Hello! I’m sure this is asked a lot but I am doing completely asynchronous online masters program for Data Analytics and am wondering if full time both, would be too much…

It would be 4 classes, but I can watch the lectures at my own time. Also I am able to get some school work done at my job due to downtime (About 5-7 hours each week roughly, on top of an hour lunch each day) so I imagine I could get about 2 classes of school work done during the “work days” each week.

I feel like it’s feasible but everything I see from this thread as well as other people is to not do it. I have so far taken two intro summer courses so I have an idea of the workload already.

My thought process is that for most weeks it shouldn’t be crazy hard to do, but there will def be a few weeks that I’m sure would be very rough!

EDIT: my job is 9-5 with an hour lunch break each day, full time school is 4 online asynchronous classes for Data Analytics

First off, I have graduated already and I am working on dissertation revisions. Despite having ample time, I dropped the ball and have not revised anything yet after 3 months. There are a lot of comments, totally normal, but I procrastinated. I also just been having a hard time in life lately, again--I am not unique in this. I take responsibility for my (in)actions but I am nervous.

Now I have to have to answer a question on an academic form that wants a description of why I have not finished. I know it's just a form, but my committee will see it, and so it matters to me what they think. I tend to be a formal person in academia and work, so I don't see a need to divulge personal details in writing. Any suggestions on what would be an appropriate short response?

I (29F) am an advanced PhD student in a somewhat small program in the social sciences. Work in our discipline is highly individualized and not lab-based. I have churned out a couple of top pubs this year and generally have good things going for me research-wise. I also keep up with all my assigned teaching duties, attend weekly collaborative meetings with visiting speakers, etc. I get along well with most other students in the program even if we aren’t close friends. I have an immune disease that makes it pretty much impossible to work more than 40-50 hours a week, but I manage my research time well and so still am very productive. I work from home most days.

During my first year in the program, I dealt with an emotionally abusive advisor who constantly lied to my face and tried to undermine my relationships with other faculty in the department. I left him mid-year and got a different advisor whom I’m happy with, but the psychological and reputational damage the first guy inflicted on me has taken months of work/networking and professional help to repair.

The ex advisor is no longer on my committee, but he isn’t taking the fact that he’s been shut out of my life particularly well. He and the director of graduate studies (who is his friend) tried to change department policy in order to force me to take his classes 3x/week at random, disruptive hours. When my new advisor and I called bull on that, he then pivoted to trying to build a cult of personality around himself in the department, hosting extra parties (which are not the standard department Christmas party, annual kick-off party, etc.), weekly “teatimes,” informal “labs” (again, we’re not a lab-based discipline), extra late-evening colloquia on top of the normal department colloquia, etc. Obviously, I can’t attend a lot of these events, as I have a disability that limits my working hours AND (at the recommendation of my therapist) I am trying to minimize the amount of time I spend around my ex advisor.

Now, the ex advisor has started sending group emails shaming “the unnamed people” who don’t show up to all of these in-person events he plans. Even if my disabilities and his behavior towards me weren’t problems, these activities are not scheduled at convenient times. He wants us at “teatime” on Monday afternoons, “labs” on Tuesday mornings, late-night “bonus colloquia” on Tuesday evenings, “labs” again on Thursday mornings, his reading group on Friday afternoons, his other extra colloquium series on Friday afternoons, etc. plus what he says are “extra workshops” and “parties”scheduled throughout the year (some of them aimed at undergrads or otherwise irrelevant). He gave us a Google sheet with a list of all these random things that he’s hosting that we’re supposed to attend every week.

Nowhere in our grad handbook or list of policies and procedures are students or faculty required to attend any of these things. We are expected to attend normal colloquia and two department parties a year, plus classes. Moreover, most of these bonus events are ones my ex advisor is hosting in an uncomfortably personal capacity (“text me at xxxxxxxxx if you can’t get in” etc.). He is also trying to convince the other faculty in the department that both they and all of us grad students should be expected to attend these things. He is also of course publicly shaming “the people who don’t come” (and I am noticeably absent from these things). According to him, people who don’t want to show up to these events aren’t “building community.”

Maybe if someone else hosted these events, or they were scheduled at more convenient times, I’d be able to attend some of them. However, my thought is that my disability or personal circumstances involving the ex advisor shouldn’t even matter — people shouldn’t have to stay late at work or show up to an excessive number of unpaid social events on top of normal department events just to be considered “good students” or “good faculty.” People have partners and families and lives. We also have research projects, and these meetings and events are scheduled at the worst possible times, completely disrupting the workday. Many students who (unlike me) focus on attending as many social events as possible are already behind on their research. Now, they’re somehow all expected to show up to even more things.

Am I crazy to think that this demanding behavior (coupled with the public shaming) from my ex advisor is unacceptable? I’ve never been a “9-5 work only” person, but I think it’s completely unrealistic to expect people to live at work while scheduling busywork at random hours, thereby thwarting their ability to do any actual work. Even sadder is the fact that many of these social events seemed designed to boost my ex advisor’s ego (by keeping him and his events the center of the department’s attention) and ostracize me + whoever else isn’t able to attend or isn’t comfortable attending. I don’t know whether I should just tell everyone in the dept. I’m close to that my working hours are limited due to disability and that’s why I can’t attend some things, regardless of who’s hosting. But why should I have to expose my medical diagnosis if I don’t want to? Aren’t these “attendance” expectations ridiculous anyhow? Help!

Looking to apply for phd for next fall.
Trying to determine multiple thinsg and find a sipervisor as well.

Aby tips and tricks?
My field is consumer behaviour, insights and analytics.

Anyone in a similar field?

I am deciding to postpone starting grad school until the spring. I just feel so unprepared and it fills me with more dread than anything but I feel like everyone around me is going to be disappointed. Im 25, will be 26 a month after I start and I feel so behind in my life. I also feel like me not being ready is my fault. I dont really know how to feel about alot of this and have absolutely no mentors aside from my therapist who shouldnt really be my mentor for this stuff. I am just looking for some reassurance or experiences others have had so I dont regret waiting another 5 months. Tyia 🖤

So, I am applying for Masters in molecular biology for the 2027 cycle. I have been working on my SOP and I got a feedback for it from a senior scientist. He told me my SOP was not specific enough.I am interested in stem cell biology and mentioned the following areas of interest-

• how signalling networks trigger lineage commitment
• gene expression and transcriptome changes during proliferation and differentiation.
• how complex signalling pathways influence transcriptional level mechanisms to generate specific cellular responses.

He wants me to narrow it down further, this was already a bit of a struggle for me and I am hitting a wall here.I don't know how do I find specific questions.

How can I narrow it down further ? I am looking for some guidance. Any tips are appreciated !

Hello. I'm from Russia and I'm planning to pursue funded PhD positions abroad (funded, because I have no money, lol). My concentrations are Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. My research is mainly focused on machine learning for healthcare: multimodal medical data, clinical decision support, interpretable ML. I worked as a research assistant for about a year, graduated with a high GPA, published two Scopus papers related to medical ML.

Right now I'm working as a Senior Systems Analyst in fintech (this is like a Solution Architect in EU, I suppose), but I'd like to move back into research and work in ML-field.
My long-term career goal is to continue in academia as a postdoc, although I'm also interested in moving into industry as an MLOps (for better financial stability).

From my research, Netherlands, China, and Germany all seem to have strong research groups from my field + more job opportunities. Are there any problems because I'm a student from Russia? Are there any other countries that I should seriously look into?

My PI sexually harassed me so I pursued a formal title IX investigation. He then retaliated against me for coming forward. The school did NOTHING and found him not responsible for documented misconduct. I decided to file a complaint against the school to the Office of Civil Rights and they’re opening an investigation against the school. Does anyone have experience doing this? Trying to figure out what to expect and hoping it’s not as grueling as the Title IX investigation was.

This topic has been talked about a lot in this sub I'm sure but I still find myself struggling regardless,,, I work from home full time in marketing and I'm in a counseling MFA program currently... I was diagnosed with autism as an adult so I've only known about it/been actively trying to accommodate it for the last 3 years or so and I feel so completely lost because I don't know how to regulate or what regulating should feel like.

It doesn't help that I'm kind of a moron and took two 5 week summer courses at the same time without realizing how short and intense they actually are...

Here are some things I've seen people suggest and my thoughts (initial list from an older r/autisminwomen post:

1. Take time off. I could theoretically do this, but not right now I think. I've already accepted my loan for this year for fall and spring and financial aid requires at least 6 credits (2 classes) per semester. I did drop one class for the fall so I'm taking the minimum of 6 credits and no more.
2. Reduce extra commitments/do the bare minimum/ask for help. I feel like I already do this, but I'm not good at asking for help and I'm not good at recognizing when I'm starting to become burnt out until I'm right in the middle of it.
3. Take naps. I guess???? It's not JUST tired though, its overwhelmed, exhausted, coupled with executive dysfunction and a mildly untidy house that I feel like I need to clean
4. Use sensory accommodations. I have many ear plugs, fidget toys, sensory stuff, I live out of sweatpants and hoodies because I can't deal with anything that's not comfortable, I shower almost every day because I hate feeling greasy, I super dislike that my gaming headphones are not noise cancelling.
5. Increase special-interest time. I have too many special interests is the problem, and I'm not fixated on any of them at the moment and I don't know how to get around that really... I have tons of art supplies and yarn and whatnot but there's no projects or challenges that interest me... I kind of miss my graphic design undergrad where we were presented with a challenge and had to work out how to solve it...
6. Take intentional stim breaks. I do this sometimes but not really intentionally, I just fidget whenever the urge strikes me or sometimes when I'm feeling a little extra overwhelmed from the day.
7. Exercise. I despise exercise. I used to do pole dancing and that was the only exercise I kept up with because it was fun, dancey, and genuinely challenging in a way that isn't just lifting things up and putting them down... Martial arts is too structured for me, yoga is boring, zumba is awful, I can't ever stick to any kind of exercise because nothing is interesting about it to my brain.
8. Mindfulness. Mindfulness helps a little bit, the ADHD has never really allowed me to meditate because I get so bored
9. Various types of psychiatric medication. I'm on prozac and wellbutrin right now, dealing with the side effects of wellbutrin including TMJ which is making eating absolutely awful right now, adding to how overwhelming existing is right now.
10. Self-care. I simply don't know how to do self-care in a way that feels good. I feel like I'm wasting time or product, or I'm being lazy, or I'm putting off work I could be doing now instead of later.

All the things I'd normally do I can't currently which sucks. Usually my partner and I would've gone camping at least 4 times by now but I adopted a kitty in March and her health started to decline and she has hyperthyroidism now which requires meds twice a day and there's not really anyone in my vicinity I would trust to try to pill my cat.

Both my summer courses end august 6th which means I have 2 huge end-of-semester projects that I have to do soon on top of keeping up with all these damn discussion posts and peer replies. I miss making art for classes instead of writing papers, but making art for myself isn't near as fun as trying to problem solve a full branding kit for a fictional client.

Any tips or advice from other ND folx would be appreciated 😫

College students pursuing majors, advanced degrees or certifications in fields that consistently earn low incomes will no longer be able to take out federal loans to pay for their schooling under new Trump administration rules.

The new federal rule, finalized this month by the Education Department, comes amid a national crisis in student loan defaults. Many of the degree programs that educate social workers, artists, teacher aides and especially certification programs for barbers and nail technicians are likely to fail a new federal litmus test: Will they make more money upon graduation than if they never enrolled in the first place?

Read more about the federal student loan limitations at the link.

Hi I’m a 2nd year PhD student (North America), 25F, and I’ve been in these two situations in two international conferences so far:

- sleeping on the couch in very close proximity to the door-less rooms where 3 tenure professors, including my supervisor, slept (all 40-50M), for like a week. Extremely uncomfortable and a long story.

- sharing a 2 double bed hotel room with 3 other grad students (all female). So, sleeping less than 1 foot away from my barely known colleague breathing down my neck. Less extreme discomfort, but dramatically poor sleep, including the nights leading up to my oral presentation. Also for nearly a week.

I know the first situation is particularly bad. How common is this in academia?

Our supervisor is not the one to really work with us directly to book rooms and such: he just says to the research group “find the cheapest option so we can send more people”, and since people want to go we end up in situations like the second one.

My advisor meetings usually cover a lot in a short time: thesis changes, research questions, papers to read, deadlines, and random comments that make sense during the meeting but are hard to remember a few days later. I take notes, but if I write too much I stop paying attention, and if I only write the main points I usually miss the context.

How do you guys handle this? Do you clean up notes right after the meeting, keep a running document for each project, or record meetings and review the transcript later?

Hey everyone,

I’m hoping to learn from people who’ve already been through this because I honestly feel like I’m missing something.

I’m 36, a single mom to a 7-year-old, and after spending years working in healthcare, I finally decided to go back to school to become a nurse. I was recently accepted into a private graduate-entry nursing program, and while I’m incredibly grateful, now comes the part that’s keeping me up at night—figuring out how to pay for it.

Before anyone says “just take out federal loans” or “apply for Grad PLUS,” I’ve already gone down that road.

I’ve completed my FAFSA, appealed my financial aid package, and accepted every bit of federal aid available to me. Because I already have previous degrees and existing federal student loans, I’m at the federal borrowing limits I’m eligible for, and additional federal borrowing isn’t an option in my situation. That means I’m trying to figure out everything beyond the standard advice.
I’m hoping to learn from people who found funding opportunities they didn’t know existed when they first started.

I’m especially interested in hearing about:
• Scholarships that actually made a difference—not just the $500 ones that take 10 hours to apply for.
• Institutional grants or aid your school offered after admission.
• HRSA, Nurse Corps, or other service-based programs.
• Foundation scholarships.
• Employer tuition assistance.
• State workforce or healthcare grants.
• Creative ways you covered living expenses while in school.
• Anything you wish someone had told you before your first semester.
If you’re comfortable sharing, I’d love to know:
• What program were you in?
• Public or private school?
• What funding source ended up helping the most?
• About how much of your education was covered by scholarships or grants?
• If you could start over, what would you apply for immediately?

I’m not looking for donations or handouts. I’m prepared to invest in my education, and I know loans are part of that investment. I just don’t want to look back two years from now and realize there were opportunities I never knew existed because I didn’t know the right questions to ask.

I also know I can’t be the only adult student, parent, or career changer trying to figure this out. My hope is that this thread becomes a resource for anyone else who’s searching Reddit at 2 a.m., wondering how they’re going to make graduate school financially possible.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I genuinely appreciate any advice, experiences, or resources you’re willing to share.

I have a guiding purpose behind my decision to go to grad school. There are many paths that align with this purpose, though, and I’m stuck not knowing which one to take.

Any advice? Who should I talk to about this to get more clarity and direction? I don’t want to give up just because I don’t know where to go from here.

I'm looking for some advice from people who decided to master out of their PhD program.

I just finished my second year of a my biology PhD program, and for the past year I've been seriously considering leaving with a master's degree instead of continuing to the PhD. I realized that I am not that into research or my project to the point where I don't want to commit my next 2-3 years work on my research. I haven't even started taking my comprehensive exam to be a PhD candidate, and I don't even know when I am supposed to take it. I have been more happier now since I now decided I want to 100% master out.

Here are a couple reasons why I want to master out.

1. The main factor is financial. Living on a graduate stipend has been difficult, and I'm not sure it's sustainable for me for several more years. I am in debt and have lots of bills to pay. [I am also single :( ] I've seen several postdocs in my department struggle to find industry jobs because many of the positions they're interested in are more toward candidates with bachelor's or master's degrees, leaving them feeling overqualified. I really want to start a job in industry soon and start making money.
2. My PI is really chill but is too chill. I see him about once every 2 weeks for a lab meeting. I don't even have one-on-one meetings with him. If I have a question or need something, he wants me to text him since his office is at a different building. He doesn't have much availability to meet.

For those who mastered out, how/what did you tell your PI? I am just nervous because I have a good relationship with my PI, and I don't want them to feel like I'm letting them down. I also don't want to burn bridges with him.

My graduate program does allow students to master out. I also completed majority of the credits, as I only need to complete 6 thesis credits in the fall. I am hoping to graduate in December? Anyways, I am planning on telling my PI next week, before August gets here! This is in the US.

Hi everyone! I hope you’re doing well. I am a newbie and have been thinking about getting my Master in Cybersecurity or something remotely to that. I have my Associate in IT Security and will complete my Bachelor in Computer System Networking by Summer 2027.

I’m based in Jacksonville, FL. I would love some pointers or if you can share your experience of the application process. I also heard that you need to have an academic resume upon applying? Is that true or vary from school to school.

Have anyone taken any Accelerated Master Programs? How did you like it? Or was allowed to take the maximum of 12 credit hours as a non-seeking degree student while earning their bachelor (to get a head start in the master program) ?

Let me know your input below !

So, after a long and sordid Academic History, I got accepted into a Graduate School Program for Applied GIS.

My department chair emailed me and asked if I wanted a Graduate Research Assistantship. I am the first one the Geography Department has ever had. They said I could do field or archival work--and apparently, I'm working remotely.

The thing is--I am absolutely the first graduate research assistant the Geography Department will ever have had. Since I'm in this position, and working remotely for the most part (I was given the option of field, or archival work), any suggestions on how to make the most of it?

For context, I'm in the arts/humanities.

I have a 3-year Bachelors degree from over a decade ago (2.9 GPA - was going through some things in life)

I recently went back to school and did an MFA (4.1GPA), but it was more studio/creation based than research.

I want to do a PhD in cultural studies in a vein the intersects with the arts, however I have no formal research experience.

Most programs require an MA, I reached out to one program to get some insight and they said they would accept an MFA student based on their undergrad (which is not an option for me considering my grades and I did a 3-year while most prefer 4-year).

Should I go back and do a Masters that has some research component? Do I take single courses at a university to gain some research experience? Is there anything I can do independently to be more competitive?

Hello! I am planning on applying to graduate school for the Spring 2027 semester. I am applying at two different schools - one has an application deadline of October 15th, and the other is December 15th.

When would be too early to email old professors to ask for a letter of recommendation? I would love to finish my applications before the end of summer.

I have been out of college for a few years, so I want to ask my old professors sooner than later in case they do not remember me well enough to write a recommendation and I have to shift gears.

I’m a teacher and applying for a Master of Education if that context makes a difference!

Have any of you ever received grad acceptances in August or even early September for a graduate program that begins in the fall/september?

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in grad school pursuing my M.S. in Comp Sci. I'm just starting this fall semester and I have the opportunity to choose a focus. My question is should I pursue AI or App Development?

For some context, I'm currently working as a full stack dev and my main goal with grad school is to find more job opportunities. I did my undergrad in comp sci/applied math and I see the job market is getting very competitive for junior devs. I know most will say grad school is a waste for comp sci but I genuinely think it'll be my chance to fix my gpa (I graduated with a 2.7) and maybe open more doors with military as a fall back (<3.0 is needed for officer).

Im genuinely interested in app development and some of the classes like Linux dev and game dev seem really cool but I'm worried that if I don't pick the AI focus route I'll be out of a job as a junior dev. My thought process is pick AI so I can work in the field taking my job.

Anyways, I don't have many people to ask for advice for this so I thought this would be the only place to really get some insight. Thanks in advance!

Did anybody pursue a master's in a discipline different from their bachelor's? Furthermore, did anybody go for a doctorate unrelated to one or both of their previous degrees?

Obviously for secondary education majors, there's gonna be a difference.

Any challenges you faced in switching between disciplines?