Night Owl's Revenge

Um…Perhaps I should change my theme song. Everyone knows that business school is expensive, with tuition hovering around $50k at top schools. I don’t even want to think about the money I spent in the application process. One thing I definitely know is that getting accepted from the waitlist plus financial aid equals one thing: LOANS! At this point, all of the scholarship/grant money has been distributed to students accepted in rounds one and two. I’m not sure if students accepted in round three receive scholarships.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled to be heading to Kellogg later this month. But I would be lying if I didn’t say that the total cost of attendance, at just over $81k, didn’t scare me. After the excitement from my acceptance died down I took a long hard look at the costs and had second thoughts. I called my friends and family, who all promptly said the same thing…”what kind of crazy person works through the grueling application process only to freak out when they achieve that hard-earned acceptance?”.”But what about the cost?” I whined…”it’s a lot of money”. Their response: “remember why you applied, and that this is an investment in your future”.

The opportunity to attend a top business school doesn’t come along everyday. I had to remind myself of my reasons for applying: broadening my career options, gaining global perspective, the chance to meet new people and learn from the very best minds in business (students and professors). While I enjoy my current job, these things aren’t readily available or offered to people in my role.

Is taking a loan for someone’s yearly salary scary? Yes. Especially with the shaky job market and national debt debacle in Washington, DC. Can I learn to live like a student again? Yes…I remember how to cook ramen noodles! :) Once my move is complete I’ll spend some time looking for scholarships to help fund my second year. 

Is anyone else out there feeling the same way about the cost of business school?

Angie Stone - 20 Dollars

Chorus- Can you loan me 20 dollars
‘Till I get my check next week
Said I only got 20 dollars
And me and my baby got to eat