How old is "too old" to go to grad school?

[Ideologue]

There can be more than one evil in the world.

[Monoriu]

Also, I did explicitly say that all degree programs should be centrally managed to avoid oversupplies (and undersupplies, for that matter).  This would include STEM subjects like vet training, pharmacy training, and nuse training... all of which I've heard are on the verge of having their bubbles pop.

Bureaucrats are horrible judges of how many degrees of each type are needed. 

[Razgovory]

Ide's bitter schtick is getting a bit dull.  Things can be worse.  A lot worse.

[Ideologue]

It's not a "schtick," really.  Though bitterness has compelled me to confront the issue, I have not once been met with an actual coherent argument as to why I'm wrong.

Responses usually fall into two categories:

1)The status quo is literally the only way to combat class inequality in modern America; or
2)Some degrees, despite their low ROI, are so valuable that those who are interested should still make major financial sacrifices to acquire them.

The first at least can be engaged with in a factual and theoretical debate; the second appears to be held with near-religious fervor in some quarters.

[MadImmortalMan]

You're never too old. As long as it's free. 

[Ideologue]

You're never too old. As long as it's free. 

You anti-intellectual scum.

[Eddie Teach]

Regardless of wrong or right, you dwell on the subject too much IMO.

[Ideologue]

I only bring it up myself as a joke.

[Razgovory]

It's not a "schtick," really.  Though bitterness has compelled me to confront the issue, I have not once been met with an actual coherent argument as to why I'm wrong.

Responses usually fall into two categories:

1)The status quo is literally the only way to combat class inequality in modern America; or
2)Some degrees, despite their low ROI, are so valuable that those who are interested should still make major financial sacrifices to acquire them.

The first at least can be engaged with in a factual and theoretical debate; the second appears to be held with near-religious fervor in some quarters.

There is a third response.  It's getting boring.

[grumbler]

Can you not do it part-time?

yes.  I've gotten a couple that way.

[Maladict]

As long as the purpose of post-secondary education is to prepare students for careers

It isn't. 

[Brazen]

I did a three-month intensive post-graduate certificate professional qualification, which blows most of the time and money arguments out of the water. Age-wise most of the class members were recent graduates and I think only two of us were over 30. If you can put up with the whining along the lines of, "WTF? We're being expected to think for ourselves rather than being told everything we need to know?" it's easy to step up to the senior roles in team activities, which is handy on a career-changing CV.

[Admiral Yi]

It's not a "schtick," really.

It's a seriously considered position on a vexing policy issue.  One that I happen to subscribe to.

[11B4V]

This topic has come up for me recently.

The arguments I've heard for "It's never too late!" include:

• If it's something you really want, then go for it, age bedamned!
• There should be no limit to learning.
• You don't know how long you have left to work, so you may as well beef up your resume just in case

The arguments I've heard for not going past a certain age include:

• Poor return on investment when you only have a set number of years left to work
• You would be taking the space of a younger person who would be able to better put it to use
• Waste of time and money that you could be spending traveling or with your family
• If you take time off from work for grad school, it will be harder for you to get a job if you're of a "certain age"

What does the Languish Collective think?

Just out of curiosity? How much debt will be incurred from the schooling and how long will it take you to pay it off at your present age?

[crazy canuck]

I did a three-month intensive post-graduate certificate professional qualification, which blows most of the time and money arguments out of the water.

Most graduate programs are not so short or inexpensive.  There are some intensive 12 or 18 month graduate programs offered here.  I haven't heard of a three month graduate program but good on you for finding one and taking advantage of it.