Toni-Ann Neita, Staff ReporterOnce upon a time a first degree was adequate to get and keep a decent job. However things are changing; the job market is evolving. Certain jobs, and the persons who hold those jobs, are fast becoming 'extinct'. And according to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, "only the fittest will survive".
In order to remain (or become) 'fit', more persons are pursuing a graduate education than in previous years. Statistics confirm that there has been a steady rise in the number of Jamaican applicants to graduate programmes both locally and overseas. These persons know that going to graduate school is extremely expensive, but it is a price they are willing to pay. They are prepared to meet the costs of their studies but what they don't realise is that these costs start piling up long before they even set foot inside a classroom.
The cost of the application process
For those who venture to graduate programmes overseas, the application process can prove to be: "very tedious", "hair-pulling", "teeth grinding", "stress inducing", according to a group of 20-odd hopefuls who had recently applied to graduate schools in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. "And surprisingly expensive!" they chimed in unison, followed by an extensive list of all the out-of-pocket expenses they had encountered during the application stages of their overseas quest.
The first step to getting into a graduate school is to investigate the requirements for entry.
Applicants to graduate programmes in the U.S. are required to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) for business degrees, the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) for Law, and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) for all other graduate degrees. Although these entrance tests can be tackled without taking any classes, it is recommended that prospective students take classes specifically geared at preparing persons for these tests.
Versan Educational Services Ltd, in Kingston, Montego Bay, and soon to be located in May Pen, offer GRE, GMAT, and LSAT classes at a cost of $25,000, $30,000 and $30,000, respectively for a three-month course and related services. Instead of doing the classes, a person can purchase the relevant text/practice books and prepare via this method. One of these books can easily cost $3,000 or more, and it is usually recommended that persons purchase more than one book in order to be better prepared. Thus, preparing for the entrance tests using books alone can cost up to $6,000. Persons going the classes route, will also need to buy text and practice books- after all, "practice makes perfect!"
Total costs for 'complete' preparation (classes and books) can run in the range of $30,000 to $35,000. Taking the test itself costs a little above or a little below US$100, depending on the test.
The next step of the application process is to choose the programmes to which to apply, and request application materials and brochures from those selected. It is recommended that prospective graduate students apply to at least five schools. Typically, application fees range from US$20 to US$100 per school; with US$50 being the average. Therefore application fees for five different schools can total in excess of US$250. That works out to approximately $12,500 in application fees alone! Fortunately some schools offer application fee waivers for applicants with financial need. Applicants can call the admission offices of the schools to which they are applying to find out how to secure a fee waiver. However it is important to note that the process of getting this waiver can be quite tedious, when it is indeed available. It may therefore just be better to close your eyes and cough up the cash, to avoid the additional paperwork.
While waiting on the materials to arrive, candidates need to request reference letters (usually three are required). Candidates also need to request transcripts from each undergraduate institution that they have attended. Transcripts from the University of Technology (UTech) cost $100 and $150 from the University of the West Indies (UWI). Some schools will require students to send two such transcripts from each institution; others ask for only one from each. Having to send at least one transcript, to each of the five schools, will cost a total of about $500 to $750.
Once the materials have arrived, been filled out, reference letters acquired, transcripts requested, admission essays written, and all requested documents included, it is time to mail each application package to the schools. It is probably safest to send these via Federal Express, which will cost about $1,000 per package depending on the weight and destination. This amounts to a total of approximately $5,000 in mailing costs.
To alleviate some of the mailing expenses many schools now offer the option of completing at least some of the application process on-line. However, students are still unable to escape from the old-fashioned mailing system entirely, as certain documents such as transcripts, reference letters and so on, still have to be sent the 'old' way.
The application process complete, the next step is to wait for confirmation of acceptance (hopefully) to at least one of the schools. Up to this point an applicant could easily have spent a whopping total of up to $50,000 approximately! And they haven't even been accepted yet!
The cost of attending
Your application was a success. You have been accepted to a graduate programme and you have contacted the school to confirm your acceptance. The $50,000 spent in application expenses, fortunately, has not gone to waste. It is at this point that the expenses really begin.
The cost of attendance is the total amount it will cost to go to graduate school - usually expressed as a yearly figure. Some expenses that are incurred by attending graduate school will depend on the choices that you make. For example, public or private school, its location and your decision to live on-campus or off-campus. Other expenses, such as the total cost for books, stay relatively constant regardless of which school a person chooses to attend.
Direct costs
This category typically includes tuition, fees, and room and board. The money is paid directly to the school. Tuition and fees vary by school but on average tuition per year, for graduate studies, is about US$20,000. Some schools base tuition on the number of credit hours the student will take during an academic period. Others rely on the students enrolment status (full-time versus part-time). These details can easily be found out from school brochures, school Web sites, or by asking school officials.
Schools often charge additional fees for other services, activities or facilities (e.g. use of gymnasiums or insurance) that they are providing to their students. These fees typically appear on the tuition bill and are not charged on a per use basis.
A student may choose to live on campus and eat in campus dining facilities. A variety of meal plans may be offered and costs may vary significantly depending on the plan that is selected. The total cost of room and board also varies depending on the type chosen- single room, suite etc.
Indirect costs
These expenses are not paid directly to the school, but are associated with attending school. The person and their family can control some of these expenses. Indirect costs include books and supplies, room and board and transportation.
Individual books vary greatly, depending on the courses the person is taking, and there is always the option to purchase used books to lower these costs. some classes may require more supplies than others - course materials, printing, copying, and computer costs.
Many foreign schools require each student to have a personal computer (PC). Students may be able to rent a PC or may be given the option of purchasing a used one for a reasonable cost. This must be factored into the students' expenses. Don't forget additional expenses, such as software and hooking up to the school network if the student lives off-campus.
If the student chooses to live off-campus, they will need to budget for monthly rent, furnishings, utilities and meals. A good option, in such a circumstance, is to share an apartment with other students so as to pool funds or to live with a relative who lives near by. Also, it is a good idea to fine-tune those cooking skills. It is expensive to eat out all the time!
A major indirect cost for Jamaicans venturing overseas for their graduate studies is the cost of the air transport to the school, and back-and-forth during holidays. The total cost of air travel will obviously vary greatly depending on the school's location and how frequently the person will want to return home. If the student plans to commute, they must ensure that they factor in the cost of public transportation or gas, car insurance, and parking fees.
Some expenses are inesca-pable. Once a person is in school the actual expenses will vary greatly based on individual lifestyle. Those who have been through the process advise others to avoid an extravagant lifestyle, plan a strict budget per year and adhere to it. Finally expect to have a very large phone bill, especially that first month, because home sickness is a hell of a thing!
