Why I became a graduate student
By Josh Beckham
Choosing to go to graduate school out of W&L, especially a science graduate school, may seem a little bit astray from the normal post graduation track for a General. And it is. However, it has been a wise decision.
I am currently enrolled in my first year of the Biomedical Engineering graduate program at Vanderbilt University. In doing so, I have been able to undertake a fairly relaxed, yet, challenging education. I am well compensated and I can avoid the real world for another 2 – 3 years. Graduate school is a great option to consider for those W&L students who have not figured out what is supposed to happen after that fateful day in June.
First of all, coming from W&L, I was not sure if I would be ready for graduate school. Most graduate programs are very specific in what they study. This is especially the case for engineering. W&L teaches us how to be a jack-of-all trades and a master of none with its liberal arts degree. However, while I am a little behind in experience from my peers, who are from engineering schools, I am not lacking in overall intelligence. W&L teaches you how to think and how to learn for yourself, which are the most critical aspects of further education.
The workload of my undergraduate years has more than prepared me for graduate level work. I certainly don’t put the same amount of hours in on a day-by-day basis. Rather, the work comes in waves as projects become due. I only take three classes and I have a rather flexible schedule. My responsibilities also include being a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate sophomore class. The T.A. position consists mainly of grading papers and holding office hours to answer students’ questions. Grading can be a pain. However, having the opportunity to teach a little and to see a class from the other perspective has been very insightful and rewarding.
Most graduate schools are in need of good scientists. There is a severe shortage of them and to compensate for this there are substantial rewards for those who choose to become grad students in these fields. My tuition was covered - which is called ‘tuition remission’ – and a stipend of at least $14,000 was offered by the schools to which I applied. Considering that tuition can be upwards of $20,000, this is a pretty good arrangement. You definitely won’t be buying a new car off of this money but it is enough to keep you clothed and fed. Ultimately, it is said that an advanced degree will offset the associated costs with bigger paychecks later on, especially if you don’t have to pull out loans to payback the tuition.
Lastly, the atmosphere of graduate school is very laid back. There is not the cut-throat competition that one would expect from medical school or a first time job. You usually don’t even start doing research until the summer of your first year. So, you have lots of time to decide. When you do begin your research, it will be very different from that of other people in the program. So, you will not be competing against each other. You also get to choose whether you would like to pursue a Ph.D. or a Masters, and you can always change your mind down the road.
All in all, graduate school is a viable option for recent General grads because you are well qualified, it is cost effective, and it is a much more stress free environment than medical school or the real world would be.