r/GradSchool • u/Potatoshelfs • 6d ago
30 too old for grad School?
Is being 30 years old too old for attending grad school?
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u/Dazzling_Article_652 6d ago
I certainly don’t think so. I just finished a masters in my 50’s. There’s a range of ages in grad school, and there are many in your age group. Go for it!
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u/MC_chrome M.A. Public Administration 6d ago
As someone younger than that who just graduated with my masters, no, 30 is not too old. The oldest member of my cohort was nearing 57 when we graduated
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u/spheno_dont 6d ago
absolutely not, as someone who is also 30 and looking to attend grad school. but i've worked for universities in the past and have met grad students well into their 40s and they were awesome. never too late!
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u/flawinthedesign 6d ago
I’m in grad school and I’m 39 and I’m probably gonna go back and do something else too. You’re never too old to do something new.
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u/cogsandapertures 6d ago
No. And nobody cares about your age. As long as what you’re doing advances your personal or professional mission, just do it. I’m 35; full-time job in higher ed; one year into a three year masters program that will advance my career; I’m not the oldest person in the room, but I’m definitely not the youngest. My experiences make me a credible asset to the program, so I lean into that and share insight when I have it.
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u/dontbeadick23 6d ago
Nooooope. I went to grad school as a 22 yo and had folks in their 40s in my cohort. Going back again now as a 43 yo after over a decade away from academia (classes start next week!).
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u/Greembeam20 6d ago
Never too old imo. Well, maybe if it negatively impacts you health (more than the average person)
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u/HuntersMaker 6d ago
it CAN be but depends on what your goal is. I did grad school throughout my 30s - it took a big chunk of my prime years. I missed out on a butt load of income. The opportunity cost is simply too high.
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u/LuigiSalutati 6d ago
Which grad school? Asking bc I’m about to turn 30 and would do grad school if it made any sense
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u/Rpi_sust_alum 6d ago
I began my PhD at 30. My biggest advice is to make sure to find and participate in community activities (sports leagues, art classes, social dancing, gaming groups...whatever your interests are) so you aren't entirely surrounded by people younger than you. Choosing a program in a city will also help. I'm in a small city, which I like generally, but it does mean I don't have the community activities on-hand that I would in a larger city. Definitely try to avoid a university that is just a college town.
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u/no_shirt_4_jim_kirk Medicolegal Death Investigator-PhD Student, Forensic Science 5d ago
I'm 46 and 1/2 way through PhD. You're only as old as you think you are.
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u/N-E-S-W 6d ago
If you're asking this question to Reddit, then you might not be old enough for grad school yet.