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didn't get into grad school
Ceno
pizza timeRegistered User regular
pizza timeRegistered User regular
don't know where else to post this
didn't get into grad school again
I'm 36 and working some admin assistant job that i'm probably going to be in the rest of my life because my bachelor's is worthless
just kind of fucking done, no real hope for ever continuing school or having a meaningful career or retiring because I make peanuts for a salary
miserable in the state I live in, too poor to move, too poor to travel and visit friends and family
feel completely hopeless and done with everything
trying to stay upbeat for my wife and kids
didn't get into grad school again
I'm 36 and working some admin assistant job that i'm probably going to be in the rest of my life because my bachelor's is worthless
just kind of fucking done, no real hope for ever continuing school or having a meaningful career or retiring because I make peanuts for a salary
miserable in the state I live in, too poor to move, too poor to travel and visit friends and family
feel completely hopeless and done with everything
trying to stay upbeat for my wife and kids
0
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What field or degree were you wanting? What is your current degree?
You were considering grad school, which means you have some idea of how to fund this, yeah? Any chance you could go to evening classes or something for a second Bachelor's? Depending on what you wanted to do, that may not be super viable, I dunno.
There are a few careers that you can get started in by teaching yourself stuff (it may not be as easy as formal schooling, but it's not a blocker). Programming, for example, is something that often makes a nice amount of money and is possible to succeed in without even a high school diploma. Again, it'd be harder to study and to get your foot in the door without a related degree, but it's definitely doable.
And then, I guess, the obvious question I should have started with :P. In your current position & company, is there any chance for upward mobility? Or being able to transfer into something internally in your company that has it that you are still qualified for? Often the bar is a bit lower for positions if you're already within the company (and performing well), since the company has more confidence you aren't a serial killer/complete slacker/fake resume/etc.
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Not getting into grad school the first time is not only common, it's more common than getting into grad school on the first application (or second, or third). I did a fairly lengthy writeup recently in the SE++ Work thread you should check out (its sort of a catch-all on how to plan for graduate school). It's pretty comprehensive:
Link is here: http://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/37107557#Comment_37107557
I'd be happy to talk with you about your academic plans and how to reach them. It's important to understand that you are most certainly not trapped. You can make changes and go into different careers. I've seen an facilitated it for students in my cohorts many, many times.
It's also important for everyone in your life who loves you to understand that getting rejected from a graduate application is a soul-crushing experience and support and kindness are needed here. Doesn't matter how many times you applied, each is painful. Talk with your wife, hug your kids.
When you decide to apply again, or look at other ways to brush up on your credentials for when you do, let me know. I'll see what I can do to assist you in polishing up your credentials and finding a solid path to admittance.
Decide on what might be interesting to you, cross-check to see that the degree is in demand, and go for it.
thank you
this is probably the third or fourth time i've been rejected from grad school and at least one of the reasons is because I'm trying to get into an acting program and they accept a very small number of people
but it's the only thing i'm actually passionate about so i'm kind of screwed
i'll take you up on your offer if I decide to give it another go, and greatly appreciate your kindness, but I think at this point trying to make the most of my admin job is the path forward
sometimes stuff just doesn't work out
Just because you won't necessarily be able to make a career about it doesn't mean you can't pursue it, of course. Maybe look into some community theaters nearby or something similar? Then you can still do something you're passionate about even if your job sucks for the time being
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Graduate programs for the arts do two things (exclusively to not doing an arts graduate program and instead just doing the art):
If you aren't really looking to teach acting, the degree is probably less useful than finding your local community theaters/film publications and start getting in plays and productions until you have a solid portfolio. Networking in your community will likely land you more opportunities to, in the long run, get roles that will actually pay. And then later on, roles that will pay well.
If teaching was your aim, you might want to cast a wider net. Usually for arts grad programs you apply to a dozen or more places and go where you get in. Often it will require relocating (which is pretty much the standard for graduate education).
Moreso in high schools than in colleges, though if you get a college job, hang onto it until you die
It doesn't sound like that's what you want to do, but it might help you find something you like better.
This and people like you are why I love these forums.
By the say, good luck Ceno.