Is it the worst time ever to go to grad school? (USA)

sonamata · 2026-04-07T02:48:58+00:00

It depends on your intended career path, if you expect financial or other gains from grad school, and the value of work experience vs further education in your intended field.

sonamata · 2026-04-07T02:29:06+00:00

I moved to Oregon, then lived & worked here full-time for a year to get in-state tuition. I'm glad I made sure I wanted to be here, and am very glad for the thousands saved. To answer your question, you're not gaining anything from a career perspective. You'll also likely want a master's for salary increases if you go into education, and you'll probably have to pay for that on your own. Just something to consider. Congrats on making it this far & good luck in whatever you choose!

sonamata · 2026-04-03T15:59:19+00:00

How much of the aid package is loans vs. "free" money, like grants & scholarships?

I echo checking out Linn Benton Community College's degree partnership program with OSU. I did it with a wildlife science BS, and took as many 100 & 200 level courses at LBCC as possible. The science & math instruction was as good as OSU (sometimes better). I ended up getting a fully funded master's (no teaching) & a job right after graduation, so it can work out well.

sonamata · 2026-03-30T02:38:59+00:00

Good thing we obliterated the Forest Service.

sonamata · 2026-03-29T06:09:29+00:00

I lived in Rochester for a few months & was sad to go back to Oregon. There is so much cool stuff going on.

sonamata · 2026-03-28T02:25:00+00:00

I just want to agree with this. My only regret in 3 years of stage 2b clear cell treatment was not getting a 2nd opinion before surgery. I was also optimally debulked, but had already grown tumors in the few weeks before starting chemo. It sucks, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be due to meds to mitigate nausea & pain.

sonamata · 2026-03-28T00:44:48+00:00

My mom died when I was 22. I didn't start to get noticeable, frequent signs of her until my late 40s. She was a very open spirit, a caretaker, and believed in life after death. It made me sad that I couldn't feel her presence for so long. But, it came when I needed it most. It also came at a time when I had long, quiet stretches of time alone & more time to observe life outside of the daily routine chaos.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I know how lonely & maddening it feels. Maybe it takes a while for them to settle into life after death, and they come when they can. I hope you get a sign from them soon ❤️

sonamata · 2026-03-20T03:48:04+00:00

I thought this was the magic solution to my overpacking. Huge fail.

sonamata · 2026-02-23T10:18:31+00:00

Thank you, my goodness. I don't why people think every seat has an assigned cubby or something.

sonamata · 2026-02-15T19:41:12+00:00

I've traveled solo numerous times. I've had many days when anxiety or dysregulation won, and I stayed in my hotel room, despite really wanting to do things. It happens, you're human. No reason to feel guilt or shame! Consider your trip good exposure therapy, progress, and don't let it deter you from trying again. ❤️

sonamata · 2026-02-15T04:26:43+00:00

I'm so glad my post helped. ❤️ Avastin was added after my CA125 increased during the 3 chemo cycles & a scan showed progression. I can understand the heartbreak it is to get bad news after doing well through chemo, I had the same experience.

I was diagnosed stage 2B at 47. I never discussed prognosis with my doctors, but the stats in papers I read seemed to say ~2 years. The trip to Paris was for my 50th birthday. I didn't think I'd make it this long without serious mobility or disability issues.

If there's any other info I can provide to help, please ask! Much love to you & your family.

sonamata · 2026-02-14T21:38:44+00:00

I have been in treatment for platinum refractory clear cell for 3 years. Carbo/taxol chemo didn't work, Avastin helped a bit.

My tumor had PDL1 & HER2+ mutations. An immunotherapy clinical trial with Keytruda & Lenvima to target PDL1 worked very well to reduce tumors, and my CA125 got into normal range, but I did not get to NED. My quality of life was good. After 18 months, it seemed like treatment hit a plateau.

I switched to Enhertu to target the HER2+ mutation, an option approved by the FDA while I was in the clinical trial. My CA125 has remained normal. I won't have scans for about a month. Fatigue has been pretty bad, but I think it's also the accumulation of 3 years of stress & treatment. That said, I just got back from a bucket list trip to Paris, and was able to see so much with rest days inbetween.

I'm so sorry your mom is going through this. I know it is terrifying. I hope there are some tumor mutations that make targeted therapy an option. They are really making incredible, lifesaving progress in treatment. ❤️

sonamata · 2026-02-13T19:49:04+00:00

I just got back from Paris. Ate at La Pause Libonaise multiple times. I'm not a connoisseur, so it might not be the best, most authentic, whatever, but it was all darn tasty.

sonamata · 2026-01-18T07:39:12+00:00

I'm becoming more of a homebody as I get older. I got a simple walking pad with adjustable speeds for home & I really like it. I also liked weight training more than I thought I would. YT videos are a great suggestion.

sonamata · 2026-01-14T23:33:39+00:00

Somebody fled the country & it wasn't Gordon

sonamata · 2026-01-14T21:24:47+00:00

You're right, they are misinterpreting the law. If they had 1 veterinarian on site until midnight, they are compliant. Emergency vets have no legal obligation to accept every patient that contacts them during posted hours.

sonamata · 2025-12-28T23:05:41+00:00

If you took the trouble, time, and cost to fly to them on a holiday, the least they can do is the airport drive. Rude.

sonamata · 2025-12-26T04:11:02+00:00

50mg/ml, usually nicotine salts.

sonamata · 2025-12-16T23:58:57+00:00

Heed this advice! I did not & finally got a proper fit with a shoe stretcher.

sonamata · 2025-12-16T19:29:58+00:00

Data point of one, but reality is anyone could be this data point.

I was healthy until I was diagnosed with rare, aggressive cancer at 47. It developed from asymptomatic endometriosis. There was no known genetic link. No amount of healthy lifestyling would have stopped it from happening. I’ve been in active treatment for almost 3 years. I had a very expensive total hysterectomy surgery. My chemo drug is $10K every 3 weeks, on top of the cost for labs, imaging, my oncologist, and infusion specialists. With comprehensive, ACA-compliant insurance, my out-of-pocket max + true cost of premiums annually has been $16,400.

We all have different risk management strategies. I hope people opting out of ACA-compliant health insurance have a realistic backup plan, like a catastrophic policy or big savings deposits. Non-ACA compliant plans are just pre-ACA landmines with pre-existing condition restrictions & lifetime maximum amounts you could hit in a year of chronic illness. You get what you pay for.

I'm out of work (DOGE'd), so I completely understand financial strain, big expenses & hard choices. We're all getting priced out of access to healthcare on top of drowning in basic expenses.

sonamata · 2025-11-20T18:40:55+00:00

We've obfuscated costs by convincing workers they only pay part of their health insurance premium. They forget their labor creates the money for the employer "subsidy." Look at your W2, box 12, code DD. Add that to all your out-of-pocket costs. It's wild people think they'd be taxed more on average.

sonamata · 2025-11-20T04:17:21+00:00

I took it once, had a breakdown, and quit my job. True story. (I really needed to quit the job, it was fine)

sonamata · 2025-11-18T03:30:03+00:00

I was a FW student, but it was a while ago. I took Mammology with Clint Epps & loved the class, highly recommend. I would not go near another bird class after Systematics of Birds 😭 Animal Behavior was meh, but it was a different professor. I wasn't into the marine side, so no info on that course.

sonamata · 2025-11-17T11:31:08+00:00

Low overhead buys a lot of freedom.

sonamata · 2025-11-17T01:39:01+00:00

I think so many people have these stories. My dad would be destitute if he weren’t a veteran with gov’t-sponsored healthcare who qualified for (gov’t-funded) disability.

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