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1 2 35 Graduate School Considerations Should I Consider Going to Graduate School? Graduate school might be a good idea if: • You want to work in any profession that requires post secondary education. • You wish to develop expertise in a particular subject or field to maximize your future earning potential and opportunities for career advancement. • You are deeply interested in a particular subject and wish to study in depth, AND have the time and financial resources to devote to further education. Graduate school may NOT be a good idea if: • You are trying to delay your entry into the "real world" with responsibilities and bills, or because you didn't/don't want to go through a job search. • You are unsure about your career future goals. This is not a place for "undecided" students! • You are having a hard time finding full-‐time employment. Is it Better to Work or Attend Graduate School Immediately After my Undergraduate Degree? Work first if: • You would like to get some real-‐world work experience before investing thousands of dollars in a graduate degree. • The graduate school of your choice prefers work experience (required by most MBA and some PhD programs before admission). • You cannot afford to go to graduate school now, and you haven't applied for any scholarships, grants, fellowships, and assistantships that could fund a great deal of your education. Go to graduate school now if: • You want to be a professor, doctor, lawyer, or any other career that requires additional schooling. • You have been awarded grants, fellowships, scholarships or assistantships that will help pay for your education. • Your study habits and mental abilities are at their peak, and you worry whether you'll have the discipline to write papers and study for exams in a few years. How Will I Pay for Tuition, Books, Fees and Living Expenses? • Family. You've likely borrowed from them in the past; maybe this is still a viable option. • Student Loans. Research and consider this option. • Fellowships/Scholarships. A high GPA, good admission test scores would be required for these sources. • Teaching/Research Assistantships. Many assistantships include tuition waivers plus a monthly stipend. • Employer Sponsorship. Some employers pay for you to continue your education. Usually they will expect you to continue working for them after you complete your degree so they can recoup their investment. What are the Pros and Cons of Going to Graduate School on a Full-‐Time vs. Part-‐Time Basis? Benefits of attending graduate school full-‐time: • You'll be able to complete your degree sooner. • You can totally commit your intellectual, physical, and emotional energy to your education. • Ideal if you want to make a dramatic career change. Benefits of attending graduate school part-‐time: • Work income helps pay for your education. • You can take a very manageable course load. • You can juggle family and school responsibilities. • Allows you to work in the function/industry/career of your choice while continuing your education. • Employer may pay for a portion of graduate degree. What Should I do Now, if Not Attending Right Away? • Identify your true strengths, interests, and values to help you discover what is right for YOU. • Keep your grades up and sign up (and prepare) to take the required standardized tests. • Talk to faculty, friends, and family who have gone to graduate school to get their perspective about the differences between undergrad and grad school. • Investigate creative ways to finance your education. • Research graduate schools to help find a good match. • Investigate the admissions process and the current student body profile of your targeted schools to evaluate your probability for admissions. • Apply to schools of interest. Source: Roslyn J. Bradford