Graduate School: The Big Question and beyond.....

Students pursue graduate school for a variety of reasons. Some students wish to do advanced work in a specific subject area to meet their personal or professional goals of developing expertise; others need specialized training to meet job requirements at a higher level; still others desire a career shift and this helps to reposition them. Whatever the reason, graduate school-whether at the masters or doctoral level-is a tremendous commitment of time and financial resources. Graduate school requires a dedication to focused study. You're encouraged to explore carefully, research thoroughly and plan well.

 

Questions to Consider: Should I go to graduate school? What should I study? When is the right time to go? Where should I go? Good answers usually lead to good outcomes. Remember that faculty, academic advisors and deans are important resources as you make graduate school decisions

 

Things to Consider:

Typically, graduate schools request the following items for admissions consideration.

• Application
• Application Fee
• Undergraduate Degree
• GPA/Official Transcript(s)
• Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Admissions Test Score

With the various types of Graduate and Professional School programs, one must take time to research, evaluate, prepare, and finance one's next step.  So take a proactive approach to your graduate school preparation.

Considering Graduate School? PDF

 

 

Tip:  It's important to consider the value of work experience prior to attending a graduate program. In fact, many competitive graduate programs look favorably upon students who have work experience related to career goals; their resume shows a progression and trajectory. Work experience may help clarify, confirm or re-direct career goals, and allow for better articulation of these goals in a personal essay or interview for graduate school. Experience outside the classroom often enriches the graduate school experience.