[JenB]

Why? Well, I've been asking myself that. I absolutely love learning, and discovering things for myself. More than that I enjoy - I am passionate about - computer science. Remember what Rush Limbaugh says, to find what you love and be the best you can at it? It's not because my dad is a computer science whiz and I love him and want to prove he doesn't have to wait for a grandson to be the next Knuth; it's not because I want to show everyone who thought I'd be like Mom; three kids by 23; and it's not even because I don't want to work. I want to learn something new every day, I want to be the best in my field, I want to be able to put "Ph.D" after my name and have any job I want open to me. And I want to prove that a homeschool girl who started out in community college can do as well as anyone else.

There. I think I'll save that and use it as my statement of purpose next year when I apply.

[Sam Cree]

I don't have a graduate degree or even know anything about computer science. I think, though, that if you wait too long in life, it becomes more difficult to find time to do such things as getting graduate degrees. I know that now your whole life seems to be ahead of you, and it's true that it is. But you'll be amazed at how quickly it may seem to have passed once it has, things that have been put off may turn out to be opportunities lost.

So I think you should go for it. Though I believe I like your reasons better than mine.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

That's a good answer. :)

I graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering from a small but respected engineering university. At the time (oh, my, was it really that long ago?) I looked into pursuing an advanced degree, and actually did work on obtaining a second Bachelor's degree (in Computer Science) but eventually dropped that in favor of going to work and making money. The funny thing is, in doing my current job I don't use anything I learned in college. Everything I know and use in my current job I learned on-the-job.

In my opinion, if your goal is learning and research, then the Ph.D. would be the way to go. If your goal is a good job as a programmer, then it may be better to complete your undergrad degree (BS or BA) and go and get a job with that. I think programming is like any other kind of writing, you only improve at it by doing it; and, your work experience will count more on your resume than an advanced degree. At least, it used to be that way...

[Sam Cree]

JenB, I'm not sure somehow that I was coherent in my post to you.

I think things like graduate degrees are priceless. I think if you have the opportunity to get one now, you very definitely should. And I wish you luck.

[SuziQ]

There. I think I'll save that and use it as my statement of purpose next year when I apply.

You GO girl!

[SuziQ]

Have you considered Univ. of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana? Isn't that where the HAL-9000 was born!? Actually I think I remember it being a good school for Comp. Sci. Our #2 son looked at it briefly, but his heart was set on Carnegie Mellon, and they accepted him. He just began his Junior year and LOVES it! He'll be thinking about grad schools in the coming year. I'll let you know the ones he's thinking of, because he won't be fooling around. He'll want the best as well!

If you want to go to Grad School, now's the time! You'll be done before you know it, and you can look back and say "Thank God THAT'S over with!" LOL!