text: Publish: | 2024-03-22 15:42:00 |
  Categories: | grad school |
  Right, so where are things at this point?
  In the final months of last year I sent out a handful of applications to grad schools for the respective Data Science programs. Some I've heard back from some I haven't. Here's where things stand on that front:
  - CUNY - response pending
  - University of Washington - waitlisted
  - University of Michigan - accepted!
  - University of Texas - pending
  - New College of Florida - accepted!
  - Maryville University - accepted!
  - University of Minnesota - pending
  It's a little premature, but here's kind of how I'm looking at things currently. My top choice is University of Minnesota. If I get accepted to that program (and I get funding secure (more to come)) then that's likely where I'm off to next. Minnesota appeals to me for three reasons. In order they are:
  - Their Data Science program looks really good, and I think it would be a solid experience.
  - Minneapolis supposedly has strong Portland vibes. I never fell in love with Seattle, but I did enjoy Portland (even admitting that they're fucking insane there too). Spending 2 years in Minneapolis would add to the adventure.
  - They also have some really interesting work going on in their PhD program for Data Science. How likely is it that I'll take on a PhD program at 48 years old? Very, very unlikely. But sometimes you can create quite the fire if you happen to get the right spark... so why not go stand around some flammable shit, you know?
  After Minnesota, the next two choices are Michigan and Maryville. Michigan is a good school with a good DS programs. Like Minnesota I think it'll be a good education and it's a very, very likely option. Maryville's appeal is a little more personal in nature, as it would allow me to spend a few years living near some great, great friends who have some kick ass kids who are insistent on growing up much faster than I can afford to visit.
  Washington, whom has waitlisted me, has only one real appeal in that their program is 1.5 years long so I'd get out half a year quicker. There is a secondary benefit in that it's here and local and it wouldn't require moving or anything. But Seattle is a shithole (I will blog about this one day), and an expensive shithole at that. Staying here isn't a priority.
  CUNY - sure, maybe. The big cool factor here is that I'd get to go "back" to New York. That's nice, but that's about it.
  University of Texas - it's a purely online, self paced program. I applied here mainly to have an option to really get a little crazy with shit. There is a tiny, tiny, tiny chance that I may just say fuck it and spend a couple of years living outside the country while I work on this degree. I could go to Costa Rica, Thailand/Malaysia, Portugal or somewhere else. The digital nomad lifestyle I've always fantasized about. Again, it's not likely going to happen... but that's why this program is here.
  New College of Florida. oof. OK, so this one is a bit of a heartbreak and, while it's not official, I'm pretty sure this will be a "no" from me. First, the bad - their program turns out not to be a "Masters of Science in Data Science", but rather an "Masters of Science in Applied Data Science". Now, to be frank, I don't really know exactly how much of a difference it makes, but I do know in other technical fields adding in some qualifier, like "Applied", often indicates that it's not quite the same degree. I mean, it's all bullshit to be sure, but that's what this is right? It's a game of bullshit so if I'm going to pay to play, I might as well get the shiniest piece of bullshit I can. So that's the bad... the good of NCF was the though to spending 2 years living beach side in Florida. I can't imagine ever moving to FL... but a couple of years might've been a nice break.
  So that's the school update.
  The other big piece I'm waiting to hear back from is the FAFSA. Over the last few years, I've spent A LOT of my personal savings. As of now, for me to afford grad school, I'd need to spend the rest of it as well as sell my stock portfolio. That would (more or less) pay for life, but I don't have the money for tuition itself at this point. So I need that FAFSA for this to work.
  OK, that was my mindset a few weeks ago. To be really honest... I'm starting to think that, if I don't get the loans I need, I might do this anyway. "How?" you ask? Well, as dumb as it is, I've sincerely been considered taking the funds out of my retirement. I'll pay a heavy penalty, but let's be really really honest here. At this point, I've allowed myself to grind life to a complete fucking halt. If I'm going to jump start this motherfucker I have to just accept the cost I'll share more about this decision making, as well as why I'd be willing to do so, and what I expect and who know what else. But some other time. This post is getting long in the tooth
  As of now - I've been accepted into several programs that I'd be happy to attend. I'm waiting to figure out
  funding. And hopefully, in the coming weeks... well... if you see some smoke rising in the western horizon, don't
  worry about it... I'm just starting to get cooking.