Roy- Thanks for reading and you raise an excellent point. Nothing is guaranteed in life, including the fruit of one's sacrifices. I sacrificed my time, energy, and money for several years studying the martial art of jujitsu. I earned a brown belt and was studying for my black belt when an injury landed me in the emergency room. There had been prior injuries but this was the final straw for my wife. I walked away from jujitsu, for my health and family, even though I was so close to my goal of black belt. Sometimes we must sacrifice for our family, like my father did working away. Your desire to get a master's degree was noble. It would have benefitted you and your family, but alas, sometimes life gets in the way. Wishing you all the best!