<p>Son will graduate debt free and even has a little money in the bank and is now waiting for responses from grad schools. Some have good programs for what he wants to study, are in good locations for future employment, but since they are competitive and he is only going for a master’s, he will likely not get any funding, and may not even get into a thesis program, only admitted into a non thesis program. There are other schools, like his undergrad, that will give him full tuition and a stipend and opportunities for research, but, like his undergrad, no strong ties to the industry, located in college towns. and, although far from home, will offer pretty much the same social experience as his undergrad.
Those whose kids finished undergrad with the free ride, did you actually let money not play as much a role in grad school decision as undergrad decision? Did you let post grad employment opportunities play more of a role than social and economic fit?</p>
<p>What kind of graduate program are we talking about? </p>
<p>engineering. doing an undergrad in mechanical engineering, but always wanted to get a biomedical engineering degree. Couldn’t afford it at the undergrad level but will only get masters in biomedical engineering, not masters in mechanical.</p>
<p>When he made the decision to accept the undergrad that was free but didn’t offer the exact type of engineering he wanted, was it presented that he could always go back and get that degree in grad school?</p>
<p>Yes, definitely. Since biomedical engineering was a major you seem to have to get at least a masters in to work in, he decided to take the free ride undergrad and wait until grad school. He was able to stay close to home and save for grad school. The three grad school choices are all far from home, so that shouldn’t be a factor. </p>
<p>He is not interested in PhD study, which should be funded?</p>
<p>What about seeking work as a mechanical engineer doing jobs with biomedical applications (e.g. prosthetics, surgical instruments, etc.)?</p>
<p>has your son checked into the career outcomes from each of the programs he is interested in? How does each program fare in placing graduates into the career tracks/employers your son might be interested in? Or, does one program or another place graduates successfully where he would one day like to live?</p>
<p>If this is his intended terminal degree, it is important that he do it the right way to get to his ultimate goal. </p>
<p>So, money considerations aside, which programs fit his goals best? Of those, which have the best financial packaging?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t let financial considerations totally rule this decision as they did in undergrad–he already did that and he shouldn’t be permanently shunted off the track on the same basis now. It’s only two years, not four–another consideration.</p>
<p>If money is a big problem, then maybe it should have a lot of sway; but if money is not a major consideration, and your son was told that if he took the free ride the money would then be available for grad school, then–it should be available for grad school, and he should choose the program that best meets his ultimate goals.</p>