<p>I should have been more clear. I’m not going into biology, I’m looking at a masters in library science (the undergrad major was a result of pressure from parents and teachers who assume if a student is good at something, they’ll want to devote the rest of their life to it). Unfortunately, it isn’t like academic disciplines where you can skip the masters and ride out a PhD on stipends. Most likely my MLS will be terminal, not because I’m unwilling to spend the time in graduate school, but because a PhD would not be applicable to my career unless I plan to teach. Likewise, the couple of years off would only be useful if I spend it cataloging or working as a page, which I have genuinely tried to do but get beat out on all fronts by current MLS students in this town.</p>
<p>And yes, it will take considerably longer than 11 years to pay off $50k if I buy a car, a house, have kids etc. The 11 year estimate assumes I do not drastically inflate my spartan standard of living, which consumes $12k a year as is (no car, no cable, no fancy phones, rarely eating out, and a roommate to halve the rent to $250 a month inc. utilities). Of course, by my mid-twenties I’ll be tired of eating Ramen and taking buses every day, and I’ll probably throw my lovely resolutions of eliminating debt out the window in favor of steak and professional hair cuts.</p>