Analysis Paralysis / Degree Hunt Addiction

Do you find yourself spending hours and hours combing degreeinfo.com, university web pages, and other sites for information about degree programs?

Do you spend considerable time investigating degree programs you know you'll never apply to?

Do you find yourself talking to random strangers about some great foreign degree program you found last night rather than the weather or last night's game?

Do co-workers or family try to avoid eye contact with you so they can be spared another conversation about RA versus NA?

After you've roundly rejected a program, do you still find yourself going back to check for more information on it, "just in case"?

If you answered yes to these questions, you might have APDHA: Analysis Paralysis / Degree Hunt Addition. Talk to your doctor about treatment options.





I'll admit, I'm currently afflicted. I have been trying to find the perfect online doctorate -- something in the social sciences, conflict resolution, community development, even leadership. I haven't found anything satisfying. Anyway, no time to talk here. The search must continue!

 

I'm heavily afflicted with this disease. Yet, I've recently exhibited another symptom and I'm wondering if it's from the same disease: Starting a doctoral program, getting buyer's remorse and jumping ship only to start another doctoral program at a different school. Tell me doc, is this the same disease? Is there any hope?

 

I found when I was actively pursuing my degree(s) that I had most of those symptoms. I am (for the 1st time in 9 years) currently not an active student. Combing this site and finding articles online (especially the reader comments after the articles) regarding the big debates on for-profit vs. non-profit schools, employment stats among the educated vs. non-educated, and the current debates over whether college is relevant or worth the cost is what fills my free my web browsing activity.

I'm not actively seeking any additional formal education because I would most likely have to go in debt to pursue another degree. Right now I'm paid up and if I can possibly justify a return on investment for furthering my education, or get an opportunity at a good job with tuition reimbursement, then I will likely start looking through second bachelors or graduate programs. But I've almost talked myself into going back to my undergrad alma mater and pursuing a Master of Science in Information Systems degree since my undergrad degree lined me up nicely for that program. Only downside is I will need to take either the GMAT or the GRE for entrance into Business School, even with an undergrad GPA of 3.52.

 

Shock and awe! I am also in..er..affected by this disorder! Yes, I still am researching graduate degrees and am torn between going specific (DF) or more general (Info Systems/Info Tech) or just go for MBA in Organizational or Strategic Leadership... I want both, but don't know which to take first in an attempt enhance my career aspirations...

 

Hi - I see that you went to EMU. Were you an on campus, DL or a hybrid student? I've just applied to EMU's MA in Ed. Psych program. Fortunately, the GRE is not required for this program. How was hour experience at EMU?

Thanks,

 

I need help I spent about 20 mins today talking to the UPS man about his DL options. Are there meds for this?

 

Its part of it all right, 6 or 7 schools and no degree.

 

Hello all. My name is jfosj and i have APDHA...

 

The weather? There's still weather??

Phillip

 

Everybody replies: "Hello, jfosj. Welcome to APDHA Anonymous." We offer 12 steps to freedom, but 11 of them are usually steps backward!!!

 

Yikes!

 

I have a spreadsheet with future possible programs and list: Cost per course, number of courses, Total cost, co hort required?, name of degree, on campus requirement?, tests?, protocored tests?, school reputation, time to complete, customer service - attitude, phone number, and URL

Then I have "sample" resumes of what they would look like depending on what degrees I may do in the future.

Does that count? Is that normal or do I have the same problem as others

 

I am also an APDHA.

 

Yep, guilt as charged too. I have all this symptoms, maybe I should really get a doctor...lol

I'm almost finishing my MFA and I'm always considering a second bachelors (I actually enrolled at ESC and almost enrolled at Harvard Extension).

I can't stop thinking I should get some degree form Harvard Extension while I'm in the USA, just in case, because, well - it's Harvard. I keep thinking about the ALM in Digital Media Arts and the ALM in Visual Arts.

I'm also always considering a second Master degree related to mine (one in Computer Animation) even though those degrees are only useful for immigration purposes (because in my industry no one hires you for your degree).

I'm specially tempted about going to UK for a second Master, as they accept transfer credits at the Master level (something rare in the USA).

I also think I should get into a PHD of Art with a practical element (believe or not they exist, both in the US and the UK).

And you know what is more strange? I don't believe in formal education. It's more a mix of practical purposes (the higher your academic qualification the easier it's for you to immigrate to a first world country, especially in the anglo-saxon world) and social perception (as a autodidact I've got sick to lose some jobs and teaching gigs for people that didn't know what the fuck they were doing but had better academic qualification in my field than I had).

Yes, I think I'm sick...lol

 

I find myself looking at that UPenn Exec Ed.D alot though I know attending is highly unlikely.

Have you considered the PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern? Might be another program for you to consider.

 

The GRE or GMAT is normally required for business school at many universities. My classes were a mix of online and on campus. I took two classes a semester there every semester and usually took one class online and one on campus because after 7 years of attending college part time always on campus, I got pretty tired of going to campus 2 or more nights per week after work. So the last 30 credits of my undergrad I split it up and had no problem going to campus once a week. My experience at EMU was very good. What helped was that a good percentage of students there were non traditional students (this will be more so for you I assume since you will be in grad school). I also have a good friend who did his undergrad there and is currently pursuing his Masters in Social Work there and he really enjoys it. Some of the traditional students in my on campus classes got under my skin somewhat because they thought that showing up for class should have impressed the professors and earned them a good grade. But the professors didn't have a problem handing out bad grades for students that didn't want to put forth the effort. I'm not sure about your particular program of interest, but I highly recommend the school, especially for grad school. The only thing is, if you are familiar with the area, just be careful because the campus is not in the best town or best part of town. I took a few classes at the College of Business which is right in downtown Ypsi, away from the main campus (with a neighboring night club and a strip club) and if I wasn't a big 230lb weightlifter, I might've been a little nervous coming and going to class. I had at least one or two shady characters come to beg for money from me claiming to be students there that were having car trouble and needed money for the bus. But I also chose to park in the city public parking lot right next to the city bus stop, rather than pay the $75 per semester to park in the schools enclosed parking structure.

 

I have a mild case of APDHA: Analysis Paralysis / Degree Hunt Addition (leave the bottle).

I had it under control for a minute, but it came back recently. I was ready to start my first semester at Roger Williams this fall, but it flared back up. I dropped all of my classes after a trip to Troy’s campus and picked up a SEO class at UC Irvine to keep me busy.

I just can't stop the madness. I'm doing a little research as we speak.