[life][college] hitting the books like an abusive relationship

[murasaki_kaze]

Hai gaiz, how does i choose grad skoolz?

orz

That...actually pained me to write. Wow. I just... Wow.

Comments

[zhukora1]

Have you thought about getting your degree in East Asian Studies? That kinda sounds like your thing, but without the competition for admit spaces and resources from more general anthro kids (not that there wouldn't be intense competition--I just think you'd be stronger at it in the specialization v. general, given your academic/JET background and all).

The website I've found to be most helpful (and conversely, most insanely stressful--so use wisely and in moderation) during my grad school apping process was TheGradCafe. It is aimed primarily at people who are a little farther along in the application process than you are, I think, but reading up on the preexisting posts might help you get some direction, and people are generally pretty good about giving advice if you have specific questions.

[murasaki_kaze]

I wasn't sure if that would offer the specialization I needed, since East Asian studies requires a comprehensive study of China, Korea, and the Southeast Asian countries along with Japan and my primary focus is Japan. I admit I haven't looked much into it though, so I'll check it out and see. It might be the better idea since, yeah, anthro for me is like "this one specific area I am interested in and the rest I am not." If I go back for a second undergrad, then perhaps that might be the better idea. Thanks!

And thank you for the website! I'll check that out tonight. I was actually hoping you'd answer since you just went through this all and had the most recent insight into the whole gnarled process. ♥ Thank you!

Also, your icon slayed me.

[mari_cha]

I'm not an authority or anything, but after my research for translation/interpretation grad schools, Monterey seemed to be the best choice for what I was looking for. If you went there, I don't think it would be considered 'settling' as it is a good school, even if it is near your home. And while many of their graduates go into freelance, that doesn't mean all of them do. I'm sure you could find non-freelance work if that is what you wanted.

Anyway, like I said, I'm not an expert. I would love to hear about other schools you consider since I am also looking to go in a couple of years.

[aquafolius]

Definitely seconding on the training for job, as opposed to hobby. If you're going to for sure go into academia (professorship, that sort of thing), then the East Asian Anth/History thing is a good start. If you're looking to not be in academia, I'd recommend against it.

There's nothing saying that once you've got the Master's in the job field, that after you're settled financially you can't go back and get another Masters in history.

[rainbowquarter]

Freelancing, though dangerous in a fragile economy, also has certain quirks regarding adventurism!!!! This is coming from someone who likes nothing more than to attack the most challenging aspects of life there is to challenge (incidentally having already taken up Wing Chun after our chibi-lesson in the middle of Shinsaibashi), so you probably ought to completely ignore this comment. All the same! MIIS!!!! It sounds like meeeez if you say it like a word... which is fun, yet kinda... scary. Multiple me. Ouch. Shutupseb.

[solarwind]

Yay for grad school. Are you looking to go for a Master's as apposed to a PhD? The real issue I see with that is that it is very hard to get a good academia position with only a Masters (not impossible, but its hard for people with PhDs...) so that may need to play a role in what you decide you want to do. I can tell you from experience, although it's from science so obviously not all of it carries over, but a Masters is going to take up a lot of your time. The one you take will probably be class based, which helps time wise, but it'll depend on the program requirements. Also, are you only looking in the US