I need friendly pros/cons advice. I'm looking at the USC Annenberg School of Journalism. They have a Master's with an Online Journalism concentration:

[link]

It'll cost me about 50k. I'm 34 years old. Is this craxy? Also, can I send my book as my writing sample? Or is that snotty?

I have almost a whole year to do my GREs, work out the financials (please please can I get a grant?), and apply.

It'll cost me about 50k. I'm 34 years old. Is this craxy?

Totally not crazy. I figure I'll be 35 when I finally go to do my graduate degree.

I started my masters degree when I was 32 and finished when I was 36. i say, go Allyson!

Not crazy at all. If you go, in six years you can be 40 and doing what you want to do. If you don't go, you'll still be 40 in six years, but possibly still doing what you're doing now, which isn't making you happy.

Signed,
Can Solve OTHER People's Problems But Still Stuck With Her Own

It'll cost me about 50k. I'm 34 years old. Is this craxy?

As someone who has that much in student loans, I'd say think about it very seriously. If there is any way you could do much of the coursework as part of a PhD program (and then stop at a Master's) apply that way. I don't know about USC specifically, but, in general, you are much more likely to get funding as a PhD student. MAs are the bread and butter of grad schools. PhD students these days are usually fully funded (if you're not worth funding, they often won't accept you).

I don't think the age part is crazy, but I would definitely look at if you think having the master's degree will get you a bigger salary, and if so, by how much. I think my MS was worthwhile financially, but the loan payments are still a huge chunk of money.

It may not be a master's, but I brought my diploma to work today so I could admire it and validate all the hard work I went through the last 4 years. And I'm turning 40 in less than a month.

What's your goal as far as a career goes, Allyson? Do you want to be a journalist? What kind? I'd strongly suggest talking to someone in the field right now and see what they suggest as far as getting your masters. I have a journalism degree, but every professional that ever spoke at my university journalism classes counseled AGAINST journalism degrees--especially higher degrees.

I dunno. It's hard. It's a lot of money and you have to figure out what the level of return is going to be. Will it help you get a journalism job that will actually pay off your student loans? Pay in the field is often quite low.

You already write VERY WELL. I don't know how much more education you would need to break into the field.

Yeah, the age thing isn't crazy at all (I didn't finish my PhD until I was 36), it's more what Jesse (ETA: and Cash) said that would make me pause.

Of course, I did the absolute worst thing (financially speaking) in that I applied for a MA and then switched to a PhD. In New York City!

La la lalalala la la la lalaaaaa... [link]