Grad school or REI?

[Account Closed]

Hello, everyone! Let me say first how I love , love BiggerPockets!! Second- I got a situation here: i graduated from UCLA last year (biochem degree) then left to Russia to do some investments there ( got the whole family there to take care of properties) due to taking an advantage of ruble falling and losing more than half of its value. (1 dollar was 32 rubl before- than it became around 80 rubl, now its 63-64). I thought to myself that I go to states and do some investments here.... Get FHA loan, get a duplex/triplex....But then i got a surprising acceptance to grad school that also offers me some good scholarship. I do have a downpayment for a the house or either I use it towards paying for grad school. Right now Im looking towards a job (real estate) where I can get a sense of what I actually want. I m not looking forward to work in the lab, that is why I am more oriented towards grad school which opens new opportunities. To be honest, I need a job that will provide a good pay so I can invest on the side (in that case I wont go to grad school) . For now (have been looking fir a month) I can't locate a job that actually will let me have a good pay (yet). Im not using income coming from investments in Russia/neither I am planning on selling those properties soon. I am waiting until the economy is going to stabilize there and ruble will get steady along with market appreciation (prices in Russia are all the time growing up). What would you do? Go to grad school or continue investment journey? By the way, I am from LA and I am a duel citizen (US and RF). If this journey looks confusing to you- sorry - i had to do decisions sometimes not based on my best interest but for the interest of my family. Right now its only about me. :) Best Regards, Tatiana.

[Shaniqua Dupree]

I say join the military as an officer. Military pays for schooling. Stay in for atleast 1 enlistment, go to school, and use the VA loan to buy your 4 plex. No down payment needed. Also you get paid so much as an officer. Most of your pay is not taxable. Save your money up and buy more properties while you are serving in the military. Also, you can get other benefits if you speak another language. Promise I am am not a military recruiter I just think that anyone who has a degree and no job yet desires a job should definitely consider joining. Most people who had some prior knowledge of investing in real estate while serving in the military buy properties at each duty station. Why? Because you are only required to live in in your permanent residence. Well if your military career takes you to another area you can use the VA loan again to buy a new house. Isn't that awesome. I would love to talk to you more about investing while serving in the military. If you would like to learn more just let me know. Just like Andrew said there is nothing stopping you from Investing in Real Estate while you are in school. Actually I'd recommend it. House hacking is gold if you don't mind roommates. I hope to hear from you soon.

Shaniqua Dupree