back to school

[Mike88]

So I'm back at school tomorrow. I'm starting at a new university (university of toronto), in a new program (criminology) and beginning a new degree (masters). I'm not sure what to expect from grad school. Anyone know what an MA is like compared to undergraduate work?

[josh98bird]

Re: back to school

I have no clue, but congratulations and best of luck

[ArticRider]

Re: back to school

Be prepared to do a lot more work if you didn't do too much in undergrad(don't know what your major was in undergrad) or if you aren't used to it. I was in an engineering major for my undergrad and am doing the same thing for my master's now... still a lot of work!

Things are also less lax in grad school... C's are very bad(could get you kicked out of the program) and even B's aren't that lovely anymore. You basically want A's in everything cause pretty much all of your classes count toward your specialization and you'll be taking a lot less credits to graduate.

I don't know about the demographics of your classmates...but it totally changed for me. In undergrad, mostly domestic students. In grad... mostly international students. Lots of Indian people(not surprised... it's computer engineering). So if the class is on a curve, be prepared for competition, cause most grad students are serious.

Other than that, enjoy your last few years in college before you have to settle down and get a job. I'm definitely gonna enjoy my last year here, even though I will have been here for 6 years after I'm done. But that's alright, I've seen the Gators win 3 championships in my time here(who knows, maybe more after this year)! :)

[99BlackW68]

Re: back to school

So I'm back at school tomorrow. I'm starting at a new university (university of toronto), in a new program (criminology) and beginning a new degree (masters). I'm not sure what to expect from grad school. Anyone know what an MA is like compared to undergraduate work?

wow that place starts late! ive been here at Purdue for a month now.

[kristen]

Re: back to school

hahhahahahahahahhahha

[LETZRIDE]

Re: back to school

yea, american schools always start earlier then us...

[SpeedingFirebird]

Re: back to school

The big difference I saw was that graduate professors expect you to want to work. They don't hold you hand, they don't push you to do the work. Most of the people in graduate programs want to be there and want to work. Those that don't fail out quickly.

Personally, I found the material in grad school to be harder, but overall it was easier because a lot of the busy work was gone. They cut to the chase and just give you the hard problems to solve instead of giving lots of busy work.

My classes start tonight. :(

[96_Fbird]

Re: back to school

You go to purdue? where do you live?

[Mike88]

Re: back to school

well first day is over with. Thanks for the info. I went to McGill in sociology for my undergrad so the reading and work load was very heavy and i definitely didn't slack off. I guess it prepared me well, because the reading lists don't look too much more daunting in grad school. The demographics haven't changed much...for a city as culturally diverse as Toronto, there are far fewer ethnicities represented in my program than I would have guessed. Also, the Criminology program, like Sociology seems to be made up of mostly women. I think there were about 20 women compared to 4 men. Interesting.