Crossroads
I’m torn between staying at work another year and enrolling in grad school this fall. A deferral is out of the question. It was the first thing I asked of them, and they said only in extreme cases would it be granted. Apparently, the economy being a clusterfuck is not considered extreme.
Reasons to stay in San Francisco another year and not go to NY:
- A good chunk of my stocks would vest. If said stocks vested, I could possibly use the money to pay for school and pay off my outstanding debt from undergrad.
- I love my job. I am excited about going to work every single day. And I would get to work on a really neat Flash project!
- I like my apartment. It has lots of charm and an in-unit washer and dryer.
- Home is but a 60-minute flight away.
- NYU is really expensive. I would probably be paying off debt for the rest of my life.
Reasons to go to NY and not stay in San Francisco:
- Outside of work, I am not happy here.
- I’ve always wanted to study something I enjoy, and the program I’d attend is right up my alley.
- It’s been my dream to live in NY. I’ve always admired it from afar and talked about moving there for so long.
- If I died next year, I would regret not going to NY more than losing my stock options (dramatic, I know).
- I would have to re-apply for grad school if I didn’t go this year, and there is a chance I won’t be accepted.
- I would be outside of North Korea’s Taepodong-2 missile range.
Advice?
I think if you could convince NYU to defer for one year, that’d be nice because you make a little more money to go to school, otherwise go to NYU since you already committed. We’ve already all been expecting you to go and no one going to be disappointed (we’re already disappointed in your life!). I think your job is coo,l that’s all.
I’m surprised they don’t let you defer… maybe it’s be too late to do that? I’m sure there is someone there that you can convince if you wanted to defer. North Korea Taepodong can’t even reach South Korea, so you should cross that one off. Cross off “Home is 60 minute flight away” because you never come home!
I always wonder if i should write to you in the broken english that i usually do, but since people can see this, maybe not.
Bonita the friend would tell you that you need to go to NYC because money is not everything. Conversely, Dr. Bonita in 5 years if she able to get an internship would say that you need to do what is best for you and only you can make that decision.
I agree that it would be nice if you would pay off your loans without borrowing from the government. However on a positive note. Most or all schools don’t have private banks as their lenders anymore. They are now borrow straight from the government, which means that interest rates will decrease. Graduate plus loans use to be 6.8% and are now 6.5%. Stafford unsubsidized and subsidized loans use to be 6.5% and are now 6.3%.
Good luck with your decision!!!
(ok let’s see if this comment goes through)
WOW, NYU? congrats mindy! that’s amazing!! :D
I’m another vote for NYC since if i remember correctly you’ve always wanted to go to NYU! plus i visited NYC in december and i basically fell in love with it. it’s a great place to live in with an impressive school to boot.
i don’t understand the stock stuff you wrote about… but, i’m a firm believe that if you pursue something you love, money will come to you.
good luck either way!
yay it worked!
Do what makes you happy.
If you believe going to Grad School is best for your career then off to NYC with you. There will be other good jobs (many of them), other good apartments, but if you don’t invest in your career (grad school) then everything else is compromised. Deferring is fine of course. NYC will be there in its glory a year from now too. But, keep you eye on the prize.
Thanks everyone for your advice! It was super helpful, especially since I’m super indecisive.