| Username |
Post |
| sally |
Posted
on 20-Dec-01 03:54 PM
That thread was getting really long. Also getting off the Harvard subject. Hope no one minds if I post a new one w/stuff referring to the other thread ...
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Trina,
If you're only a few years "behind schedule," I wouldn't stress it. Seems to me that Nepalis worry more than Americans about being a few years past minimum age when graduating.
How come? A couple speculations.
Theory One: So many people in Nepal fail that failure is often the real and not-very-secret reason for not finishing studies on time there. So it becomes an ijjit thing to do everything as fast as possible. If you said, "well I started out taking biochem but I hate it and now I'm close to graduation but I'd kind of like to major in English," an American would say, "Sounds great." (And then, "hope you can afford it.") A Nepali would suspect you've failed biochem and are just hiding.
Theory Two: It's not legal to discriminate here by age--like, setting the limit of age 35 for govt jobs. At least I don't think so. That age limit in Nepal--particularly since HMG is such a major, major employer--can make people stressed if they're "behind schedule."
But the "five-year senior" phenomenon is pretty common in the US. Taking time off to work and figure out the future before graduate school is also pretty common here. Even desirable, good on the resume, and probably good for your future studies cuz you'll be a more mature, experienced, and thus better student.
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| smp |
Posted
on 20-Dec-01 05:20 PM
I started college when I was 20 graduated when I was 24 and worked till I was 27 and am now pursuing my masters degree at the same time I am working. I will be 30 when I graduate. And I haven't had any problems being an older student or a part-time student or working at an entry level position as a slightly older person. In fact, I think I have had several advantages. As Sally mentioned, maturity and knowing what one wants that comes more easily when a little older than when a little younger for most people are tremendous pluses.
So venture out and explore when you can, try new waters, gain valuable experiences you are interested. Being behind in some way helps from my experience. Your perspectives become so much lucid and concrete.
Some of my friends graduated college when they were 20 but I am in no way "behind" them. In any case, life works on the averaging principle on average. So it all works out :)
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| TRINA_ |
Posted
on 20-Dec-01 06:04 PM
Sally and smp,
thank you guys for the reassurance! I appreciated it, tuly.
well, sally i don't think the age thing has anything to do with my being
a nepali, it's just that from a very young age I sort of had calculated what I would
be doing by a certain age but everyday I have come to learn that life
does not follow and (it certainly hasn't in my case ) the smooth path that one
would like it to follow. I suppose I'm being introduced to the adult world, the real
world.
SMP you're right there are many nepalese people who've started or are starting
college in their mid 20s and they have no age issues. I guess I'm being too harsh
on my self come to think of it I'm only 21 and I have much ahead of me.
I feel much confident now. You guys rock!
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| villageVoice |
Posted
on 20-Dec-01 07:49 PM
Sally, you have made some very interesting comments on the age factor and nepal Vs US comparison. Having been in the US only for just two years, I don't really know how Americans look at the issue.
But I am increasingly inclined to agree with you. That Americans really don't think being some years late at grad school is really bad. On the contrary, many of them envy older students, with work experience.
I don't really know most of my classmates' age, but I can see that there are only a few students in their 30s. That's been kinda uncomfortable to me, frankly. But as you say, it could just be my Nepali hang-up.
Here are some pleasant surprises that really made me see things in a new light. A classmate (American, of course) recently pointed out that foreign students in our class were from a higher age group. Her take: you guys have been lucky to start out young while we Americans just jump to grad schools without even realizing what we want to do with our lives. Well, I dismissed that as a frivolous comment from a young American. (We are great frens.)
Then at a recent career workshop, a seasoned professor (job market's been really bad, right!!!) pointed out to me and said, "I have seen that older students actually get more out of grad schools because they know what they want while many of you are still trying to figure things out." Hmmm. That kinda really got me thinking.
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| Trailokya Aryal |
Posted
on 20-Dec-01 10:25 PM
Greetings from Nepal,
I agree with sally. I mean, what's the big deal if you are a year or two late in getting into grad school? I decided to wait and think what's that i really want to do in life after my grad school counslar told me to do so. And I don't regret at all. I don't consider myself a failure. It gave me an oppurtunity to do things that i had always wanted to do, read good books, make some money, see the world... and spend some time with my family.
I don't know why people are so worried about the age factor? Have you ever seen grad school studednts? they look much older, mature and have some experience under their belt. So, wait...think...rethhink and think agaibn before you make your mid to attend grad school. Grad school is a serious commitment, so think 200000 times before you apply.
Trailokya
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| sunakhari |
Posted
on 21-Dec-01 02:39 PM
Heavens!!!
Village Voice!!
Most of my classmates are well over the hill and I admire them for that! Can you imagine that people in their 30s and 40s would want to work their asses off and go to school instead of making some BUHARI slog for them.
This is a different concept!
I am in my 30s and go to some classes. My presence should not, in any way, be taken to make anyone uncomfortable or otherwise. I pay to take those classes and hell if it makes anyone else feel uneasy, they are free to choose other timings!
Think of this Village Voice (and I'm only trying to make you see the other end of the spectrum) - I have a mortgage to pay and children to take care of. I work full time and my wanting to continue my education only makes me feel proud of myself. PLUS I pay for my classes (my parents don't contribute) What do you think its like to be in my shoes? MIGHTY HIGH I would say :)!
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| nobody |
Posted
on 21-Dec-01 04:15 PM
Grad school definitely is a serious commitment. But I don't think you've to think 200,000 times to decide for it. The fact is you'll find 200,000 more reasons not to go for one if you sit down to analyze it - I work 60 hours a week, it costs 15,000 dollars a year, I'm swamped with work already, who'll look after the kids... More important question would be- why do I want/need a graduate degree? What are my priorities? And the fact is despite all your present commitments, you'll still find time to enjoy life and learn to balance your professional, academic and personal life... And you get to meet all these amazing people.
But that was interesting comment from VillageVoice about median age being higher for international students than American students. I've found the opposite to be true. And that's really impressive - these guys are really after education, giving up six figure salaries and studying full-time.
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| sally |
Posted
on 21-Dec-01 04:51 PM
Hmmm. I actually researched this a while ago, but this might not be accurate anymore ... anyway, as I recall, international students are statistically older. For one thing, they tend to be grad students. Some departments--particularly engineering, math, and the like--are one-third foreign on the grad levels, or even more. And while a growing number of foreign grad students did their undergrad in the US and are going straight into grad school, a fair percentage are mid-career professionals sent by their govts or NGOs, or have Fulbrights, which means they've worked for at least a little while.
But of course, it varies depending on the school. There are some elite/pricey private colleges with high populations of undergrads from rich families. Also, on the other end of the price spectrum, a lot of young intl students are at community colleges or schools that have a lot of night classes and draw heavy populations of working professionals.
And in the last few years I think the number of 18-year-olds from overseas has increased dramatically. Education for foreign students is, what, the fifth largest service sector in the US? I saw something like that in a recent Chronicle. Certainly way more Nepalis are coming here now for undergrad than 10 years ago.
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| villageVoice |
Posted
on 22-Dec-01 03:20 AM
I have always wondered what percentage of Nepali students go back home? What are main areas of studies? Any guesstimates?
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| GP |
Posted
on 22-Dec-01 06:11 AM
TA Wrote:
Grad school is a serious commitment, so think 200000 times before you apply.
I am sure you are joking. 200000times to think to decide a grad school,
and what about job selection .... If in Nepal, another 200000 think
while selecting most suitable spouse, ... . . . . Selection is matter
choice availability. Choice for grad school, choice for advisor,
choice for topic, choice for particular theme under the topic ...
Grad school alone will not be a thing to spend time thinking
and thinking ... Just remember you will get old while you spend time
on thinking 200000 times .... Best thing to utilize your time
availablity and select among the best available choices. Grad
degree is not always a basic criteria to make good job at hand,
best grad school is necessary for those who could not do best
in undergraduate studies. Grad school is surely important, but,
your probable advisor in the area of your wished research area
is more important than the grad school with a bad advisor or
louzy advisor, who had no research fund, not really known
outside university. Best way to get admission in best lab
or grad school is to do research on the recent journal and conference
papers on your interested field and find who is doing the
hot cake research. Probably you write your research proposal
based on those findings, you can hit the right target.
Well, I ma not know the situation in USA, but, my experience in
Japan is something like as mentioned in earlier para.
GP
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