<p>So I am a transfer (spring '07, from a CC + freshman year at UCSC) and I’m looking at whether to graduate this spring.</p>
<p>I have all of the credits and requirements I need in order to graduate on time, so that’s not the problem. The problem is that now I have a choice to make.</p>
<p>I can graduate in the spring and be done with it. I’ll have a decent-ish GPA but nothing spectacular, and that’ll probably be the end of that. Grad school wouldn’t be a great option if I graduate in the spring because…</p>
<p>My area of concentration within the major is highly specialized and, as such, requires a great deal of extra training. I do not have nearly the requirements for this that I should were I to pursue it at the graduate level. If I stayed an extra year as an undergrad, I could work with my professors to hone my skills and complete my prerequisite training, and I could very likely get the recommendations and work required to get into a top English PhD program.</p>
<p>My dilemma: I don’t know if I actually could stand to do a PhD program. I love the thought of it, and I love most of what goes with it (not so much the politicking, but definitely the research and the field and my work) but school is a nightmare for me. I’m a horrible procrastinator, and nearly every semester I run into a significant block which interferes with my work. </p>
<p>I would also have to take out a great deal of loans, which would add to a debt that’s already feeling fairly overwhelming. I have ~$18k at this point, and I would need to take out nearly a full year’s CoA in order to attend an extra year (<em>shakes fist at changing family financial picture</em>). Remember that I’m an English major.</p>
<p>I have no clue what I want to do after college. I don’t want to stay in school because of this alone, but it’s tempting to stall another year and add an extra option to the list. My professors assure me that I have a talent in my field and I trust their opinions, but being an English professor is hardly stable or guaranteed. I have a list of other things to consider, aside from grad school, including going into publishing or teaching (particularly a temporary position, such as Teach for America or JET).</p>
<p>Both options sound tempting. I’m particularly worried about acquiring additional debt, especially in an amount that will nearly double what I already have, and about whether I can handle graduate school. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.</p>