Trying to decide between these two grad schools

[norema]

Thanks for the wonderful post. This was very well thought out. I definitely think we have the same types of interests and concerns, but you clearly have more experience. I guess I will just have a lot to think about over the next couple of months. It's not like this is a bad thing... six months ago I viewed grad school as a distant goal that I may visit ten years from now. Today am very grateful just to be having this decision. I'm starting to think the best decision would be to go back to work. Sometimes when you are at a standstill, it's best to throw yourself back into life and the answer may become much clearer. Bottom line is, Amberton is a fantastic opportunity; it may very well end up being my decision. Of course, if an employer is willing to pay a LOT of tuition, AACSB would be nice. One thing that I do not have that you do have is lots of professional experience. I really don't think your school matters as much in your case, simply because if I am an employer, school recognition only becomes a factor if past work experience is not where it needs to be. I'm concerned about providing for my family (just got married a few months ago and hoping to have a child next year), but I definitely don't want to get caught up in doing something that I don't like. Why can't life just be simple?

Thanks again.

Even though I have work experience, it is not in the field that I want to work in now. However, me personally I NEEDED to acquire my degrees, just for me. Mainly for the satisfaction of completing them. Because they were a long time coming. Now, I don't want to overstep in my suggestion, but at least take one class at a time or something. You see, you are at the point that I wish I was back at. I too decided that I would go back to work, and take care of my family. Hoping that I could go back to work, and have someone else pay for it. That never happened. Not to say this will happen to you. However, I ended up making a good living taking care of my family in a job that I was miserable in. As most Mothers do, I lost myself in taking care of everyone else. Putting myself on the back burner, then looked up after 20 years from when I first went to college. Wondering when, how, and if I would ever finish. You know that question just about every potential employer ask... "Where do you see yourself in five years? Well, for those 20 years I would say finish my degree. Well, I don't have to say that anymore. Anyway, sorry I get a little long-winded. However, excuse me for speaking in regards to your family, income, or just your life as a whole. You know, who am I, right? Just take it from someone who made the mistake. DO NOT put yourself at the bottom of the list. It will be hard to uphold your own desires while taking care of everyone and everything else in your life. But you do not want to look in the mirror one day, 20 years later saying 'but what about me.'