just wishful thinking—then that's great! Seize the opportunity. If not, though, that's not a crime, and you should do what's right for you. Just wanted to let you know I hear what you're saying as far as the mental health concerns go.
posted by honey wheat at 2:11 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
This fellowship sounds like a great deal. In fact, it sounds like such a great deal that I'd want to run it by a lawyer to make sure it's legit and doesn't have any catches or loopholes.
posted by Cranialtorque at 2:26 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Cranialtorque at 2:26 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Well, if it was only tuition (not cost of living) it might be legit, especially if the actual source of funds is a third party and the company in question is also taking advantage of the third party's offer.
posted by porpoise at 3:05 PM on May 10, 2017
posted by porpoise at 3:05 PM on May 10, 2017
Response by poster: Thanks all! It's actually offered through the school so pretty sure it's legit. I am not sure but it may be a third party (funds maintained by the school). But good reminder to double check if there aren't any other contingencies. I've also spoken to past fellowship recipients and doesn't seem like any suspicious activity. But I will be alert and ask questions and read the fine print. Thanks everyone!
posted by treetop89 at 3:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by treetop89 at 3:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]
If small city to you is still more than 20k-30k people, there is a good chance that you'll still meet plenty of people. Even if not, the work experience will give you a chance to network. If you are a hard worker at that company, people will remember you and be willing to recommend you for jobs elsewhere.
Unless you're talking a tiny place with no larger cities within a half hour's drive, you will have at least some opportunities for socialization outside of work and church. Most of the places I've lived are like that, anyway, but there are parts of the country where what even I would consider civilization is far away, but these days they don't have industry that isn't either farming, saw mills, or paper mills.
posted by wierdo at 3:22 PM on May 10, 2017
Unless you're talking a tiny place with no larger cities within a half hour's drive, you will have at least some opportunities for socialization outside of work and church. Most of the places I've lived are like that, anyway, but there are parts of the country where what even I would consider civilization is far away, but these days they don't have industry that isn't either farming, saw mills, or paper mills.
posted by wierdo at 3:22 PM on May 10, 2017
Student debt crushes your future. You risk working many, many hours at a job you don't like because you have to pay your student loans, as well as deferring marriage, house-buying, etc. It's only a year. I would go for it.
posted by warriorqueen at 4:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by warriorqueen at 4:22 PM on May 10, 2017 [5 favorites]
I kinda feel guilty about getting this. Although it's a merit fellowship, I feel like I am taking it from someone who really needs it.
Don't give this one another moment's thought. Give the selection committee due credit for doing their jobs and making an informed choice.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 4:43 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Don't give this one another moment's thought. Give the selection committee due credit for doing their jobs and making an informed choice.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 4:43 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
I think it's possible to overcome the cons when you know that it has a clear end date, and when the pros are so good. Take it.
posted by vignettist at 5:08 PM on May 10, 2017
posted by vignettist at 5:08 PM on May 10, 2017
I'm going to go against the tide here. If you have a reasonable plan for being able to pay off your loans, go to grad school now. Pros: Dream school, location that you want to be in (it sounds like), you can do it now like you want to. From reading your question, it sounds like you'd be excited to go to your dream school as planned, but now that this fellowship has dropped into your lap, it seems too good to turn down even though you're not excited about it. If you can afford it, your gut is telling you to do it, and it's not going to have a significantly negative effect on your long-term prospects (both money and career-wise), I say life is short and you should go to grad school.
posted by chickenmagazine at 5:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by chickenmagazine at 5:55 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
Is it a masters or PhD? If it's a masters, I would jump on it, because it's pretty rare to get masters funded. Your degree will be much more valuable if you don't have debt to pay off; part of the problem with a lot of masters programs is the debt ends up cancelling out the pay boost.
If it's a PhD, I would hesitate, because most PhD programs wave tuition with no extra requirements at all, plus give you a living stipend. You could likely get a much better offer elsewhere. Of course, this may depend on the field--I'm going off my experience in psychology.
Let me address some of your specific concerns.
1) One year is not going to make a difference. Trust me. Lots of people in graduate school are even older. The majority of people who go to graduate school (at least in my field) work for several years out of college before going on to grad school. I don't think you'll find yourself out of place, but if you're really concerned about this, maybe visit to get an idea of the age ranges there?
2) Being isolated is a very real concern. Do you have ways to stay connected with your friends and family? Can you keep in contact over Skype, is it easy to make trips, etc.? I would also look into support groups in the area or through the university. Or perhaps you could get a pet?
3) Don't worry about it being directly connected. In graduate school you rarely get to do exactly what your long-term goal is anyway; you're usually working on someone else's research. This is typical and will only be helpful to you.
4) It's merit-based for a reason. There are other avenues for people with high need. Also, you said you'd have to pay half in loans--consider that you don't have a guarantee that you wouldn't end up being crushed by that eventually. Even if your income is stable now, it might not be in the future. Unless you have tons of extra cash lying around that can fully pay for your tuition, take it. Don't saddle yourself with debt. I'm saying this as someone who absolutely would have been crushed by graduate school debt had I not received a tuition waver and merit based fellowship: e.g., the kind of person you're worried about taking this fellowship from. You have my permission to take it.
posted by brook horse at 8:01 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
If it's a PhD, I would hesitate, because most PhD programs wave tuition with no extra requirements at all, plus give you a living stipend. You could likely get a much better offer elsewhere. Of course, this may depend on the field--I'm going off my experience in psychology.
Let me address some of your specific concerns.
1) One year is not going to make a difference. Trust me. Lots of people in graduate school are even older. The majority of people who go to graduate school (at least in my field) work for several years out of college before going on to grad school. I don't think you'll find yourself out of place, but if you're really concerned about this, maybe visit to get an idea of the age ranges there?
2) Being isolated is a very real concern. Do you have ways to stay connected with your friends and family? Can you keep in contact over Skype, is it easy to make trips, etc.? I would also look into support groups in the area or through the university. Or perhaps you could get a pet?
3) Don't worry about it being directly connected. In graduate school you rarely get to do exactly what your long-term goal is anyway; you're usually working on someone else's research. This is typical and will only be helpful to you.
4) It's merit-based for a reason. There are other avenues for people with high need. Also, you said you'd have to pay half in loans--consider that you don't have a guarantee that you wouldn't end up being crushed by that eventually. Even if your income is stable now, it might not be in the future. Unless you have tons of extra cash lying around that can fully pay for your tuition, take it. Don't saddle yourself with debt. I'm saying this as someone who absolutely would have been crushed by graduate school debt had I not received a tuition waver and merit based fellowship: e.g., the kind of person you're worried about taking this fellowship from. You have my permission to take it.
posted by brook horse at 8:01 PM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]
You've sort of won the educational lottery here, in terms of potential financial assistance. Most people who do grad school go in the opposite direction on their ledger. Here's one thing I would be thinking: you will have industry experience knowing that you have a good thing coming in a year. Most people pay for school, hoping they might get a job at the end of it all. Relevant job + school is a good thing, and the reduced stress of putting those two things together is certainly a major pro that would offset most every con.
posted by SpacemanStix at 10:35 PM on May 10, 2017
posted by SpacemanStix at 10:35 PM on May 10, 2017
Debt is stress. Do what you can to reduce your future debt to increase your future happiness!
posted by dreamling at 9:30 AM on May 11, 2017
posted by dreamling at 9:30 AM on May 11, 2017
Looks like the question has been answered, but I wanted to add one thing: to make peace with lingering feelings of inequity about the grant, you could contribute, now or when your salary permits, to a needs-based scholarship fund in your discipline.
posted by the_dusty at 8:45 AM on May 12, 2017
posted by the_dusty at 8:45 AM on May 12, 2017
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