I know, I know, you just want to start your career. Your program is two years and going part time will make it four. Work is already busy without adding on classes. I get it and I’ve heard it all before. For many people considering a masters degree: it may be worth it to go part-time and/or to try to work at the university you are attending. Why, you may ask? Well, let’s look at the numbers:

GRAD SCHOOL IS EXPENSIVE A.F.

The school and the loan companies often make things look so manageable. They tell you that your tuition is $60,000 a year and that $20,000 of it is in a “special” loan that they will give you. You reach out to an outside loan company and they tell you that they can give you a loan for the remaining $40,000 and your monthly payments will only be around $450-$500 a month after you graduate. That seems manageable, right? Well, scale that up a bit. So if you are paying $450-$500 month for your $40,000 for year one, you need another loan for year two. So, now you are paying between $900-$1,000 per month for the two years. Let’s now add in the “special” loans you get from your university totaling about $40,000 and, assuming similar interest, you are now paying $1350-$1500 a month, only to reach the minimum payment for the loans you will have for about 10 years. WOW. Honestly think: will I be making an extra $18,000 after taxes (about $25,714 before taxes) per year. WOW again.

At most universities, if you work there full time, you can get tuition remission.  Tuition  Remission means that they will cover a portion or all of your class tuition costs. At Boston University, they are covering 95% of my tuition. There is a caveat.  I have to pay taxes on that money but I am still saving myself from paying most of my $13,000+ bill at the beginning of the semester.

YOU CAN GO TO GRAD SCHOOL AND HAVE MONEY TO GET STARBUCKS, CAVA, AND AN OCCASIONAL SOUL CYCLE CLASS (BASIC TRIFECTA)

Not that everything is about the money but as a person that acquired substantial loan debt from undergrad, it can be so debilitating that you have to take one job over another or live in a place that is less than convenient. Having money to grab food with friends, go to coffee with your professors, and to find stress relief is really really really important in graduate school in order to stay balanced. I have found that working full time and going to school part time has allowed me this balance. This blog was created around this very balance!

GOING SLOW CAN HELP YOU

I know its daunting to look at a two year program and think you’re going to stretch it out over four. You could be in your field two years earlier, but you might miss a chance to get involved as you try to cram everything into two Springs, two Falls and one Summer. If you have more time, you can take baby steps and plan out your activity involvement, course papers and more to form to your professional goals after graduation.

In my own personal experience, my first semester or so was spent on adjusting which has allowed me, in my second (of four years), to explore student groups, graduate student journals to be published in, and build relationships with my professors. I can put more work, time and field work into my thesis and walk out with the tools, connections, and publications that I need moving forward.

HOW DO I PITCH THIS DECISION TO EMPLOYERS/PhD PROGRAMS?

One of my big concerns with doing my degree part time was that it would look odd to potential employers or PhD programs that it took so long to complete my masters degree. Thinking about how to pitch this experience, you can highlight your ability to manage time at work and school, show that you sustained interest in the program, have stronger letters of recommendation due to professors knowing you and working with you longer, and show that you are willing to put in the work to get what you want (and can work towards a long term, more abstract goal).