I haven't matriculated in over a decade
 

I started to take some grad level courses in 92 and then lost interest. Sometimes I feel bad about this, other times not. At least it doesn't make my balls hurt.

It's been about 5 for me...I decided not to go to college.

I can honestly say, I dont even remember how to do algebra haha. I'm completely in a world of creating art.

and my balls feel great!!

i need a scholarship for a MA please.

I'm not at a decade yet, but getting close

yeah...same...:(

i'm also worried that i won't get into a master's program because my college gpa was not exactly spectacular...

im constitutionally unable to register for another class ever again.

it's going to be autodidactism from here onwards for me-- actually, everything that i make money with these days i never learned in a classroom. it's been a few years of that already & it's working very well.

Schools overrated. Dem dumb teachers never learned me nothing no how.

ive had some GREAT teachers over the years but in exchange i had to put up with a shitton of crappy ones.

at this point i am arrogant enough to skip the trial and error & trust my own wits-- wish i had reached this stage earlier, but i needed a visa :P

what i miss is the library of congress, oh holy heaven of heavens, but google books is on its way.

I know, overall my teachers were great. I'm just attempting humor.

I have some bad teachers and some good ones.

i just cant afford it. it was all set. damn.

what were you gonna go for?

linguistics.

aww man. what type of program specifically if you dont mind me asking?

i work as a translator, so bristol university has this distance program MA, i would have to come up with a thesis tho too much hassle im still not sure. i have nothing to say about anything i just want a MA.

'merican schools often do not require a thesis to get the MA. i took exams-- 3 fucking weeks of them, booked solid-- but no thesis.

you could lose money and earn a living as a TA and that would pay for the school-- then you'd incur some hefty debts and what not, but you'd get your MA.

or you could spend your money traveling to the countries where they speak the languages you translate ;)

oh yes i already do that, in fact i "live" in different countries, always going back and forth. this has helped me, but the whole thing about translating is to have a shitload of contacts. im afraid the MA would take a lot of my time - the time i need to work because deadlines are unforgiving - but it could also get me more work? i dont know.

ha ha-- that's a guaranteed no on the employment front i think. really, nobody cares about degrees maybe except for doctors.

what you probably need is a good online portfolio, recommendations from clients, a nice website, and some kickass business cards. in other words, spend some time & money marketing yourself. then there's the going with the clients for a drink & shit of that sort, but that can be annoying...

what languages do you translate and where do you live?

oh man yes. but i am not looking for formal employment, this business pays a lot more when you're freelancing.
the business cards and all take a little while to start paying off, so god help me with patience.

I graduated from college in 1996, and moved to Korea in '99. Started a distance MA early this year. It's been a bitch re-learning how to write academically.