> Why have zero (or negative) income to get post baccalaureate education if you can go work somewhere (for money) and learn on the job? Well, ok, so here's the

> Why have zero (or negative) income to get post baccalaureate education if you can go work somewhere (for money) and learn on the job? Well, ok, so here's the thing: If you apply to grad school in one of the physical or life sciences and they don't offer you a TAship for your first year[1], then they are politely telling you to f*ck off. It's "generally understood" (which means that nobody knows this unless someone tells them) that any serious offer comes with a TAship that will just barely pay your rent in a crappy one-bedroom apartment with a little left over for food. [1] And make wild promises about how everyone has a full RAship with ponies by his second year