It might strike some as odd, but I am SO glad my grad school dreams were crushed. I would have thought growing up “knowing” I would go to graduate school meant that was a sad thing. But, it was truly the best thing that could have happened to me.
I hope by sharing my experience of choosing not to go to grad school can give you some clarity if you are on the fence. It is a very personal decision but maybe this insight can help you decide if ditching grad school is right for you.
But, because going to graduate school, or not, can be a very difficult decision you may need more help. Since my journey may be very different from yours, I’ve also included some tips that may better suit your specific situation.
My Journey To Crushed Grad School Dreams
I went into college for my undergrad degree under the assumption that I would go on to graduate school. This was an expectation set up in part by my family but had reinforcement set up by my desire for educational success and career security.
When I started college it was in a major of biology but after the first year I switched to environmental horticulture. My love for plants and the love of the technical side of science led my passion toward research.
Before my senior year I had the opportunity to meet with the head of the department. He met with each student to discuss their plans and ideas of how they wanted to proceed following undergraduate school.
It was at that time sitting in his office, I was asked one of the most important questions of my life. He sat across from me and he said, “Do you feel like you have to go to grad school?” I took pause because it was always an assumption in my head that I would.
A Change In Perspective
Until that time nobody had presented the concept of just not going to grad school. He went on to talk about the reasons why someone might not choose graduate school. He pointed out why starting a career in my field before going to grad school could help me focus my time and energy.
Also, in the field of horticulture there are many positions and careers you can jump into with only an undergraduate degree. Most people who go on to graduate school do so to pursue research.
This was my train of thought so I assumed that I should go to grad school so I can do plant research. My specific interest was in plant propagation techniques and plant genetics.
I am so grateful however I was given that moment to reflect on what lay for me after I completed my bachelor’s degree. After that discussion, I chose not to apply to grad schools.
Also, at the time, I wasn’t sure where my husband’s career was going to take us. So, I felt that waiting to pursue grad school gave me a good opportunity to develop my interests in the field before committing to a concentration.
What Followed My Crushed Grad School Dreams
Fast forward to my senior year and I had the opportunity to do a semester of research. This was everything I’ve been working towards with a passionate interest.
However, it ended up being something I hated. Through the menial hours of staring at plants and taking hundreds of data points, as well as the laborious writing process, I realized research was not for me.
You would think as a people person, someone who loves interacting with others, I would have realized sooner that research would not be for me. Granted, I’m sure there’s plenty of extroverted people that do an excellent job in research.
For me, it was lonely, boring, and unrewarding. I knew that following grad school I’d have people to do the menial tasks for me but even writing the research paper was annoying. The formatting, the editing, all of it felt so draining to me.
Fortunately after graduating I had the opportunity to work at a public garden and found sharing my passion with others was more fulfilling. I know that if I continued to grad school as originally planned, I would have fully regretted the decision.
Now, I Am So Grateful
Having my grad school dreams crushed means a few very important things for me. I ended up moving out of the field of horticulture and have found fulfillment in health care and child rearing.
Due to life itself being wild, I had a very turbulent time following my college graduation. I would have truly struggled to stay in a program or even complete one at the level of focus I wanted.
Ultimately, making that change to skip grad school was easy. I know if I had a whole graduate degree in that field I would have felt more hesitance to change my focus. I’ve been able to explore so many career and personal interests. I know I wouldn’t have had the time or energy for that if I had pursued a grad degree.
I also don’t have the additional student loan debt graduate school would have brought. Dealing with the loans for my undergraduate degree has been enough. It is dismal to imagine a future where I might have had grad school loans to pay off too.
All it took was one influential person to crush my grad school dreams. And I could not be more grateful that I was offered that different option. Being able to change my perspective on what my future could hold opened so many amazing doors for me.
Reasons Why You Might Want to Drop Your Grad School Plans
Grad school can be a great path for some, but it’s not always the right move. Clearly this is a very personal and unique decision for everyone.
Take my story with a grain of salt and gain some other perspectives too. Find yourself some clarity by exploring your options and in the end make only the best decision for yourself. It’s your life, no one else’s.
If you’re still figuring out what to do about graduate school, here is a list of reasons why someone may choose not to go to grad school.
1. High Cost Without a Guaranteed Return
Graduate programs can be expensive, and not all lead to significantly higher salaries or job security. If the degree won’t clearly boost your income or career prospects, the cost may not be justified.
2. Student Loan Debt
Many of us already carry undergraduate debt. Grad school can pile on more, especially in fields where salaries are low relative to the cost of the degree (e.g., humanities, social work, or some arts programs).
You also don’t have to go to grad school right away. Work for a time to pay off debt. Or, make progress towards earning a grant or scholarship that would pay your way.
3. Delayed Earning and Career Progress
Spending 2–7 more years in school delays full-time earning potential and career advancement. Remember that you could use those years gaining experience, building networks, or exploring other paths.
4. Lack of Clear Purpose Can Crush Your Grad School Dreams
Some people go to grad school because they’re unsure what else to do. If you’re not going with a specific goal or career in mind, you may waste time and money without improving your situation. If this is the case for you, please let your grad school dreams be crushed too.
5. Limited Job Market in Some Fields
In academia or research-heavy fields, there are often more graduates than jobs (e.g., PhDs in the humanities or biology). You might face fierce competition for low-paying or unstable positions. Keep in mind what you are able to commit to the job hunt or ladder climbing.
6. Burnout or Mental Health Strain
Grad school is demanding. The academic pressure, isolation, and long timelines (especially for PhDs) can lead to stress, anxiety, or burnout, which may outweigh the benefits.
Consider other goals you have for your life such as family, travel, self-development. You may find graduate school does not fit well with those or you may want to pursue those first. Don’t compromise your well-being for a short term goal, or for anything else really. It’s just not worth it.
7. Possible Missed Opportunity Could Crush Your Grad School Dreams
You might miss out on other valuable opportunities—like industry jobs, entrepreneurial ventures, or life experiences—while you’re in school. There are many undergraduate degrees that can put you directly into a lifetime career. Sometimes the experience gained this way can be more valuable than a graduate degree.
8. Overqualification for Some Jobs
In some industries, a graduate degree can make you overqualified or too expensive for certain roles, limiting your options rather than expanding them. Consider your long term goals and if a graduate degree truly contributes to those. Just because it is the next level of academic achievement doesn’t mean it is best for you.
Final Thoughts On My Crushed Grad School Dreams
In light of how each person’s situation is different, remember my experience is unique. Having my grad school dreams crushed and choosing a different path ended up being the best outcome for me. But, I hope you’ve gained a new perspective on grad school through reading this.
Whether you are dead set on going or have decided graduate school is not for you, don’t forget that it’s okay to change your mind. Make your journey your own and be ready to uncover what amazing things life has in store along the way.
About the Author
Colleen Brickman completed a B.S. in Environmental Horticulture in 2014 at Virginia Tech. After working in a public garden for 3 years and a short spurt in retail management, she found her joy in working in the healthcare field. Still partially on the retail side, she worked as an optical assistant to sell glasses for patients at an ophthalmology practice. She is working towards optician creditizations and licensure. She has always enjoyed singing but has a newfound interest in learning the ukulele. Listening to podcasts has been her main outlet for exploration because there is such a vast assortment of topics and speakers. While crafting has been a long-term interest, she has found another creative outlet in gardening. Her long-term career goal is to continue supporting and educating people to understand how to best care for themselves. She has always enjoyed listening to the experiences patients share during their time together and have found they often appreciate a listening ear.