Let’s share our shared experiences and learn from each other’s surprising discoveries.
Did you have a surprising discovery ?
(I ask because it may help other readers to better understand your thoughts when asking this question.)
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Based on a first post, I’m fully expecting that the surprising discovery will be a spam link.
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I learned that every single Master’s program is different with a different focus.
You cannot conflate a Master’s degree in Quantitative Finance with a Master’s in Social Work with a Master’s in Renaissance Studies. These programs are all different with different requirements. So the premise that something that a student applying for an MFA is going to have a big reveal that will help a student applying for an MBA-- not true.
What exactly are you looking to learn?
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Yes I’d like to ask what the discovery is of the OP.
Although I grew up with a lot of hardships: coming from low income, first generation, gang neighbors and inexperienced background, I thought I had seen everything associated with the way that I was raised. My subjects in my study surprised me as well as my thesis committee.
There were a myriad of factors that I listed as things that impacted the results of my study. I can’t list the surprises here because, although the people/experienced posters on this website have integrity, I don’t want part of my research or study plagiarized.
I will agree with formal research which shows that poor nutrition adversely impacts the educational gains and alertness in children. That was evident in each one of the children that I assessed.
I will also say that a lack of an education in parents, impacts a child’s exposure to proper use of vocabulary and grammar such that curse words are used as fillers and aren’t intended as insults nor disrespect.
The other issues unique to my study were surprisingly entertaining and eye opening.
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I am not sure how much of a surprise these are. However, there are two things that I can recall.
One thing that might surprise some people, especially high school students, is how wide a range of undergraduate universities the students in a highly ranked graduate program come from. I got my master’s at Stanford, which at the time was ranked #1 in the world for my major. With only one exception it was hard to find two students in the program who had attended the same university for their bachelor’s degree. The one exception was probably a coincidence, and was NOT ranked in the top 50 in the US. My take away from this is that you really can get your bachelor’s degree at any one of a huge range of universities and go on to a highly ranked graduate program.
This is however compatible with what I have heard from other people who have attended other highly ranked graduate programs. What you do is way more important than where you do it. Related work or research experience will also matter, and in many cases may be obtained after getting a bachelor’s degree.
The other surprise was how much I loved graduate school. One big point here is that I was ready for it. Being older with some work experience I knew why I wanted to do it, and I was willing and probably even eager to work that hard to get the degree that I was determined to get. Another issue is that in graduate school every class was in my major, or a closely related field, or was something that I wanted to take.
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Yeah, I did! One of the surprising discoveries was how interdisciplinary research could be. I went in thinking I’d be focusing strictly on my field, but I found myself exploring insights from other disciplines that really enriched my understanding. It was unexpected but really eye-opening!
How about you—anything surprising on your end?
Ah, you caught me! My shocking discovery is that some people always expect spam instead of a good conversation. But seriously, just here to share and learn—no links attached!
You make a great point! Each program is unique and has its own focus, so I wasn’t suggesting there’s a universal insight for every degree. I’m just curious about personal experiences—sometimes surprises in one field can still offer valuable lessons. I’m interested in those personal aha moments that might not be related to the coursework.
What about you? Did anything outside the syllabus surprise you?
Thank you for sharing your experience! It sounds like you’ve uncovered some deep and impactful insights from your research. The surprises you mentioned highlight the complexity and richness of individual studies. My own experience revealed that even when you think you understand a field, there’s always more to learn and discover.
If you’re comfortable, I’d love to hear more about the aspects of your study that were particularly eye-opening. 
Your insights really resonate with me!
It’s inspiring to hear how diverse backgrounds can lead to success in top programs and how passion and readiness can transform grad school into a deeply fulfilling experience. It reminds me that it’s not just the path we take, but the dedication and enthusiasm we bring to it that truly shape our journey.
Thanks for sharing your perspective—it’s both encouraging and enlightening! 
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The OP is welcome to recruit customers and collect “experiences” for their website elsewhere.
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