Grad School-Need Advice

I am in the process of looking into grad school. I'm not sure if I will follow through or not, but am starting to feel like that is the direction I need to take. I'm totally scared. Mostly because it's a TON of money and I haven't even paid back my undergrad loans yet. I hate being in debt.

So, where do I start in all of this? I submitted the FAFSA today. I only have a couple of schools in mind. What sort of research do I need to do? What is the process like? What do I need to be considering?

I want to go into counseling and get my Master's. I'm not sure if it matters if I go to a Christian school or secular in order to be a Christian counselor (thoughts?). A Christian school is so expensive.

Thoughts? Advice? What do I do with the start of all this? is going to grad school worth it?

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To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.The LORD works out everything for his own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster. Prov 16

Hey,

I graduated with a degree in History and decided to go back and study law. I graduate in June and I've loved every minute of it....but financially it's cost me a lot! I still have undergraduate loans too, as well as a career loan I had to take out to cover my law fees.

I had been approached by my law school to continue on and do a PhD and I'm due to submit my research proposal soon. The only issue is I can't find the funding. This is such a big deal for me, as it's really the highest academic level I can achieve in law (in the UK anyway, not sure about other jurisdictions) but I'm so disappointed that I may not be able to fund it.

Despite this, I would totally recommend grad school. It's been such a brilliant experience for me. Academically challenging and I don't regret it for one second. The time will come when the loans will be paid back. For me it feels like the opportinuty I currently have is one God seems to be giving me (various things have happened that make me think this) but it's such a rollercoaster!

Maybe try and search out some external funding sources that offer grants etc? I'm not sure how it works in the US, but surely there would be some sort of foundation that would assist. Maybe even a Christian one if you'd like to be a Christian counsellor.

Best of luck anyway

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Walk on. Walk on, with hope in your heart.
And you'll never walk alone.

If you want to be a Christian counselor, I would suggest a Christian school if possible. Had you thought about a specific denomination of school, if you opted for a Christian school?

Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, is a church of Christ school, and I can personally say their admissions staff helped me in any way they could when I was looking for grants and scholarships. But I'll venture a guess most Christian schools will be of great help with that sort of thing, I just have experience with Lipscomb. Good luck with your search!

In Christ,
Joshua

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John 15:13- Greater love has no man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends.

Grad school is expensive period! Especially if you are interested in counseling. I'm in a terminal Master's program in Counseling at a small Catholic college and it will cost me just as much as if I was going to the big public school in the same city. Here are some ways you can save money:

+ Find a program that offers paid assistantships/fellowships. It willl be rare in the counseling field, but it's out there.

+ If it's cheaper in your area, go ahead and go to a public school for your master's degree. AND THEN get a certificate in Christian counseling. It might save you anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand, but the extra time in school makes it really a horse a piece.

+Try making interest payments on your loans while you are in school, it will help in the long run.

+Not really a money saving tip, but your governmental loan limits in Graduate school are separate from your Undergraduate loans. So even if you maxed out your loans for your first degree, the feds will allow you to take on more loans for your grad program.

I also cannot stand being in debt (I never carry a balance on my credit card), but this is good debt. When you are done with school, you can consolidate your loans and get the repayment period stretched to 30 years with federal loans. But whatever you do, BEWARE with private loans...they are nothing but trouble!

Thanks ya'll. I'm starting to feel like graduate school would be a good investment, even if I did need to take out some loans.

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To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.The LORD works out everything for his own ends—even the wicked for a day of disaster. Prov 16

This is sooo on time. I was just in the kitchen praying to the Lord after reading an article on AOL about someone who went to grad school is $122k+ in debt and is making $60k a year and is struggling with her repayments.

I went to Liberty University Seminary to get my Masters in Religion/Church Ministries and I am in total $75k+ in debt with undergrad and grad schooling.

I barely make $35k a year, I have a mortgage/association fees and I barely make it every month. It's all by the grace of God I do.

My point? I was in the kitchen after reading the nasty comments about the story on AOL, and I prayed to the Lord to open a door to help me pay off these loans without defaulting. I knew I couldn't pay over $600 a month in loans so they lowered my payments to graduate up until they are paid off. I've put some on forbearance until I can find a better paying job...

I have regrets about getting my degree, but at other times I don't. It's the best thing I've done...but with the jobs not being available, I can't utilize my degree at this time.

BE WISE, that's my main point. If you can't go now, WAIT. And it is a good investment...that is how I look at it. God didn't allow me to get into a seminary and graduate in 15 months for no reason. It's all His divine providence and I trust He will supply for my financially and occupationally.

Good luck on your decision.

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His Humble Servant,
Dolores
Psalm 34
1 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

I saw that as well, at least somthing similar on YAHOO!

I think she was a medical doctor? Or am I mistaken?

I'm currently getting my Master's in counseling. For me, I chose a local public university because in-state tuition is cheaper than if I would have went somewhere else. When I first thought about going I submitted the FAFSA, took the GRE, applied to a few programs at different universities, once accepted, applied for scholarships/assistantships, and then made my decision. When considering universities, look to see if they offer classes that could help lead you to the area of specialization you would like (i.e. Religion and Spirituality in Counseling)

It is possible to make it through grad school without debt, but it's not easy. You really need to be diligent about researching grad assistantships, scholarships, TA positions, work-study programs, and all of that. Not every school will have each option. That's one thing to research. I'd say though that you should anticipate having at least some debt by the time you finish the program.

Something else I'd suggest would be to find out what the school's post-grad placement rate is, if they know and/or are willing to share that info. They might not track it, though, so don't be surprised if they can't answer the question. And find out on average how long it takes the grads to find work and/or how long it takes them to pass the licensing boards. I know for psych programs generally the schools are required to compile that info for accreditation purposes.

The app process can be long and drawn out, so the earlier you start before you want to attend the better - don't wait till the last minute. Recommendations, transcripts, test scores take some time to get to the school. And I know from experience that it can take a while for the folks you ask for recommendations to actually do them for you.

Unless you really like a particular school, don't limit your search to one or two - expand the search to a number of them, then triage down. Be realistic about your chances of getting admitted (there's some leeway with GPA and test scores) and where you'd want to spend the next couple of years of your life. For example, if you need to be near the beach, odds are that you wouldn't be happy at the University of Wyoming. Also look at the research interests of the faculty and what type of counseling method they teach; that'll be key. Is it behavior modification or psychotherapy? After you look at a couple of schools, you'll have a better idea of what you're looking for and at.

Christian schools are expensive, but there's a built-in advantage to them if you want to do Christian counseling. Secular schools won't have those types of courses and you'll be graded according to their worldview, not your Christian worldview. The underlying philosophy of the degree program is something else to consider. That applies to Christian schools, too, by the way. Some will be more conservative or liberal than you might like and you'll need to know that going in as well. All that said, there are some awesome secular schools out there and some awesome Christian schools; there are also a lot of awful schools of both types too. Which to attend may ultimately be a gut-decision for you.

Here's the website of the American Association of Christian Counselors: American Association of Christian Counselors It should tell you what is necessary to become a certified/licensed Christian counselor. Are you talking pastoral counseling or psychology/social work kind of counseling, like marital-family therapy giving biblical advice? Again, the AACC could help answer your questions - and might even direct you to some funding sources, though I would NOT count on that. Expect only information and you shouldn't be disappointed.

Is grad school worth it? I have a master's and a law degree; I don't regret either one if only for the friendships and relationships I formed in both programs. I have a huge debt from law school that I am struggling to repay - that I regret. I don't enjoy the field and am trying to get out. I have friends, though, who do like law and are thriving in the field. It was their calling if you will.

My suggestion is that if you start the program and have second thoughts about it get out early; don't keep going just to go, hoping it'll get better or that the real world will be different from school. At that point, you'll have a degree you don't really want to use and the debt you're afraid of.

Hope this helps.

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If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. -Meister Eckhart

Trust in God, and you need not fear. -Jonathan Edwards

"Had I not fallen, I could not have arisen; had I not sat in the darkness, God would not have been a light for me." - Midrash Tehillim Ch. 22

Go the least expensive way and get a degree in a field where jobs are plentiful and pay enough for you to live how you want to.